Page 1

Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Aerial Advantages LLC

6 Ross St

Nashua NH 03060

EIN: 47-4270471

Contact: Brent Forman

Tel. 781-820-3923

Brent@AerialAdvantages.com
Page 2

Contents

Aerial Advantages LLC.............................................................................................................................. 1

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3

A. Purpose................................................................................................................................................. 3

B. Operator Organization.......................................................................................................................... 3

C. Distribution and Revision...................................................................................................................... 3

D. Area of Operations ............................................................................................................................... 3

E. Plan of Activities....................................................................................................................................3

F. Permission to Operate .......................................................................................................................... 4

G. Security................................................................................................................................................. 4

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel.................................................................................................4

I. Safety of Flight .......................................................................................................................................5

See-and-Avoid.......................................................................................................................................5

J. Certification/Airworthiness ................................................................................................................... 5

K. Pilot Personnel - Minimum Requirements............................................................................................ 5

L. Communications....................................................................................................................................6

M. Accident Notification ........................................................................................................................... 6

N. Recall/Stop Procedures ........................................................................................................................ 6

O. Special Provisions.................................................................................................................................6

2. Company Organization.............................................................................................................................. 7

A. Director of Videography ....................................................................................................................... 7

B. Pilot in Command..................................................................................................................................7

C. Visual Observer.....................................................................................................................................7

Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

A. List of Approved Aircraft....................................................................................................................... 8

B. Location Permission Form .................................................................................................................... 9

C. Verbal Permission Record Form .........................................................................................................10
Page 3

1.	Introduction

A.	Purpose

This operations manual has been created by Aerial Advantages LLC, to be used in conjunction with 

request for FAA section 333 exemption ID: FAA-2015-3928-0001 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-3928

for the purposes of aerial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) filming. Aerial Advantages pilots, camera 

operators, visual observers, and other company personnel when applicable, will comply with the 

policies, procedures, and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television UAS flight 

operations are performed that require an Exemption and/or Waiver of Authorization.

B.	Operator	Organization

Aerial Advantages

6 Ross St 

Nashua NH 03060

www.aerialadvantages.com

C.	Distribution	and	Revision

A copy of this manual will be available to all persons authorized and remain on site during all flight

operations. Revising the operations manual will be the responsibility of the Owner/Operator to ensure 

that all manuals are kept current. 

D.	Area	of	Operations

Aerial Advantages approved area of operations will be the United States, including its territories and 

possessions.

E.	Plan	of	Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled operation, Aerial Advantages will submit a written plan of 

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

following:

 Dates and times for all flights.

 Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event.

 Name and phone number of person responsible for flight operations.

 Make, model, and serial number of UAS to be used.

 Name and certificate number of pilot(s) involved in the filming production event.

 A statement that the exemption/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 will be made available to the inspector upon request from the exemption/waiver 

holder.

 Signature of exemption/waiver holder or representative.

 A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, 

and/or State over which the operation will be conducted.

 If the three (3) day notification is not realizable for extenuating circumstances, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with the request.
Page 4

F.	Permission	to	Operate

Before any flight operation is conducted under the provisions of the exemption and/or 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:

 Property owners

 Law enforcement officials

 Fire department officials

 Local, State and Federal government

 Air traffic control

Aerial Advantages personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, 

however, verbal permission is acceptable. Aerial Advantages personnel will notate verbal permission on 

the verbal permission record form (sample provided in Appendix item C). A permission form (sample 

provided in Appendix item B) may be used when obtaining written permission. Written permission 

forms shall be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the 

Director of Videography 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 to a

minimum perimeter for safe operations. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations 

should the area(s) become unsecured 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 exemption and/or certificate of waiver

 Pertinent sections of this operations manual

 Plan of activities

 UAS takeoff and landing procedures

 Role of Pilot In Command (PIC), visual observer, and camera/gimbal operator

 Radio Communications

 Overview of flight activities to be conducted during the filming production event

 Recall procedures

 Emergency procedures

 Risks to participating personnel

 How to control nonparticipating persons
Page 5

I.	Safety	of	Flight

The operator or pilot in command (PIC) is responsible for halting or canceling activity in the area if, at 

any time, the safety of persons or property, on the ground or in the air, is in jeopardy.

See-and-Avoid

Unmanned aircraft have no on-board pilot to perform see-and-avoid responsibilities; therefore, 

when operating outside of active restricted and warning areas approved for aviation activities, 

provisions must be made to ensure an equivalent level of safety exists for unmanned operations 

consistent with 14 CFR Part 91 §91.111, §91.113 and §91.115.

The pilot in command (PIC) is responsible:

 To remain clear of and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

 For the safety of persons or property on the surface with respect to the UAS.

UAS pilots will ensure there is a safe operating distance between aviation activities and unmanned

aircraft (UA) at all times. Visual observers must be used at all times and maintain instantaneous 

communication with the PIC.

The PIC is responsible to ensure visual observer(s) are:

 Able to see the UA and the surrounding airspace throughout the entire flight, and

 Able to provide the PIC with the UA’s flight path, and proximity to all aviation activities and

other hazards (e.g., terrain, weather, structures) sufficiently for the PIC to exercise effective 

control of the UA to prevent the UA from creating a collision hazard.

