October	18, 2015

U.S.	Department	of	Transportation	

Federal	Aviation	Administration	

800	Independence	Avenue,	SW	

Washington,	DC	20591

Re:	Exemption	Request	Pursuant	to	Section	333	of	the	FAA	Reform	Act	and	

Part	11	of	the	Federal	Aviation	Regulations	from:	14	CFR	61.113{a)	&	(b);	

91.7	(a);	91.103;	91.119{c);	91.121;	91.151{a);	91.405{a);	91.407(a)(1);	

91.409	(a)(1)	and	{2};	91.417{a)	&	(b).	

Dear	Sir	or	Madam:	

Pursuant	to	Section	333	of	the	FAA	Modernization	and	Reform	Act,	I,	Bryan	

Harris,	operator	of	an Unmanned	Aircraft	System	(UAS),	hereby	apply for	an	

exemption	from	the	listed Federal	Aviation	Regulations	(FARs)	to	allow	

commercial	operation	of	its	UAS,	so	long	as	such	operations	are	conducted	

within	and	under	the	conditions	outlined	herein	or	as	may	be	established	by	

the	FAA	as	required	by	Section	333.	

I	formally	submit	for	an	exemption	from	part	21,	subpart	H;	and	Sections	

45.23(b),	91.7(a),	91.9(b)(2),	91.119,	91.121,	91.151(a),	91.203(a)	and	(b),	

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

of	Federal	Regulations	(14	CFR). This	proposed	exemption	would	allow	the	

operation	of	UAS for	the	purpose	of	aerial	data	collection.

Applicant:	Bryan	Harris,	914	Pennsylvania	Ave,	Suffolk,	VA	23434

bryan.harris@outlook.com (757)	292-8677

Commercial	operation	of	a	UAS	as	described	herein,	which	is equipped	with	a	

camera	and	sensors,	would	operate	in	the	following	manner:	

Conduct	aerial	photography	and/or	video	for	public	and/or	private	use

in land	management,	land	survey,	structural	inspection	and	other	

related	professional	activities.

As	described	fully	below,	the	requested	exemption	would	permit	the	

operation	of	a	UAS	under	controlled	conditions	in	the	NAS	that	would	be	a)	

limited,	b)	controlled,	c)	predetermined,	and	d)	will provide	safety	

enhancements	to	the	already	safe	operations	in	the	industry	presently	using	

conventional	aircraft.	

As	found	in	Exemption	No.	13203 (Gambill),	the	FAA	recently	approved	
similar	use	of	a	PHANTOM	3 UAS.	 I will	operate	a	UAS,	the	DJI	Phantom	3

which	is	comprised	of	an	unmanned	aircraft	(UAS	or	Phantom),	an	attached	

camera	and	a	transportable	ground	station.		The	PHANTOM	3	is	a	quadcopter	with	a	gross	weight	of	2.8	pounds.	 It	is	equipped	with	four	rotors	that	

are	driven	by	electric	motors	powered	by	batteries.		Additional	UAS details	

can	be	found	in	Appendix	A.

UAS	Operating	Parameters	

I will	abide	by	the	following	additional	operating	conditions	under	this	

exemption,	which	ensures	a	level	of	safety	at	least	equal	to	existing	rules:	

• Operate	UAS	below	400	feet	and	within	a	radius	distance	of	1000	feet	

from	the	controller	to	aid	in	direct	line	of	sight	visual	observation;	

• Obtain	permission	from	the	owner/controller	of	any	vessels,	vehicles	

and	structures	when	operations	may	be	conducted	closer	than	500	feet	

to	any	such	vessels,	vehicles	or	structures;	I will	conduct	a	safety	

assessment	of	the	risk	of	operating	closer	to	those	objects	and	

determine	that	it	does	not	present	an	undue	hazard;	

• Operate	the	UAS	for	5-10	minutes	per	flight;	

• Land	UAS	prior	to	the	manufacturer’s	recommended	minimum	level	of	

battery	power;	

• Operate	UAS	during	daylight	hours	only	within	visual	line	of	sight	

(VLOS);	

• Use	the	UAS’	global	positioning	system	(GPS)	flight	safety	feature	

whereby	it	hovers	and	then slowly	lands	if	communication	with	the	

remote	control	pilot	is	lost;	

• Conduct	all	operations	under	the	flight	safety	protocols	(including	

posting	a	warning	sign	 reading:	“Attention	Aerial	Photography	in	

Progress	– Remain	Back	150	feet”)	contained	in	the	operating	

documents	and	will	actively	analyze	flight	data	and	other	sources	of	

information	to	constantly	update	and	enhance	safety	protocols;	

