July 27 , 2015
Exemption No. 12172 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

– 20 15

– 1742
Mr. John Robert West II 44 Old Country Road Westhampton , NY 11977 Dear Mr. West : This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. By letter dated May 28, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption
. You requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial data colle ction
. See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption
. The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner
. Airworthiness Certification The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 3 Professional
. The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates
. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of P ublic 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 fi nds that the requested relief from2

14 CFR part 21 , C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary. The Basis for Our Decision You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1

. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No s . 11062 to Astraeus Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA

− 2014

− 0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest. Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of Exemption Nos. 11 062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;  The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 also apply to the situation you present; and  A grant of exemption is in the public interest. Our Decision In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, Mr. John Robert West II is granted a n exemption from 14 CFR §§ 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), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to oper ate a UAS to perform aerial data collection
. This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below. Conditions and Limitations In this grant of exemption, Mr. John Robert West II is hereafter referred to as the operator.

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (part iculate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the UA.3

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 Phantom 3 Professional 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
. 2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are not permitted. 3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be opera ted at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. 4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL. 5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver’s license. 6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maint ains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ; e lectronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation fo r the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO. 7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in thi s grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limita tions in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The ope rator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised4

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present up dated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents. 8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS op eration or flight characteristics, e.g. , replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and mu st remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property. 9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation. 10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g. , inoperable com ponents, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. 12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins. 13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certif icate. 14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining approp riate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with5

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (traini ng, proficie ncy, and experience

- building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119. 15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (S VFR) are not authorized. 16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbo l as denoted on the current FAA

- published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made avail able to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 18. If the UAS loses c ommunications or loses its GPS sign al, the UA must return to a pre - determined location within the pr ivate or controlled

- access property. 19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. 20. The PIC is prohibited from beginn ing a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacture r if greater. 21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA
. 22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial num ber, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N− Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.6

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcem ent official upon request. 24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times. 25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure tha t nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipa ting persons ; and b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard. The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption. 27. All operations shall be conducted over private or control led

- access property with permission from the prop erty owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted. 28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vert ical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions containe d on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov
. If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply. 29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption.7

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities must include at least the following: a. Dates and times f

or all flights; b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption; c. Name and phone number of th e person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS; d. Make, model, and serial or N− Number of UAS to b e used; e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming; f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request; g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation. 31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the exemption holder’s MPTOM. Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61, and 91. This exemption terminates on July 31, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Sincerely, / s/ John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service EnclosuresUNI TE D S T A TE S OF AM E RI CA D E P A R T M E NT OF T RANSPO R T A T IO N F E D E RAL A

VI A T IO N ADMINIS T RA

T IO N W ASHI NG T ON, DC

**IN T**  **H E M**  **A**

**TTER O**  **F T**  **H E**  **P ETITI**  **O N**  **FO R EXE**  **MP TI**  **O N**  **OF :**  **John Robert West II FO**  **R AN EXE**  **MP TI**  **O N SEE**  **K ING**  **RELIEF F**  **R O**  **M T**  **H E RE**  **Q UIRE**  **M ENTS**  **O F** 

**TITLE 14**  **O F**  **T H**  **E C O**  **DE O**  **F F**  **EDERAL RE**  **G UL**  **A TI**  **O NS**  **SECTI O**  **NS 61. 1**  **13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2),**  **AND 91.417(a) & (b) C O**  **NCERNING C**  **O MMERCIAL**  **OP ER**  **A TI**  **O N**  **O F**  **CARB O**  **N C O**  **RE O**  **C T**  **O C**  **OP TER**  **/ DJI PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL QC**  **UNMANNED AIRCRA F**  **T SYSTE**  **M S**  **P URSUANT**  **T O**  **SECTI O**  **N 333 O**  **F T**  **H E**  **F AA**  **M O**  **DERNIZ A** 

**TI O**  **N AND**  **RE FO**  **RM ACT**  **O F**  **2012 (**  **P UBLIC**  **L A** 

**W 1**  **12 -**  **95)**

Sub mitt ed on May

28, 2015 John Robert West II 44 Old Country

Road Westhampton NY, 119772 **T ABLE**  **O F**  **C O**  **NTENTS** Page G L OSSA R

Y OF ABBR E VI A

T IO NS....................................................................................3 SUMMA R

Y ............................................................................................................................4 IN T RODUC T IO N AND IN TE R E S T S OF P ET I T ION E R....................................................4 BACKGROUND................................................................................................................... .4 BASI S FOR P ET I T IO N.........................................................................................................5 N AME AND ADDR E SS OF P ET I T IO N E R.............................................................7 T HE SP E CIFIC S E C T IO NS OF 14 C. F .R. FROM WHI CH John Robert West II S EE KS E X E MP T IO N...............................................................................................8 T HE E X TE NT OF R EL I E F John Robert West II S EEKS AND T HE R E ASON John Robert West II SEEKS T HE R EL I E F.......................................................... 1 1 T HE R E ASONS WHY GRAN T ING John Robert West II 's R E QU E ST WOU L D BE IN T HE PUB L IC IN TE R E ST .........................................................15 T HE R E ASONS WHY GRAN T ING T HE E X E MP T IO N WOU L D NOT ADV E RS E L

Y AFF E CT SAF ET Y

..........................................................................19 SUMMA R

Y T H A T CAN BE PUB L ISH E D IN T HE F E D E RAL R E GI S TE R......34 ANY ADDI T IONAL IN FORM A T ION, VI E WS, OR ARGUM E N T S AV AI L AB L E T O SUPPO R

T John Robert West II 's R E QU E S T ......................34 CONC LUSION....................................................................................................................35 APP E NDI C E S.........................................................................................363 **G L**  **O SSA**  **R**

**Y O**  **F ABBREVI**  **A**

**TI O**  **NS** AGL Above Ground L evel AOI Area of In t errst A T C A i r T ra f f i c Con trol A T O A i r T ra f f i c O r gan i za ti on A V Aer i al V eh i c l e CFR Code of Federal R e gu l a ti ons COA C e rti f i ca t e Of Au thor i za ti on F AA Federal A v i a ti on Admi n i s tra ti on F AR Federal A v i a ti on R e gu l a ti on GCS Ground Con trol S t a ti on GPS G l obal Pos iti on i ng Sys t em HH Hor i zon Hobby B l ade 350QX2AP L OL L oss Of Li nk NAS Nati onal A i rspace Sys t em NO T AM No ti ce T o A i r m an PI C P il ot InCo mm and Sec ti on 333 F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA) Sec ti on 333 SO Safe t y Observer SOP S t andard Opera ti ng Pro cedures UA Un m anned A i rcraft UAS Un m anned A i rcraft Sy s t em VFR V i sual F li ght Ru l es V L OS V i sual Li ne Of S it e VMC V i sual Me t eoro l og i cal Cond iti ons V T OL V erti cal T ake

- O f f and L and i ng4 **SUMMA R** 

**Y** John Robert West seeks exe mp ti on from the requ i re m en t s of 14 C. F .R §§ 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a) (2), and 91.417(a) & (b), t o opera t e an Un m anned A i rcraft Sy s t em pursuant t o Sec ti on 333 of the F

AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA). T h i s exe mp ti on w il l per mi t t o opera t e an Un m anned A i rcraft Sy s t em (UAS) for the co mm erc i al purpose of conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y of cons truc ti on s it es, real es t a t e and l andscape
over cert a i n areas of the Un it ed S t a t es.

**INTR O**  **DUCTI O**  **N AND**  **INTERESTS O**  **F T**  **H E**  **P ETITI**  **O NER**  John Robert West II prov i des h i s c li en t s w ith a unique perspective on the
s ervices that they

provide and knowledge in drone safet y i n advanced pho t ograph y and v i deo so l u ti ons t o i ncrease e f f i c i enc y , produc ti v it y and
e f fec ti veness.
John Robert West II has over 4 y ears of exper i ence i n Pho t ograph i c and V i deo T echno l og y

. He has over 4 ye ars recreati onal and hobby exper i ence i n a l l aspec t s of aer i al
v i deo and pho t ograph y

. T he ob j ec ti ve of John Robert West II 's aer i al v i deo and Pho t ograph y opera ti ons i s t o prov i de h i gh qua lit y im ag i ng for a var i e t y of co mm erc i a l , pub li c, and res i den ti al uses, spec i f i ca ll y t ar ge ti ng: Cons truc ti on s it es before, af t er and dur i ng Appra i sa l s R e a l

- es t a t e m arke ti ng Aer i al acqu i s iti ons used for i nspec ti ons of pub li c and pr i va t e s truc tures. Search and R e scue opera ti ons5 **BAC KG**  **R O**  **UND** Un m anned A i rcraft Sy s t e m s: , DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's John Robert West II seeks an exe mp ti on t o opera t e DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC for co mpensa ti on or h i re w ith i n the NAS. T he DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC is a verti cal t akeof f and l and i ng (V T O L ) Un m anned A i rcraft (UA) U tili z i ng a 2. 4g hz R em o t e Control sy s t e m . T he DJ I Phantom 3 Professional has a m ax im um gross we i ght of approx im a t e l y 1280 g , wh il e hav i ng a diagonal size of 590mm , and a m ax im um speed of approx im a t e l y 16 kno t s. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's that w il l be opera t ed by John Robert West II w il l be reg i s t ered i n accordance w ith 49 U.S.C. 44103, R eg is tra ti on of Ai r

cra f t , as we l l as 14 C. F .R Part 47, Ai r cra f t R eg i s t ra ti o n , and
m arked i n accordance

w ith 14 C. F .R. Part 45, Iden tifi ca ti on and R eg i s tra ti on Mark

i ng .

