February 17

, 2015

U

. S

. D ep a r t m ent o f T r a n spo rt a t i on

D oc k e t M ana g e m ent S y s t em

1200 N ew Je r sey A v e

. , S E

W a s h i ng t on, D C 20590

R e: E x e m p t i on R e q ue s t U n d er S e c t i on 333 o f t he F A A R e f o r m A c t a n d

P a r t 11 o f t he Fed e r al A v i a t i on R e g u l a t i ons

D ear Si r o r M ada m :

P u r suant t o S ec t i on 333 o f t he F A A M ode r n i z a t i on and R e f o r m A c t o f 20 1 2 ( t he “ R e f o r m A c t ” )

and 14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 1 1 , Luis Cardenas of ( “ DroneWorks ” )

, Owner and ope r a t or o f t he i1

U n m anned Ai r c r a f t S y s t em ( “ UAS ” o r “ i1 ” )

, se e ks an e x e m p t i on fr o m t he Fed e r al

A v i a t i on R e g u l a t i ons ( “ F AR s ” ) li s t ed be l ow and d i scussed i n A ppend i x A

. 1 A tt ached as

A ppend i x B i s a su m m a r y of t h i s r e q ue s t

.

T he r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i on w ou l d pe rm i t co m m e r c i al ope r a t i on o f DroneWorks’ UAS

, w h i ch w e i g hs

5

. 5 l bs. and pe r f o r m s p r e c i s i on ae r i al su r v e y s t hat cons i st o f s t il l pho t o g r a p hs t a k en by onboa r d

ca m e r a s

. T he i1 t a k e s a s e r i es o f h i g h q ua li t y

, s t il l d i g i t al i m a g es t h a t a r e used t o p r od u ce

p r ec i s i on d i g i t al po i nt c l ouds, tr i a n g u l a t ed m ode l s

, and con t o u r m aps o f t h e su r v e y ed a r ea.

A pp li ca t i ons f or t he s e U A S de v i ces and assoc i a t ed da t a p r oc e ss i ng f u n c t i ons i nc l ude

ag r i cu l t u r e

, m i n i ng, and p r o f ess i onal s u r v e y i n g

. U se o f t he UAS f o r a e r i al su r v e y s r educes t he

need t o ope r a t e con v en t i onal a i r c r a f t f o r t he s a m e pu r pose and p r o v i des h i g h q ua li t y i m a g e r y

at a fr a c t i on o f t he cost o f s u r v e y s us i ng con v en t i onal a i r c r a ft

. T h ese sa v i n g s r esu l t i n

enhanced e ff i c i ency and p r oduc t i v i t y f o r t he a ff ec t ed ac t i v i t i es, as w e l l as en v i r on m en t al

ben e f i t s

. 2

1 S ee P ub. Law 112

- 9 5

, 1 26 S t a t . 11, § 333 ( 201 2 )

2 S ee, e

. g. Ja c k Ni cas, D r ones F i nd Fans A m ong Fa rm e r s, F il

mm a ke r s

, W A L L S T REET

J O URNAL ( M a r ch 10, 20 1 4, 7 : 45 P M ) ( de s c r i b i ng how an o v e r seas su r v e y or used t o spend

25

, 000 E u r o ( $34

, 34 5 ) t o su r v ey 15 s q ua r e k il o m e t e r s w i t h a t e a m o f 12 s u r v e y o r s, and i t w ou l d

t a k e 2 t o 3 w eeks t o co l l ect a l l t he d a t a. W i t h a DroneWorks i1 , he a c co m p l i shed t he s a m e t a s k

f or 5

, 000 E u r o and g ot a l l t h e da t a he needed i n 3 t o 4 da y s. B e cause t he su rv e y s cost h i m l ess

t o pe r f o r m

, he passes t h o s e sa v i n g s on t o h i s c u s t o m e r s

. ), a va il ab l e a t :

h tt p : / / on li ne

. w s j. c o m/ n e w s / a rt i c l es / SB 1000142 4 0527023047328045794 2 5342990070808.- 2