Visual observer(s) must be able to communicate clearly to the pilot any instructions required to remain 

clear of conflicting traffic.

Pilots are reminded to follow all federal regulations e.g. remain clear of all Temporary Flight Restrictions, 

as well as following the exemption granted for their operation. The operator or delegated 

representative must not operate in Prohibited Areas, Special Flight Rule Areas or, the Washington 

National Capital Region Flight Restricted Zone.

J.	Certification/Airworthiness

All aircraft operated by Aerial Advantages will be identified by serial number, registered in accordance 

with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N-Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, 

Subpart C. Markings will be as large as practical. Aerial Advantages will use trained technicians to 

perform repair, alterations, or preventive maintenance on the UASs using the methods, techniques, and 

practices prescribed in the UAS manufacturer operating documents and manuals. Aerial Advantages will 

document and maintain all maintenance records.

K.	Pilot	Personnel	- Minimum	Requirements

Aerial Advantages minimum requirements for pilots shall at a minimum include:

 The PIC must have logged, consistent with 14 CFR 61.51(b), 25 hours of total time as a UAS pilot. 

 The PIC must have logged a minimum of 5 hours as a UAS pilot operating the same make and 

model of UAS to be used for operations under the exemption. 

 The PIC must accomplish 3 take-offs and landings in the preceding 90 days (for currency 

purposes). Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with applicable 
Page 6

regulations satisfies this requirement. Training, proficiency, and experience-building flights can 

also be conducted to accomplish the required flight time. During training, proficiency, and 

experience-building flights the PIC is required to operate the UAS with appropriate distances in 

accordance with 14 CFR 91.119. Aerial Advantages may determine that additional hours are 

necessary to address all potential flight hazards and requisite airmanship skills. Aerial 

Advantages will not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC is able 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 appropriate distances from persons, vessels, 

vehicles and structures. 

 The PIC must hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued 

by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government.

 Visual Observers will have a minimum of 1 hour of flight time with the UAS which they are 

observing affording them direct experience with the performance of the UAS they will be 

observing.

L.	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. Oral, visual, or r adio

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.

M.	Accident	Notification

Any incident or accident during flight operations that results in damage to persons or property must be 

reported to the FAA via email at 9-AJV-115-UASOrganization@faa.gov within 24 hours.

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. Should an accident or incident requiring notification of 

the NTSB occur, the notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would apply.

N.	Recall/Stop	Procedures

Specific procedures will vary based on the UAS being used, the physical location, and oth er unique

configurations in the field. Details will be part of the required pre-flight briefing. Oral, visual, or radio

communications will be utilized to keep the participants continuously appraised of the current status of

the operation.

O.	Special	Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in this manual are the primary assurance that persons

on the surface will not be jeopardized. Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each 

daily plan of activity. All UAS pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection 

before the scheduled event. No person may participate in any event unless that person has received a 

briefing on the provisions of the exemption and/or waiver.
Page 7

2.	Company	Organization

A.	Director	of	Videography

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

 Acts as liaison between Aerial Advantages and the FAA on matters 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.

 Maintains a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Aerial Advantages.

 Assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed properly.

 Approve or disapprove each proposed operation performed by Aerial Advantages under the 

provisions of this manual.

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

 Delegate functions to other personnel as is prudent but retains responsibility.

B.	Pilot	in	Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Assure the UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and required maintenance has been 

performed as appropriate.

 Acquire permission from the Director of Videography 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 location personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety of all

persons involved the primary concern.

 Maintain and keep current their copy of this manual and have it on site at any job or operation

requiring the exemption and/or waiver.

 The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility.

C.	Visual	Observer

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Maintain visual line of sight with the UAS at all times.

 Maintain direct communication with the PIC.

 Maintain a broader situational awareness of the secure area and remain alert for unauthorized

persons or vehicles that could compromise the area.

 Assist the PIC in with collision avoidance. Including, but not limited to, avoidance of other

structures, obstructions, and terrain.
Page 8

Appendix

A.	List	of	Approved	Aircraft

Make Model Serial Number Registration Number

DJI F450 TBD

DJI F550 TBD
Page 9

B.	Location	Permission	Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Aerial Advantages permission to operate their aircraft at 

less than 500 feet from property, or within some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or affiliated 

with, for the purpose of film, video, or television production.

Name:

Title:

Company or Organization:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature:

Signature Date:

Aerial Advantages Representative:

Signature:

Signature Date:
Page 10

C.	Verbal	Permission	Record	Form

Aerial Advantages staff and designees that receive verbal permission must make a record on this form:

The following person(s) listed is (are) giving the pilots of Aerial Advantages permission to operate their 

aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or within some jurisdiction in which they have responsibility

for or are affiliated with, for the purpose of film, video, or television production.

Name: Title:

Company or Organization:

Date permission granted:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Name: Title:

Company or Organization:

Date permission granted:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Name: Title:

Company or Organization:

Date permission granted:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: