1

Applicant Name and Contact Information:

USAerobotix LLC

Attn: Jason T. Adams, Vice President

PO BOX 124

Gettysburg, OH 45328

(260) 444-1550

jason@usaerobotix.com

December 18, 2015

Exemption 11453 Revision 1 to Docket FAA-2015-0231-0001

Dear Administrators,

In addendum to the approval of exemption 11453, USAerobotix LLC (“USAerobotix”), the operator, 

would request a revised understanding of the aircraft used for the Operation. In summary, the Operator 

would request to use any aircraft as long as it meets minimum standards for all components and 

operations as stated in the original application. 

On page 2 of exemption 11453 under Airworthiness Certification it states:

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a SelectTech Geospatial EH-4.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 

333 of Public Law 112-95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, 

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

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

FAA finds that the requested relief from 14 CFR part 21 and any associated noise certification and 

testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

As already proven in this draft of the original application and subsequent approval, the Operation will 

remain the same. In an effort to reduce the paperwork, time, and costliness of submitting identical 

exemption applications per aircraft, the Operator would like to use any aircraft, either purchased or 

amateur built, as long as the aircraft has the following characteristics:

1. The aircraft will not weigh more than 55 pounds, including payload.

2. The aircraft will not be capable of reaching a speed exceeding 87 knots. 

3. This amendment will only apply to aircraft specifically designed for vertical take-off and landing 

capability for the purposes of the Operation described in the original, approved application.

This amendment specifically addresses the first condition of the exemption as stated on page 3 under 

Conditions and Limitations:

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the SelectTech Geospatial EH-4 

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

With the description of components and capabilities of the EH-4, most other aircraft of this class remain 

within the same capabilities, safety guidelines, and standards already approved by many other 

exemptions. The main components of these aircraft are as follows:

1. Main autopilot system

2. Compass

3. Accelerometer/Gyroscope

4. Power distribution board

5. Voltage monitor/regulator

6. Electronic Speed Controllers (one per motor)

7. Electric motors

8. Lithium Polymer battery

9. Propellers

10. Airframe

11. Telemetry

12. Transmitter/Receiver system

The SelectTech Geospatial EH-4 system was designed using components found in many other aircraft. 

The capabilities for each of these components are limited to a small range. With the blanket approval of 

a 55 pound weight limit, any adjusting of components will not significantly increase risk or decrease 

safety. 

In order to safely plan missions within the approved Operation, the Operator wishes to have access to 

other aircraft if the need arises to make payload adjustments for the safe flight of different inspections. 

The Operator believes it is a safer option to allow for freedom to change aircraft as the industry 

continues to grow and improve components. All operations remain within the strict standard already 

established and approved by this exemption. 

Allowing the Operator to develop “amateur-built” or self-developed aircraft would aid in improving the 

overall safety of the Operation and contribute to the growth of knowledge within the unmanned 

systems and aeronautical industry. 

Sincerely,

Jason T. Adams

Vice President, USAerobotix LLC