Tar Heel Drone Imaging Joseph Neill Howell, Jr. (Owner) 4628 Howell Road Lumberton, North Carolina 28358
November 1, 2015
U.S. Department ofTransportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: Petition ofT ARHEEL DRONE IMAGING Exemption from Certain Federal Aviation Regulations to Operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pursuant to Section 333 of TheFAA Modernization and R-eform Act ·· - -- Dear Sir or Madam:
Pursuant to Section333 ofthe FAA Modernization and Reform Act ("FMRA") and 14 C.P.R. part 11, TARHEEL DRONE IMAGING hereby petitions the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") for exemption from 14 C.P.R.§§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.15l(a)(l), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(l), 91.409(a)(l) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), and any otherrules the FAA deems necessary, to enableTARHEEL DRONE IMAGING to operate unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS") for aerial data collection. Specifically, TARHEEL DRONE IMAGING seeks to operate VAS for agricultural and geological surveying and research, real estate surveying, evaluation and marketing, wildlife, forestry, and rangeland research and management, newsgathering for public interest, and facilities inspection using the DJI Phantom 3, DJI Phantom 2, 3DR Solo, Yuneec Q500+, and the DJI Inspire 1. Because this petition is similar in all material respects to previously-granted Section 333 petitions, TARHEEL DRONE IMAGING requests expedited approval pursuant to the FAA's summary grant process. I. 

### PROPOSED OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC INTEREST BENEFITS

The requested exemption would permit Tar Heel Drone Imaging to provide services to consumersJ111ere?ted aerial data capture using a small ag'{Q.nced_UAS in the following areas of aerial data collection (but not limitedto):

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• Agricultural and geological surveying and research • Real estate surveying, evaluation, and marketing • Wildlife, forestry, and rangeland research and management • Newsgathering for public interest • Facilities Inspections Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UAS. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement

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(precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the UAS. In addition to fostering significant public benefits, Tar Heel Drone Imaging's operations will carry minimalrisk. Using UAS for aerial data collection will both eliminate the dangers associated with conducting these activities on foot or in manned aircraft and enable TarHeel Drone Imaging to efficiently and quickly deliver aerial data collection to the necessary businesses. As discussed in more detail below, TarHeel Drone Imaging is committed to the safe operation ofits UAS, and will adhere to stringent operating conditions in conformity with past grants ofexemption. These conditions ensure that TarHeel Drone Imaging will operate safely inthe national airspace, mitigate the risks ofharming other aircraft orpeople orproperty on the ground, and presentno threat to national security. Adhering to these parameters, TarHeel Drone Imaging will be able to safely and effectively operate its UAS to the benefit ofthe public and employees. 

### II. THEUAS
TarHeel Drone Imagingrequestsanexernptionto·operatethe DJI Phantom 3,DJIPhantom2, ·· 3DR Solo, Yuneec Q500+, and the DJI Inspire 1, all ofwhich are well below 55 pounds including payload. Through the Section 333 exemptionprocess, the FAAhas authorized use ofall UAS for which exemptionis requested herein. 1 

### III. REQUEST FORSUMMARY GRANT
Because this petition is similar in material respects to previous petitions the FAAhas granted, TarHeel Drone Imaging requests that the FAA issue a summary grant ofexemption pursuantto the agency's expedited summary grantprocess. Specifically, the public interest and safety benefits TarHeel Drone Imaging operations will achieve are materially similar to those recognized in Grants ofExemption Nos. 11062to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA-2014-0352), Ill 09 to Clay co, Inc. (see DocketNo. FAA-2014-0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see Docket No. FAA2014-0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA-2014-0642). TARHEEL DRONE IMAGING will adhere to a series ofoperatingparameters that will offer the same level ofsafety as the conditions the FAA currentlyrequires inits summary grants2 

### IV. APPLICANT INFORMATION
The name and contact information ofthe applicant is:

.**~ JQs~ph**  Neill Bowell,

### Jr. (Owner). TarHeel Drone Imaging



### 4628 Howell Road Lumberton, North Carolina 28358

•Regulations from which exemption is requested: See Exemption No. 11274A to United Services Automobile Association, RegulatoryDocketNo. FAA2014-0796 (authorizing use ofthe 3DR Solo, DJIPhantom 3, and DJI Inspire); Exemption No. 11875 to Green Bee Limited, Regulatory DocketNo. F AA-20 15-0698 (authorizing use ofthe DJIPhantom 2); Exemption No. 12023 to WilliamJ. Henderson, Regulatory DocketNo. FAA-2015-1518 (authorizing use ofthe Yuneec Q500 Typhoon). See, e.g., Exemption No. 12160to Star Engineering Services LLC, Regulatory DocketNo. FAA-20 15- 1690 (Jul. 27, 20 15).

### 3 14 C.P.R. §§ 61.23(a) and (c); 14 C.P.R.§§ 61.101(e)(4) and (5); 14 C.P.R. § 61.113(a); 14 C.P.R.§ 61.315(a); 14 C.P.R. § 91.7(a); 14 C.P.R.§ 91.119(c); 14 C.P.R.§ 91.121; 14 C.P.R.§ 91.151(a)(l); 14 C.P.R.§ 91.405(a); 14 C.P.R. § 91.407(a)(1); 14 C.P.R. §§ 91.409(a)(l) and (2); 14 C.P.R.§§ 91.417(a) and (b).