- O pe r a t i ons und e r t he e x e m p t i on w il l be sub j e c t t o s t r i ct ope r a t i ng r e q u i r e m en t s and cond i t i ons

t o ens u r e a t l ea s t an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y t o cu rr e n t l y au t ho r i z ed ope r a t i ons us i n g m anned

a i r c r a f t and under cond i t i ons as m ay be m od i f i ed by t he F A A as r e q u i r ed b y S ec t i on 333

. 3

A s de sc r i bed m o r e f u ll y be l o w

, t he r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i on w ou l d au t ho r i z e co mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons

o f a e r i al su r v e y s us i ng t h e i1

, w h i ch at 5

. 5 l bs. i s s m all i n s i z e

. 4 T he i1 w i l l be ope r a t ed under

co n tr o ll ed cond i t i o ns at l ow a l t i t ude i n a i r s p ace t h a t i s li m i t ed i n sc o pe, as des c r i bed m o r e f u ll y

he r e i n; i t w il l ha v e a u t o m a t ed co n t r ol f e a t u r e s, as des c r i bed be l o w

. The i1 a l so w il l be ope r a t ed

by an i nd i v idual w ho has passed an F A A app r o v ed g r ound t r a i n i ng e x am and a r e q u i r ed

m an u f a c t u r e r ’ s t r a i n i ng p r o g r a m f o r t he U AS

. F i na ll y

, t he a i r space i n w h i ch t he UA S

wil l ope r a t e w il l be d i sc l o sed t o t he F A A i n ad v a n ced.

DroneWorks r e spec t f u ll y sub m i t s t h a t becau s e t h i s s m a ll

, u n m anned a e r i al v eh i c l e

— w ill

be used i n li eu o f co m p a r a t i v e l y h a z a r dous ope r a t i ons now conduc t ed w i t h f i x ed w i ng and r o t a r y

con v en t i onal a i r c r a ft

, t he F A A can ha v e co n f i den c e t h a t t he op e r a t i ons w i l l ach i e v e at l east an

e q u i v a l ent l e v el or g r e a t er l e v el o f s a f e t y

. A pp r o v al of t h i s e x e m p t i on w ou l d t he r eby enhance

s a f e t y and f u l f il l t he S ec r e t a r y o f T r a nsp o r t a t i on ’ s (t he F A A A d m i n i s t r a t o r ’ s ) r e spons i b ili t i es

under S e c t i on 333 ( c) o f t he R e f o r m A ct t o “ e s t ab li sh r e q u i r e m e n t s f or t he s a f e op e r a t i on o f such

a i r c r a f t s y s t e m s i n t he n a t i onal a i r space s y s t e m

. ”

T he na m e and ad d r ess o f t he app li cant a r e :

A tt n: Luis Cardenas

P h: 754

- 234

- 7813

E m a il : Luroyale@gmail.com

A dd r ess: 3400 Powerline Road

Oakland Park

, Florida 33309

T he r e g u l a t i ons fr om w h i ch t he e x e m p t i on i s r e q u es t ed a r e as f o ll o w s:

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 21 ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 4 5

. 23 ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1

. 113 ( a ) & ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1

. 133 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 7 ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 9 ( b )( 2 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 109 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 119;

3 W h il e DroneWorks i s f ili n g t h i s e x e m p t i on r e q uest on i t s o w n beha l f

, i t an t i c i pa t es t h a t it s

cus t o m e r s

, i n t he f u t u r e

, wil l f il e e x e m p t i on app li c a t i ons t o a ll ow t hem t o o pe r a t e t he i1 i n

co mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons a t t he i r o w n f ac ili t i es, f a r m s, m i nes, and o t her s i t es t hat r e q u i r e p r ec i s i on

su r v e y s. T hose f ili n g s w i l l be subs t a n t i a ll y s i m il ar t o t h i s e x e m p t i o n app li ca t i on.

4 DroneWorks e x pec t s t o r ece i v e a S pec i al Ai r w o rt h i ness C e r t i f i ca t e ( E x pe r i m e n t a l ) f or t he i1

as t he r esu l t o f t he app li ca t i on i t f il ed on February 17, 20 1 5.- 3

- 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 151 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 203 ( a ) & ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 405 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 407 ( a )( 1 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 409 ( a )( 2 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 417 ( a )

.

A ppend i x A d i scusses e ach r u l e li s t ed abo v e and e x p l a i ns w h y e x e m p t i ons pu r sua n t t o t he

p r oposal s e t f o r t h i n t h i s l e tt e r a r e ap p r op r i a t e

, p r o v i de an e q u i v a l ent l e v el o f s a f e t y , and a r e i n

t he pub l i c i n t e r es t

.

T H E A PP L I C A B L E L EG A L ST A N D A R D UNDE R SEC T IO N 333

DroneWorks su b m i t s t h a t g r a nt o f t h i s e x e m p t i on app li ca t i on f o r u se o f t he i1 i n p r ec i s i on a e r i al

su r v e y s w i l l ad v ance t he C on g r e s s i onal m and a t e i n S ec t i on 333 o f t h e R e f o r m A ct t o acce l e r a t e

t he i n t r oduc t i on o f UAS s i n t o t he na t i onal a i r space s y s t em ( “ NAS ” ) i f i t can be acc o m p li shed

s a f e l y

. T h i s l aw d i r ec t s t he S ec r e t a r y o f T r a n spo r t a t i on t o con s i der w he t h e r c e rt a i n UAS s m ay

ope r a t e s a f e l y i n t he N A S b e f o r e c o m p l e t i on o f t h e r u l e m a k i n g r e q u i r ed u n der S e c t i on 332 o f

t he R e f o r m A c t

. I n m a k i ng t h i s d e t e r m i na t i o n

, t h e S ec r e t a r y i s r e q u i r ed t o de t e rm i ne w h i ch

t y pes o f UAS s do n o t c r e a t e a ha z a r d t o u s e r s o f t he NA S or t he pub li c or pose a t h r e a t t o

na t i onal secu r i t y i n l i g ht o f t he f o ll o wi n g :

• T he UAS’ s s i z e, w e i g h t , speed, and ope r a t i onal c apab ili t y ;

• O pe r a t i on o f t he UA S i n c l ose p r o x i m i t y t o a i r po r t s and popu l a t ed a r eas; a nd

• O pe r a t i on o f t he UA S w i t h i n v i sual li ne of s i g h t o f t he op e r a t o r

.

R e f o r m A c t § 333 ( a )( 1 )

. I f t he S ec r e t a r y de t e r m i nes t h a t s uch v eh i c l es “m ay ope r a t e s a f e l y i n

t he n a t i onal a i r space s y s t e m

, t he S e c r e t a r y sha l l es t ab li sh r e q u i r e m e n t s f or t he s a f e op e r a t i on

o f such a i r c r a f t i n t he na ti onal a i r space s y s t e m

. ” I d. §33 3 ( c) ( e m phas i s a d ded )

. 5

T he Fede r al A v i a t i on A ct e x p r ess l y g r a n t s t he F A A t he a u t h o r i t y t o i ssue e x e m p t i ons. T h i s

s t a t u t o r y a u t ho r i t y

, by i t s t e r m s, i nc l udes e x e m p t i n g c i v i l a i r c r a f t

, as t he t e r m i s d e f i ned und e r §40101 o f t he A c t

, fr o m t he r e q u i r e m ent t h a t a l l c i v i l a i r c r a f t m u s t ha v e a c u rr e n t a i r w o rt h i n ess

ce rt i f i c a t e and t h o se r e gu l a t i ons r e q u i r i n g co mm e r c i al p il o t s t o op e r a t e a i r c r a f t i n c o mm e r c i al

se r v i ce:

T he A d m i n i s t r a t o r m ay g r ant an e x e m p t i on fr om a r e q u i r e m ent o f a r e g u l a t i on

p r esc r i bed under subse c t i on ( a ) o r ( b) o f t h i s se c t i on or any o f sec t i ons

5 A pp li cant su b m i t s t h a t t h i s p r o v i s i on p l aces a d u t y on t he A d m i n i s t r a t o r t o not on l y p r ocess

app li ca t i ons f or e x e m p t i o ns under S ec t i on 333, b u t f or t he A d m i n i s t r a t o r

, i f he dee m s t he

cond i t i ons p r oposed he r e i n r e q u i r e m od i f i c a t i on i n o r d e r t o a ll ow app r o v a l

, t o supp l y cond i t i ons

f or t he s a f e ope r a t i on o f t he UA S

. DroneWorks w e l c o m es t he opp o r t un i t y t o c onsu l t w i t h F A A

s t a f f i n o r der t o add r ess any i s s ues or conc e r ns t hat t h i s p r oposal m ay r a i se t h a t t hey be li e v e

m ay r e q u i r e m od i f i ca t i o n

.E x h i b i t 4 and a l so be i n g sub m it t ed on a co n f i den t i al bas i s.

- 4

- 44702

- 44716 o f t h i s t i t l e i f t he A d m i n i s t r a t o r f i n d s t he e x e m p t i on i s i n t he

pub li c i n t e r es t

.

49 U

. S

. C

. §4470 1 ( f)

. S e e a l so 49 US C §4 4 711 ( a ) ; 49 US C §4470 4 ; 14 C FR §91

. 203 ( a )( 1 )

.

T he g r a n t o f t he r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i on i s i n t he p u b li c i n t e r est based on t he c l ear d i r e c t i on i n

S ec t i on 333 o f t he R e f o r m A c t ; t he add i t i onal au t ho r i t y i n t he Fede r al A v i a t i on A c t

, a s a m ended;

t he s tr o n g e q u i v a l ent l evel o f s a f e t y su rr ound i n g t he p r oposed ope r a t i ons; and t he s i g n i f i ca n t

pub li c ben e f i t

, i nc l ud i ng enhanced s a f e t y and c o s t sa v i n g s assoc i a t ed w i t h t r ans i t i on i ng t o UAS s

f or ae r i al s u r v ey pho t o g r aph y

. A cco r d i n g l y

, t he a pp li cant r espe c t f u ll y r e q u es t s t hat t he F A A

g r ant t he r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i on w i t hout de l a y

.

M anda t ory O per a ti ng C ond i t i ons

Gr a n t o f t he e x e m p t i on t o DroneWorks w il l be sub j e c t t o t he f o ll o wi ng m anda t o r y cond i t i ons,

w h i ch a r e based upon op e r a t i n g cond i t i ons s e t f o rt h f o r ope r a t i on o f UA S by pub l i c en t i t i es

p u r sua n t t o C e rt i f i ca t es o f A u t ho r i z a t i on, w i t h add i t i onal r e s tr i c t i ons:

• Al l ope r a t i ons t o oc c ur i n Cl as s G a i r sp a ce.

• O pe r a t i ons t o a v o i d co ng e s t ed or popu l a t ed a r e as, w h i ch a r e de p i c t ed i n y e ll o w on V FR

cha rt s

.

• O pe r a t i ons t o be condu c t ed o v er p r i v a t e or con t r o ll ed

- access p r o p e r t y

.

• P e rm i ss i on fr o m l and o w ne r/ co n tr o ll er r e q u i r ed be f o r e co m m enc i n g any f l i g h t

.

• O pe r a t i ons t o o c cur du r i ng Vi sual F li g ht R u l es M e t eo r o l o g i cal C ond i t i ons ( V M C )

.

