I write this in response to the letter dated January 4 2016 where the FAA is unable to process 

my request for .exemption from Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The 

information you have requested is below.

(a) I Daniel O’Connell of Cheshire Connecticut, request exemption from 14 C.F.R. Part 21; 14 

C.F.R. 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7 (a); 91.9 (b) (2); 91.109; 119.121; 91.151 (a); 91.203 (a) & (b); 

91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b). I, Daniel O’Connell respectfully 

request a section 333 exemption or waiver of operations to conduct commercial flights.

(b) I, Daniel O’Connell, seek an exemption to operate and fly small unmanned aerial system 

(sUAS) for non-hobby and non-recreational use. This exemption is for commercial use under 

section 333 in a controlled and low risk situation that would be fully monitored. The aircrafts to 

be used are as follows: DJI Phantom 3 Professional equipped with a small camera. This aircraft 

is registered and the tail number is N576XD and with a total weight under 15 lbs.. In addition a 

second aircraft a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus equipped with a small camera a tail number of 

N576YD and with a total weight under 15 lbs. These aircraft and flights are to be flown only in 

visual flight rule (VFR) daylight conditions by line of sight and with GPS failsafe and guidance 

technology and all flights will be kept under 200 feet. Flights are to be conducted only under 

VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) of the pilot and spotter. All flights are to stay at a clear and safe 

distance from all airports, heliports and aircraft. 

I will follow preflihgt, inflight and postflight checklists. In addition to checklist, processes and 

procedures are to be followed during every flight for safe operations. I am a licensed private 

pilot, commercial photographer and academic with over 225 hours pilot in command (PIC) flight 

time. 32 of these hours are as pilot in command (PIC) in rotary wing aircraft (helicopters). 

I seeks the section 333 exemption in order to conduct aerial photography of real-estate, roof 

inspections, site inspections, search and rescue and aerial filming. For this I have selected small 

unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) based on ease and safety. 

My customers request imagery and filming taken from above ground level. The specified section 

333 would allow me to these activities using the DJI Phantom 3 and DJI Phantom 2 rather than 

a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Furthermore this exemption request would allow me to 

conduct photography and filming operations safer, faster and cost effectively in contrast with 

hiring a fixed wing or rotary wing (helicopter) aircraft in order to capture images.

All flights would also take place on private or controlled access property with consent and 

knowledge of the property owner. Imagery (photography) and filming will be of people who 

consent to such activity. Furthermore, Imagery (photography) and filming of people will be 

performed at a safe distance from such participants. 

(c) It would be in the best interest of the public to gram me Daniel O’Connell an exemption and 

clearance to conduct safe, low altitude small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) flights for 

photography and filming work. In doing so, it makes it clear to all that by hiring me flight 
operations are authorized and approved under the waiver of operations from the FAA in 

contrast with other plausible operators who have no such exemption and have limited 

knowledge of the rules, regulations from the FAA and section 333. I would like to offer my 

knowledge, research, experience, training, safety standards and best in class aircraft to my 

clients so that local drone photography and filming can be done safely and in a regulated 

means. If I am granted the exemption for section 333, it would ensure the public that a 

licensed pilot is operating the sUAS and conducting flights thus setting a standard and a 

standard operating procedure that would ease plausible concerns. In addition to the 

aforementioned, flying sUAS’s for the above described activities is much safer that flying or 

operating fixed wing or rotary wing manned aircraft specially at such low altitudes. 

(d) To this date, many other professional photographers, videographers and pilots have been 

granted such exemption under section 333 to conduct sage non-hobby, non-recreational flights 

in order to capture images and capture video above ground level. 

Granting me, Daniel O’Connell the exemption conforms with the Secretary of Transportation 

(FAA Administrator) responsibility and authority to integrate sUAS into the national airspace 

system as well as establish requirements for safe operations of small unmanned aerial systems 

(sUAS) in the national airspace system under section 333(c) of the Reform Act specific to sUAS 

for commercial photography. 

In addition, I Daniel O’Connell will conduct all operations in compliance with all FAA rules and 

regulations.

Very Respectfully,

Daniel O’Connell