Environmental Consultants 11260 Roger Bacon Drive 703-471-6150 Suite 300 FAX 703-709-8379 Reston, VA 20190-5282 www.scsengineers.com

Offices Nationwide 

### March 31, 2015 U. S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of t he FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b); 14 CFR Part 21;14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 13 C.F.R. 61.133( a); 91.7 (a);91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b); 91.109;91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) & (b);91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2);91.417 (a) & (b). Dear Sir(s)/Madam(s): Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Refo rm Act of 2012 (“Reform Act”) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Stearns, Conrad and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc. (“SCS Engineers”), the operator of a small unmanned drone (UA), seeks an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regu lations (“FARs”) as listed and discussed below. Make –DJI Model - Phantom 2 Serial # DJP2GCBWCK SCS Engineers’ team utilize an on staff commercial pilot to fl y helicopters with an on board photographer to take aerial pictures of oil, gas, mining, landfill, and other commercial proper ties pursuant to its contract with the various owners. With the advent of new technology, to reduce the cost to its clien t, SCS Engineers would like to use UAs equipped with cameras and other normal, established remote sensing technologies to take aerial videography and photography and for other monitoring purposes of those commerci al properties (“purpose”). Licensed Pilot: Mr. Carlos William Cortez Certificate Number: 2188096 Date of Issue: 27 May 2009 Approval of SCS Engineers’ exemption request will permit the operation of comparatively inexpensive UAs in tightly controlled, predetermined and limited airspace. This airspace will include areas away from general public, airports, heliports and vehicular traffic and within the property boundaries of pr ivate, governmental, and quasi-governmental agency owned landfill, oil, gas, mining, and related client owned or controlled properties. Currently, similar lightweight, remote controll ed UAs are legally operated by unmonitored and untrained amateur hobbyis ts with no safety plan or c ontrols in place to prevent catastrophic events. SCS Engineers has created (and attached ) confidential and detailed safety protocols and controls (“SCS Engineers’ Confidential Protocol s and Controls Exhibit”) to avoid and prevent public hazards as well as preventing the interference with manned aircraft which could cause a hazard or catastrophe. This acts to enhance safety protocols unique to SCS Engineers’ lightweight UAs being utilized specifically for videography and photography and for other monitoring purposes. SCS Engineers records flight data and other information gained through permitted flight operations which may be shared with the FAA through any required FAA reports to assist with the development of future FAA protocols and safety regulations. The use of SCS Engineers’ UAs for these purposes reduces the need to physically enter potentially unsafe landfills or operate conventional aircraft, typi cally needed to perform these types of opera tions, provides an economic benefit to the business consumer as the SCS Engineers UAs provides higher quality imagery at a fraction of the cost of aerial videography and photography and monitoring usi ng conventional aircraft. UAs outfitted with infe rred sensors would also redu ce the need to physical enter the landfill and other properties to monitor temp eratures, conditions, gas emission plumes and other similar conditions. SCS Engineers would also use UAs for periodic terrain mapping of surface conditions at landfills and other commercial sites for emergency response purposes and to acquire real time data on the extent and features at risk in the event of a fire, landslide or sinkhole. These savings will result not only in enhanced efficiency and productivity for the affected activities but added environmental and sa fety benefits to the public at large.

## SCS ENGINEERS

As described more fully below, SCS Engineers' requested exemption would authorize commercial operations of aerial videography, photography and remote sensing, using SCS Engineers' UAs, which will be operated under controlled conditions at an altitude of no greater than five hundred (500) feet AGL in airspace that is limited in scope and will have automated control features. SCS Engineers' UAs will also be operated by an individual who has passed an FAA approved ground training exam
. As outlined below, the airspace in which SCS Engineers' UAs will operate within will be disclosed to the FAA in advance to flight operation

. Finally , SCS Engineers' UAs will be used in lieu of comparatively hazardous operations now conducted with fixed wing and rotary conventional aircraft which should reassure the FAA that these operations will achieve at least an equivalent level or greater level of safety. In the interest of economic efficiency and public safety, SCS Engineers hereby respectfully applies for an exemption from the listed FARs to allow commercial operations of SCS Engineers' 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. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation's ("Administrator") responsibilities under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act to "establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system

. " As discussed above and more fully described below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned and relatively inexpensive UAs under controlled conditions in airspace that is limited and predetermined. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Administrator responsibilities to "

.. . establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system

. " Please see Section 333(c) of the Reform Act. Additionally, the FAA has already granted a previous exemptions which are essentially identical to the exemption being sought by SCS Engineers. The name and address of the applicant is : Stearns, Conrad and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc. d/b/a SCS Engineers REGULATIONS FROM WHICH THE EXEMPTION IS REQUESTED 14 C

. F

. R. Part 21 14 C.F

. R. 45.23(b) 14 C.F

. R. 61.113(a) 

### & (b) 13 C.F

. R. 61.133(a) 14 C.F

. R. 91.?(a) 14 C

. F

. R. 91.9(b)(2) 14 C.F

. R. 91

. 103 14 C.F

. R. 91.109 14 C.F

. R. 91.119 14 C.F

. R. 91.121 14 C

. F.R. 91.151(a) 14 C

. F

. R. 91

. 203(a) & (b) 14 C.F

. R. 91.405(a) 14 C.F

. R. 91.407(a)(1) 14 C.F.R. 91.409(a)(2) 14 C

. F.R. 91.417(a) & (b) This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UAs do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following : The UA's size, weight, speed, and operational capability; Operation of the UAs in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and Offices Nationwide 

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Operation of the UAs within visual line of sight {"VLOS") of the operator

. Reform Act§ 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles "may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system" and SCS Engineers will follow those requirements. The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act, that includes UAs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate

. The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702-44 716 of this title if the Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U

. S

. C

. §44701(f)

. See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1). SCS Engineers' UAs are rotorcraft weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) including energy source(s) , equipment and any payload. They operate, under normal conditions at a ground speed of no more than thirty (30) knots and have the capability to hover, and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The UAs will operate only in line of sight and within the area described in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. Such operations will insure that the UA will " not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public

. " Given the small size of the UAs involved and the restricted environment within which they will operate , SCS Engineers falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UAs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UAs and the restricted areas in which the relevant UAs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including reduced emissions associated with allowing UAs for aerial videography and photography operations as well as other monitoring purposes, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Additionally, there is economic efficiency created with the use of SCS Engineers' UAs as the typical cost to perform aerial videography and photography with helicopters and airplanes heavily multiplies the cost to business consumers and government agencies , including law enforcement , for the services which are to be provided by SCS Engineers. THE EXTENT AND BASIS OF THE RELIEF SOUGHT BY SCS ENGINEERS · SCS Engineers submits this application in accordance with the Reform Act, 112 P.L. 95 

### §§ 331-334, seeking relief from any currently applicable FARs operating that presently prevents SCS Engineers from contemplated commercial videographic, photographic and other flight operations within the national airspace system. The Reform Act in Section 332 provides for such integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into our national airspace system as it is in the public's interest to do so
. SCS Engineers ' ultralight weight UAs meet the definition of "small unmanned aircraft" as defined in Section 331 and therefore the integration of SCS Engineers ' ultralight weight UAs is expressly contemplated by the Reform Act. SCS Engineers would like to operate its ultralight weight UAs prior to the time period by which the Reform Act requires the FAA to promulgate rules governing such craft. Thereby, providing direct experience and valuable information for formal regulation that can be administered uniformly to all real estate related UA aerial videography and photography. The Reform Act guides the Administrator in determining the types of UAs that may operate safely in our national airspace system. These considerations include: weight, size, speed and overall capabilities of the UAs; whether the UAs will be operated near airports or heavily populated areas and; whether the UAs will be operated by line of sight. Each of these items is favorable to the grant of an exemption to SCS Engineers. SCS Engineers' UAs utilize four (4) counter-rotating propellers for balance, control and stability. SCS Engineers' UAs are equipped with GPS and auto return safety technology

. SCS Engineers' UAs weigh less than five (5) pounds including camera and gimbal assembly. SCS Engineers puts safety first when considering any UA flight. SCS Engineers ' small UAs are designed to hover in place via GPS and operate in less than a 24 knot (27 mph) wind

. In order to increase safety plus stability and limit harm and financial loss of property, SCS Engineers will not fly its UAs in winds exceeding 15 knots (17 mph)

. SCS Engineers' established safety systems include a GPS mode that allows its UAs to hover in place when radio controls are released. SCS Engineers' UAs have three modes to choose from, SCS Engineers utilizes the Smart Modes for aerial videography and photography

. This mode is the safest, most reliable and stable mode to prevent accidents and being a hazard to others. When pilot Offices Nationwide 

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## SCS ENGINEERS

communication is lost, SCS Engineers' UAs are designed to return then slowly descend to the point of takeoff. SCS Engineers does not operate its UAs near airports, hospitals, police heliports or news channel heliports. SCS Engineers does not operate its UAs in areas where general public is within fifty (50) to one hundred (100) yards depending on location, conditions and weather. SCS Engineers' pilots and observers are constantly on alert for any manned aircraft and prepared to immediately abort and land the UA at the nearest and safest ground point in the event a manned aircraft approaches or the SCS Engineers pilot or observer suspects a manned aircraft may approach the operating area of a SCS Engineers UA. SCS Engineers ' UAs are capable of vertical and horizontal operations, and are flown only within the line of sight of the pilot. SCS Engineers ' UA flights generally last fifteen (15) minutes with an altitude under five hundred (500) and utilize battery power rather than combustible fuels

. SCS Engineers do not operate its UAs below the manufacturer's recommended minimum charge levels for operation preferring to remain well within a safe operating range to insure adequate communication between radio control and the UAs to eliminate potential for crashes, loss of control or hazard

. Fully charged reserve batteries are maintained on site to insure replacement for a sufficiently safe level of operation