**BASIS FO**  **R P**  **ETITI O**  **N** Pe titi one r, John Robert West II , pursuant t o the prov i s i ons of the Federal A v i a ti on R e gu l a ti ons (14 C. F .R. § 1 1.61) and the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA), Sec ti on 333, Spec i al R u l es f or C e r t a i n Unmanned Ai r

cra f t Sys t em s , hereb y pe titi ons the Admi n i s tra t or t o
co mm erc i a ll y opera t e the And DJIP hantom 3 Professional QC UAS's i n t he Na ti onal A i rspace Sy s t em (NAS), and for an exe mp ti on from t he requ i re m en t s of 14 C. F .R §§ 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b).6

In cons i dera ti on of the speed, we i gh t , s i ze, and limit ed opera ti ng area assoc i a t ed

w ith the un m anned a i rcraft and it s opera ti on, John Robert West II opera ti on of and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's m ee t s the cond iti ons of FMRA Sec ti on 333 and therefore, w il l not requ i re an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e i n ordnance w ith 14 C. F .R. Part 21, Subpart H. Accor d in g ly

, John Robert West II requests re li ef from Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b), as these sec ti ons set forth requ i re m en t s for m a i n t enance that on l y app l y t o a i rcraft w ith an a i rworth i ness
certi f i ca t e. John Robert West II submits that the reques t ed re li ef i s proper s i nce an equivalent l evel of safe t y w il l be ensured. John Robert West II w il l use exper i enced personnel or t echn i c i ans t o perform m a i n t enance, a lt era ti ons, or preven ti ve m a i n t enance on the UAS's
us i ng the m e thods, t echn i ques, and prac ti ces prescr i bed i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e., Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og, and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC I ns truc ti on Manua l ). Further m ore, John Robert West II w il l docu m ent and m a i n t a i n a l l m a i nt enance records for the and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's. R eli ef from cert a i n requ i re m en t s of Sec ti on 61. 1 13(a) and (b), en titl ed P r i va t e p il ot pr i v il eges and li m ita ti ons: Pil ot i n comman d , i s reques t ed b y John Robert West II t o the ex t ent necessar y t o a ll ow a P il ot i n Co mm and (PI C) ho l d i ng a pr i va t e p il ot or h i gher l evel cer ti f i ca t e, as we l l as an a i r

m an m ed i cal
certi f i ca t e, and who has de m ons tra t ed, by m ee ti ng mi n im um f li gh t - hour and current requ i re m en t s, that the PIC i s ab l e t o safe l y opera t e the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith th i s ex e mp ti on, i nc l ud i ng evas i ve and e m e rgency
m aneuvers and m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from peop l e, vesse l s, veh i c l es and
s truc tures.7 John Robert West II seeks re li ef from Sec ti on 91.7(a), en titl ed C i v i l a i r cra f t
a i rwor th i nes s , because the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's do not requ i re an
a i rworth i ness certi f

i ca t e i n ordnance w ith 14 C. F .R. Part 21, Subpart H. As such, John Robert West II sub mit s t hat he w il l ensure that the Phantom 3 UAS's is i n an a i rworthy cond iti on, pr i or t o every f li gh t , by de t er mi n i ng that the UAS's are i n co mp li ance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e., Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og, and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC In s truc ti on Manua l ), and that the a i rcraft are i n a cond iti on for safe f li gh t
. John Robert West II a l so seeks an exe mp ti on from the requ i re m en t s of Sec ti on 91.121, en titl ed Alti me t er Se tti ng

s , as the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l not have a t yp i cal baro m e tr i c a ltim e t er onboard. Howeve r, a ltitude i nfor m a ti on of the and DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l be prov i ded t o the PIC v i a G l obal Pos iti on i ng Sy s t em (GPS) equ i p m ent and rad i o co mm un i ca ti ons t e l e m e try da t a li nk, wh i ch down li nks from the UAS t o the GCS for ac ti ve m on it or i ng of the f li ght pa th. T h i s a ltitude i nfor m a ti on,
co mb i ned w ith John Robert West II 's opera ti on of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w ith i n v i sual li ne of s i gh t , at or be l ow 400 feet AG L , w il l ensure a l evel of safe t y equ i va l ent t o Sec ti on 91.121. Add iti ona ll y

, John Robert West II seeks an exe mp ti on from t he requ i re m en t s of Sec ti on 91.151(b), en titl ed F uel r equ i r emen t s f or fli ght i n VF R cond iti on s . John Robert West II's sub mit s that safe t y w il l not be a f fec t ed by opera ti on of the and DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's dur i ng dayli ght hours i n v i sual m e t eoro l og i cal cond iti ons (VMC)
under v i sual f

li ght ru l es (VFR), w ith enough ba tt ery power t o f

l y for a t o t al dura ti on of approx im a t e l y 10 mi nu t es for the i n t ended pho t o shoot and, assu mi ng nor m al cru i s i ng speed, t o f

l y af t er that for at l east 2.5 mi nut es for recovery and l and i ng. In accordance w ith8

14 C. F .R. § 1 1.81, John Robert West II prov i des the fo ll ow i ng information i n support of it s pe titi on for exe mp ti on:
**A. Name And**  **Add r**  **ess O**  **f The**  **P et**  **i t**  **i oner**  T he nam e and address of the Pe titi oner and po i nt of con t act i s: John Robert West II 44 Old Country

Road Westhampton NY 11977 Email: jrwpics1@gmail.com **B. The**  **Spec i**  **f**

**i c Sect**  **i ons**  **O f**  **14 C. F** 

**.R. F**  **r om**  **Wh i**  **ch John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **1. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i on**  **61. 1**  **13(a) And (b).**  Sec ti on 61. 1 13, en titl ed Pr i va t e p il ot pr i v il eges and limit a ti ons: Pil ot i n command , subsec ti ons (a) and (b) prescr i be the fo ll ow i ng, i n re l evant part : (a) No person who ho l ds a pr i va t e p il ot certi f i ca t e m ay act as a p il ot i n co mm and (PI C) of an a i rcraft that i s carry i ng passengers or propert y for co mpensa ti on or h i re; nor m ay that person, for co mpensa ti on or h i re, act as PI C of an a i rcraf t
. (b) A pr i va t e p il ot m a y

, for co mpensa ti on or h i re, act as PI C of an a i rcraft i n connec ti on w ith any

bus i ness or e mp l oy

m ent i f

— (1) T he f li ght i s on l y i nc i den t al t o that bus i ness or e mp l oy m en t ; and (2) T he a i rcraft does not carr y passengers or proper t y for co mpensa ti on or h i re.
**2. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i on**  **91.7(a).**9 Sec ti on 91.7, en titl ed C

i v i l a i r cra f t a i rwor th i nes s , subsec ti on (a), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: (a) No person m ay

opera t e a c i v i l a i rcraft un l ess i t i s i n an a i rworthy cond iti on. **3. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect i**  **on 91.121.**  Sec ti on 91.121, en titl ed A ltim e t er se tti ngs, subsec ti on (a), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng, i n part : (a) E ach person operati ng an a i rcraft sha l l m a i n t a i n the cru i s i ng a ltitude or f li ght l evel of that a i rcraf

t , as t he case m ay

be, by reference t o an a ltim e t er t hat i s se t , when opera ti ng -- (1) B el ow 18,000 feet MS L , t o -- ( i ) T he current report ed a ltim e t er s ett ing of a s t a ti on a l ong the rou t e and w ith i n 100 nau ti cal mil es of the a i rcraf t ; ( ii ) I f there i s no s t a ti on w ith i n the area prescr i bed i n paragraph (a)(1)( i ) of th i s sec ti on, the current report ed a ltim e t er se tti ng of an appropr i a t e ava il ab l e s t a ti on ; or ( iii ) I n the case of an a i rcraft not equ i pped w ith a rad i o, the e l eva ti on of the departure a i rport or an appropr i a t e a ltim e t er se tti ng ava il ab l e before departure. **4. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i o**  **n 91.151(b).**  Sec ti on 91.151, en titl ed F uel r equ i r emen t s f or fli ght i n VF R conditi on s , subsec ti on (b), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: (b ) No person may beg i n a fli ght i n a r o t o r cra f t under VF

R conditi ons un l ess (cons i der i ng w i nd and f

o r ecast w e a ther conditi ons) the r e is enough f

uel t o fl y t o the fi rst po i nt of i n t ended landi ng and, assum i ng normal cru is i ng speed, t o fl y a ft er that f or at l east 20 m i nu t es. **5. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ement O**  **f Sect**  **i o**  **n 91.405(a).** 10 10 Sec ti on 91.405, en titl ed Ma i n t enance r equ i r e d , subsec ti on (a), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: E ach owner or operat or of an a i rcraf t

— (a) Sha l l have that a i rcraft i nspec t ed as prescr i bed i n subpart E of th i s part and sha l l be tween requ i red i nspec ti ons, except as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, have d i screpanc i es repa i red as prescr i bed i n part 43 of th i s chap t er[.] **6. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i on**  **91.407(a)(1)** Sec ti on 91.407, en titl ed Opera ti on a ft er ma i n t enance, p r

even ti ve ma i n t enance,
r ebu ildi ng, or a lt era ti o n , subsec ti on (a)(1), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: (a) No person m ay

opera t e an y a i rcraft that has unde r gone m a i n t enance, preven ti ve m a i n t enance, rebu il d i ng, or a lt era ti on un l ess -- (1) It has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce b y a person au thor i zed under § 43.7 of th i s chap t e r. **7. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i ons**  **91.409(a)(1) And 91.409(a)(2).**  Sec ti on 91.409, en titl ed Inspec ti on s , subsec ti on (a), s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: (a) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, no person m ay opera t e an a i rcraft un l ess, w ith i n the preced i ng 12 ca l endar m on ths, i t has had

-- (1) An annual i nspec ti on i n a cco rdance w ith part 43 of th i s chap t er and has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce by a person au thor i zed by § 43.7 of th i s chap t er or (2) An i nspec ti on for the i ssuance of an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e i n a ccor dance w ith part 21 of th i s chap t e r. **8. John Robert West**  **II seeks Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **F r**  **om The Requ**  **i r**  **ements O**  **f Sect**  **i ons**  **91.417(a) And**  **91.417(b).** Sec ti on 91.417, en titl ed Ma i n t enance r eco r d s , subsec ti ons (a) and (b), s t a t e the fo ll ow i ng: (a) E xcept for work perfor m ed i n accordance w ith §§ 91.4 1 1 and 91.413, each reg i s t ered owner or operat or sha l l keep the fo ll ow i ng records for the per i ods spec i f i ed i n paragraph (b) of th i s sec ti on:11 11 (1) R e cords of the m a i n t enance, preven ti ve m a i n t enance, and a lt era ti on and records of the 100

- hour, annua l , progress i ve, and o ther requ i red or approved i nspec ti ons , as appropr i a t e, for each a i rcraft ( i nc l ud i ng the a i rfram e) and each eng i ne, prope ll e r, ro t o r, and app li ance of an a i rcraf t
. T he records m ust i nc l ude

-- ( i ) A descr i p ti on (or reference t o da t a accep t ab l e t o the Admi n i s tra t or) of the work perfor

m ed; and ( ii ) T he da t e of co mp l e ti on of the work perfor m ed; and ( iii ) T he s i gna ture, and certi f i ca t e nu mber of the person approv i ng the a i rcraft for re turn t o serv i ce. (2) R e cords con t a i n i ng the fo ll ow i ng i nfor m a ti on: ( i ) T he t o t al tim e i n serv i ce of the a i rfram e, each eng i ne, each prope ll e r, and each ro t o r. ( ii ) T he current s t a tus of li fe

