Cottle	Communications,	Inc.

MOTION	PICTURE	&	TELEVISION	OPERATIONS	MANUAL	

November	20th,	2015	

Purpose	

This	operations	manual	has	been	created	by	“Cottle	Communications,	Inc.”,	

hereafter	referred	to	as	“CCOM”,	to	be	used	in	conjunction	with	all	conditions	and	

limitations	as	stipulated.	CCOM pilots,	camera	operators,	visual	observers,	and	other	

company	personnel	when	applicable,	will	comply	with	the	policies,	procedures	and	

conditions	of	this	manual,	whenever	UAS	flight	operations	are	performed	that	

require	the	exemption	as	mentioned	above.	

Owner/Operator	&	Organization	

Stan	Cottle

Cottle	Communications,	Inc.

118	Sea	Marsh	Road

Amelia	Island,	FL	32034

904-476-4302

Persons	Authorized	

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

directly	involved	in	the	performance	of	the	actual	operation.	CCOM shall	ensure	that	

no	persons	are	allowed	within	500	feet	of	the	area	except	those	consenting	to	be	

involved	and	necessary	for	the	operation.	

Area	of	Operations	

CCOM's	approved	area	of	operations	will	be	the	United	States,	including	its	

territories	and	possessions.	

Plan	of	Activities	

For	flights	above	400	feet	AGL:	At	least	three	(3)	days	prior	to	any	scheduled	

operation,	CCOM will	submit	a	written	plan	of	activities	to	the	local	FSDO	having	

jurisdiction	over	that	area.	The	plan	of	activities	will	include	the	following:	

1. Dates	and	times	for	all	flights.		

2. Name	and	phone	number	of	person	responsible	for	the	event.		

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

5. Make,	model,	and	serial	number	(if	available)	UAS	to	be	used.		

6. Name	and	certificate	number	of	pilot(s)	involved	in	the	event.		

7. A	statement	that	the	waiver	holder	has	obtained	permission	from	property	

owners		and/or	local	officials	to	conduct	the	event.	The	list	of	those	who	gave	

permission		must	be	made	available	to	the	inspector	upon	request	from	the	

waiver	holder.		

8. Signature	of waiver	holder	or	representative.		
9. A	description	of	the	flight	activity	including	maps	or	diagrams	of	any	area,	

city,	town,		county,	and/or	State	over	which	the	operation	will	be	conducted.		

The	three	(3)	day	notification	equipment’s	may	be	waived,	however,	the	operator	

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

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

Permission	to	Operate	

Before	any	flight	operations	are	conducted	under	the	provisions	of	this	manual,	the	

operator	will	obtain	permission	to	conduct	these	operations	from	property	owners	

and	local	officials	as	necessary	or	appropriate.	Persons	from	whom	permission	may	

be	required	are	listed	below:	

1. Property	owners		

2. Law	enforcement	officials		

3. Fire	department	officials		

4. Local,	State	and	Federal	government		

5. Air	traffic	control		

CCOM personnel	obtaining	such	permission	will	do	so	in	writing	whenever	

practical;	however,	verbal	permission	is	acceptable.	A	permission	form	is	provided	

in	Appendix	A	and	may	be	used	when	obtaining	written	permission.	Written	

permission	forms	shall	be	maintained	at	the	job	site	until	flight	operations	are	

completed,	and	then	turned	into	the	Flight	Director	to	be	kept	on	file	for	a	minimum	

of	six	(6)	months.	These	forms	will	be	made	available	for	inspection	by	the	FAA	or	

other	official	personnel	upon	request.	

Security	

Prior	to	any	flight	operation	the	operator	will	coordinate	with	appropriate	

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

unauthorized	persons	and	vehicles	to	a	minimum	of	a	500	foot	perimeter.	

Provisions	will	be	made	to	immediately	discontinue	operations	should	the	area(s)	

become	unsecured	or	for	any	other	reason	in	the	interest	of	safety.	

Briefing	of	Pilot/Production	Personnel	

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

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

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

event.	Personnel	will	also	be	briefed	on	additional	provisions	that	may	be	issued	by	

the	FSDO	that	has	geographic	responsibility	for	the	operational	area,	including	the	

location	of	boundaries	or	time	limits.	The	briefing	shall	cover:	

1. Pertinent	sections	of	this	operations	manual		

2. Plan	of	activities		

3. UAS	takeoff	and	landing	procedures		

4. Role	of	PIC,	visual	observer,	and	camera/gimbal	operator		

5. Overview	of	flight	activities	to	be	conducted	during	the	production	event		
6. Recall	procedures		

7. Emergency	procedures		

8. Risks	to	participating	personnel		

9. How	to	control	nonparticipating	persons		

Certification/Airworthiness	

All	CCOM UASs	used	in	operations	do	not	require	an	airworthiness	certificate.	CCOM

will	use	trained	technicians	to	perform maintenance,	alterations,	or	preventive	

maintenance	on	the	UASs	using	the	methods,	techniques,	and	practices	prescribed	

in	the	UAS	operating	documents	(i.e.,	the	DJI	Phantom	3	and	DJI	Inspire	1	manuals).

Furthermore,	CCOM will	document	and	maintain	all	maintenance	records.	