. SCS Engineers operates very conservatively and does believe in taking risks that may cause a crash or that could create hazard to the public, property and manned aircraft. SCS Engineers' pilots have logged numerous practice flights in order to simulate flights for future commercial use and to gain familiarization with the characteristics of this specific UA's performance under different temperature and weather conditions. SCS Engineers is extremely cautious when operating of its UAs and will not "create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public

. "6 Given the small size and weight of SCS Engineers ' UAs , they fall well within Congress's contemplated safety zone when it promulgated the Reform Act and the corresponding directive to integrate UAs into the national airspace system

. SCS Engineers' UAs, utilized in hobby flight , has a demonstrable safety record and do not pose any threat to the general public or national security

. SCS ENGINEERS'S REQUEST WILL BENEFIT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE Aerial videography and photography for general survey purposes has been around for a long time through the use of manned fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Although SCS Engineers has used standard helicopters in the past, in order to remain cost effective and to provide its clients the best possible service continued use of helicopters is cost prohibitive

. Typically, only large businesses, large high end companies and high net worth owners are able to absorb such an enormous expense. This deprives smaller companies from the enjoying the benefit of this valuable tool. Manned aircraft pose a clear threat to the general public through potential catastrophic crashes that may occur
. There are many documented events where a manned aircraft has crashed into populated areas with the size and combustibility of these manned aircraft causing large property damage, human injuries and loss of life. SCS Engineers' UAs pose no such threat since size and lack of combustible fuel alleviates any of these potential threat to the public

. With the passage of the Reform Act, Congress has already proclaimed that it is in the public's interest to integrate commercially flown UAs into the national airspace system. The grant of the exemption request by SCS Engineers furthers the public interest through academic and visual awareness of the geographical benefits of certain areas and by making this cost effective alternative available to small real estate companies and the average landowner. SCS Engineers' ultralight UAs are battery powered and create no emissions that may harm the environment. In the unlikely event of a SCS Engineers UA crash, the consequence is far less than a full size helicopter or fixed wing aircraft , which are heavy and contain combustible fuel , crashing and causing catastrophic devastation to the public

. The public's interest is furthered as SCS Engineers minimizes ecological and crash threat by permitting aerial videography and photography captured through SCS Engineers ' battery operated ultralight UA's. Permitting SCS Engineers to immediately fly within national air space furthers not only public safety but economic growth

. Granting SCS Engineers' exemption request substantially furthers the economic impact for any community and for companies looking to relocate or build in a certain community as well as individuals looking to relocate to a community for career advancement through academic and geographical awareness provided by SCS Engineers. In the end , the granting of this exemption to SCS Engineers will serve as a benefit and stimulus to any community

. SCS ENGINEERS ' EXEMPTION WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT SAFETY AND WILL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF SAFETY AT LEAST EQUAL TO EXISTING FAA STANDARDS SCS Engineers' exemption will not adversely affect safety, as it will in fact enhance safety. SCS Engineers' ability to log significant, controlled and monitored flight time in FAA controlled airspace will allow SCS Engineers to contribute to the innovation and implementation of new, novel and undiscovered safety protocols for realtors that may be embraced by the Offices Nationwide 

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## SCS ENGINEERS

NAR7 through consistent and ongoing cooperation with the FAA. Additionally, the FAA may utilize the new safety protocols for the use of UAs in FAA controlled airspace for all industries

. SCS Engineers submits the following representations of enhancements to current aerial videography and photography :

• SCS Engineer's UAs will be flown by a licensed FAA pilot. SCS Engineers' UAs weigh less than 5 pounds (2.26796 Kg) complete with the camera and gimbal assembly; • SCS Engineers will only operate its UAs below three hundred (300) feet which is well within the four hundred (400) feet ceiling having been established by the Reform Act of 2012; SCS Engineers' UAs only operate for • fifteen (15) minutes per flight; • SCS Engineers lands its UAs prior to manufacturer's recommended minimum level of battery power; • SCS Engineers' pilots operate the UAs through Visual Line of Sight only; • SCS Engineers' UAs have a GPS flight safety feature whereby the UA hovers and then slowly lands if communication with the pilot is lost; • SCS Engineers actively analyzes flight data and other sources of information to constantly update and enhance its safety protocols; • SCS Engineers only operates in reasonably safe environments which are strictly controlled and away from power lines, elevated lights, airports and actively populated areas; SCS Engineers conducts extensive preflight inspections and protocol to ensure safety remains the primary concern; 

### I SCS Engineers always obtains all necessary permissions from the FAA and landowners prior to the operation its UAs and; • SCS Engineers has established safety procedures in place to abort flights in the event of safety breaches or any potential danger. SCS Engineers' safety protocols**provid~** a level of safety equal to or exceeding existing FAA rules. It is important to note that absent the integration of commercial UAs into our national airspace system, manned fixed wing airplanes and helicopters are the primary means of aerial videography and photography for community awareness and real estate uses. While the safety record of such helicopters is outstanding, there have been incidents involving loss of life as well as extensive property damage due to crashes of these manned aircraft and it is far safer and less expensive to operate a battery powered SCS Engineers' ultralight UAs to accomplish the same task. The potential for loss of life is great diminished with a UA as SCS Engineers' UAs carry no people or fuel on board and the UAs are also very small and versatile which allows SCS Engineers to avoid hazards quickly and safely. Accordingly, SCS Engineers respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay. AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY SCS Engineers proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the operations conducted with conventional aircraft

. The FAA has noted in past exemptions that "Conventional aerial video operations , using jet or piston-powered aircraft present risks associated with aircraft that weigh in the neighborhood of 5 , 000 to 7,000 pounds or more, carry large quantities of fuel, passengers, and, in some cases, cargo. Such aircraft must fly to and from the survey location. These limitations and conditions to which SCS Engineers agrees to be bound when conducting all operations under an FAA issued exemption include :

1. The UAs will weigh less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg). 2. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be fifteen (15) minutes. Flights will be terminated at thirty percent (30%) battery power reserve should that occur prior to the fifteen (15) minute limit. 3. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than three hundred (300) feet AGL. 4. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UA Pilot and a Visual Observer ("VO"). 5. The UA pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot's certificate and at least a current thirdOffices Nationwide 

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## SCS ENGINEERS

class medical certificate. 6

. The UA Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC). 7

. The UAs will only operate within an area as defined in SGS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 8

. A briefing will be conducted with regard to the planned UA operations prior to flight operations. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties with regard to the flight operations be present for this briefing

. 9

. The PIC and VO will have been trained in operation of UAs generally and received up-to-date information on the particular UA to be operated and the UA will be operated in conformity with SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 10

. The PIC and VO will at all times be able to communicate via voice communication

. 11

. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holder(s), or their authorized representative(s), will be obtained. 12

. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state , county or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental agencies. 13. If the UA loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA will return to the launch site of the UA, or another more appropriate site, and land

. 14

. The UA will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. 14 C

. F. R

. PART 21

. S UBPA R T H : AIRWORTHIN ESS C E RTI F ICAT E S 14 C .F

. R . § 9 1, 20 3 CAl {1) Subpart H , entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1 ). Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by SCS Engineers, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U

. S

. C

. §44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular UA. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UA operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed. The UAs to be operated hereunder is less than five (5) pounds (2

. 26796 Kg) fully loaded , carries neither a pilot nor passenger , carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured area as set out in SCS Engineers ' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. Unlike other civil aircraft , operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator, pursuant to SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit, and under the requirements and in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security for the area of operation as is now done with conventional aerial videography and photography. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the UAs, due to its size, speed of operation , location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels , and inability to carry a substantial external load. 14 C

. F

. R

. § 45

. 23 <Bl. MARKING OF THE AIRCRAFT The regulation requires : When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light-sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft , the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light-sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. Even though the UAs will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the UAs will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the words "limited," "restricted," "light-sport," "experimental," or "provisional," may be placed

. Given the size of the UAs, two-inch lettering will be impossible

. The word " experimental , " or any other term as is so required, will be placed on the fuselage of the UAs in compliance with §45

. 29 (f)

. The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the UAs marked on its fuselage as required by §45

. 29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAs will see the identification of the UAs as "Experimental." The FAA has issued the following exemptions to th i s regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A.

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## SCS ENGINEERS

14 C

. F.R. § 61

. 113(A) & 

### <Bl: 61.133(A): PRIVATE PILOT PRIVILEGES ANDLIMITATIONS: PILOT IN COMMAND: COMMERCIAL PILOT PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS : PILOT IN COMMAND Section 61.113(a) 

### & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries a pilot, passengers, and cargo , the UA in this case is remotely controlled with no passengers or property of others on board. Section 61

. 133(a) requires an individual with a commercial pilot's license to be pilot in command of an aircraft for compensation or hire

. SCS Engineers respectfully proposes that operator requirements should take into account the characteristics of the particular UA. SCS Engineers' UAs have various built-in technical capabilities that strictly limit the potential for operation outside of the operating conditions set forth in the exemption application including a fly back to launch point to terminate the flight. Detection of lost GPS or of insufficient satellites initiates an immediate return to launch location

. • Low power on the aircraft triggers escalating alarms at 30% and 15% levels

. • The aircraft weighs less than five (5) pounds (2

. 26796 Kg), fully loaded. Given these safety features, SCS Engineers proposes that operators of the UAs should only be required to hold a private pilot's license and not a commercial pilot's license

. SCS Engineers notes that the FAA has found that safety factors permitted operation of UAs by operators with these qualifications in the case of operations pursuant to public COAs where the mandatory operating conditions specified above are present. Please see Federal Aviation Administration , Notice N-8900

. 227, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operational Approval, at 20-21 (July 30, 2013)

. The FAA has the statutory authority, granted at 49 U.S.C

. §44701(f) to waive the pilot requirements for commercial operations. Given these conditions and restrictions, an equivalent level of safety will be provided by allowing operation of SCS Engineers' UAs without a commercial pilot's license, under the conditions set forth herein. The risks associated with the operation of SCS Engineers ' UAs (given its size, speed , operational capabilities, and lack of combustible fuel) are so diminished from the level of risk associated with private pilot operations or commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 with conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft), that allowing operations of the UAs as set forth above meets or exceeds the present level of safety provided under 14 C

. F.R. § 61

. 113(a) 

### & (b) and does not rise to the level of requiring a commercial pilot to operate the aircraft under §61

. 133(a)

. Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations

. Because the UAs will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a private pilot's license rather than a commercial pilot's license to operate these small UAs. Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UAs are remotely controlled with no living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance as set forth in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. The level of safety provided by the requirements included in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit exceed that provided by a single individual holding a commercial pilot's certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the operation of the UAs are so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 when drafted, that allowing operations of the UAs as requested with a private pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved by 14 C.F

. R. §61

. 113 (a) & (b)

. 14 C.F.R. §91.?<A): CIVIL AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft , should this exemption be granted , no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness

. Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements contained in SCS Engineers ' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to each flight. 14 C.F

. R. 