• Contact	respective	airports	if	operations	will	be	within	5	miles	to	

advise	them	of	his	estimated	flight	time,	flight	duration,	elevation	of	

flight	and	other	pertinent	information;	

• Always	obtain	all	necessary	permissions	prior	to	operation;	have	

procedures	in	place	to	abort	flights	in	the	event	of	safety	breaches	or	

potential	danger;	

• Only	operate	in	safe	environments	that	are	strictly	controlled,	are	away	

from	power	lines,	elevated	lights,	airports	and	densely	populated	areas	

(defined	by	areas	depicted	in	“yellow”	on	VFR	charts	and	through	

obtaining	information	regarding	congested	areas	from	the	local	Flight	
Standards	District	Office	(FSDO);	

• Conduct	extensive	preflight	inspections	and	protocols,	during	which	

safety	carries	primary	importance.		Regarding	UAS	operational	

training,	I have	flown	numerous	practice	flights	in	remote	areas	as	

hobbyists	simulating	flights	for	future	commercial	use	to	gain	

familiarization	with	the	characteristics	of	the UAS	performance	under	

different	temperature	and	weather	conditions.	

Any	PIC	operating	our	UAS	will	have	accumulated	and	logged,	in	a	manner	

consistent	with	14	CFR	61.51(b),	25	hours	of	total	time	as a	UAS	rotorcraft	

pilot	including	at	least	10	hours	logged	as	a	UAS	pilot	with	a	multi-rotor	UAS.	

The	PIC	will	also	have	accumulated	and	logged	a	minimum	of	5	hours	as	a	

UAS	pilot	operating	the	same	make	and	model	of	UAS	to	be	used	for	

operations.	In	addition	to	the	hour	requirements,	the	PIC	will	accomplish 3	

take-offs and	landings	in	the	preceding	90	days	(for	currency	purposes)	prior	

to	any	flight.	

Specific	Exemptions	Requested	

Given	the	size,	weight,	speed,	and	limited	operating	area	associated	with	the	

UA,	I feel	an	exemption	from	14	CFR	part	21,	Subpart	H	(Airworthiness	

Certificates)	and	§	91.203(a)	and	(b)	(Certifications	required),	subject	to	

certain	conditions	and	limitations,	is	warranted	and	meets	the	requirements	

for	an	equivalent	level	of	safety	under	14	CFR	part	11	and	Section	333	of	P.L.	

112-95	(Section	333).	

I request	an	exemption	from	§	45.23	Marking	of	the	aircraft	because	the	UA	

will	not	have	a	cabin,	cockpit	or	pilot	station	on	which	to	mark	certain	words	

or	phrases.	Further,	the	two-inch	lettering	is	difficult	to	place	on	such	a	small	

aircraft	with	dimensions	smaller	than	the	minimal	lettering	requirement.	

Regardless	of	this,	I can	mark	the	UAS	in	the	largest	possible	lettering	by	

placing	the	word	“Experimental”	on	its	fuselage	as	required	by	§	45.29(f)	so	

that	anyone	will	see	the	markings.	

I request	an	exemption	from	§	91.7(a)	which	prohibits	the	operation	of	an	

aircraft	without	an	airworthiness	certificate,	since	there	is	currently	no	

certificate	applicable	to	our	operation,	this	regulation	is	inapplicable.	

I request	an	exemption	from	§§	91.405(a),	91.407(a)(1),	91.409(a)(2)	and	

91.417(a)	and	(b)	Maintenance	inspections	since	they	only	apply	to	aircraft	

with	an	airworthiness	certificate.	However,	as	a	safety	precaution	I will	

perform	a	preflight	inspection	of	the	UAS	before	each	flight	as	outlined	in	the	

attached	operating	documents.	
I request	an	exemption	from	§	91.9(b)(2)	which	requires	an	aircraft	flight	

manual	in	the	aircraft,	however	since	there	are	no	pilots	or	passengers	on	

board	the	aircraft	and	given	its	size,	this	regulation	is	inapplicable.	I believe	

an	equivalent	level	of	safety	will	be	achieved	by	maintaining	a	safety/flight	

manual	with	the	UAS	ground	station.	