• Ai r c r a f t t o r e m a i n w i t h i n Vi sual L i ne o f S i g ht ( V L O S )

.

o V L O S g u a r an t eed w i t h a c y l i nder of op e r a t i on a r ound ope r a t or o f 1⁄2 n au t i cal

m il es ( N M )

.

o C y l i nder w a l l s m ay be e x panded by obse r v er w i t h ab ili t y t o con t r ol a i r c r a ft

.

• O pe r a t i ons t o o c cur du r i ng da y li g ht ho u r s.

6 DroneWorks i s su b m i tt i n g u n der a r e q ue s t f or co n f i d e n t i a li t y t he f o ll o w i ng doc u m en t s i n

supp o r t of t h i s e x e m p t i on app li ca t i o n f o r t he i1 : 1 ) S a f e t y C hec k li st ( E x h i b i t 1 ) ; 2 ) T r a i n i n g

M anual ( E x h i b i t 2 ) ; and 3) M a i n t enance & I nspe c t i on M a nual f or t he i1 ( E x h i b i t 3 )

. DroneWorks

su b m it t ed t hese doc u m e n t s on a c o n f i den t i al bas i s t o t he F A A as pa r t o f t he SA C a pp li ca t i on

p r ocess under P a r t 2 1

. S ee a l so “ U ser G u i de

– DroneWorks i1 A e r i al I m a g i ng S o l u t i on

, ”

a t t ached a s Exhibit 4 and also being submitted on a confidential basis- 5

- • A bo v e Gr ound Le v el ( A G L) a l t i t ude t o be r es t r i c t ed t o 400 f ee t

.

• Al l ope r a t i ons conduc t ed i n v i c i n i t y of a i r po r t t o r e m a i n m o r e t han 2

. 5 N M f r om cen t e r li ne

a z i m u t h o f r un w ay cen t e r li ne m eas u r ed fr o m r u n w a y t h r esho l ds.

• O pe r a t or w i l l f il e a NO T A M f or each f li g h t

.

• Al l r e q u i r ed p e r m i ss i ons and pe r m i t s w il l be ob t a i ned f r o m t e r r i t o r i a l

, s t a t e

, cou n t y or c i t y

j u r i sd i c t i on s

, i nc l ud i ng l ocal l a w en f o r c e m en t

, f i r e, or o t h e r app r op r i a t e g o v e r n m e n t al

a g enc i e s

.

O per a t or R eq u i r e men t s

DroneWorks r e spec t f u ll y p r oposes t h a t ope r a t or r e q u i r e m en t s shou l d t a k e i n t o account t he

cha r ac t e r i s t i cs o f t he pa r t i cu l ar UAS

. C e r t a i n U A S s, such as t he DroneWorks i1 , a r e

cha r ac t e r i z ed by a h i g h deg r ee o f p r e

- p r o g r a m m ed con t r ol and v a r i ous b u il t

- i n t echn i cal

capab ili t i es t hat li m i t t he po t en t i al f o r o pe r a t i on o u t s i de o f t he op e r a t i n g c o nd i t i ons set f o rt h

abo v e.

T he i1 has a s e m i

- a u t ono m ous na v i g a t i on and con t r ol s y s t e m c o m p r i s e d o f a Gr ound C on t r ol

S t a t i on (G CS ) and au t o

- p il ot s y s t e m

. Al l f li g h t s a r e p r e

- p r o g r a mm ed w i t h G P S g u i dance and do

not r e q u i r e h u m an i n t e r v en t i on. F li g h t m i ss i on a r ea and r ou t i n g can be cha n g ed a ft e r

l aunch. F l i g h t s c an be d i r ec t ed by pos i t i v e m an u al con tr o l