### § 91 9 

### <Bl (2): CIYIL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL IN THE AIRCRAFT Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides : No person may operate a U

. S

. registered civil aircraft

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## SCS ENGINEERS

(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof. The UAs, given their size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft. The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit at the ground control point where the pilot flying the UAs will have immediate access to it. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation : Please see FAA Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738 , 9299 , 9299A, 9565, 95658, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827 , and 10700. 

## 14 C.F

. R. § 91.103: PREFLIGHT ACTION This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption will be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be provided as set forth in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. The PIC will take all actions including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight. 14 C

. F

. R. §91.109: FLIGHT INSTRUCTION Section 91.109 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls. UAs and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. Please see FAA Exemption Nos

. 5778K 

### & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety is provided as neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft. 

## 14 C

. F

. R. §91.119: MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119(d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption is for UAs that are a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to three hundred (300) feet AGL, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, except for the limited conditions stated in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit, the UAs will never operate at higher than three hundred (300) feet AGL. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre-obtained consent. The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the UAs as well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the property owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner(s), or their authorized representative(s), all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations as set forth in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. When one compares the flight operations proposed herein with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far in excess of the less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these proposed operations is far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below five hundred (500) feet AGL. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the UAs will ensure separation between these small UAs operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. 14 C

. F

. R. §91 121 ALTIMETER SETTINGS This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that Offices Nationwide 

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## SCS ENGINEERS

is set"

. .. to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure. " As the UA may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 14 C

. E

. R. § 91.151<Al: FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR FLIGHT IN VER CONDITIONS Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning "a flight in an airplane under VER conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, and , assuming normal cruising speed
- (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes ; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes

. " SCS Engineers believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to fifteen (15) minutes or thirty percent (30%) of battery power whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAs to their planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area. Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F,5745, 10673, and 10808

. 14 C

. F

. R. §91

. 2 0 3 CA) AND (Bl : CARRYING CIVIL AIRCRAFT C E RTI F ICATION AND R E GISTRA T ION The regulation provides in pertinent part: (a) Except as provided in § 91. 715 , no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following : (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate

... . (b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew
. The UAs fully loaded weight is no greater than five (5) pounds (2

. 26796 Kg) and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such , there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the UA. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the pilot flying the UA will have immediate access to them to the extent they are applicable to the UA. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation

. A representative sample of other exceptions includes Exemption Nos. 9565 , 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700

. 14 C F R

. §91.405 (Al: 407 (Al (1)' 409 (Al (2): 417(Al 

### & <Bl: MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner "shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter

... ," and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43

. Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to SCS Engineers. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook as referenced in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because these small UAs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for limited periods of time

. If mechanical issues arise the UAs may land immediately and will be operating from no higher than threehundred (300) feet AGL. As provided in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit , the operator will ensure that the UAs are in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance , and keep a log of any maintenance performed

. Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety

. Pursuant to 14 C.E.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Offices Nationwide 

# 0

## SCS ENGINEERS

SCS Engineers seeks an exemption from the following rules : 14 C

. F

. R. §21, subpart H; 14 C

. F

. R 45

. 23(b); 14 C.F.R. §§ 61

. 113( a) 

### & (b);91.7 (a); 91

. 9 (b) (2);91.103(b);91.109; 91.119; 91.121 ; 91.151(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle weighing less than fifty-five (55) pounds (25 Kg) in its operations. Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of UAs in the purposes outlined above (or similar operations) will enhance safety by reducing risk

. Conventional aerial videography and photography operations, using jet or piston power aircraft , operate at extremely low altitudes just feet from the object being photographed and often in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of four thousand (4 , 000) pounds , carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel (one hundred and forty (140) gallons for jet helicopters). Such aircraft must fly to and from the site's location. In contrast, a UA weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) pounds and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The UA is carried to the site of the purposes outlined above (or similar operations) and not flown to the site

. The UA will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights. The operation of small UAs , weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg), conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions requested herein , including exempting SCS Engineers from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds , close to the ground, and in a sterile environment and , as a result , are far safer than conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and people. PRIVACY All flights will occur over private, controlled or approved property with the property owner's, or their authorized representative, prior consent and knowledge. The aerial videography and photography will be of structures and property whose owner, or authorized representative , has consented to the aerial videography and photography or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where aerial videography and photography will take place. The grant of this exemption request will provide improved safety in all operations

. Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012
- size , weight, speed , operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation within visual line of sight and national security
- provide more than adequate justification for the granting of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of SCS Engineers' UAs pursuant to SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit attached hereto

. SUMMARY OF SCS ENGINEERS'S REQUEST FOR AN FAA EXEMPTION 1

. SCS Engineers' UAs must weigh less than five (5) pounds (2

. 26796 Kg} , including energy source(s) and equipment. Operations authorized by the grant of an exemption are limited to the following aircraft described in SCS Engineers ' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit: SCS Engineers' UA aircraft variant, bearing serial #DJIP2-001-614 onward as additional UAs are utilized by SCS Engineers provided the additional UAs are of the same or similar specifications as the UA bearing serial # DJP2GCBWCK. Any proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this grant. 2

. SCS Engineers' UAs may not be flown at a ground speed exceeding thirty (30) knots. 3

. SCS Engineers' flights must be operated at an altitude of no more than three hundred (300) feet above ground level (AGL), as indicated by the procedures specified in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. All altitudes reported to ATC must be in feet AGL. 4

. SCS Engineers' UAs must be operated within the 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 medical certificate

. 5

. All SCS Engineers operations must utilize a VO

. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times

. Offices Nationwide 

# 0

## SCS ENGINEERS

6

. SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit to be deemed as considered as acceptable to the FAA provided additional requirements as identified by the FAA from time to time are added to or amended in SCS Engineers' Confident i al Protocols and Controls Exhibit. SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit and any grant of exemption must be maintained and made available to the Administrator upon request. 7

. Prior to each flight the PIC must inspect the UA to ensure it is in a condition for safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UA , the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UA is found to be in a condition for safe flight. A Ground Control Station , if utilized, must be i ncluded in the preflight inspection

. All maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in the aircraft records

. 8

. Any UA that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UA's operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component , must undergo a functional test flight in accordance with SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. The PIC who conducts the functional test flight must make an entry in the UA ' s aircraft records of the flight. The requirements and procedures for a functional test flight and aircraft record entry must be added to SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 9

. SCS Engineers must follow the manufacturer ' s UA aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection , and life limit requirements

. When unavailable , aircraft maintenance/component/overhaul , replacement , and inspection/maintenance requirements must be established and identified in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. At a minimum , requirements for the following must be included in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit:

a. Actuators/Servos; b. Transmission (single rotor); c. Power plant (motors); d. Propellers; e
. Electronic speed controller; f

. Batteries ; g
. Mechanical dynamic components (single rotor) ; h

. Remote command and control; 

### i. Ground control station (if used); and j

. 

### Any other components as determined by SCS Engineers. 10. The PIC must possess at least a private pilot certificate and at least a current third- class medical certificate. The PIC must 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. 11

. Prior to operations conducted for the purposes outlined above (or similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged , in a manner consistent with 14 CFR §61.51 (b) , a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of total time as a UA rotorcraft pilot (single blade or multi-rotor) and at least ten (10) hours logged as a UA pilot with multi-rotor UA which is similar to the UA to be utilized pursuant to this exemption. Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with applicable regulations may satisfy this requirement. Training, proficiency, and experience-building flights must be conducted under an exemption to accomplish the required flight cycles and flight time. During training, 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. 12

. Prior to operations conducted for the purposes outlined above (or similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR 

### § 61

. 51 (b), a minimum of five (5) hours as a UA pilot operating the make and model of UAs to be utilized for operations under the exemption and three (3) take-offs and three (3) landings in the preceding ninety (90) days

. Training, proficiency , experiencebuilding, and take-off and landing currency flights can be conducted under the grant of exemption to accomplish the required flight time and ninety (90) day currency
. During training, proficiency, experience-building, and take-off and landing currency 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. Offices Nationwide 

# 0

## SCS ENGINEERS

13

. SCS Engineers shall not permit the PIC to operate the UAS for the purpose of aerial videography or photography (or 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 how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from people, vessels, vehicles and structures

. 14. The UA may not be operated directly over any person, except authorized and consenting personnel and persons, below an altitude that is hazardous to persons or property on the surface in the event of a UA's failure or an emergency
. 15

. SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit outlines safety mitigations for authorized and consenting production personnel. At all times, those persons must be essential to the purposes outlined above (or similar operations)

. Because these procedures are specific to participating persons, no further FSDO or aviation safety inspector approval is necessary for reductions to the distances specified in SCS Engineers' manuals

. 16

. SCS Engineers' 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 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). 17

. If the UAs lose communications or loses its GPS s i gnal , the UAs must return to a pre - determined location within the security perimeter and land or be recovered in accordance with SCS Engineers ' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 18

. The UAs must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in accordance with SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 19

. Each UA operation must be completed within fifteen (15) minutes flight time or with thirty percent (30%) battery power remaining, whichever occurs first. 20