I request	an	exemption	from	§	91.119	which	prescribes	safe	altitudes	for	the	

operation	of	civil	aircraft,	but	it	allows	helicopters	to	be	operated	at	lower	

altitudes	in	certain	conditions.	I will	not	operate our	UAS	above	the	altitude	of	

400	feet	above	ground	level	(AGL)	and	will	also	only	operate	in	safe	areas	

away	from	the	public	and	traffic,	thus	“providing	a	level	of	safety	at	least	

equivalent	to	or	below	those	in	relation	to	minimum	safe	altitudes.”	Given	the	

size,	weight,	maneuverability,	and	speed	of	the	UAS,	an	equivalent	or	higher	

level	of	safety	will	be	achieved.	

I request	an	exemption	from	§	91.121	Altimeter	settings	as	it	is	inapplicable	

since	the	UAS	utilizes	electronic	GPS	with	a	barometric	sensor.	

I request	an	exemption	from	§	91.151(a)	Fuel	requirements	for	flight	in	VFR	

conditions.	The	UAS is	100%	electric	and	two	low	battery	alerts	are	issued	-

per	the	operating	documents,	the	UAS will	be	landed	at	the	first	alert.	Also,	

our	flights	will	last	only 5-10	minutes	each,	and	the	UAS	has	an	automated	

function,	which	results	in	immediate	landing	when	a	low	battery	is	detected.	

The	PIC	will	not	begin	a	flight	unless	(considering	wind	and	forecast	weather	

conditions)	there	is	enough	power	to	fly	to	the	first	point	of	intended	landing	

and,	assuming	normal	cruising	speed,	land	the	UA	with	30%	battery	power	

remaining.	

Public	Interest	

Aerial	photography	and	videography	are	proven	strategies	to	enhance	

marketing	efforts	and	increase	business	success.	The	industry	is	not	new.	

However,	until	recently	it	was	conducted	through	the	use	of	costly	manned	

aircraft,	a	prohibitive	business	activity	for	small	companies.	By	granting	this	

exemption	I	would	be	able	to	provide	affordable	services.	

Further,	the	small	UAS	will	pose	no	threat	to	the	public	given	its	small	size	

and	lack	of	combustible	fuel	when	compared	to	larger	manned	aircraft.	

Additionally,	the	operation	of	our	UAS	will	minimize	harm	to	the	environment	

economic	growth	by	providing	information	to	companies	and	the	public	

looking	to	relocate	or	build	in	the	metro	areas	I service.	Public	and	private	

events	serviced	by	our	business	enhance	vibrancy	and	add	culture	to	the	

community	and	its	citizens.	
Summary	

I will	comply	with	all	of	the	following	conditions	and	limitations	should	this	

exemption	be	provided:	

1)	Operations	will	be	limited	to	the	following	aircraft	described	in	the	

operating	documents,	which	is	a	quad-rotor	aircraft	weighing	2.8	pounds:	

Phantom	3	Unmanned	Aircraft	System.	

2)	The	UA	will	not	be	flown	at	an	indicated	airspeed	exceeding	50	knots.	

3)	The	UA	will	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than	400	feet	above	

ground	level	(AGL),	All	altitudes	reported	to	ATC	must	be	in	feet	AGL.	

4)	The	UA	will	be	operated	within	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	Pilot	In	

Command	(PIC)	at	all	times.	

5)	All	operations	will	utilize	a	visual	observer	(VO).	The	UA	will	be	operated	

within	the	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	VO	at	all	times.	The	VO	and	PIC	

will	be	able	to	communicate	verbally	at	all	times.	The	PIC	will	be	designated	

before the	flight	and	will	not	transfer	his	or	her	designation	for	the	duration	

of	the	flight.	The	PIC	will	ensure	that	the	VO	can	perform	the	functions	

prescribed	in	the	operating	documents.	

6)	The	operating	documents	will	be	accessible	during	UAS	operations	and	

made	available	to	the	Administrator	upon	request.	Any	revisions	to	the	

operating	documents	will	be	presented	to	the	Administrator	upon	request.	

7)	Prior	to	each	flight,	the	PIC	will	inspect	the	UAS	to	ensure	it	is	in	a	

condition	for	safe	flight.	If	the inspection	reveals	a	condition	that	affects	the	

safe	operation	of	the	UAS,	the	UAS	will	not	be	operated	until	the	necessary	

maintenance	has	been	performed	and	the	UAS	is	found	to	be	in	a	condition	for	

safe	flight.	The	Ground	Control	Station	will	be	included	in	the	preflight	

inspection.	All	maintenance	and	alterations	will	be	properly	documented	in	

the	aircraft	records.	