### V. OPERATING PARAMETERS TarHeel Drone Imagingwilladhete tothefollowing-operating parameters when operatingUAS · pursuant to a grant ofthe requested exemption:
1. Operations will be conductedusing the DJIPhantom 3, DJI Phantom 2, 3DR Solo,

Yuneec Q500+, and the DJIInspire 1.
2. The UAS will notbe operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles perhour), at an altitude greater than 400 feet above ground level, or, when visibility is less than 3 statute miles, less than 500 feet below or 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud. All operations will be conducted during the day under visual meteorological conditions.
3. All operations will be conducted in accordance with a Certificate ofWaiver or Authorization ("COA'').
4. All operations will use a pilot-in-command ("PIC") and a visual observer ("VO"), and the 

### VAS will remain within the visual line ofsight ofthe PIC or the VO at all times. The PIC will maintain VLOS capability and the ability to communicate verbally with the VO at all times.
5. The PIC will hold an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sportpilot certificate, as well as an FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver's license. The PIC will meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 C.P.R. § 61.56 in an aircraft in whichthePIC is rated onhis-orher**pilot-certificate~** 6. TarHeel Drone Imaging will ensure priorto operationthat the PIC has demonstrated 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 persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency will be logged in a manner consistent with 14 C.P.R. § 61.51(b)
7. TarHeel Drone Imaging operating documents will be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administratorupon request.8. Priorto eachflight, the PIC will conduct a pre-flightinspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. Ifthe inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation ofthe UAS, the UAS will notbe operated until the necessary maintenance has beenperformed and the U AS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.
9. Any UAS thathas undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement ofa flight critical component, will undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption.
10. TarHeel Drone Imaging will follow the UAS manufacturer's maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limitrequirements, as well as safety bulletins, for the aircraft and aircraft components.
11. The PIC will abort the flight inthe event ofunpredicted obstacles oremergencies, and will yield to all manned aviation activities. 

### H. TarHeel Drone Imaging wiH register-and-mar-kits UA&--in aceordance with 14--f;.P,R; 

### parts47 ·---**-~** 

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### VI. THE FAA'S AUTHORITY TO GRANT THIS PETITION
TheFAA has authority to grant the exemptionrequested herein under the FMRA and the Federal Aviation Act. Section 333 ofthe FMRA deals specifically with integrating UAS into the national airspace, and directs the Secretary ofTransportation to determine which UAS, "as a result oftheir size, weight, speed, operational capability, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within visual line ofsight do not create a hazard to users ofthe national airspace system or the public orpose a threat to national security."3 Section 333 further directs the Secretary to "establishrequirements for the safe operation ofsuch aircraft systems inthe national airspace system. "4The Federal Aviation Act authorizes the Administrator ofthe FAA to grantexemptions from regulations prescribed under certainprovisions ofthe Actwhere such exemptions are in the public interestsPart 11 oftheFederal Aviation Regulations governs the FAA's exemptionprocess and requirements.6The FAA has granted more than 1,100 exemptions to date pursuant to its Section 333 and exemption authority, enabling commercial UAS operations in a wide variety ofindustries.
Pub. L. No. 112-95, 126 Stat. 75-76 (codified as a Note to 49 U.S.C.§ 40101). 4/d. 549 U.S.C. § 44701 (f) ("The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement ofa regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) ofthis section orany ofsections 44702-44716 ofthis title ifthe Administrator findstheexeinptionlsiiithe-p1ihlicinteresi.").--

-- - ----- -- - - · .-. - --**~-** --- ---··--- 6See 49 C.P.R. PartI I. 

### VII. SUMMARY TO BEPUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER
Should the FAA determinethatpublication in the Federal Register is required, TarHeel Drone Imaging offers the following summarypursuantto section 11.81 ofthe FAA's rules:? Petitioner: TarHeel Drone Imaging Sections of14 C. FR. Affected: 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.23(a) and (c); 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.10l(e)(4) and (5); 14 C.P.R.§ 61.113(a); 14 C.P.R.§ 61.315(a); 14 C.P.R.§ 91.7(a); 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 14 C.F.R. § 91.121; 14 C.F.R. §91.15l(a)(l); 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(l); 14C.F.R. §§91.409(a)(l) and (2); 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.417(a) and (b). Description of Relief Sought: Petitioner seeks relieffrom the requirements of 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.23(a) and (c); 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.101(e)(4) and (5); 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a); 14 C.F.R. § 61.315(a); 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a); 14C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 14 C.F.R. § 91.121; 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a)(l); 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(1); 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.409(a)(l) and (2); 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.417(a) and (b) to operateunmanned aerial systems for aerial data collection and facilities inspection.


### VIII. CONCLUSION As demonstrated above, the UAS operationsTarHeel Drone Imaging has proposed in this petition for exemption will garner significantpublic benefits while presenting minimal safetyrisks. Tar Heel Drone Imaging petition satisfies the criteria ofSection 333 ofthe FMRA and is substantially similarto previous petitions the FAA has granted, meriting a summary grant of exemption. TarHeel Drone Imaging respectfullyrequests that the FAA grant this petition to enhance TarHeel-Drone Imaging's ability-to provide**for~eriahlata-~oH-ecti-ott.-~ ~**  -**-~- -~------**  Please do not hesitate to contactme, Joseph Neill Howell, Jr. at 910-734-1631 or tarheeldroneimaging@gmail.com with any questions about this filing. Sincerely, Joseph Neill Howell, Jr.

# 1~~~, Tar Heel Drone Imaging