February 8, 2016

 Exemption No. 11426B

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−0173

Mr. Ryan P. Marlow

Alaska Aerial Media, LLC

7960 Upper O’Malley Road

Anchorage, AK 99507

Dear Mr. Marlow:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition for an amendment. It explains 

the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists any changes to the original conditions 

and limitations.

By letters dated July 10, 2015 and July 13, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of Alaska Aerial Media LLC(hereinafter petitioner or 

operator) for an amendment to your current exemption. That exemption from §§ 61.23(a) and 

(c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 

91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data 

collection and closed-set motion picture and television filming. You requested an amendment 

to add the Trimble UX5 aircraft1.

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested amendment to the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner. The 

unmanned aircraft authorized in the original grant are comparable in type, size, weight, speed 

and operating capabilities to those in this petition.

 

1 The petitioner also requested authority to conduct UAS training and nighttime operations. At this time, the 

FAA is unable to authorize UAS operations for training and nighttime operations until a further assessment is 

completed. When the FAA completes its review, we will proceed accordingly and no further action will be 

required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual 

observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the other conditions and limitations in this exemption.
2

Airworthiness Certification

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 11426 

remains valid and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority contained 

in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, the operator is 

granted an amendment to add new aircraft to its UAS operations.

The operator shall add this amendment to its original exemption.

 

Conditions and Limitations

All conditions and limitations within Grant of Exemption No. 11426 remain in effect except 

as follows. Condition No. 1 has been updated to reflect the additional aircraft. 

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption. 

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Inspire 1, DJI 

S800, DJI S1000, SenseFly eBee RTK, and Trimble UX5 when weighing less than 

55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a 

new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

This exemption terminates on April 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service