8)	Any	UAS	maintenance	or	alterations	that	affect	the	UAS	operation	or	flight	

characteristics,	e.g.	replacement	of	a	flight	critical	component,	will	undergo	a	

functional	test	flight.	The	PIC	who	conducts	the	functional	test	flight	will	

make	an	entry	in	the	aircraft	records.	

9)	The	pre-flight	inspection	section	in	the	operating	documents	will	account	

for	all	discrepancies,	i.e.	inoperable	components,	items,	or	equipment,	not	

already	covered	in	the	relevant	sections	of	the	operating	documents.	
10)	I will	follow	the	UAS	manufacturer’s	aircraft/component,	maintenance,	

overhaul,	replacement,	inspection,	and	life	limit	requirements.	

11)	I will	carry	out	maintenance,	inspections,	and	record	keeping	

requirements,	in	accordance	with	the	operating	documents.	Maintenance,	

inspection,	and	alterations	will	be	noted	in	the	aircraft	records,	including	total	

flight	hours,	description	of	work	accomplished,	and	the	signature	of	the	

authorized	person	returning	the	UAS	to	service.	

12)	Each	UAS	operated	will	comply	with	all	manufacturer	Safety	Bulletins.	

13)	An	authorized	person	will	make	an	entry	in	the	aircraft	record	of	the	

corrective	action	taken	against	discrepancies	discovered	between	

inspections.	

14)	UAS	operations	will	be	conducted	by	a	PIC	possessing	at	least	a	private	

pilot	certificate	and	at	least	a	current	third-class	medical	certificate.	The	PIC	

will	also	meet	the	flight	review	requirements	specified	in	14	CFR	61.56	in	an	

aircraft	in	which	the	PIC	is	rated	on	his	or	her	pilot	certificate.	

15)	Prior	to	operations	conducted	for	the	purpose	of	aerial	

videography/photography	and	for	real	estate	listing	videos	and	public	and	

private	events	and	similar	operations,	the	PIC	will	have	accumulated	and	

logged,	in	a	manner	consistent	with	14	CFR	61.51(b),	a	minimum	of	25	hours	

of	total	time	as	a	UAS	rotorcraft	pilot	including	at	least	10	hours	logged	as	a	

UAS	pilot	with	a	multi-rotor	UAS.	

16)	Prior	to	operations	conducted	for	the	purpose	of	aerial	

videography/photography	and	for	real	estate	listing	videos	and	public	and	

private	events	and	similar	operations,	the	PIC	will	have	accumulated	and	

logged,	in	a	manner	consistent	with	14	CFR	61.51(b),	a	minimum	of	5	hours	

as	UAS	pilot	operating	the	make	and	model	of	the	UAS	to	be	used	in	

operations.	The	PIC	will	accomplish	3	take-offs	and	landings	in	the	preceding	

90	days.	

17)	The	PIC	will	not	operate	the	UAS	for	the	purpose	of	aerial	

videography/photography	and	for	real	estate	listing	videos	and	public	and	

private	events	and	similar	operations,	unless	the	PIC	has	demonstrated	and	

logged	in	a	manner	consistent	with	14	CFR	61.51(b),	the	ability	to	safely	

operate	the	UAS	in	a	manner	consistent	with	the	operating	documents,	

including	evasive	and	emergency	maneuvers	and	maintaining	appropriate	

distances	from	people,	vessels,	vehicles	and	structures.	
18)	UAS	operations	will	not	be	conducted	during	night,	as	defined	in	14	CFR	

1.1.	All	operations	will	be	conducted	under	visual	meteorological	conditions	

(VMC).	

19)	The	UA	will	not	operate	within	5	nautical	miles	of	an	airport	reference	

point	as	denoted	on	a	current	FAA-published	aeronautical	chart.	

20)	The	UA	will	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.	

21)	If	a	UA	loses	communications	or	loses	its	GPS	signal,	it	will	return	to	a	

predetermined	location	within	the	planned	operating	area	and	land	or	be	

recovered	in	accordance	with	the	operating	documents.	

22)	The	PIC	will	abort	a	flight	in	the	event	of	unpredicted	obstacles	or	

emergencies	in	accordance	with	the	operating	documents.	

23)	The	PIC	will	not	begin	a	flight	unless	(considering	wind	and	forecast	

weather	conditions)	there	is	enough	power	to	fly	at	normal	cruising	speed	to	

the	intended	landing	point	and	land	the	UA	with	30%	battery	power	

remaining.	

24)	I will	obtain	an	Air Traffic	Organization	(ATO)	issued	Certificate	of	Waiver	

or	Authorization	(COA)	prior	to	conducting	operations outside	approved	

conditions,	and	also	request	a	Notice	to	Air-man	(NOTAM)	not	more	than	72	

hours	in	advance,	but	not	less	than	48	hours	prior	to	the	operation.	