- limit ed part s of each a i rfram e, eng i ne, prope ll e r, ro t o r, and app li ance. ( iii ) T he tim e s i nce l ast overhaul of a l l it e m s i ns t a ll ed on the a i rcraft wh i ch are requ i red t o be overhau l ed on a spec i f i ed tim e bas i s. ( i v) T he current i nspec ti on s t a tus of the a i rcraf t , i nc l ud i ng the tim e s i nce the l ast i nspec ti on requ i red by the i nspec ti on program under wh i ch the a i rcraft and it s app li ances are m a i n t a i ned. (v) T he current s t a tus of app li cab l e a i rworth i ness d i rec ti ves (AD) and safe ty d i rec ti ves i nc l ud i ng, for each, the m e thod of co mp li ance, the AD or Safe t y d i rec ti ve nu mber and rev i s i on da t e. If the AD or safe t y d i rec ti ve i nvo l ves recurr i ng ac ti on, the tim e and da t e when the next ac ti on i s requ i red. (v i ) Cop i es of the for

m s prescr i bed b y § 43.9(d) of th i s chap t er for each m a j or a lt era ti on t o the a i rfram e and curren tl y i ns t a ll ed eng i nes, ro t ors, prope ll ers, and app li ances. (b) T he owner or opera t or sha l l re t a i n the fo ll ow i ng records for the per i ods prescr i bed: (1) T he records spec i f

i ed i n paragraph (a)(1) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned un ti l the work i s repea t ed or superseded by o ther work or for 1 ye ar af t er t he work i s perfor

m ed.12 12 (2) T he records spec i f

i ed i n paragraph (a)(2) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned and transferred w ith t he a i rcraft at the tim e the a i rcraft i s so l d. (3) A li st of defec t s furn i shed t o a reg i s t ered owner or opera t or under § 43. 1 1 of th i s chap t er sha l l be re t a i ned un ti l the defec t s are repa i red and the a i rcraft i s approved for re turn t o serv i ce. **C. The Ext**  **e nt**  **O f Re**  **li ef**  **John Robert West II seeks**  **And The Reason**  **John Robert West II seeks**  **The Re li**  **ef. 1. Ext**  **e nt**  **O f Re**  **li ef**  **John Robert West II seeks**  **And The**  **John Robert West**  **II seeks Re**  **li ef**  **F r**  **om Sect**  **i on 61.**  **1 13(a)**  **And (b).** R eli ef from Sec ti on 61. 1 13(a) and (b) en titl ed P r i va t e p il ot pr i v il eges and li m ita ti ons: Pil ot i n comman d , i s reques t ed t o the ex t ent necessary t o a ll ow a PI C ho l d i ng a pr i va t e p il ot or h i gher l evel certi f i ca t e, as we l l as a current and va li d a i r m an m ed i cal
certi f i ca t e, and who has m et cert a i n f li gh t - hour and currency

requ i re m en t s, t o conduct the proposed UAS f

li ght opera ti ons for co mpensa ti on or h i re. T h i s re li ef i s reques t ed s i nce the limit a ti ons set forth i n Sec ti on 61
. 1 13(a) and (b) s t a t e that a pr i va t e p il ot m a y , for co mpensa ti on or h i re, act as PI C of an a i rcraft i n
connec ti on w ith any

bus i ness or e mp l oy

m ent i f: (1) T he f

li ght i s on l y i nc i den t al t o that bus i ness or e mp l oy

m en t ; and (2) T he a i rcraft does not carr y passengers or propert y for
co mpensa ti on or h i re. As set forth m ore fu ll y be l o w, John Robert West II sub mit s that an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be m a i nt a i ned because no PIC w il l be a ll owed t o opera t e the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's un l ess that PI C has m et cert a i n f li gh t - hour and current requ i re m en t s, de m ons tra ti ng that the PI C i s ab l e t o safe l y opera t e the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's i n a m anner cons i s t ent w it h the opera ti ons spec i f

i ca ti ons as descr i bed i n th i s exe mp ti on, i nc l ud i ng evas i ve and e m e r gency m aneuvers, as we l l as
m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from peop l e, vesse l s, veh i c l es and s truc t ures.13 13 Furthe r, John Robert West II sub mit s that a l l f li gh t s of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, conduc t ed b y the PI C pursuant t o the grant of th i s Pe titi on: (1) w il l be i nc i den t al t o John Robert West II bus i ness; and (2) w il l not carry passengers or proper t y for co mpensa ti on or h i re. **2.Ext e**  **nt O**  **f Re li**  **ef John Robert West**  **II seeks And**  **The Reason John Robert West**  **II seeks**  **Re li**  **ef F**  **r om**  **Sect i**  **on 91.7(a).** R eli ef from Sec ti on 91.7(a) en titl ed C i v i l a i r cra f t a i rwor th i nes s , i s reques t ed t o the
ex t ent requ i red t o a ll ow John Robert West II t o de t er mi ne that the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's are i n a i rwort hy cond iti on pr i or t o every f li ght by ensur i ng that the UAS i s i n
co mp li ance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e., the Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC m anua l s. John Robert West II seeks the reques t ed re li ef because the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's do not requ i re an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R. Part 21, Subpart H. T herefore, John Robert West II w il l ensure that the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's are i n a i rworthy cond iti on based upon it s co mp li ance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e., Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og, and DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC In s truc ti on Manua l ) pr i or t o every

f li gh t , and furthe r, de t er

mi ne that the a i rcraft are i n cond iti on for safe f li gh t , as s t a t ed i n the cond iti ons and limit a ti ons be l o w .
**3. Ext**  **e nt**  **O f Re**  **li ef**  **John Robert West II seeks**  **And The Reason**  **John Robert West II**  **seeks Re**  **li ef**  **F r**  **om Sect**  **i on 91.121.**  R eli ef from Sec ti on 91.121, en titl ed A ltim e t er se tti ngs, m ay be requ i red t o a ll ow f li ght opera ti ons of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, wh i ch u tili ze a baro m e tr i c pressure senso r, GPS equ i p m en t , and a rad i o co mm un i ca ti ons t e l e m e try da t a li nk t o down li nk
a ltitude i nfor

m a ti on from the UA t o the PI C at the controller . S i nce the F AA requ i res that any
a ltitude i nfor

m a ti on concern i ng UAS opera ti ons be report ed t o a i r tra f f i c con t rol ( A

T C) i n feet above ground l evel (AG L ), John Robert West II seeks the reques t ed re li ef because the DJI14 14 Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS ’ s a ltim e t er m ay be set on the ground t o zero feet AG L , ra ther than the l ocal baro m e tr i c pressure or f i e l d a ltitude, before each f li gh t
. Cons i der i ng the limit ed a ltitude of the proposed opera ti ons, re li ef from 14 CFR 91.121 i s sought t o the ex t ent necessary t o co mp l y w ith the app li cab l e cond iti ons and limit a ti ons s t a t ed be l o w . As m ore fu ll y set forth here i n, an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be m a i n t a i ned s i nce the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's are equ i pped w ith a baro m e tr i c pressure sensor and GPS equ i p m en t , wh i ch au t o m a ti ca ll y ensures that a ground l evel pressure
se tti ng w il l be es t ab li shed pr i or t o each f li gh t , and prov i des the PI C w ith altitude i nfor m a ti on of the UA on the heads

- up d i sp l ay of the controller

. **4. Ext e**  **nt O**  **f Re li**  **ef John Robert West**  **II seeks And**  **The Reason John Robert West**  **II seeks**  **Re li**  **ef F**  **r om**  **Sect i**  **on 91.151(b).** R eli ef from Sec ti on 91.151(b) en titl ed Fuel requ i re m en t s for f li ght i n VFR cond iti ons, i s reques t ed t o the ex t ent requ i red t o a ll ow f li gh t s of the ba tt ery

powered DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's dur i ng dayli ght hours i n v i sual m e t eoro l og i cal cond iti ons (VMC), under v i sual f li ght
ru l es (VFR), for a t o t al dura ti on of 10 mi nut es t o t he f i rst po i nt of i nt ended l and i ng and, assu mi ng
nor m al cru i s i ng speed, t o f

l y af t er that for at l east 2.5 mi nut es. John Robert West II seeks the reques t ed re li ef because w ithout an exe mp ti on from Sec ti on 91.151(b), the f li ght tim e dura ti on of the ba tt ery

powered and DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l severe l y cons tra i n the prac ti ca lit y of an y aer i al v i deo or s til l pho t o f li ght opera ti ons that John Robert West II proposes t o conduct pursuant t o th i s Pe titi on. S i gn i f i can tl y , as set forth be l o w, the t echn i cal spec i f i ca ti ons of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, and the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC opera ti ng docu m en t s and John Robert West II proposed opera ti ng limit a ti ons, ensure that John Robert West II w il l safe l y opera t e the ba tt ery

powered DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's dur i ng dayli ght hours i n v i sual
m e t eoro l og i cal cond iti ons (VMC), under v i sual f li ght ru l es (VFR), w ith enough ba tt er y power t o f l y15 15 for a t o t al dura ti on of 10 mi nut es t o the f i rst po i nt of i n t ended l and i ng and, assu mi ng nor m al
cru i s i ng speed, t o f

l y af t er that for at l east 2.5 mi nu t es.
**5.Ext e**  **nt O**  **f Re li**  **ef John Robert West**  **II seeks And**  **The Reason John**  **Robert West II seeks**  **Re li**  **ef F**  **r om**  **Sect i**  **ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2),**  **And 91.417(a) & (b).** S i nce Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b) on l y app l y t o a i rcraft w ith an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e, John Robert West II reques t s re li ef from t hese Sec ti ons because the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's do not requ i re a i rworth i ness
certi f i ca t es. As set forth m ore fu ll y be l o w, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's m eet the cond iti ons of FMRA Sec ti on 333 for opera ti on w ithout an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e. A cco rd i ng l y

, John Robert West II w il l use tra i ned t ech n i c i ans t o perform m a i n t enance, a lt era ti ons, or preven ti ve
m a i n t enance on the UAS's us i ng the m e thods, t echn i ques, and prac ti ces prescr i bed i n the UAS opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e., the Aer i al Opera ti ons Manua l , Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og, and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC In s truc ti on Manua l ). Further m ore, John Robert West II w il l docu m ent and m a i n t a i n a l l m a i nt enance records for the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's.

**D. The Reasons**  **Why G**  **rant i**  **ng John Robert West II**  **Request W**  **ou l**  **d Be In**  **The Inte**  **r est;**  **That Is, H**  **ow It W**  **ou l**  **d B e**  **nef**

**i t**  **The P**  **ub li**  **c As**  **A Who**  **l e.** 
Gran ti ng the present Pe titi on w il l further the pub li c i n t erest by a ll ow i ng Jo hn Robert West II t o safe l y , e f f i c i en tl y , and econo mi ca ll y perform aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y of cons truc ti on s it es, real
es t a t e, and l andscape over cer t a i n areas of the Un it ed S t a t es. Add iti ona ll y

, use of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l decrease conges ti on of the NAS, reduce po ll u ti on, and prov i de s i gn i f i cant benef

it s t o the ec ono m y

. No t ab l y , the benef

it s of John Robert West II’s proposed opera ti on of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l be rea li zed w ithout imp li ca ti ng any pr i vacy i ssues.16 16 **1. The**  **P ub**  **li c**  **W il**  **l B**  **e nef**  **i t**  **F r**  **om Dec**  **r eased Congest**  **i on**  **O f**  **The NAS.** T he DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's are ba tt ery powered and serve as a safe,
e f f i c i en t , and econo mi cal a lt erna ti ve t o the m anned a i rcraft trad iti ona ll y u tili zed t o ob t a i n aer i al im ager y . By reduc i ng the am ount of m anned a i rcraft needed t o perform aer i al acqu i s iti ons, an
exe mp ti on a ll ow i ng the use of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's wou l d reduce the
am ount of m anned a i rcraft i n the NAS, reduce no i se and a i r po ll u ti on, as we l l as i ncrease t he safe t y of li fe and proper

ty i n the a i r and on the ground. Further m ore, b y reduc i ng the nu mber of m anned a i rcraft opera ti ng i n the NAS, conges ti on around a i rpor t s caused by arr i v i ng and depar ti ng a i rcraft w il l be reduced. T he DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's do not requ i re an a i rport t o t akeo f f or l and. Li kew i se, a reduc ti on of m anned a i rcraft conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y mi ss i ons
wou l d resu l t i n fewer a i rcraft that m ust be hand l ed by a i r tra f f i c con trol dur i ng the ground, t akeo f f, departure, arr i va l , and l and i ng phases of f li ght opera ti ons. **2. The**  **P ub**  **li c**  **W il**  **l B**  **e nef**  **i t**  **F r**  **om The Safety**  **And Eff i**  **c i**  **ency O**  **f The DJI**  **Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **' s.** 
Condu cti ng aer i al acqu i s iti ons w ith the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's i ns t ead of m anned a i rcraf t , w il l grea tl y benef

i t the pub li c by dras ti ca ll y reduc i ng the l eve l s of a i r and no i se po ll uti on genera t ed dur i ng t rad iti onal aer i al v i deo and s til l pho t ograph y f

li ght opera ti ons. By

us i ng ba tt ery

power and e l ec tr i c m o t ors, t he DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's produce no a i r po ll uti on, and i s the m ost v i ab l e
env i ron m en t a ll y consc i ous a lt erna ti ve t o the cab i n c l ass, s i x cyli nder i n t ernal
co mbus ti on eng i ne a i rcraft that are t yp i ca ll y u tili zed for ae r ial v i deo and pho t ograph y wh il e burn i ng approx im a t e l y 20
- 30 ga ll ons per hour of l eaded av i a ti on fue l

. T he DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, wh il e reduc i ng the carbon foo t pr i nt of aer i al17 17 acqu i s iti ons, a l so e limi na t es no i se po ll uti on, as the UA's are prope ll ed by ba tt ery powered e l ec tr i c m o t ors, ra ther than an i n t ernal co mbus ti on eng i ne. By us i ng the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's t o perform aer i al acqu i s iti ons, t he subs t an ti al r i sk t o li fe and proper t y i n the a i r and on the ground, wh i ch i s usua ll y assoc i a t ed w ith trad iti onal m anned a i rcraft f li ght opera ti ons, w il l be subs t an ti a ll y reduced or co mp l e t e l y
e limi na t ed. As i de from the l ack of f li ght crew m e mbers l oca t ed onboard the a i rcraf t , t he DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's (we i gh i ng approx im a t e l y 1280g with Battery and Propellers respec ti ve l y

, at the i r m ax im um gross we i gh t s w ith respec ti ve l y (and w ith no fuel on board) has l ess phy s i cal po t en ti al for co ll a t eral dam age t o li fe and proper t y on the ground, and i n the a i r, co mpared t o the m anned a i rcraft that t yp i ca ll y conduct s imil ar opera ti ons (we i gh i ng approx im a t e l y 6,000 pounds, and a fuel capac it y of 180 ga ll ons. **3. P**  **erform i**  **ng Aer**  **i al**  **V**

**i deo and**  **P hotography**  **O perat**  **i ons**  **W i**  **th The**  **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC**  **UAS '**  **s W**  **il l**  **B e**  **nef i**  **t The E**  **c onom**  **y**

**.** In add iti on t o be i ng safe and e f f i c i en t , the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's are
a l so an econo mi cal a lt erna ti ve t o us i ng m anned a i rcraft t o conduct s imil ar aer i al opera ti ons. As such, opera ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l a ll ow Un it ed S t a t es based
co mpan i es, li ke John Robert West II t o re m a i n co mpe titi ve and con tr i bu t e t o grow th of the U.S.
econo m y . Spec i f i ca ll y , w ith the r i s i ng cost of av i a ti on fuel and the E nv i ronm en t al Pro t ec ti on Agency (“ E P A”) regu l a t ory

ac ti ons phas i ng out l eaded av i a ti on fue l s, U.S. owned and operat ed
co mpan i es m ust adopt new and a lt erna ti ve t echno l ogy i n order t o re m a i n co mpe titi ve. Opera ti ng the ba tt er y powered DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's i s one such t echno l ogy that not on l y a ll ows co mpan i es grea t er opera ti onal f l ex i b ilit y co mpared t o m anned a i rcraf t , but prov i des such f

l ex i b ilit y w ithout the h i gh opera ti onal cost of a trad iti onal m anned a i rcraf t
.18 18 By opera ti ng the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, co mpan i es such as John Robert West II’s can re m a i n co mpe titi ve and prof it ab l e and therefore, prov i de grea t er j ob
s t ab ilit y t o e mp l oy ees and con trac t ors, wh i ch w il l u ltim a t e l y con tr i bu t e t o grow th of the U.S.
econo m y . I mproved f

i nanc i al perfor

m ance of U.S. co mpan i es, through co mm erc i al use of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, prov i des a s t ab l e workforce that i ncreases consu m er spend i ng, improves l oca l , s t a t e, and federal t ax revenues and a ll ows co mpan i es t o i nvest i n research and deve l op m ent i n order t o re m a i n co mpe titi ve bo th i n the Un it ed S t a t es and abroad. **4.The r**  **e A**  **r e No**  **P r**  **i vacy Issues.**  S imil ar t o the m anned aer i al acqu i s iti on f li ght opera ti ons that have been conduc t ed for decades, John Robert West II’s proposed opera ti on of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l not imp li ca t e any

pr i vacy i ssues. Spec i f

i ca ll y , the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l be opera t ed on l y i n co mp li ance w ith opera ti ng docu m en t s ( i .e. Aer i al Opera ti ons Manua l , Mon t h l y Ma i n t enance L og, and the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC In s truc ti on Manua l 's) wh i ch requ i res propert y owner in vo l ve m ent as we l l as l ocal l aw enforce m ent no ti f i ca ti on, and i n accordance w ith the Federal A

v i a ti on R e gu l a ti ons, i nc l ud i ng the mi n im um a ltitude requ i re m en t s of 14 C. F . R. § 91. 1 19.

**E. The Reasons**  **Why G**  **rant i**  **ng The Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on**  **W ou**  **l d Not**  **Adverse l**  **y Affect Safet**  **y ,**  **O r**  **H ow**  **The Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on W**  **ou l**  **d P**  **r ov**  **i de**  **A L**  **e vel**  **O f Safety**  **At L e**  **ast Equal T**  **o That**  **P r**  **ov i**  **ded By**  **The Ru l**  **e F**  **r om**  **Wh i**  **ch John Robert West II**  **Seeks Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on. 1. Reasons**  **Why The**  **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **' s Meet**  **The Cond i**  **t i**  **ons O**  **f The**  **F AA**  **Modern i**  **zat i**  **on and Reform Act of 2012 (**  **F MRA) Sect**  **i on 333.**  In cons i dera ti on of the s i ze, we i gh t , speed, and limit ed opera ti ng area assoc i a t ed
w ith the un m anned a i rcraft and it s opera ti on, John Robert West II’s opera ti on of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's m eet the cond iti ons of FMRA Sec ti on 333, and w il l not requ i re an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R. Part 21, Subpart H.19 19 Sec ti on 333 prov i des au t

hor it y for a UAS t o opera t e w ithout a i rworth i ness
certi f i ca ti on and se t s fort

h requ i re m en t s for cons i der i ng whe ther a UAS w il l crea t e a hazard t o users of the NAS or the pub li c, or o therw i se pose a threat t o na ti onal secur it y . Spec i f i ca ll y , FMRA Sec ti on 333 s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng, i n part : (a ) In Genera l

. --No t

w iths tandi ng any o ther r

equ i r ement of th i

s sub titl e, and not la t er than 180 days a

ft er the da t e of enac t

ment of t h i s A c t , the Sec r e tary of T ranspor ta ti on sha l l de t erm i ne i f cer ta i n unmanned a i r

cra f t sys t ems may opera t e sa f e l y i n the na ti onal a i rspace sys t em be f o r e comp l e ti on of the p lan and ru l emak

i ng r equ i r ed by sec ti on 332 of th i

s A ct or the gu i dance r

equ i r ed by sec ti on 334 of th i

s A c t
.20 20 (b ) A ssessment of Unmanned Ai r cra f t Sys t ems. --In mak

i ng the de t erm i na ti on under subsec ti on (a), the Sec r e tary sha l l de t erm i ne, at a m i n i mum -- (1 ) Which t ypes of unmanned a i r

cra f t sys t ems, i

f an y , as a r esu l t of the i r s i ze, w ei gh t , speed, opera ti onal capab ilit y , p r ox i m it y t o a i rpor t s and popu la t ed a r

eas, and opera ti on w ith i n v isual li ne of s i ght do not c r

ea t e A haza r d t o users of the na ti onal a i rspace sys t em or the pub li c or pose a th r

eat t o na ti onal secur it

y; and (2 ) Whether a cer tifi ca t e of wa i ve r , cer tifi ca t e of au thor i

za ti on, or a i rwor th i ness cer tifi ca ti on under sec ti on 44704 of titl e 49, Un it ed S ta t es Cod e, is r equ i r ed f or the opera ti on of unmanned a i r cra f t sys t ems i den tifi ed under paragraph (1). (c) R equ i r emen t s f or Sa f e Opera ti on. --If the Sec r

e tary de t erm i nes under th i s sec ti on that cer ta i n unmanned a i r cra f t sys t ems may opera t e sa

f e l y i n the na ti onal a i rspace sys t em, the Sec r e tary sha l l es tab li

sh r equ i r emen t s f or the sa f e opera ti on of such a i r

cra f t sys t ems i n the na ti onal a i rspace sys t em. In seek i ng th i s exe mp ti on, John Robert West II sub mit s that the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's can opera t e safe l y i n the NAS pursuant t o FMRA Sec ti on 333, as de m ons tra t ed by : (a) the charac t er i s ti cs of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's; (b) the p il ot certi f

i ca ti on requ i re m en t ; and (c) the spec i f i c opera ti ng limit a ti ons.

**a. The Spec**  **i f** 

**i cat**  **i ons**  **O f**  **The DJI P**  **hantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **' s**  **Demonstrate Its Safe Character i**  **st i**  **cs.** The DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC do not crea t e a hazard t o users of the NAS or the pub li c, or o therw i se pose a threat t o na ti onal secur it y cons i der i ng it s s i ze, we i gh t , speed, and opera ti onal capab ilit y . **ii .**  **The DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC**  **UAS '**  **s Autonomous**  **Fli ght**  **And Nav i**  **gat i**  **on Modes Enab l**  **e The UAS**  **' s**  **T o Rema**  **i n**  **W i**  **th i**  **n A Def** 

**i ned**  **O perat**  **i onal**  **A r**  **ea.** T he m ay be opera t ed i n bo th m anual and fu ll y au t ono m ous f li ght m odes. T he DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC m ay be opera t ed i n m anual f

li ght m ode on l y

. A co mp l e t e d e scr i p ti on of the f

li ght and nav i ga ti onal m odes of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC21 21 UAS's i s prov i ded at pages 23
- 32 of the DJ I and pages 8 & 1 1 of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC User Manua l s, a tt ached here t o as E xh i b i t C and D.