. SCS Engineers must obtain an Air Traff i c Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations under this grant of exemption. This COA will also require SCS Engineers to request a Notice to Airman (NOT AM) not more than seventy-two (72) hours in advance , but not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the operation

. 21. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must 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 must be as large as practicable

. 22

. SCS Engineers has developed procedures to document and maintain a record of the UA's maintenance, preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement/overhaul component parts, and the total time in service of the UAs and these procedures are contained in SCS Engineers ' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 23. Each UA operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer Safety Bulletins

. 24

. The preflight inspection section in SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit includes the following requirement: The preflight inspection must account for all discrepancies, i.e. Inoperable components, items, or Offices Nationwide 

# 0

## SCS ENGINEERS

equipment, not covered in the relevant preflight inspection sections of SCS Engineers' Confidential Protocols and Controls Exhibit. 25. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control of the UA must 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 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station, if utilized, of the UA at any time the UA is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 27

. SCS Engineers' UAs must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and activities at all times (including, but not limited to , ultralight vehicles , parachute activities , parasailing activities , hang gliders , etc

. )

. 28. SCS Engineers' UA 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 (SVFR) are not authorized. 29. SCS Engineers ' UAs may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle

. 30. SCS Engineers' UAs may not be operated less than five-hundred (500) feet below or less than two-thousand (2,000) feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than three (3) statute miles from the PIC

. 31. SCS Engineers ' UA may not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace without written approval from the FAA The UA may not operate within five (5) nautical miles of the geographic center of a non-towered airport as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport's management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOT AM as required by the SCS Engineers' COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator upon request. 32. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA's UA Integration Office (AFS-80) within twenty-four (24) hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www
. ntsb

. gov
. 33. SCS Engineers' UAs, the UA ' s PIC, and the UA's operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61 , and 91. As mentioned above, the FAA has already granted previous exemptions which are essentially identical to the exemption being sought by SCS Engineers in this petition for an exemption

. Therefore, SCS Engineers respectfully requests the FAA grant an exemption pursuant to its application as outlined above.

i c h a rd S. e dell, Esq. o u n sel for Stearns , Conrad and Schmidt , Consulting Engineers, Inc

. d/b/a SCS Engineers

Offices Nationwide 

# 0

### Safety Flight Manual Aerial Imagery Safety for public on the ground as well as manned aircraft above is an essential and utmost consideration for aerial videos and photography. Maintaining a record of safe flight for FAA request and for determining future UAS safety protocols is imperative. 

### Date:

________ _ Location:--
---- - - --- -------- ----- - Pre-flight Inspection: 0 

### Yes 0 

### No Comment:
-- -- ------- --- -------- Elements 1c1rc1e1 1c1rc1e1 

### Comment Weather Good Fair V1s1b1l1ty Good Fair Wind speed LOW 

### Medium
Proximity to airport:

___ ____ _ see attac e map pinpointing approximate ocation o Airport notified 0 

### Yes 0 

### No Date:

______ _ Time:

_____ _ _ Phone Number : Contact Name:

_ ___ ________ ___ _

Nearest major intersection : ---- ---- --- ----- ------- ------- Proximity to medium traffic road :--- --- --- ---- ------- ------- Proximity to heavily traveled roadway road:-
------ ----- ------ ---- - Proximity to congested population :--- ---- ----- ---- ---------- Approx. Takeoff Time Approx. Landing Time Estimated Elevation 

# I

Sal ety Concerns:

Additional Comments :

Unedited flight video/photos available for FAA upon written request within 180 days of flight: 0 Yes 0 No

### Protocols and Controls 

### Aerial Imagery Confidential and Detailed Safety Protocols and Controls



### Safety for public on the ground as well as manned aircraft above is an essential and utmost consideration for aerial imagery. As such, safety protocols and controls must be implemented through pre-flight preparation and during flight.

• Pre-Flight Protocol:



### • Check batteries with voltage meter to insure fully charged and ready for use. • Inspect batteries for damage or leakage that may affect proper operation. • Inspect propellers for cracks, chips or damage that may cause sudden loss of propulsion or unmanageable/uncontrolled flight. • Check weather forecasts for wind advisory or other conditions that my impact flight. • Consult five (5) mile radius map for airport vicinity. Contact respective airport to advise of estimated flight time, estimated flight duration, estimated elevation of flight, and any other pertinent information. • Inspect flight area for o vicinity of public safety helipads/heliports o vicinity of medical helipads/heliports o vicinity of light poles o vicinity or utility wires o vicinity of trees o flocks of birds that may cause interference and potential flight impact o vicinity of any elevated obstructions that may pose potential flight hazard o vicinity of roadways with moderate to heavy traffic that can be distracted o public gatherings that may attract viewers o optional point of control for best visual site of UAS while in flight. • Takeoff and landing o inspect area for best and safest point of takeoff and landing o if in a subdivision or area that is within 150 feet of a residential street, post warning sign(s)/stand(s) "Attention Aerial Imagery In Progress -Remain Back 150 Feet" Flight Protocol:



### • takeoff and land from same location • remain alert to birds, sound or aircraft, curious public, and approaching vehicles • do not allow anyone to engage in conversation or distract the remote control pilot • restrict flight to minimal elevation sufficient to acquire desired results • remained prepared for emergency landing at all times • pay attention to flight time o if possible set a timer as a safety alert • land UAS and shut down propulsion immediately following landing

### Protocols and Controls 

### Aerial Imagery Post flight:



### a. disconnect battery to prevent accidental activation of propulsion system b. secure UAS in a safe location c. remove all warning signs from public access areas Emergency or Suspected Hazard:



### • Immediate land UAS at safest and closet ground location in the event o manned aircraft is heard or seen in vicinity of flight o there is a public gathering within established safety boundary wanting to observe flight o pilot is being distracted from focusing on flight and safety o sudden change in weather (wind bursts) o sudden increase in vehicular traffic in vicinity of flight o birds enter into proximity of flight o any sudden unsafe event that can cause collision, distraction or interruption of control©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 1 | 

# PHANTOM 2 User Manual V1. 4 For PHANTOM 2 Flight Controller Firmware version V3. 10 & PHANTOM 2 Assistant version V 3. 8 & PHANTOM RC Assistant version V1.1 

### 2015.01

Congratulations on purchasing your new DJI product. Please thoroughly read the entire contents of this manual to fully use and understand the product.
It is advised that you regularly check the PHANTOM 2 ’s product page at 

### www.dji.com which is updated on a regular basis. This will provide services such as product information, technical updates and manual corrections. Due to any unforeseen changes or product upgrades, the information contained within this manual is subject to change wit hout notice. DJI and PHANTOM 2 are registered trademarks of DJI. Names of product, brand, etc., appearing in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner companies. This product and manual are copy righted by DJI with all rights reserved.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your product, please contact your dealer or DJI Customer Service.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 2 | 

### Content CONTENT ........................................................................................................................ 2 IN THE BOX ..................................................................................................................... 4 LEGEND .......................................................................................................................... 4 1. PHANTOM 2 AIRCRAFT ............................................................................................... 5 1.1 B UILT 

### - IN 

### F LIGHT 

### C ONTROL 

### S YSTEM 

### I NSTRUCTIONS 

### .................................................................. 5 1.2 C ONNECTIONS WITH 

### O THER 

### DJI P RODUCTS 

### ........................................................................... 5 Important Notes of Using with Other DJI Products

........................................................ 6 Connections with Other DJI Products

............................................................................. 7 1.3 LED F LIGHT 

### I NDICATORS 

### D ESCRIPTION 

### ............................................................................... 11 1.4 N OTES FOR 

### PHANTOM 2 USING WITH OTHER 

### DJI PRODUCTS 

### ................................................ 12 2 PROPELLERS ............................................................................................................... 13 2.1 A SSEMBLY 

### ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 D ISASSEMBLY 

### ................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 N OTES 

### ......................................................................................................................... 13 3 REMOTE CONTROLLER ............................................................................................... 14 3.1 P OWER ON THE 

### R EMOTE 

### C ONTROLLER 

### ............................................................................... 14 3.2 R EMOTE 

### C ONTROLLER 

### LED I NDICATOR 

### S TATUS 

### .................................................................... 15 3.2.1 Remote Controller Power LED Indicator Status

................................................... 15 3.2.2 Remote Controller Battery Level Indicator Status

............................................... 15 3.3 A NTENNA 

### O RIENTATION 

### .................................................................................................. 16 3.4 R EMOTE 

### C ONTROLLER 

### O PERATION 

### .................................................................................... 16 3.5 L INKING THE 

### R EMOTE 

### C ONTROLLER 

### & B UILT 

### - IN 

### R ECEIVER 

### ...................................................... 18 4 INTELLIGENT BATTERY ............................................................................................... 19 4.1 C HARGING 

### P ROCEDURES 

### .................................................................................................. 19 4.2 I NSTALL THE 

### B ATTERY 

### ...................................................................................................... 20 4.3 B ATTERY 

### U SAGE 

### ............................................................................................................. 20 4.4 D ESCRIPTION OF THE 

### B ATTERY 

### L EVEL 

### I NDICATOR 

### ................................................................... 21 4.5 C ORRECT 

### B ATTERY 

### U SAGE 

### N OTES 

### ...................................................................................... 22 5 CALIBRATING THE COMPASS ...................................................................................... 23©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 3 | 

### 5.1 C ALIBRATION 

### W

ARNINGS 

### ................................................................................................ . 23 5.2 C ALIBRATION 

### P ROCEDURES 

### .............................................................................................. 23 5.3 W HEN 

### R ECALIBRATION IS REQUIRED 

### ................................................................................... 23 6 FLIGHT ....................................................................................................................... 24 6.1 F LYING 

### E NVIRONMENT 

### R EQUIREMENTS 

### .............................................................................. 24 6.2 S TARTING THE 

### M OTORS 

### ................................................................................................... 24 6.3 T AKEOFF 

### /L ANDING 

### P ROCEDURES 

### ....................................................................................... 24 6.4 F AILSAFE 

### F UNCTION 

### ........................................................................................................ 25 6.5 L OW 

### B ATTERY 

### C APACITY 

### W ARNING 

### F UNCTION 

### ..................................................................... 27 6.6 F LIGHT 

### L IMITS 

### F UNCTION 

### ................................................................................................ . 27 Max Height & Radius Limits