25)	Before	conducting	operations,	the	radio	frequency	spectrum	used	for	

operation	and	control	of	the	UA	will	comply	with	the	Federal	

Communications	Commission	(FCC)	or	other	appropriate	government	

oversight	agency	requirements.	

26)	The	documents	required	under	14	CFR	91.9	and	91.203	will	be	available	

to	the	PIC	at	the	Ground	Control	Station	of	the	UAS	any	time	the	UAS	is	

operating.	These	documents	will	be	made	available	to	the	Administrator	or	

any	law	enforcement	official	upon	request.	

27) The	UAS will	remain	clear	and	yield	the	right	of	way	to	all	manned	

aviation	operations	and	activities	at	all	times.	

28)	The	UAS	will	not	be	operated	by	the	PIC	from	any	moving	device	or	

vehicle.	
29)	The	UA	will	not	be	operated	over	congested	or	densely	populated	areas.	

30)	Flight	operations	will	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.	I will	ensure	that	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	and/or;	

b.	The	aircraft	is	operated	near	vessels,	vehicles	or	structures	where	

the	owner/controller	of	such	vessels,	vehicles	or	structures	has	

granted	permission	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,	and;	

c.	Operations	nearer	to	the	PIC,	VO,	operator	trainees	or	essential	

persons	do	not	present	an	undue	hazard	to	those	persons	per	§	

91.119(a).	

31)	All	operations	will	be	conducted	over	private	or	controlled-access	

property	with	permission	from	the	land	owner/controller	or	authorized	

representative.	Permission	from	land	owner/controller	or	authorized	

representative	will	be	obtained	for	each	flight	to	be	conducted.	

32)	Any	incident,	accident,	or	flight	operation	that	transgresses	the	lateral	or	

vertical	boundaries	of	the	operational	area	as	defined	by	the	applicable	COA	

will	be	reported	to	the	FAA's	UAS	Integration	Office	(AFS-80)	within	24	hours.	

Accidents	will	be	reported	to	the	National Transportation	Safety	Board	

(NTSB)	per	instructions	contained	on	the	NTSB	Web	site:	www.ntsb.gov.	

If	you	have	questions	or	need	additional	information,	please	contact	me	at	

bryan.harris@outlook.com or	(757)	292-8677.

Thank	you,	

Bryan	Harris		
APPENDIX – A

DJI	PHANTOM	3	TECHNICAL	SPECIFICATIONS	

Bryan	Harris	only	utilizes	safe	and	reliable	UASs.	DJI	is	an	industry	leader	in	

small	UAS	production.	DJI	UASs	are	loaded	with	ground	breaking	software	

enabling	the	user	to	set	parameters	which	will	not	allow flight	into	controlled	

airspace.	Parameters	can	also	be	set	to	limit	flight	to	no	higher	than	a	

predetermined	and	set	altitude	as	well	as	limit	flight	to	a	predetermined	and	

set	distance.	In	addition,	DJI	software	provides	real-time	altitude	and	location	

information	to	the	PIC	via	the	linked	monitor	(smart	phone/tablet	devices)	

DJI	Phantom	3

1. Aircraft	

a. Supported	Battery	– DJI	4480	mAH	LiPo	Battery	

b. Weight	(Battery	&	Propellers	Included)	– 2lbs	11.810oz	(1242g)

c. Hover	Accuracy	(Ready	to	Fly)	– Vertical:	.8m;	Horizontal:	2.5m	

d. Max	Yaw	Angular	Velocity	- 200/s

e. Max	Tilt	Angel	- 35	1.1.1.6	Max	Ascent	Speed	– 6m/s

f. Max	Descent	Speed	– 2m/s

g. Max	Flight	Speed	– 15m/s	(NOT	RECOMMENDED)	

2. Gimbal	

a. Working	Current	– Static:	750mA;	Dynamic:	900mA	

b. Control	Accuracy	- ±0.03	

c. Controllable	Range	– Pitch:	-90	- 0	

d. Maximum	Angular	Speed	– Pitch:	90/s	

3. Camera	

a. Operating	Temperature	Range	- 32F	- 104F	(0C	- 40C)

b. Sensor	Size	– 1/2.3”	

c. Effective	Pixels	– 14M

d. Resolution	– 4384x3288	

e. HD	Video	Recording	– 1080p30	&	720p

f. Recording	Field	of	View	- 110/85