**I ii**  **. The**  **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **is Des**  **i gned**  **F or**  **Automat i**  **c Return T** 

**o H**  **ome P**  **o i**  **nt O**  **r H**  **over In**  **The Ev e**  **nt O**  **f Loss**  **O f The Cont**  **r ol**  **L i**  **nk O**  **r Nav**  **i gat**  **i on.**  When the Con trol Li nk i s l os t , the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC w il l re m a i n
s t a ti onary i n f

li gh t , for 3 seconds or m ore. If, af t er 3 seconds, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC due not reacqu i re con trol li nk da t a from the GCS, the UAS w il l assu m e that the Control Li nk i s l ost and the UAS w il l re turn t o the ho m e pos iti on ( i .e., fa il safe
m ode) v i a GPS, and w il l descend t o the t akeo f f pos iti on and shu t down.
A co mp l e t e descr i p ti on of the Fa il safe Func ti ons of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC AP UAS's are set fort h at pages 23 through 32 and for the B l ade 350QX2 AP at pages 8 and 1 1 of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC User Manua l s, a tt ached here t o as E xh i b i t C and D. **i v** 

**. The DJI**  **Phantom 3 Professional QC G**  **CS And Its** 

**O perat**  **i on.**  A co mp l e t e descr i p ti on of the opera ti on and spec i f i ca ti ons of the and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC GCS and f li ght con trol sof

tware i s prov i ded at pages 23 through 32 of the DJI User Manual and pages 8 and 1 1 of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC AP User Manua l

. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC User Manua l s are a tt ached here t o as E xh i b it s C and D. **b. Fli**  **ght O**  **perat i**  **ons O**  **f and**  **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **' s A**  **r e** 

**L i**  **m i**  **ted T** 

**o The L**  **i ne**  **O f S**  **i ght**  **O f**  **A Cert**  **i f**  **i cated**  **Pil ot**  **i n Command**  **W i**  **th A**  **Safety O**  **bserve r**  **.** John Robert West II w il l on l y u tili ze certi f i ca t ed p il o t s who possess a current and
va li d a i r m an m ed i cal certi f

i ca t e t o act as a p il ot i n co mm and (PI C) of the DJI Phantom 322 22 Professional QC UAS's. Add iti ona ll y , a safe t y observer w il l ass i st a l l p il o t s dur i ng f li ght tim e.
**c. Fli**  **ghts O**  **f and**  **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS**  **' s**  **W il**  **l Be**  **Conducted**

**P ursuant**  **T**

**o Spec i**  **f i**  **c O**  **perat i**  **ng L i**  **m i**  **tat i**  **ons.** In seek i ng th i s exe mp ti on, John Robert West II proposes t o co mm erc i a ll y opera t e the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's for the spec i al purpose of conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y over cert a i n areas of Un it ed S t a t es, pursuant t o the fo ll ow i ng spec i f

i c opera ti ng limit a

ti ons: 1. Opera ti ons au thor i zed by th i s grant of exe mp ti on w il l be limit ed t o the fo ll ow i ng a i rcraft descr i bed i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s, ro t orcraft UAS's we i gh i ng l ess than 55 pounds m ax im um gross we i gh t : the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC Un m anned A i rcraft Sy s t e m s. Proposed opera ti ons of an y o ther a i rcraft w il l requ i re a new pe titi on or a pe titi on t o am end th i s gran t
. 2. UAS opera ti ons under th i s exe mp ti on w il l be limit ed t o conduc ti ng opera ti ons for the purpose of aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y . 3. T he UA m ay

not be f l own at an i nd i ca t ed a i rspeed exceed i ng 20 kno t s. 4. T he UA m ust be opera t ed at an a ltitude of no m ore than 400 feet above ground l evel (AG L ), as i nd i ca t ed by the procedures spec i f i ed i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s un l ess a spec i al request i s m ade and approved b y A T C. A l l a ltitudes report ed t o A T C m ust be i n feet AG L
. 5. T he UA's m ust be opera t ed w ith i n v i sual li ne of s i ght (V L OS) of the PIC at a l l tim es. T h i s requ i res the PIC t o be ab l e t o use hu m an v i s i on una i ded by an y dev i ce o ther than correc ti ve l enses, as spec i f i ed on the PI C ’ s F

AA
- i ssued a i r m an m ed i cal certi f

i ca t e. 6. T he use of f

i rst person v i ew (FPV) b y the PI C or safe t y observer (SO) i s not per mitt ed. 7. A l l opera ti ons m ust utili ze a safe t y observer (SO). T he SO m ay be used t o sa ti sfy the V L OS requ i re m ent as l ong as the PI C a l way s m a i n t a i ns V L OS capab ilit y . T he SO and PI C m ust be ab l e t o co mm un i ca t e verba ll y at a l l tim es. El ec tron i c m essag i ng or t ex ti ng i s not per mitt ed dur i ng f

li ght opera ti ons. T he PI C m ust be des i gna t ed before the f

li ght and cannot transfer h i s or her des i gna ti on for the dura ti on of the f

li gh t
. T he PI C m ust ensure that the SO can perform the functions prescr i bed i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s. 8. T he SO m ust not perform an y o ther du ti es beyond ass i s ti ng the PI C w it h see i ng and avo i d i ng o ther a i r tra f f i c and o ther ground based obs t ac l es / obs truc ti ons and i s not per mitt ed t o opera t e the cam era or o ther i ns t ru m en t s.23 23 9. T he opera ti ng docu m en t s and the grant of exe mp ti on m ust be access i b l e dur i ng UAS opera ti ons and m ade ava il ab l e t o the Admi n i s tra t or upon reques t . If a d i screpancy

ex i s t s be tween the cond iti ons and limit a ti ons con t a i ned i n the grant of exe mp ti on and the procedures ou tli ned i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s, the cond iti ons and limit a

ti ons con t a i ned i n the grant of exe mp ti on t ake precedence and m ust be fo ll owed. O t herw i se, the opera t or m ust fo ll ow the procedures as ou tli ned i n it s opera ti ng docu m en t s. T he opera t or m ay upda t e or rev i se it s opera ti ng docu m en t s. I t i s the opera t o r ’ s respons i b ilit y t o track such rev i s i ons and present upda t ed and rev i sed docu m en t s t o the Admi n i s tra t or upon reques t
. T he opera t or m ust a l so present upda t ed and rev i sed docu m en t s i f i t pe titi ons for ex t ens i on or am endm ent t o the grant of exe mp ti on. If the opera t or de t er mi nes that any upda t e or rev i s i on wou l d a f fect the bas i s upon wh i ch the F AA gran t ed the exe mp ti on, then the opera t or m ust pe titi on for am endm ent t o it s grant of exe mp ti on. T he F

A A ’ s UAS I n t egra ti on O f

f i ce (AFS

- 80) m ay

be con t ac t ed i f ques ti ons ar i se regard i ng upda t es or rev i s i ons t o the opera ti ng docu m en t s. 10. Pr i or t o each f

li ght the PI C m ust i nspect the UAS t o ensure that i t i s i n a cond iti on for safe f

li gh t . If the i nspec ti on revea l s a cond iti on that a f fec t s the safe opera ti on of the UAS, the a i rcraft i s proh i b it ed from opera ti ng un ti l the necessary m a i n t enance has been perfor m ed and the UAS i s found t o be i n a cond iti on for safe f

li gh t
. T he Ground Con trol S t a ti on m ust be i nc l uded i n the pref li ght i nspec ti on. A l l m a i n t enance and a lt era ti ons m ust be proper l y docu m en t ed i n the a i rcraft records. 1 1. Any UAS that has unde r gone m a i n t enance or a lt era ti ons that a f fect the UAS opera ti on or f

li ght charac t er i s ti cs, e.g. rep l ace m ent of a f li ght cr iti cal co mponen t , m ust unde rgo a func ti onal t est f li gh t
. T he PI C who conduc t s the func ti onal t est f

li ght m ust m ake an en try i n the a i rcraft records. 12. T he pre

- f

li ght i nspec ti on m ust aunt for a l l po t en ti al d i screpanc i es, e.g. i noperab l e co mponen t s, it e m s, or equ i p m ent , not a l ready covered i n the re l evant sec ti ons of the opera ti ng docu m en t s. 13. T he opera t or m ust fo ll ow the UAS m anufac ture r ’ s a i rcraf t/ co mponen t , m a i n t enance, overhau l , rep l ace m en t , i nspec ti on, and li fe limi t requ i re m en t s. 14. T he opera t or m ust carry out it s m a i nt enance, i nspec ti ons, and record keep i ng requ i re m en t s, i n accordance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s. Maintenance , i nspec ti on, a lt era ti ons, and s t a tus of rep l ace m en t/ overhaul co mponent part s m ust be no t ed i n the a i rcraft records, i nc l ud i ng t o t al tim e i n serv i ce, descr i p ti on of work a cco mp li shed, and the s i gna ture of the au thor i zed person re turn i ng the UAS t o serv i ce. 15. E ach UAS's opera t ed under th i s exe mp ti on m ust co mp l y w ith a l l m anufac turer Safe t y Bu ll e ti ns. 16. T he au thor i zed person m ust m ake an en try i n the a i rcraft record of the correc ti ve ac ti on t aken aga i nst d i screpanc i es d i scovered be tween i nspec ti ons.24 24 17. T he PI C m ust possess at l east a pr i va t e p il ot certi f i ca t e and at l east a current th i rd

- c l ass m ed i cal certi f

i ca t e. 18. T he opera t or m ay

not per mi t any PI C t o opera t e un l ess the PI C m ee t s the opera t o r ’ s qua li f

i ca ti on cr it er i a and de m ons tra t es t he ab ilit y t o safe l y opera t e the UAS i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith how the UAS w il l be opera t ed under the exe mp ti on, i nc l ud i ng evas i ve and e m e r gency m aneuvers and m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from persons, vesse l s, veh i c l es and s truc tures. PI C qua li f i ca ti on f li ght hours m ust be l ogged i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith 14 C. F .R. §61.51(b). F li gh t s for the purposes of tra i n i ng the opera t o r ’ s PI C' s are per mitt ed under the t er

m s of the exe mp ti on. Howeve r, tra i n i ng opera ti ons m ay on l y be conduc t ed dur i ng ded i ca t ed tra i n i ng sess i ons. Dur i ng tra i n i ng, prof i c i enc y , and exper i ence - bu il d i ng f

li gh t s, a l l persons not essen ti al for f li ght opera ti ons are cons i dered nonpar

ti c i pan t s, and the PI C m ust opera t e the UA w ith appropr i a t e d i s t ance from nonparti c i pan t s i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R. § 91. 1 19. 19. UAS opera ti ons m ay

not be conduc t ed dur i ng n i gh t , as def i ned i n 14 C. F .R. § 1.1. A l l opera ti ons m ust be conduc t ed under v i sual m e t eoro l og i cal cond iti ons (VMC). If f

li ght at n i ght i s requ i red, a spec i al request w il l be m ade at the F AA o f f i ce c l osest t o proposed area of operati ons. F li gh t s under spec i al v i sual f li ght ru l es (SVFR) are not au thor i zed. 20. T he UA m ay

not opera t e w ith i n 5 nau ti cal mil es of an a i rport reference po i nt as deno t ed on a current F