Pilot	&	Visual	Observer	Minimum	Requirements	

CCOM shall	establish	and	specify	the	minimum	pilot	requirements.	Minimum	

requirements	shall	meet	or	exceed	the	following	(using	Exemption	NO.	11062	

[Astraeus	Aerial]	as	a	basis):	

Prior	to	conducting	operations,	the	PIC	must	have	logged,	consistent	with	14	CFR	

61.51(b),	25	hours	of	total	time	as	a	UAS	pilot.	Prior	to	operations	the	PIC	must	also	

have	logged	a	minimum	of	5	hours	as	a	UAS	pilot	operating	the	same	make	and	

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

requirements,	the	PIC	must	accomplish	3	take-offs	and	landings	in	the	preceding	90	

days	(for	currency	purposes).	Prior	documented	flight	experience	that	was	obtained	

in	compliance	with	applicable	regulations	could	satisfy	this	requirement.	

Training,	proficiency,	and	experience-building	flights	can	also	be	conducted	to	

accomplish	the	required	flight	time.	During	training,	proficiency,	and	experiencebuilding	flights	the	PIC	is	required	to	operate	the	UAS	with	appropriate	distances	in	

accordance	with	14	CFR	91.119.	

CCOM may	determine	that	additional	hours	are	necessary	to	address	all	potential	

flight	hazards	and	requisite	airmanship	skills.	CCOM will	not	permit	any	PIC	to	

operate	unless	that	PIC	is	able	to	safely	operate	the	UAS	in	a	manner	consistent	with	

how	the	UAS	will	be	operated	under	this	exemption,	including	evasive	and	

emergency	maneuvers	and	maintaining	appropriate	distances	from	persons,	vessels,	

vehicles	and	structures.	

Prior	to	operations	the	PIC	must	hold	a	valid	U.S.	driver’s	license	issued	by	a	state,	

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

government,	and	have	completed	the	minimum	flight	hour	and	currency	

requirements	as	stated	in	the	conditions	and	limitations	above.	

Visual	Observers	should	have	a	minimum	of	1	hour	of	flight	time	with	the	sUAS	

which	they	are	observing	affording	them	direct	experience	with	the	performance	of	

the	sUAS	they	will	be	observing.	
Communications	

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

formulate	a	plan	to	provide	communications	capability	to	all	participants	during	the	

actual	operation.	Oral,	visual	or	radio	communications	may	be	used	as	long	as	it	is	

effective	and	is	capable	of	keeping	the	participants	continuously	appraised	of	the	

current	status	of	the	operation.	

Accident	Notification	

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

notification	requirements	of	FAR	Part	830	would	comply.	

Recall/Stop	Procedures	

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

other	unique	configurations	in	the	field.	Details	will	be	part	of	the	required	preflight	briefing.	

Special	Provisions	

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

assurance	that	persons	on	the	surface	will	not	be	jeopardized.	

The	UASs	and	pilots	used	under	this	exemption	and/or	waiver	will	only	be	those	

specified	in	manual,	Appendices	A	and	B,	or	associated	plan	of	activities.	Each	pilot’s	

name	and	certificate	number	shall	appear	on	each	daily	plan	of	activity.	All	UASs	and	

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

scheduled	event.	

Company	Organization	

FLIGHT	DIRECTOR	

Duties	and	Responsibilities:	

1. Has	final	word	in	the	formulation	of	policy	and	procedures	concerning	this	

manual.		

2. Acts	as	liaison	between	CCOM and	the	FAA	on	matter	concerning	this	manual.	

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

signed	statement	from	each	that	they	have	read	and	understand	its	contents.

4. Maintain	a	current	copy	of	this	manual	at	the	main	base	of	operations	for	

CCOM.		

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

	processed	properly.		

6. Must	approve	or	disapprove	each	proposed	operation	performed	by	CCOM

	under	the	provisions	of	this	manual.		

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

8. The	Flight	Director	may	delegate	functions	to	other	personnel	but	retains	

	responsibility.		
PILOT	IN	COMMAND	

Duties	and	Responsibilities:	

1. Assure	the	UAS	to	be	flown	is	in	airworthy	condition	and	required	

maintenance	has been	performed	as	appropriate.		

2. Acquire	permission	from	the	Flight	Director	before	any	operation	under	the	

provisions	of	this	manual.		

3. Be	very	knowledgeable	of	the	contents	of	this	manual	and	abide	by	the	

procedures,	policies	and	conditions	contained	herein.		

4. Coordinate	with	location	personnel	to	formulate	plans, routes,	locations,	etc.	

with	safety	of	all	persons	involved	in	the	primary	concern.		

5. Maintain	and	keep	current	their	copy	of	this	manual	and	have	it	on	site	at	any	

job	or	operation	requiring	the	waiver.		

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

responsibility.	

VISUAL	OBSERVER	

Duties	and	Responsibilities:	

1. Maintain	visual	line	of	sight	with	the	sUAS	at	all	times.		

2. Maintain	direct	communication	with	the	PIC.		

3. Maintain	a	broader	“situational”	awareness	of	the	secure	area	and	stay	alert	

for		unauthorized	persons	or	vehicles	that	could	compromise	the	area.		

4. Assist	the	PIC	in	with	collision	avoidance,	including,	but	not	limited	to,	

avoidance	of		other	traffic,	clouds,	obstructions,	and	terrain.		
Appendix	A	- Location	Permission	Form	

In	signing	this	form,	I	am	giving	the	pilots	of	Cottle	Communications,	Inc. permission	

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

jurisdiction	in	which	I	am	responsible	for	or	affiliated	with,	for	the	purpose	of	image	

acquisition	or	inspection.	

Name:	_______________________________________

Title:	________________________________________

Basis	of	Authority	to	Grant	Permission:	____________________________________

Location:	______________________________________

Date	of	Operation:	____________________________

Signature	

Date	_______________________________

CCOM Representative	Receiving	Permission:	
Appendix	B	- List	of	Approved	UASs	

1.	DJI	Inspire	1