Date: 8/17/15 Revision: Original

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Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Snowy Owl Productions

4200 James Ray Drive #161

Grand Forks, ND 58202

701-738-4825
Date: 8/17/15 Revision: Original

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 4

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 5

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 8

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Aerobatic Competency 8

O. Aerobatic Competency 9

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 11

2 List of Approved Aircraft 12

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 13

4 Revision Letter (sample) 14

Appendix B

1 Section 333 exemption 15
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Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials
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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Snowy Owl Productions, LLC.", hereafter

referred to as "Snowy Owl", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of

Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the

purposes of filming. Snowy Owl pilots and other company personnel when 

applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual,

whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require a 

Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Matt Dunlevy - Owner

Connor Grafius - Chief Pilot

Snowy Owl Productions, LLC.

4200 James Ray Drive

Grand Forks, ND 58202

701-738-4825

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and 

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate 

holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except 

those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production. This 

provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an equivalent level of safety 

can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an 

equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming

production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers 

may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.)

from debris in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

Snowy Owl's approved area of operations will be the continental United States.
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E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Snowy Owl will submit a 

written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The

plan of activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production 

event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic 

competency, if required.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder 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 from the waiver holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) 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 

minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to 

explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions 

of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to

conduct these operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or 

appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required are listed below:
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(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The Snowy Owl personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing

whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A

standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when 

obtaining written permission. Snowy Owl personnel will assure a sufficient

number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms

will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then

turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months.

These forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official

personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all 

unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the 

risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the 

filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions 

that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the 

operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing 

shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures
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• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All Snowy Owl aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) 

and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness

certificates. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming

"vehicle" in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental

category must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of

exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft

will be

100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and inspections 

(transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each 

aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and 

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for 

discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the 

aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and 

maintenance has been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. Commercial pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the 

category, class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the 

terms of the waiver.

(2) At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC

in the aircraft type.

(3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used. 

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under

the waiver.

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14

CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers 

must hold FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to

perform the operations.
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(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an 

external-load operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots 

used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be

obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/or 

skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the 

geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads

externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements 

and cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the

Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command 

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants

during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants

continuously appraised of the current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the 

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency.
Date: 8/17/15 Revision: Original

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O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Snowy Owl motion

picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons 

on the surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be 

those specified in the Snowy Owl motion picture and television operations manual 

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and 

certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and 

pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

Snowy Owl will ensure that the participating persons involved in the

operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication,

emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or

waiver before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any 

event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the

waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this 

manual.

• Act as liaison between Snowy Owl and the FAA on matter concerning this

manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a 

signed statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.
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• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

Snowy Owl.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

Snowy Owl under the provisions of this manual.

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the 

provisions of this manual.

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any 

job or operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility.
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Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : Connor Grafius

Certificate Number : 3745125

Grade : Private

Medical Class/Date : Third 06-2013

Contact Number : 612-308-9650

Pilots

Name : TBD

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :

Name : TBD

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :
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Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI S1000+ N299SS

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
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Appendix A .3

Snowy Owl Productions, LLC.

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Snowy Owl Productions, LLC. Permission 

to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in 

which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television

production.

Name: 

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature 

Date

Snowy Owl Representative Receiving Permission
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Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# Issued To 

Revised By 

Date

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than _____________________________
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Appendix B .1

(see attached Section 333 Exemption and COA)