AA pub li shed aeronau ti cal chart un l ess a l e tt er of agree m ent w ith that a i rport ’ s m anage m ent i s ob t a i ned, and the opera ti on i s conduc t ed i n accordance w ith a NO T AM as requ i red by the opera t o r ’ s COA. T he l e tt er of agree m ent w ith the a i rport m anage m ent m ust be m ade ava il ab l e t o the Admi n i s tra t or upon reques t
. 21. T he UA m ay

not be opera t ed l ess than 500 feet be l ow or l ess than 2,000 feet hor i zont a ll y from a c l oud or when v i s i b ilit y i s l ess than 3 s t a tut e mil es from the PI C. 22. If the UA l oses co mm un i ca ti ons or l oses it s GPS s i gna l , i t m ust re turn t o a pre de t er mi ned l oca ti on w ith i n the p l anned opera ti ng area and l and or be recovered i n accordance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s. 23. T he PI C m ust abort t

he f li ght i n the event of unpred i c t ed obs t ac l es or e m e r genc i es i n accordance w ith the opera ti ng docu m en t s. 24. T he PI C i s proh i b it ed from beg i nn i ng a f li ght un l ess (cons i der i ng w i nd and forecast wea ther cond iti ons) there i s enough power t o f l y at nor m al cru i s i ng speed t o the i n t ended l and i ng po i nt and l and the UAS w ith 25% ba tt ery power re m a i n i ng. 25. T he opera t or m ust ob t a i n an A i r T ra f f i c O r gan i za ti on ( A

T O) i ssued C e r

ti f i ca t e of W a i ver or Au thor i za ti on (COA) pr i or t o conduc ti ng an y opera ti ons under the grant of exe mp ti on. T h i s COA w il l a l so requ i re the opera t or t o request a No ti ce25 25 t o A i r m an (NO T

AM) not m ore than 72 hours i n advance, but not l ess than 48 hours pr i or t o the opera ti on. A l l opera ti ons sha l l be conduc t ed i n accordance w ith a i rspace requ i re m en t s i n the A T O i ssued COA i nc l ud i ng c l ass of a i rspace, a ltitude l evel and po t enti al transponder requ i re m en t s. 26. A l l a i rcraft opera t ed i n accordance w ith the exe mp ti on m ust be i den ti f i ed by ser i al nu mbe r, reg i s t ered i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R. part 47, and have i den ti f i ca ti on (N

- Nu mber) m ark i ngs i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R. part 45, Subpart C. Mark i ngs m ust be as l arge as prac ti cab l e. 27. B e fore conduc ti ng opera ti ons, the rad i o frequency spec trum used for opera ti on and con trol of the UAS m ust co mp l y w ith the Federal Co mm un i ca ti ons Co mmi ss i on (FCC) or o t

her appropr i a t e govern m ent overs i ght agency requ i re m en t s. 28. T he docu m en t s requ i red fewer than 14 C. F .R. 91.9 and 91.203 m ust be ava il ab l e t o the PI C at the Ground Con trol S t a ti on of the UAS an y tim e the UAS i s opera ti ng. T hese docu m en t s m ust be m ade ava il ab l e t o the Admi n i s tra t or or any l aw enforce m ent o f f i c i al upon reques t
. 29. T he UAS m ust re m a i n c l ear and y i e l d the r i ght of way t o a l l m anned av i a ti on opera ti ons and ac ti v iti es at a l l tim es. 30. T he UAS m ay

not be opera t ed b y the PI C from any m ov i ng dev i ce or veh i c l e. 31. F li ght opera ti ons m ust be conduc t ed at l east 500 feet from a l l nonparti c i pa ti ng persons (persons o ther than t he PI C, SO, opera t or tra i nees or essen ti al persons), vesse l s, veh i c l es, and s truc tures un l ess:
a. B arr i ers or s truc tures are present that su f f i c i en tl y pro t ect nonparti c i pa ti ng persons from the UAS and / or debr i s i n the event of an acc i den t
. T he opera t or m ust ensure that nonparti c i pa ti ng persons re m a i n under such pro t ec ti on. I f a s itua ti on ar i ses where nonparti c i pa ti ng persons l eave such pro t ec ti on and are w ith i n 500 feet of the UA, f li ght opera ti ons m ust cease imm ed i a t e l y and

/ or; b. T he a i rcraft i s opera t ed near vesse l s, veh i c l es or s truc tures where the owner / con tro ll er of such vesse l s, veh i c l es or s truc t ures has gran t ed per mi ss i on and the PI C has m ade a safe t y assess m ent of the r i sk of opera ti ng c l oser t o t hose ob j ec t s and de t er

mi ned t hat i t does not present an undue hazard, and; c. Opera ti ons neare r t o the PI C, SO, opera t or tra i nees or essen ti al persons do not present an undue hazard t o those persons per § 91. 1 19(a).
32. A l l opera ti ons sha l l be conduc t ed over pr i va t e or con tro ll ed

- access propert y w ith per

mi ss i on from the l and owner / con tro ll er or au thor i zed26 26 represen t a ti ve. Per

mi ss i on from l and owner

/ con tro ll er or au thor i zed represen t a ti ve w il l be ob t a i ned for each f li ght t o be conduc t ed. 33. Any i nc i den t , acc i den t , or f li ght opera ti on that transgresses the l a t eral or verti cal boundar i es of the opera ti onal area as def i ned by the app li cab l e COA m ust be report ed t o the F

AA's UAS In t egra ti on O f f i ce (AFS

- 80) w ith i n 24 hours. Acc i den t s m ust be report ed t o the Na ti onal T ransport a ti on Safe t y Bo ard (N T SB) per i ns truc ti ons con t a i ned on the N T SB W eb s it e: ww w .n t sb.go v . **2. Reasons Why**  **An Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on F**  **r om**  **The Requ i**  **r ements**  **O f Sect**  **i on**  **61. 1**  **13(a) And (b) W** 

**ou l**  **d Not Adverse**  **l y**  **Affect Safet y**  **.** John Robert West II sub mit s that the equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y es t ab li shed by Sec ti on 61. 1 13(a) and (b) w il l be m a i nt a i ned because no PI C w il l be a ll owed t o opera t e the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's un l ess that PI C has de m ons tra t ed, by m ee ti ng mi n im um f

li gh t - hour and currency

requ i re m en t s, t

hat the PI C i s ab l e t o safe l y opera t e the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith the exe m p ti on, i nc l ud i ng
evas i ve and e m e r genc y m aneuvers and m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from peop l e,
vesse l s, veh i c l es and s truc tures. Cons i der i ng John Robert West II’s proposed area of operati ons, and the opera ti ng limit a

ti ons set forth

- above; the para ll el na ture of pr i va t e p il ot
aeronau ti cal know l edge requ i re m en t s t o those of co mm erc i al p il ot requ i re m en t s (See E xe mp ti on No. 1 1062); and the a i r m ansh i p sk ill s necessary t o safe l y opera t e the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC AP UAS, John Robert West II sub mit s that the add iti onal m anned a i r m ansh i p exper i ence of a co mm erc i a ll y certi f i ca t ed p il ot
wou l d not corre l a t e t o the a i r m ansh i p sk ill s necessary

for John Robert West II’s spec i f i c proposed f

li ght opera ti ons. T he F AA has prev i ous l y gran t ed re li ef from Sec ti on 61. 1 13(a) and (b) spec i f i c t o UAS, i n c i rcu m s t ances s imil ar, i n a l l m a t er i al respec t s, t o those presen t ed here i n (e.g.27 27 E xe mp ti on Nos. 1 1062, 1 1063, 1 1064, 1 1065, 1 1066, 1 1067, 1 1080, 11 109, 111 10, 111 12, 11 136, 11 138, 11 150, 11 153, 11 156, 11 158, 11 159, 11 160, 11 161).
John Robert West II w il l not a ll ow any PIC t o opera t e the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS un l ess that PI C has de m ons tra t ed, by m ee ti ng m i n im um f li gh t - hour requ i re m en t s of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS tra i n i ng and currency requ i re m en t s, that the PIC i s ab l e t o safe l y opera t e the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith th i s exe mp ti on, i nc l ud i ng evas i ve and e m e r gency m aneuvers and
m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from peop l e, vesse l s, veh i c l es and s t ruc t ures. Spec i f i ca ll y , the PIC m ust have accu m u l a t ed and l ogged, i n a m anner cons i s t ent
w ith 14 C. F .R. § 61.51(b), 25 hours of t o t al tim e as a UAS ro t orcraft p il ot (w ith a mi n im um of 5 hours of t

hose hours as a UAS p il ot opera ti ng the sam e m ake and m odel of UAS t o be used for operati ons under the exe mp ti on). In add iti on t o the hour requ i re m en t s, the PI C m ust a cco mp li sh 3 t akeo f fs and l and i ngs i n the preced i ng 90 day s (for currency

purposes). As i n E xe mp ti on Nos. 1 1062, 11 138, and 11 153, pr i or docu m en t ed f

li ght exper i ence that was ob t a i ned i n co mp li ance w ith app li cab l e regu l a ti ons w il l ensure an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y dur i ng John Robert West II’s proposed opera ti ons. T he Admi n i s tra t or has he l d t hat pr i or docu m en t ed f

li ght exper i ence that was ob t a i ned i n co mp li ance w ith app li cab l e regu l a ti ons wou l d ensure safe opera ti ons, s t a ti ng as fo ll ows: In E xe mp ti on No. 1 1062, the F AA requ i red that pr i or t o conduc ti ng opera ti ons for the purpose of m o ti on p i c ture f ilmi ng (or s imil ar opera ti ons), the PI C m ust have
accu m u l a t ed and l ogged, i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith 14 CFR 61.51(b), 25 hours of t o t al tim e as a UAS ro t orcraft p il ot i nc l ud i ng at l east 10 hours l ogged as a UAS p il ot w ith a28 28 m u lti

- ro t or UAS. Pr i or t o opera ti ons under E xe mp ti on No. 1 1062, the PI C m ust a l so have accu m u l a t ed and l ogged a mi n im um of 5 hours as a UAS p il ot opera ti ng the sam e
m ake and m odel of UAS t o be used for operati ons under the exe mp ti on. For
c l ar i f i ca ti on, the F

AA cons i ders these mi n im um hour requ i re m en t s t o be i nc l us i ve ra ther than add iti ve; i .e. 5 hours m ake and m odel tim e m ay be i nc l uded i n the 10 hours of
m u lti

- ro t or tim e and the 10 hours m ay be i nc l uded i n the t o t al 25 hours of UAS
ro t orcraft tim e. In add iti on t o the hour requ i re m en t s, the PI C m ust a cco mp li sh 3 t akeo f fs and l and i ngs i n the preced i ng 90 day s (for currency purposes). T he F

AA f i nds that at a mi n im u m , the f

li gh t - hour requ i re m en t s i n E xe mp ti on No. 1 1062 are appropr i a t e t o prac ti ce and bu il d prof

i c i ency i n the sk ill s necessary t o safe l y conduct the pe titi one r ’ s proposed opera ti ons. T he F AA a l so f i nds that pr i or docu m en t ed f li ght exper i ence that was ob t a i ned i n co mp li ance w ith app li cab l e regu l a ti ons wou l d sa ti sfy th i s requ i re m en t
. T ra i n i ng, prof

i c i enc y , and exper i ence - bu il d i ng f li gh t s can a l so be conduc t ed under the grant of exe mp ti on t o a cco mp li sh the requ i red f li ght tim e. Dur i ng tra i n i ng, prof i c i enc y , and exper i ence - bu il d i ng f li gh t s the PI C i s requ i red t o opera t e the UA w ith appropr i a t e d i s t ances i n accordance w ith 14 C. F .R 91. 1 19. E xe mp ti on No. 11 138 at page 15. Accordingl y , John Robert West II w il l ensure safe operati ons by not a ll ow i ng any PIC t o opera t e the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS un l ess that PIC has de m ons tra t ed, by m ee ti ng mi n im um f li gh t - hour and currency

requ i re m en t s, that the PI C i s ab l e t o safe l y opera t e the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC UAS i n a m anner cons i s t ent w ith the exe mp ti on, i nc l ud i ng evas i ve and e m e r genc y m aneuvers and m a i n t a i n i ng appropr i a t e d i s t ances from peop l e, vesse l s, veh i c l es and s truc t ures.29 29 **3. Reasons Why**  **An Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on F**  **r om**  **The Requ i**  **r ements**  **O f Sect**  **i on 91.7(a)**  **W ou**  **l d Not**  **Adverse l**  **y Affect Safet**  **y .**  T he equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y es t ab li shed by Sec ti on 91.7(a) w il l be m a i nt a i ned because pr i or t o every

f li gh t , John Robert West II w il l ensure that the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS i s i n an a i rworthy cond iti on based upon the UAS ’ s co mp li ance
w ith it s opera ti ng docu m en t s and as s t a t ed i n the cond iti ons and limit a ti ons here i n. Add iti ona ll y

, the F AA has prev i ous l y gran t ed re li ef from Sec ti on 91.7(a) spec i f i c t o UAS, i n c i rcu m s t ances s imil ar, i n a l l m a t er i al respec t s, t o those presen t ed here i n (e.g. E xe mp ti on Nos. 1 1062, 1 1063, 1 1064, 1 1065, 1 1066, 1 1067, 1 1080, 11 109, 111 10, 111 12, 11 136, 11 138, 11 150, 11 153, 11 156, 11 157, 11 158, 11 159, 11 160, 11 161). **4. Reasons Why**  **An Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on F**  **r om**  **The Requ i**  **r ements**  **O f Sect**  **i on 91.121**  **W ou**  **l d Not**  **Adverse l**  **y Affect Safet**  **y .**  T he equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y es t ab li shed by Sec ti on 91.121 w il l be m a i nt a i ned because the a ltitude i nfor m a ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS w il l be prov i ded t o the PI C v i a GPS equ i p m ent and a rad i o co mm un i ca ti ons t e l e m e try da t a li nk, wh i ch down li nks from the UA t o the GCS for ac ti ve m on it or i ng of the f li ght pa th and a ltitude. T h i s
a ltitude i nfor

m a ti on, co m b i ned w ith John Robert West II’s opera ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UA w ith i n v i sual li ne of s i gh t , at or be l ow 400 feet AG L , w il l ensure a l evel of safe t y equ i va l ent t o Sec ti on 91.121. T he a ltitude i nfor m a ti on w il l be generat ed b y GPS equ i p m ent i ns t a ll ed on board the a i rcraf t . Pr i or t o each f

li gh t , a zero a ltitude i n iti a ti on po i nt i s
au t o m a ti ca ll y es t ab li shed by the UAS's at ground l eve l

. T he F AA has prev i ous l y gran t ed re li ef from Sec ti on 91.121 spec i f i c t o UAS, i n circumstances s imil ar, i n a l l m a t er i al respec t s, t o those presen t ed here i n (e.g. E xe mp ti on Nos. 1 1062, 1 1063, 1 1064, 1 1065, 1 1066, 1 1067, 1 1080, 11 109, 111 12, 11 136, 11 138, 11 150, 11 153, 11 156, 11 157, 11 158, 11 159, 11 160, 11 161).30 30 **5. Reasons Why**  **An Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on F**  **r om**  **The Requ i**  **r ements**  **O f Sect**  **i on 91.151(b)**  **W ou**  **l d Not**  **Adverse l**  **y Affect Safet**  **y .**  A grant of th i s exe mp ti on wou l d ensure an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y es t ab li shed by 14 C. F .R. Sec ti on 91.151(b) as a resu l t of (1) the t echn i cal spec i f i ca ti ons of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's; (2) the limit a ti ons on the proposed f

li ght opera ti ons; and (3) the l oca ti on of the proposed f li ght opera ti ons. Accordingl y , John Rob e rt West II
w il l ensure that he w il l safe l y opera t e the ba tt ery powered DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UA's dur i ng day li ght hours i n VFR cond iti ons, w ith enough ba tt ery power t o f

l y for a t o t al dura ti on of 10 mi nut es t o the f i rst po i nt of i nt ended l and i ng and, assu mi ng nor m al
cru i s i ng speed, t o f

l y af t er that for at l east 2.5 mi nu t es. Here, as i n E xe mp ti on No. 11 109, the t echn i cal spec i f i ca ti ons of the DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's the limit a ti ons on the proposed f

li ght opera ti ons and the l oca ti on of the proposed operati ons, w il l ensure an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y es t ab li shed by 14 C. F .R. Sec ti on 91.151(b). Further m ore, safe t y w il l be ensured as the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's prov i de aud i b l e and v i sual warn i ngs t o the PI C at the controller when the UA's exper i ences l ow ba tt ery vo lt age, the f

i rst warn i ng occurr i ng at approx im a t e l y 33% re m a i n i ng ba tt ery powe r, and aga i n at approx im a t e l y 10% re m a i n i ng ba tt ery powe r. At the cr iti ca ll y l ow ba tt ery l eve l , the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's w il l descend and l and au t o m a ti ca ll y . S i gn i f i can tl y , prev i ous exe mp ti ons gran t ed b y the F AA concern i ng Sec ti on 91.151
es t ab li sh that safe t y i s not adverse l y a f fec t ed when the t echn i cal charac t er i s ti cs and opera ti ng limit a

ti ons of t he UAS are cons i dered. R eli ef has been gran t ed for m anned
a i rcraft t o opera t e at l ess than the mi n im u m s prescr i bed i n Sec ti on 91.151, i nc l ud i ng E xe mp ti on Nos. 2689, 5745, and 10650. Moreove r , the F AA has prev i ous l y gran t ed re li ef31 31 from Sec ti on 91.151 spec i f i c t o UAS i n c i rcu m s t ances s imil ar i n a l l m a t er i al respec t s t o those presen t ed here i n (e.g. E xe mp ti on Nos. 88 1 1, 10808, 10673, 1 1042, 1 1062, 1 1063, 1 1064, 1 1065, 1 1066, 1 1067, 1 1080, 11 109, 111 10, 11 136, 11 138, 11 150, 11 153, 11 156, 11 157, 11 158, 11 159, 11 160, 11 161). **6. Reasons Why**  **An Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on F**  **r om**  **The Requ i**  **r ements**  **O f Sect**  **i ons**  **91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), And 91.417(a) &(b)**  **W ou**  **l d Not**  **Adverse l**  **y Affect Safet**  **y .**  In seek i ng th i s exe mp ti on, John Robert West II sub mit s that the equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y w ith regard t o the regu l a t ory m a i n t enance and a lt era ti on requ i re m en t s es t ab li shed by Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b) w il l be m et because John Robert West II w il l use tra i ned t echn i c i ans t o perform m a i nt enance, a lt era ti ons, or preven ti ve m a i n t enance on the UAS's us i ng the m e thods, t echn i ques, and prac ti ces prescr i bed i n the opera ti ng docu m en t s i .e., the Opera ti ons Manua l , Mon th l y Ma i n t enance L og, and and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC Ins truc ti on Manua l . Further m ore, John Robert West II w il l docu m ent and m a i n t a i n a l l m a i n t enance records for the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's. S i nce the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS w il l be i nspec t ed as prescr i bed by t he opera ti ng docu m en t s, John Robert West II w il l m a i n t a i n the equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y
es t ab li shed by

Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.409(a)(1), and 91.409(a)(2). A cop y of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC User Manua l s are a tt ached here t o as E xh i b i t C and D; a copy of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS Ma i n t enance L OG i s a tt ached here t o as E xh i b i t E
. Li kew i se, the exe mp ti on sought w il l not adverse l y a f fect safe t y because John Robert West II w il l use tra i ned t echn i c i ans t o perform m a i nt enance, a lt era ti ons or preven ti ve m a i n t enance on the UAS us i ng the m e thods, t echn i ques, and prac ti ces prescr i bed b y the opera ti ng docu m en t s.32 32 Further m ore, the exe mp ti on sought wou l d m a i nt a i n an equ i va l ent l evel of safe t y E s t ab li shed by

Sec ti ons 91.407, 91.417(a) and 91.417(b), because a l l m a i n t enance of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS w il l be perfor m ed by tra i ned t echn i c i ans. Ma i n t enance w il l be docu m en t ed and m a i n t a i ned u tili z i ng the m onth l y m a i n t enance l og. S i gn i f i can tl y , prev i ous exe mp ti ons gran t ed b y the F AA concern i ng Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b) es t ab li sh that safe t y i s not adverse l y a f

fec t ed when the t echn i cal charac t er i s ti cs and opera ti ng limit a ti ons of the UAS are cons i dered. In cons i dera ti on of John Robert West II’s proposed opera ti ng limit a ti ons, t he opera ti ng docu m en t s, and the t echn i cal aspec t s of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC AP UAS's, John Robert West II sub mit s that safe t y w il l not be adverse l y a f fec t ed by gran ti ng
exe mp ti on from 14 C. F .R. Sec ti ons 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1) and (a)(2), 91.409(a) (2), and 91.417(a) and (b). T he F

AA has prev i ous l y gran t ed re li ef spec i f i c t o UAS i n c i rcu m s t ances
s imil ar, i n a l l m a t er i al respec t s, t o those presen t ed here i n (e.g. E xe mp ti on Nos. 1 1062, 1 1063, 1 1064, 1 1065, 1 1066, 1 1067, 1 1080, 11 109, 111 10, 111 12, 11 136, 11 138, 11 150, 11 153, 11 156, 11 157, 11 158, 11 159, 11 160, 11 161).
**7. The**  **F AA**  **May P**  **r escr**  **i be**  **Any O**  **ther Cond**  **i t**  **i ons**  **F or**  **Safe O**  **perat i**  **on.** In accordance w ith Sec ti on 333 of the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA) and 14 C. F .R. § 21.16 en titl ed Spec i al Cond iti ons, John Robert West II reques t s that the F AA prescr i be spec i al cond iti ons for the i n t ended opera ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, wh i ch con t a i n such safe t y s t andards that the admi n i s tra t or f i nds necessary t o es t ab li sh a l evel of safe t y equ i va l ent t o that es t ab li shed by 1 4 C. F .R. Part 21, Subpart H, and 14 C. F .R §§ 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7 (a), 91.121,33 33 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b). Such spec i al cond iti ons w il l per mi t safe opera ti on of the UA's for the limit ed purpose of conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y over cert a i n areas of the Un it ed S t a t es for
co mpensa ti on or h i re. FMRA Sec ti on 333 se t s forth the requ i re m en t s for cons i der i ng whe ther a UAS w il l crea t e a hazard t o users of the NAS or the pub li c, or o therw i se pose a threat t o na ti onal secur it y and furthe r, prov i des the au thor it y for such UAS t o opera t e
w ithout a i rworth i ness certi f i ca ti on i n accordance w ith any requ i re m en t s that m ust be
es t ab li shed for the safe operati on of the UAS i n the NAS. Li kew i se, the Admi n i s tra t or m ay prescr i be spec i al cond iti ons pursuant t o 14 C. F .R. §21.16, for opera ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's, s i nce the a i rworth i ness regu l a ti ons of 14 C. F .R. Part 21 do not con t a i n adequa t e or appropr i a t e safe t y s t andards, due t o the novel or unusual des i gn fea tures of the a i rcraf t . Sec ti on 21.16, en titl ed Spec i al Cond iti ons, s t a t es the fo ll ow i ng: If the F AA f i nds that the a i rworth i ness regu l a ti ons of th i s subchap t er do not con t a i n adequa t e or appropr i a t e safe t y s t andards for an a i rcraf t , a i rcraft eng i ne, or prope ll er because of a novel or unusual des i gn fea ture of the a i rcraf t , a i rcraft eng i ne or prope ll e r, i t m ay prescr i be spec i al cond iti ons and am endm en t s there t o for the produc t
. T he spec i al cond iti ons are i ssued i n accordance w ith Part 1 1 of th i s chap t er and
con t a i n such safe t y s t andards for the a i rcraf t , a i rcraft eng i ne or prope ll er as the F AA f i nds necessary t o es t ab li sh a l evel of safe t y equ i va l ent t o that es t ab li shed i n t he regu l a ti ons. See 14 C. F .R. § 21.16.
T herefore, i n accordance w ith FMRA Sec ti on 333 and 14 C. F .R. § 21.16, the F AA m ay prescr i be spec i al cond iti ons for John Robert West II’s i n t ended opera ti on of the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS , wh i ch con t a i n such safe t y s t andards that the admi n i s tra t or f i nds necessary t o es t ab li sh a l evel of safe t y equ i va l ent t o that es t ab li shed by 14 C. F .R. Part 21,34 34 Subpart H, and 14 C. F .R Sec ti ons 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b).
**F .**  **A Summary**  **That Can Be P**  **ub li**  **shed In The**  **F ederal**  **Reg i**  **ster stat**  **i ng:**  **The Ru l**  **es F**  **r om**  **Wh i**  **ch John Robert West II**  **Seeks Ex e**  **mpt i**  **on:** John Robert West II seeks exemp ti on f r om the r equ i r emen t s of 14 C. F

.R Sec ti ons 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a )(2), and 91.417(a) & (b). **A B**  **ri ef Descr**  **i pt**  **i on**  **O f**  **The Natu r**  **e O**  **f The Ex**  **e mpt**  **i on John**  **Robert West II**  **Seeks:** Th is exemp ti on w il l perm i t John Robert W est II t o comme r

c i a ll y opera t e an Unmanned Ai r

cra f t Sys t em (U

A S) f or the purpose of conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ography over cer ta i n a r eas of the Un it ed S

ta t es. **G .**  **Any Add**  **i t**  **i onal**  **Informat i**  **on, V**  **i ews,**  **O r**  **Arguments A** 

**va il**  **ab l**  **e T** 

**o Support John**  **Robert West II’s**  **Request.** T h i s Pe titi on i s m ade pursuant t o the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA) Sec ti on 333, wh i ch d i rec t s the Secre t ary of T ransport a ti on t o de t er

mi ne i f cert a i n UAS
m ay opera t e safe l y i n the NAS. As such, John Robert West II request for exe mp ti on m ay be gran t ed pursuant t o the au thor it y of FMRA Sec ti on 333 and 14 C. F .R. Part 1 1, as set forth above. FMRA Sec ti on 333 se t s forth the requ i re m en t s for cons i der i ng whe ther a UAS w il l
crea t e a hazard t o users of the NAS or the pub li c, or o therw i se pose a threat t o na ti onal secur it y and furthe r, prov i des the au thor it y for such UAS t o opera t e w ithout a i rwort h i ness certi f

i ca ti on. As d i scussed i n de t a i l above, John Robert West II w il l opera t e the M and DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS's safe l y i n the NAS, w ithout crea ti ng a hazard t o users of the NAS, or the pub li c, or o therw i se pose a threat t o na ti onal secur it y . **C O**  **NCLUSI O**  **N**
As set forth here i n, John Robert West II seeks an exe mp ti on pursuant t o 1435 35 C. F .R. § 1 1.61 and Sec ti on 333 of the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012 (FMRA), wh i ch w il l per

mi t safe opera ti on of the DJIPhantom 3 Professional QC U AS
co mm erc i a ll y

, w ithout an a i rworth i ness certi f i ca t e, for the limit ed purpose of conduc ti ng
aer i al v i deo and pho t ography over cert a i n areas of the Un it ed S t a t es. By gran ti ng th i s Pe titi on, the F

AA Admi n i s tra t or w il l be fu l f illi ng t he Congr e ss i onal m anda t e of the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012, wh il e a l so advanc i ng the i n t eres t s of the pub li c, by a ll ow i ng John Robert West II t o safe l y , e f f i c i en tl y , and econo mi ca ll y opera t e the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS co mm erc i a ll y w ith i n the NAS.
**W H**  **ERE FO**  **R E**  , i n accordance w ith the Federal A v i a ti on R e gu l a ti ons and the F AA Modern i za ti on and R e form Act of 2012, Sec ti on 333, John Robert West II respec t fu ll y reques t s that the Admi n i s tra t or grant th i s Pe titi on for an exe mp ti on from the requ i re m en t s of 14 C. F .R Sec ti ons 61. 1 13(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b), and per mi t John Robert West II t o opera t e the DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC UAS co mm erc i a ll y for the purpose of conduc ti ng aer i al v i deo and pho t ograph y over cert a i n areas of the Un it ed S t a t es. Da t ed: May

28, 2015 Thank You for your Consideration,

John Robert West II36 36 APP E NDI C E S:

A
- DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC Spec i f i ca ti ons B

– DJ I Phantom 3 Professional QC User Manual C
- Mon th l y Ma i n t ance L og37 37 APP E NDI X

–A **DJI Phantom 3 Professional QC TEC**  **H NICAL** 

**S P**  **ECI F**  **IC A** 

**TI O**  **NS** John Robert West II on l y u tili zes safe and re li ab l e UAS's. DJ I i s an i ndus try l eader i n s m a l l UAS produc ti on. DJIUAS's are l oaded w ith ground break i ng sof t ware enab li ng t he user t o set param e t ers wh i ch w il l not a ll ow f

li ght i nt o con tro ll ed a i rspace. Param e t ers can a l so be set t o limi t f li ght t o no h i gher than a prede t er

mi ned and set a ltitude as we l l as limi t f li ght t o a prede t er

mi ned and set d i s t ance. In add iti on, DJIsof

tware prov i des rea l

- tim e a ltitude and l oca ti on i nfor m a ti on t o the PI C. 1.1 1.1.1 A i rcraft 1.1.1.1 B att er i es
– ( 4) Intelligent Flight Battery 4480 mAh 1.1.1.2 W e i gh t , F li ght

– 1280 g 1.1.1.3 Hover Accuracy

– V erti ca l : + /

- . 1 m ; Hor i zon t a l : + /

- 2m 1.1.1.4 Max T il t Angel

- 90° to +30° 1.1.1.5 Max Ascen t/ Descent Speed +5 m/ s - 3m/s 1.1.1.6 Max F li ght Speed

– 16 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind) 1.1.2 G imbal 1.1.2. 1 G imbal 3Ax i s (Pitch, Roll, Yaw) 1.1.2.2 P it ch

- Con tro ll ab l e - 90 ° to +30° 1.1.3 T rans mitt er FPV (CAM E RA OP E RA T OR ON L

Y) 1.1.3.1 Controller 2.400 GHz
- 2.483 GHz 1.1.3.2 Power Ou t - put 600 m W 28dBm + /

- 1dBm 1.1.3.3 Frequenc i es 5740, 5760, 5780, 5800, 5820, 5840 and 5860MHz 1.1.4 C am era 1.1.4.1 Son y EXMOR 1/2.3” Effective pixels: 12.4 M (total pixels: 12.76 M) 1.1.4.2 FOV 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8, focus at ∞ 1.1.4.3 IS O Range
- 100
- 3200 (video) 100
- 1600 (photo) 1.1.4.4 Opera ti ng Te mpera ture R ange 0°C to 40°C 1.1.5 T rans mitt er 1 A i rcraft 1.1.5.1 Opera ti ng Frequency 2.400GHz

– 2.4835GHz 1.1.5.2 Co mm un i ca ti on D i s t ance 2000m (outdoors and unobstructed) 1.1.5.3 T rans mitt er Power FCC Co mp li ance FCC: 20 dBm 1.1.5.4 B att ery 6000 mAh LiPo 2S 1.1.5.5 Opera ti ng Te mpera ture 0°C
- 40°38 38 APPE N D I X

– B DJI Phantom 3 Professional

– Ma nu f a c tu re r' s User Ma nu a l

http://download.dji

- innovations.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Safety_Guidelines_Disclaimer_en.pdf http://download.dji

- innovations.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Phantom_3_Professional_User_Manual_v1.0_en.pdf http://download.dji

- innovations.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Phantom_3_Prof essional_In_the_Box_en.pdf http://download.dji

- innovations.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Phantom_3_Professional_Quick_Start_Guide_en.pdf

APP E NDI X
- C
John Robert West II Mon th l y Ma i n t ance and R e pa i r L og A i rcraf t : Hours: Da t e: Da t e Issue D i scove r ed Da t e Issue

R e so l ved Issue Decr i p ti on / Ma i nt ance Condu ct ed R e pa i r / Ma i nt ance P erfor m ed By A i rfram e Mo t ors Prope ll ers F li ght Con trol Upda t e G imbal M i sc