......................................................................................... 27 6.7 F LIGHT 

### L IMITS OF 

### S PECIAL 

### A REAS 

### ...................................................................................... 28 6.8 C ONDITIONS OF 

### F LIGHT 

### L IMITS 

### ......................................................................................... 30 Disclaimer

..................................................................................................................... 30 7 ASSISTANT INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATI ON ...................................................... 31 7.1 I NSTALLING 

### D RIVER AND 

### PHANTOM 2 A SSISTANT 

### ............................................................... 31 7.2 U SING THE 

### PHANTOM 2 A SSISTANT ON A 

### PC

.................................................................... 32 7.3 F IRMWARE UPGRADE OF 

### PHANTOM 2

............................................................................. 33 7.4 PHANTOM RC A SSISTANT 

### D ESCRIPTION 

### ........................................................................... 33 8 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................. 35 8.1 S PECIFICATIONS 

### .............................................................................................................. 35 8.2 LED F LIGHT 

### I NDICATORS 

### D ESCRIPTION 

### ............................................................................... 35©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 4 | 

### In the Box PHANTOM 2 Remote Controller

- 2.4 GHz Propeller Pair

Intelligent Battery Charger Plug Set

Screwdriver Assistant Wrench Cables

Micro

- USB Cable Screws Accessories Box



### Legend Forbidden(Important) Caution Tip Reference©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 5 | 

### 1 PHANTOM 2 Aircraft

Figure 1-1 Figure 1-2 [1]Propeller [2]Motor [3]Front Side [4] Front LEDs [5]Micro-USB Port [6]Landing Gear [7]Receiver Antenna [8]CAN-Bus Connector [9]LED Flight Indicators [10]DJI Intelligent Battery [11]Compass 1.1 Built-in Flight Control System Instructions The built-in flight control system is us ed to control the entire aircraft’s functions in flight such as Pitch (forwards and backwards), Roll (left and right), Elevator (up and down) and Yaw (turn left or right). The flight controller contains the MC (Ma in Controller), IMU, GPS, compass, receiver. The IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) has a built-in inertial sensor and a barometric altimeter that measures both attitude and altitude. The compass reads geomagnetic information which assists the GPS (Global Position System) to accurately calculate the aircrafts position and height in order to lock the aircraft in a stable hover. The receiver is used to communicate with the remote controller and the MC acts as the brains of the complete flight control system connecting and controlling all the modules together.

The PHANTOM 2 can be configured in the Assistant , by choosing Naza

- M mode or P hantom 2 mode. This manual is for P hantom 2 mode. Please refer to the Naza

- M V2 Quick Start Manual for more information. 1.2 Connections with Other DJI Products PHANTOM 2 is compatible with other DJI products, including ZENMUSE H3- 2D and H3 -3D gimbal , iOSD mini , iOSD Mark II. Below are connections for these products and wireless video transmission module.

Figure 1-3©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 6 | Important Notes of Using with Other DJI Products ( 1 ) The video cable can provide power for the wireless video transmission module with a battery voltage (11.1V~12.6V) and a maximum current 2A. ( 2 ) Make sure the working current of the wireless video transmission module you connect can work with an operational voltage between 11.1V~12.6V and the total working current of the iOSD and wireless video transmission module is under 2A, as an overcurrent will damage the central board’s components. If the total current exceeds 2A, please be sure to provide power supplied from a separat e power source for the wireless video transmission module. ( 3 ) PHANTOM 2 uses a 2.4GHz RC system. To avoid communication interference, it’s not recommended to use other 2.4GHz devices (including 2.4G Wi

- Fi or 2.4G wireless video transmission module) except the 2.4G Bluetooth and 2.4G Datalink. ( 4 ) Be sure to keep the wireless video transmission module and other communicating devices away from the compass during installation and connection to avoid interference. ( 5 ) To improve the compatibility with ZENMUSE gimbals, the latest factory deliveries of PHANTOM 2 has updat ed to the Version 2 shown below. H3

- 2D / H3

- 3D gimbal can be directly installed for the Version 2 while for Version 1 , a H3

- 3D adapter kit ( coming soon) is required to install the H3

- 3D gimbal

.

Figure 1

- 4 ( 6 ) When using the H3

- 3D gimbal, please connect the 8

- Pin cable of PHANTOM 2 to the G8 port of H3

- 3D shown below.

Figure 1

- 5©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 7 | Connection s with Other DJI Products ( 1 ) C onnecting the H3
- 2D and H3
- 3D gimbal and wireless video transmission module , the figure below use s H3
- 2D as a n example.

F ig ure 1-6 ( 2 ) C onnecting the H3
- 2D and H3
- 3D gimbal, iOSD mini and wireless video transmission module , the figure below uses H3
- 2D as an example.

Figure 1-7©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 8 |

( 3 ) Connecting the H3
- 2D and H3
- 3D gimbal, iOSD mini and DJI specified wireless video transmission module AVL58 , the figure below uses H3
- 2D as an example.

Figure 1-8 W e recommend connect ing the V Bat+ port of the video cable to the two BATT+ ports of the AVL58 simultaneously

. T he same is true of the GND port of the video cable and two BATT

- ports.
( 4 ) C onnecting the H3
- 2D and H3
- 3D gimbal, iOSD Mark II and wireless video transmission module , the figure below uses H3
- 2D as an example.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 9 | Figure 1-9 The diagram below illustrates the conneciton between the iOSD Mark II and the wireless video transmission module.

Use the 8

- Pin cable in the iOSD Mar k II package when connecting to the DJI specified wireless video transmission module AVL58.
( 5 ) U sing the i Pad Ground Station©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 10 | Figure 1- 10

Connect the Air End of 2.4G Bluetooth Datalink to a spared CAN

- Bus port of iOSD if an iOSD is used. ( 6 ) U sing the PC Ground Station

Figure 1- 11©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 11 | 1.3 LED Flight Indicators Description 1. LED flight indicators are used to show the aircraft ’ s current status. Once power ed on, the indicators will light up.

A ircraft in Normal status D escriptions Power On Self

- Test Warming Up & Aircraft cannot take off during warming up Ready to Fly Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) Aircraft in abnormal status W arnings and errors Remote Controller Signal Lost 1 st Level Low Battery Capacity Warning 2 nd Level Low Battery Capacity Warning Not Stationary or Sensor Bias is too big Error s & Aircraft c annot fly. Compass data abnormal because of ferro

- magnetic interference or the compass needs calibration. ( 1 ) The LED indicators diagram above are for P hantom 2 mode. In Naza

- M mode, LED indicators will work according to the Naza

- M flight control system

. ( 2 ) Conn ect to the PHANTOM 2 Assistant for detailed information about warnings and errors. 2. The front LEDs are for indicating where the nose of the aircraft is. They light up solid red only after the motors have spooled up.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 12 | 1.4 Notes for PHANTOM 2 using with other DJI products Before using PHANTOM 2 with other DJI products, users should connecting the products correctly and upgrade the firmware as requirements below . Items to upgrade Firmware versions required Assistant for upgrading Assistant version P330CB (built

- in central board) V1.0.1.19 or above PHANTOM 2 V1.0 8 or above Zenmuse H3

- 2D CMU V1.0 , IMU V1.6 or above PHANTOM 2 V1.0 8 or above iOSD Mark II V3. 0 1 or above iOSD V 4.0 or above iOSD mini V1.0 6 or above iOSD V 4.0 or above *The iOSD Assistant is applied to both iOSD Mark II and iOSD mini.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 13 | 

### 2 Propellers PHANTOM 2 uses the original 9-inch propellers which are classified by the color of each central nut. Damaged propellers should be replaced by purchasing new ones if necessary. Propellers Grey Nut (94 50 ) Black Nut (94 50 R) Diagram

Assembly Location Atta ch to the motor thread that does not have a black dot

. Atta ch to the motor thread that has a black dot

. Fastening/Un

- fastening Instructions Lock: T ighten the propeller in this direction. Unlock: Remove the propeller in this direction. 2.1 Assembly 1. ( Figure 2

- 1 ) Remove the four warning cards from the motors after you ’ ve read them. 2. ( Figure 2

- 2 ) Prepare the two grey nut propellers and two black nut propellers. Make sure to match the black nut propeller s with the correctly marked black dot motors. T ighten the propelle rs according to the fastening instructions

.

Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Figure2-3 2.2 Disassembly ( Figure 2

- 3 ) Keep the motor deadlock ed in place with the assistant wrench (or one hand) and remove the propeller according to the un - fastening instructions

. 2.3 Notes 1. P ropellers are self tightening during flight. DO NOT use any t hread locker on the threads. 2. Make sure to match the propeller nut colors with the corre sponding motors. 3. I t is advised to wear protective gloves during propeller assembly and remov al

. 4. Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and firmly before every flight. 5. Check that all p ropell e rs are in good condition before flight. DO NOT use any ageing , chipped, or broken p ropellers

. 6. To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch the propellers or motors when th ey are spinning. 7. ONLY use original DJI propellers for a better and safer flight experience

.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 14 | 

### 3 Remote Controller T he PHANTOM 2 remote controller can be configured in the PHANTOM RC Assistant

. The sticks mode is Mode 2 on delivery.
For upgraded remote controller (models: NDJ6 or NRC900), select “Upgrade Version” in Phantom Assistant. For basic remote controller (models: DJ6 or RC900), select “Basic Version” in Phantom Assistant.

Figure 3-1 Figure 3- 2 [1]Antenna [2]Carrying Handle [3]Left Dial [4] 3-Position Switch S1 [5]3-Position Switch S2 [6]Joystick1(J1;J2) [7]Joystick2(J3;J4) [8]Neck Strap Attachment [9]Power Switch [ 10 ]Power Indicator [11]Battery Level Indicators LED1/LED2/LED3/LED4 (from left to right) [ 12 ]Trainer Port [13]Battery Charge & RC Assistant Port (micro-USB port) [14] Potentiometer 3.1 Power on the Remote Controller 1. Set the S1 and S2 switches to the upper most position and ensure both joy sticks are at the mid

- point position. Then toggle on the power switch. 2. P ush the power switch to the right to power on the remote controller

. I f the power LED indicator is solid on, the remote controller is functioning normally. The batt ery level indica tors display the current battery level

.

1. P lease make sure the battery level of remote controller is enough . If the low voltage warning alert sounds ( refer to < Remote Controller Po wer LED Indicator Status >), please re charge the battery as soon as possible. 2. Charge the remote controller ’s battery by using the included micro

- USB cable. Using the incorrect type of charging cable may cause damage. 3

. Turn off the remote controller before charging. The power LED indicator will display solid red when charging is in progress. The LED indicators will display solid green when the battery is fully charged.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 15 | 3.2 Remote Controller LED Indicator Status 3.2.1 Remote Controller Power LED Indicator Status Power LED Indicator Sound Remote Controller Status None Functioning n ormal ly

. None Charging( remote controller is powered off) None Remote controller joysticks calibration error , need to be re - calibrate. BB
--- BB
--- BB Low voltage (from 3. 5 V

- 3.53 V) , rec harge the remote controller

. B
- B
- B
...... Critical l ow voltage ( from 3. 4 5 V

- 3.5 V)

. Recharge the remote

controller immediately

. B
-- B
-- B
...... Al ert will sound after 15 minutes of in activity. It will stop once you

start using the remote controller

. T he remote controller will power off automatically when battery voltage drops below 3.45 V

. Land and

re charge the battery as soon as possible when the low voltage alert occurs to avoid loss of control during flight.

3.2.2 Remote Controller Battery Level Indicator Status The battery level indicators will show the current battery level during both the discharging process

. The following is a description of the indicators.

: The LED is solid on : The LED will blink regularly
: The LED is light off

D ischarging process LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 C urrent battery level 75 %~100% 50 %~75% 2 5%~50% 12.5%~25% 0%~12.5% <0%©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 16 | 3.3 Antenna Orientation The remote controller ’ s antenna should point skywards without obstructions for maximum communication range during flight.

Figure 3-3 3.4 Remote Controller Operation The operations of remote controller are based on mode 2 stick configuration

. Definitions The ‘ stick neutral’ position s and ‘ stick released’ mean the control stick s of the remote controller are p laced at the central position. To ‘move the stick ’ means that the stick of remote controller is pushed away from the central position. Slide Lever is used for the pitch control of the H3

- 2D and H3

- 3D gimbal.
Remote Controller (Mode 2) Aircraft

( nose direction ) Operation details

T he t hrottle stick controls aircraft altitude/ elevation. Push the stick up and the aircraft will rise. Pull the stick down and the aircraft will descend

. The aircraft will automatically hover and hold its altitude if the stick s are centered. P ush the throttle stick above the centered (mid

- point ) position to make the aircraft tak e off. When flying, we suggest that you push the throttle stick slowly to prevent the aircraft from sudden and unexpected elevation changes.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 17 | The y aw stick controls the aircraft rudder. Push the stick left and the aircraft will rotate counter clock

- wise

. Push the stick right and the aircraft will rotate clock

- wise

. If the stick is centered, the aircraft will remain facing the same direction. The yaw stick controls the rotating angular velocit y of the aircraft. Pushing the stick further away from center results in a faster aircraft rotation velocity. The pitch stick controls the aircraft’ s front & back tilt

. Push the stick up and the aircraft will tilt and fl y forward

. Pull the stick down and the aircraft will tilt and fl y back ward

. The aircraft will keep level and straight if the stick is centered. Pushing or pulling the stick further away from center will result in a larger tilt angle (maximum of is 35 ̊) and faster flight velocity. The roll stick controls the aircraft ’s left & right tilt. Push the stick left and the aircraft will tilt and fl y left. Pu sh the stick right and the aircraft will tilt and fl y right. The aircraft will keep level and straight if the stick is centered. Pushing the stick further away from center will result in a larger tilt angle (maximum of 35 ̊) and faster flight velocity.

Position

- 1 Position

- 2 Position

- 3 S1 is for compass calibration. T oggle the S1 switch from position

- 1 to po sition

- 3 and back to position

- 1 at least 5 times, which will force the aircraft to enter into compass calibration mode. U sers can configure position 3 (bottom position) of the S1 switch to trigger the Failsafe in the Assistant

.

OFF Course Lock Home

point Lock S2 is the IOC mode switch. IOC (Intelligent Orientation Control) function can be enabled in the Assistant when in Naza

- M mode . Only use the IOC function after you are familiar with flying

.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 18 | The l eft d ial control s the pitch of the H3

- 2D and H3

- 3D gimbal. T he position of left dial determines the pitch angle relative to the horizontal level. Turn the left dial to the right to make th e gimbal pitch up . Turn the left dial to the left to make the gimbal pitch down. Th e gimbal will keep its current position if the dial is static.
( 1 ) For ‘ R eady to F ly’ the aircraft will hover when all stick s are released. ( 2 ) For ‘ Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) ’ the aircraft will only keep the altitude when all stick s are released. 3.5 Linking the Remote Controller & Built- in Receiver PHANTOM 2 has a built-in receiver, the link button and indicator located on the bottom of the aircraft as illustrated in the Figure 3-4. The link between the remote controller and aircraft is already established for you so you can initially skip this procedure. If you ever replace the remote controller , re -establishing the link is required.

Figure 3-4 Linking procedures 1. Power on the PHANTOM 2. 2. Turn on the remote controller and place it 0.5m~1m away from the aircraft. 3. P ush the link button with a thin object and hold it until the Link indicator blinks red , then r elease it

. 4. When the Link indicator turn s solid green , the link between the remote controller and the built

- in receiver has been successfully established. Link Indicator S tatus

T he remote controller is turned off and there is no 2.4GHz signal around , please turn on the remote controller

. T he receiver is ready for linking

. There is 2.4GHz signal around but the remote controller is not linked with the receiver ,©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 19 | please carry out the linking procedures. T he remote controller is linked with the receiver successfully. 

### 4 Intelligent Battery The intelligent battery is specially designed for the PHANTOM 2, with a battery capacity of 5200mAh, voltage of 11.1V and charge-discharge management functionality. The battery should only be charged with the DJI charger.

Intelligent Battery Charger DJI Intelligent Battery Functions ( 1 ) B alance Charg ing Automatically balance the voltage of each battery cell during charging. ( 2 ) C apacity Display D isplay the current battery level

. ( 3 ) Communicating T he main controller communicate s with the battery via communicat ion ports for battery voltage, capacity, current and other information. ( 4 ) O vercharging Protection C harging stop s automatically when the battery voltage reaches 12.8V to prevent overcharging damage

. ( 5 ) Over D ischarging Protection D ischarging stop s automatically when the battery voltage reaches 8.4V to prevent over discharging damage

. ( 6 ) S hort C ircuit Protection A utomatically cut s off the power supply when a short circuit is detected.
( 7 ) Sleep Protection The battery will enter sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity to save power . The static current is 10nA in sleep mode when the battery is powered on without connecting to other de vices

. ( 8 ) C harging T emperature D etection T he battery will charge only when its temperature is within 0 °C
~ 55 °C

. I f the battery temperature is out of this ran ge, the battery will stop charging

. ( 1 ) Before use, please read and follow the user manual, disclaimer , and the warnings on the battery. Users take full responsibility for all operations and usage

. ( 2 ) T he battery should only be charged with the charger provided by DJI. DJI does not take any responsibility for operation of any charger from a third party. 4.1 Charging Procedures 1. Connect the charger to a wall socket (Use the plug set if necessary )

. 2. Connect the battery to the charger. If the current capaci ty of the battery is over 75%, you should power on the battery to begin charging

. 3. T he Battery Level indicator s display current capacity level as the battery charges. P lease refer to battery©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 20 |

level indicator description for details. 4. T he battery is full y charged when the Battery Level indicator light s are off

. P lease disconnect the charger and battery when the charging is completed

.

4.2 Install the Battery Push the battery into the battery compartment correctly as the following diagram shows. Make sure to push the battery into the compartment until you hear a ‘click’ sound.

Figure 4-1 An incorrectly inserted battery may cause one of the following to occur : (1) Bad contact. (2) Unavailable battery information. (3) Unsafe for flight. (4) Unable to take off. 4.3 Battery Usage

Figure 4-2 (1) Checking the battery level: When the battery is powered off; pressing the battery power button once will indicate the current battery level. Refer to < Battery Level Indicator Description> for details. (2) Powering on: When the battery is powered off; press the battery power button once and then press and hold for 2 seconds to turn on the intelligent battery. (3) Powering off: When the battery is powered on; press the battery power button once and then press and hold for 2 seconds to turn off the intelligent battery. LED3 LED4 Battery Power Button (Built

- in Battery Power Indicator) LED2 LED1 Battery Level Indicator©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 21 | (4) Checking the battery life: When the battery is powered off; press and hold the battery power button for 5 seconds to check the battery life. The battery level indicators will show the life and the battery power indicator will blink for 10 seconds, then all LEDs will light out and the intelligent battery will turn off. Refer to < Battery Level Indicator Description> for details. More battery information is available in the battery tab of the PHANTOM 2 Assistant

. 4.4 Description of the Battery Level Indicator The battery level indicators will show the current battery level during both the charging and discharging process as well as battery life. The following is a description of the indicators.

: The LED is solid on : The LED will blink regularly
: The LED is light off

C harging process LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 C urrent battery level 0%~25% 25%~50% 50%~75% 75%~100% F ull charged
D ischarging process LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 C urrent battery level 87.5%~100% 75%~87.5% 62.5%~75% 50%~62.5% 37.5%~50% 25%~37.5% 12.5%~25% 0%~12.5% <0%
B attery life LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 C urrent battery life 90 %~100%©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 22 | 80 %~ 90 % 70 %~ 80 % 60 %~ 70 % 50 %~ 60 % 40 %~ 50 % 30 %~ 40 % 20 %~ 30 % L ess than 20 %
4.5 Correct Battery Usage Notes 1. N ever plug or unplug the battery into the aircraft when it is power ed on. 2. The battery should be charg ed in an environment that is between 0 °C to 40 °C , and be discharg ed in an environment that is between

- 20 °C to 50 °C

. B oth charging and discharging should be in an environment where the relative humidity is lower than 80%. 3. It’s recommended to charge and discharge the battery thorou ghly once every 20 charge/discharge cycles. Users should discharge the battery until there is less than 8% power left or until the battery can no longer be turned on. U sers should then fully recharge the battery to maximum capacity. This power cycling proc edure will ensure the battery is working at its optimal level. 4. F or long term storage please p lace the battery with only a 40~50% capacity in a strong battery box securely. W e recommend discharging and charging the battery completely once every 3 months to keep it in good condition. The capacity should be varie d in such a cycle ( 40%~50% )

— 0%
— 100%
— ( 40%~50% )

. 5. It’s suggested you purchase a new battery after you have discharg ed you r current battery over 300 times. Please completely discharge a batter y prior to disposal

. 6. It’s suggested that you purchase a new battery if the current battery is swollen or damaged in any way. 7. Never try to recharge or fly with a battery that is swollen or damaged in any way. 8. Never charge the battery unattended. Always charge the battery on a non

- flammable surface such as concrete and never near any flammable materials. 9. S afety is extremely important and users can get more information in the DISCLAIMER.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 23 | 

### 5 Calibrating the Compass IMPORTANT: Make sure to perform the Compass Calibration procedure s prior to the first flight. The compass is very sensitive to electromagnetic interference which causes abnormal compass data and leads to poor flight performance or even flight failure. Regular calibration of the compass enables the compass to perform at its optimal level. 5. 1 Calibration Warnings

( 1 ) DO NOT calibrate your compass where there is a possibility for the existence of strong magnetic interference such as magnetite, parking structures, and steel reinforcement underground. ( 2 ) DO NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cell ular phones. ( 3 ) Compass Calibration is very important; otherwise the flight control system will work abnormal ly

. 5.2 Calibration Procedures Please carry out the calibrating procedures in the flight field before flight. Please watch the quick start video of the PHANTOM 2 for more compass calibration details.

5.3 When Recalibration is required ( 1 ) When Compass Data is abnormal, the LED flight indicator will blink alternating between red and yellow. ( 2 ) Last compass calibration was performed at a completely different flying field/location. ( 3 ) The mechanical structure of the aircraft has changed, i.e. changed mounting position of the compass. ( 4 ) Evident drifting occurs in flight, i.e. the aircraft doesn ’ t fly in straight lines.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 24 | 

### 6 Flight 6.1 Flying Environment Requirements ( 1 ) Before your first flight, please allow yourself some flight training (Using a flight simulator to practice flying, getting instruction from an experienced person, etc.). ( 2 ) D O NOT fly in bad weather, such as rain or wind (more than moderate breeze) or fog. ( 3 ) The flying field should be open and void of tall buildi ngs or other obstacles; the steel structure within buildings may interfere with the compass. ( 4 ) Keep the aircraft away from obstacles, crowds, power lines, trees, lakes and rivers etc. ( 5 ) Try to avoid interference between the remote controller and other wireless equipment (No base stations or cell towers around ). ( 6 ) The flight control system will not work properly at the South Pole or North Pole. ( 7 ) N ever use the aircraft in a manner that infringes upon or contravenes international or domestic lays and regulations. 6.2 Starting the Motors A Combination Stick Command (CSC) is used to start the motors. Push the sticks according to one of the options below to start motors. Once the motors have started, release both sticks simultaneously. The same CSC is used to
st op the motors.

Figure 6-1 6.3 Takeoff/Landing Procedures 1. Start by placing the PHANTOM 2 on the ground with the battery level indicator s facing you . 2. T urn on the remote controller

. 3. Power on the aircraft by turning on the intelligent battery

. 4. When LED flight indicator blinks green/yellow, the PHANTOM 2 is entering Ready to Fly / Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) mode. Start the motors with the CSC command. 5. Push the throttle stick up slowly to lift the aircraft off the ground

. R efer to < Remote Contr oller Operation > for more details. 6. Be sure you are hovering over a level surface. Pull down the throttle stick to descend. The stick will lock into©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 25 |

place and the aircraft will descend steadily. 7. After landing, leave the throttle stick down for 3 to 5 second s to stop the motors. Return throttle stick to middle position after the motors have stopped.
You SHOULD NOT execute the CSC during normal flight ! This will stop the motors and cause the aircraft to descend rapidly and drop without any type of control. ( 1 ) When the LED flight indicator blinks yellow rapidly during flight , the aircraft has entered in to Failsafe mode , refer to <Failsafe Function> for details. ( 2 ) A low battery capacity warning is indicated by the LED flight indicator blink ing red slowly or rapidly during flight . R efer to the <Low Battery Capacity Warning Function> for details. ( 3 ) Watch the quick start video about flight for more flight information. ( 4 ) Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and temp erature. Be very careful when flying 3000 meters (9800 feet) or more above sea level, as battery and aircraft performance may be reduced. ( 5 ) When used with a H3

- 3D gimbal, a GoPro camera, and the iOSD mini, your Phantom 2 will be very close to its maximum tak eoff weight. It is not recommended that you attach the Phantom 2 propeller guards at this weight. Otherwise, the aircraft will be unable to fly normally. 6 .4 Failsafe Function The aircraft will enter Failsafe mode when the connection from the remote controller is lost. The flight control system will automatically control the aircraft to return to home and land to reduce injuries or damage. The following situations would make the aircraft fail to receive a signal from the remote controller and enter Failsafe mode: ( 1 ) The remote controller is power ed off. ( 2 ) The remote controller is power ed on but the S1 is toggled in the position triggering the Failsafe (this must have been configured in the PHANTOM 2 Assistant). ( 3 ) The aircraft has flown out of the effective communication range of the remote controller. ( 4 ) There is an obstacle obstructing the signal between the remote controller and the aircraft, essentially reducing the distance the signal can travel. ( 5 ) There is interference causing a signal problem with the remote controller.

Failsafe works different ly depending on the mode the aircraft is in when Failsafe mode is initiated whether it is in the Ready to Fly or Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode. Ready to Fly (non

- GPS)

---- Automatic l anding The flight control system will try to keep the aircraft level during descent and landing. Note that the aircraft may be drifting during the descent and landing process.
Ready to Fly
---- Automatic g o h ome and land The flight control system will automatic ally control the aircraft to fly back to the home point and land.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 26 | Home Point When the aircraft is initializing the Ready to Fly status, the aircraft will record the current GPS coordinates as the home point. I t is recommended to lift off only after Ready to Fly status is confirmed for the safety of being able to fly back to home point successfully in case the Failsafe mode is initiated. Go Home Procedures

Figure 6-2 ( 1 ) I n a Failsafe situation, if less than 6 GPS satellites are found for more than 20 seconds, the aircraft will descend automatically. ( 2 ) When the aircraft is landing automatically, users can control the aircraft’s position and altitude if the remote controller signal is recovered. In Phantom 2 mode, users can set a new home point manually when the aircraft is in “ Ready to fly ” status as long as a home point has been recorded automatically. Q uickly flipping the S2 switch of the remote controller from upper most to lower most positions 5 times or more w ill reset the current aircraft position as a new home point of PHANTOM 2. When successfully reset, you will see a series of rapid green blinks on the LED Flight Indicator. T he definition of “ home point ” is: ( 1 ) The home point is the place PHANTOM 2 returns to when the control signal is lost , which is recorded last time

. ( 2 ) The home point is used to calculate the horizontal distance between you and the aircraft, the distance will be displayed as if using iOSD module. Regaining Control during Failsafe Procedure

Position of Switch S1 Position
- 1 Position
- 2 Position
- 3 (No triggering the Failsafe) How to regain control When the S1 switch is switched to Position

- 1,

toggle the S1 switch to any other position once to regain control

. I f remote controller ’s signal is recovered, control is returned back to the pilot. R egain control as soon as signal is
recover ed.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 27 | 6.5 Low Battery Capacity Warning Function The low battery capacity warning alerts users when the battery is close to depletion during flight. When it appears, users should promptly fly back and land to avoid accidental damage. The PHANTOM 2 has two levels of low battery capacity warning. The first appears when the battery has less than 30% power and the second appears when it has less than 15 % power. ( 1 ) When battery power drops below 30% and LED indicator will blink red slowly. ( 2 ) At lower than 15 % the LED indicator will blink red rapidl y, the PHANTOM 2 will also begin to descend and land automatically. After it has landed, keep the throttle stick at its lowest point or execute CSC. ( 3 ) There is a hidden third low battery threshold in addition to the 1st and 2nd level warnings. This uses 10.65V as its threshold. Both this voltage threshold and the 2nd Level Low Battery Warning will trigger auto-landing. Altitude can be maintained if necessary by pu sh ing up on the throttle stick. ( 1 ) Remember to fly your P HANTOM 2 back as soon as you see a low battery capacity warning. ( 2 ) Keeping the battery contact needles and pads clean is very important. Any dirt and dust may cause a communication failure.
6.6 Flight Limits Function All UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operators should abide by all regulations from such organizations at ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and per country airspace regulations. For safety reasons, the flight limits function is enabled by default to help users use this product safely and legally. The flight limits function includes height, distance limits. In Ready to Fly status, height, distance limits works together to restrict the flight. In Ready to Fly (non-GPS) status, only height limit works and the flying height restricted to be not over 120m.

(1) The default parameters in the Assistant is compl iant within the definitions of class G ruled by ICAO. (Refer to Airspace Classification to get more details). As each country has its own rules, make sure to configure the parameters to comp ly with these rules too , before using the PHANTOM 2
. (2) Users in Mainland China can refer to 民用航空空域使用办法

. Max Height & Radius Limits The Max Height & Radius restricts the flying height and distance. Configuration can be done in the PHANTOM 2 Assistant. Once complete, your aircraft will fly in a restricted cylinder.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 28 | Figure 6- 3 Figure 6-4
Ready to Fly
Limits Ground Station Rear LED flight indicator
Max Height The flight height is restricted to fly

under the max height. Warning: Height limit reached. None.

Max Radius The flight distance is restricted to fly

within the max radius. Warning: Distance limit reached. Rapid red flashings when close to the Max radius limit.
Ready to Fly(non

- GPS) Flight Limits Ground Station Rear LED flight indicator
Max Height The flight height is restricted to fly

under the minor height between the Max height and 120m. Warning: Height limit reached. None.

Max Radius Not limited, no warnings or LED indicators.

(1) If the aircraft flies out of the limits, you can still control your aircraft except to fly it further away. (2) If the aircraft is flying out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) status, it will fly back within the limits range automatically if 6 or more GPS satellites have been found.

6. 7 Flight Limits of Special Areas Special areas include airports worldwide. All special areas are listed on the DJI official website. Please refer to http://www.dji.com/fly-safe/category- mc for details. These areas have been divided into category A and category B.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 29 | Category A Category B

Ready to Fly
Airspace Limits Rear LED Flight Indicator

A Orange Motors will not start.

If the Phantom flies into a special area in Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) mode and Ready to Fly mode activates, it will automatically descend and land then stop its motors. B Yellow If the Phantom flies into a special area in Ready to Fly

(non

- GPS) mode and Ready to Fly mode activates, it will descend to airspace C and hover 5 meters below edge d

.

C Green No restrictions of flight, but the Phantom will not enter

Category A, the aircraft can fly free, but it will not enter Airspace B through Boundary b & d. Around Category B sites, the phantom can fly freely, but it will not enter into Airspace A through Bou ndary a. D Blue No restrictions. None.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 30 |

Semi
- automatic descent : All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing. Users will regain control

once the motors have stopped. There is no need to toggle the S1 switch. (1) When flying in the airspace (A/B/C) of restricted special area, LED flight indicators will blink red quickly and continue for 3 seconds, then switch to indicate current flying status and continue for 5 seconds at which point it will switch back to red blinking. (2) For safety reasons, please do not fly close to airports, highways, railway stations, railway l ines, city centers and other special areas. Try to ensure the aircraft is visible. 6. 8 Conditions of Flight Limits In different working modes and flight modes, flight limits will differ according to number of GPS satellites found. The following table demonstrates all the cases( √ : available; × :unavailable ). All flights are restricted by height, distance and special areas simultaneously. Phantom mode Flight Status Limits of Special Area Max Height Max Radius Ready to Fly √ √ √ Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) × √ ×

Naza
- M mode
Control Mode number of GPS found Limits of Special Area Max Height Max Radius

GPS ≥ 6 √ √ √

< 6 × √ ×
ATTI. ≥ 6 √ √ ×

< 6 × √ ×
Manual ≥ 6 × × ×
< 6 × × × Disclaimer Please ensure that you are kept up to date with International and Domestic airspace rules and regulations before using this product. By using this product, you hereby agree to this disclaimer and signify that you have read this fully. You agree that you are responsible for your own conduct and content while using this product, and for any direct or indirect consequences caused by not following this manual, violate or disregard any other applicable local laws, administrative rules and social habits thereof.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 31 | 

### 7 Assistant Installation and Configuration 7. 1 Install ing Driver and PHANTOM 2 Assistant Install ing and run ning on Windows 1. Download driver installer and Assistant installer in EXE format from the download page of PHANTOM 2 on the DJI website. 2. Connect the PHANTOM 2 to a PC via a Micro

- USB cable. 3. Run the driver installer and follow the prompts to finish installation. 4. N ext, r un the Assistant installer and follow the prompts to finish installation. 5. Double click the PHANTOM 2 icon on your Windows desktop to launch the software.
T he i nstaller in EXE format only supports Windows operating systems (Win XP, Win7, Win8 (32 or 64 bit)).
Install ing and run ning on Mac OS X 1. Download the Assistant installer in DMG format from the download page of PHANTOM 2 on the DJI website. 2. Run the installer and follow the prompts to finish installation.

3. When launching for the first time if use Launchpad to run the PHANTOM 2 Assistant , Launchpad won ’ t allow access because the software has not been reviewed by Mac App Store.

4. L ocate the PHANTOM 2 icon in the Finder, p ress the Control key and then click the PHANTOM 2 icon (or right

- click the PHANTOM 2 icon using a mouse). Choose Open from the shortcut menu, click open in the prompt dialog box and the n software will launch

. 5. After the first successful launch, directly lau nching of the software can be achieved by double

- clicking the PHANTOM 2 icon in the Finder or using Launchpad.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 32 |

Installer in DMG format supports only Mac OS X 10.6 or above. Usage of PHANTOM 2 Assistant on Mac OS X and Windows are e xactly the same. The Assistant pages appear in other places of this manual are on the Windows for example. 7.2 Using the PHANTOM 2 Assistant on a PC 1. Start up the PC, power on the PHANTOM 2 , then c onnect the PHANTOM 2 to the PC with a Micro

- USB cable. DO NOT disconnect until configuration is finished. 2. Run the PHANTOM 2 Assistant and wait for the PHANTOM 2 to connect to the Assistant

. Observe the indicators on the bottom of the screen. When connected successfully, the connection indicator is and communication indicator is blinking

. 3. Choose [Basic] or [Advanced] configuration page s . 4. View and check the current configuration in the [View] page.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 33 |

( 1 ) Users should not enable the Naza

- M function before finishing Advanc ed Flight Maneuvers procedure in the " PHANTOM Pilot Training Guide”. If the Naza

- M mode is enabled, users can switch the control mode between ATTI. Mode, GPS Mode or Manual Mode , and access the advanced settings (e.g. IOC). In addition, the LED loca ted on the rear frame arms will display Naza

- M flight status indications instead of the PHANTOM 2's indicator s . Do not enable the Naza

- M mode unless you are an experienced user or guided by a professional. ( 2 ) You can change to the P hantom 2 mode by clicking the same button used to turn on the Naza

- M mode

. This operation will disable the N aza - M mode and enable P hantom 2 mode

. All parameters will be returned to factory settings

. 7.3 Firmware upgrade of PHANTOM 2 Please re fer to the PHANTOM 2 Assistant to install driver and PHANTOM RC Assistant , and then follow the procedures below to upgrade the software and firmware; otherwise the PHANTOM 2 might not work properly. 1. An internet connection is required to upgrade PHANTOM 2’s firmware. 2. Click the [ U pgrade] icon to check the current firmware version and whether the installed firmware is the latest version

. I f not, click the relative links to upgrade. 3. Be su re to wait until the Assistant shows “finished”. Click OK and power cycle the PHANTOM 2 after 5 seconds. Once completed, t he firmware is up to date.

( 1 ) DO NOT power off until the upgrade is finished. ( 2 ) If the firmware upgrade failed, the main controller will enter a waiting for firmware upgrade status automatically. If this happens, repeat the above procedures.
F irmware upgradable items: ( 1 ) Main Controller ( 2 ) P330CB (Main Board) ( 3 ) Receiver ( 4 ) Gimbal C MU ( 5 ) Gimbal IMU ( 6 ) Battery 7.4 PHANTOM RC Assistant Description Please follow the procedures to finish the configuration of the remote controller.©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 34 |

1. Turn off the remote controller and find the Micro

- USB port on the bottom of it. 2. Start up the PC, power on the remote controller , and then connect the remote controller to the PC with a Micro

- USB cable. DO NOT disconn ect until the configuration is finished. 3. Run the PHANTOM RC Assistant and wait for the remote controller to connect to the Assistant

. Observe the indicators on the bottom left of the screen. When connected successfully, the connection indicator is and communication indicator is blinking

. 4. Finish c onfiguration in the [ Main ] page. 5. Finish upgrade in the [ Info ] page if necessary

.

M ain P age of the 2.4G Hz Remote Controller©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 35 | 

### 8 Appendix 8. 1 Specifications 

### A ircraft O perating environment temperature

- 10 °C to 50 °C P ower consumption 5.6W S upported Battery DJI Intelligent battery W eight (including the battery) 1000g Take
- off W eight ≤ 1300g Hovering Accuracy ( Ready to Fly ) Vertical: 0.8m ; Horizontal: 2.5m Max Yaw Angular Velocity 200°/s Max Tilt Angle 35° Max Ascent / Descent Speed Ascent: 6m/s; Descent: 2 m/s Max Flight Speed 15 m/s (Not Recommended) W heelbase 350mm 

### 2.4GHz Remote Controller Operating Frequency 2.4GHz ISM Communication Distance ( open area ) 1000m Receiver Sensitivity ( 1%PER )

- 9 7 dBm W orking Current/Voltage 1 2 0 mA@ 3.7 V Built
- in LiPo Battery Working Current/Capacity 3.7V, 2000mAh 

### DJ I Intelligent Battery T ype 3S LiPo Battery C apacity 5200mAh , 11.1V Charging Environment R ange 0 °C to 40 °C Discharging Environment R ange - 20 °C to 50 °C
8.2 LED Flight Indicators Description A ircraft in Normal status D escriptions Power On Self

- Test Warming Up & Aircraft cannot take off during warming up Ready to Fly Ready to Fly (non

- GPS) Aircraft in abnormal status W arnings and errors Remote Controller Signal Lost 1 st Level Low Battery Capacity Warning©2013-2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 36 | 2 nd Level Low Battery Capacity Warning Not Stationary or Sensor Bias is too big Errors & Aircraft c annot fly.* Compass data abnormal because of ferro

- magnetic interference or the compass needs calibration. * Users can connect to the PHANTOM 2 Assistant to get detailed information about warnings and errors.