, as well as e v as i ve m aneu v e r s

. I n

t he case o f unp l anned e v en t s, t he op e r a t o r i np u t s e v as i v e m aneu v e r s f r o m t he con tr ol un i t and

t he con t r ol un i t e x ecu t es t h a t m a n eu v e r

. P r e

- p r o g r a mm ed op e r a t o r i n t e r v en t i ons also i nc l ude

d i v e r s i on t o t he r i g h t ; i n i t i a t i on o f ho l d i ng at p r ese n t pos i t i on; suspe n s i on o f m i ss i on; f l y ba c k t o

l aun c h po i n t ; f l y t o po i nt and h o l d; abo r t m i ss i on and l and; and e m e r g ency po w er cut o f f and

l and ( F li g ht T e rm i n a t i on S y s t e m )

. 7

A dd i t i onal au t o m a t ed s a f e t y f unc t i ons and s a f e t y enhanc i ng f e a t u r es o f t h e i1 i nc l ude t he

f o ll o wi n g :

• A u t o

- p il ot d e t ec t i on o f l ost G P S o r o f i ns u ff i c i ent s a t e lli t es i n i t i a t es a n i mm ed i a t e

sp i r al l and i n g

.

• Low p o w er on t he a i r c r a f t tr i g g e r s e sca l a t i n g a l a rm s at G C S at 3 5 % and 10%

l e v e l s.

• I f t he a u t o

- p il ot de t e c t s a l os t

- li n k t o t he G C S f o r l o n g er t han 3 0 secon d s, auto

pilot

- return to home p r ocedu r e b e g i ns.

• Ai r c r a f t has an on

- boa r d f a il s a f e t hat li m i t s speed i n t he e v ent of d i v e t o

app r o x i m a t e l y 14 m / s.

7 DroneWorks s t a f f ha v e pe r f o rm ed o v er 1

, 245 f l i g h t s, l og g i n g m o r e t han 200 h ou r s o f f l i g h t

t i m e wi t h t he p r edece s sor o f t he i1

, t he PV2

. D e v e l op m ent o f t he i1 i nc l uded 100 e a r l y

de m o / b e t a f l i g h t s. T h e s e f li g h t s a m ou n t ed t o a b out 25 hou r s

. T he r e ha v e been abo u t 300

tr a i n i ng f l i g h t s f o r t he i1

, t o t a li ng abo u t 75 hou r s. DroneWorks do es not k eep d a t a on f l i g h t s

cond u c t ed by cus t o m e r s

, b u t t hey a r e es t i m a t ed t o ha v e r e a c h ed w e l l o v er 1

, 000 hou r s

.- 6

- • T he a i r c r a f t

, w e i g h i ng l e ss t han 6 l bs

. , f u ll y l oa d e d, i s con s tr u c t ed o f Carbon Fiber

,

o r s i m il ar m a t e r i al to keep the craft as light as possible

. 8

• T he m o t or i s d r i v en by a pu l se w i d t h m odu l a t ed s i g na l , not an ana l o g s i g n a l

.

G i v en t hese s a f e t y f ea t u r es, DroneWorks p r oposes t h a t op e r a t o r s o f t he i1 s h ou l d not be

r e q u i r e d t o ho l d a c o mm e r c i al or p r i v a t e p il ot ce r t i f i ca t i o n

. I n s t ead, ope r a t o r s shou l d be

r e q u i r ed t o:

• ha v e succes s f u ll y co m p l e t ed, a t a m i n i m u m

, F A A p r i v a t e p il ot g r ound i n s tr u c t i on

and passed t he F A A P r i v a t e P il ot w r i tt en e x a m i na t i on or F A A

- r ec o g n i z ed

e q u i v a l en t s;

• ha v e co m p l e t ed t he m a nu f ac t u r e r ’ s t r a i n i ng p r o g r am f or op e r a t i on o f t he U AS

. T he

m an u f a c t u r e r ’ s t r a i n i ng p r o g r a m w il l h a v e been sa t i s f a c t o r il y r e v i e w ed t h r o u g h t h e

SA C p r oces s

.

DroneWorks no t es t hat t he F A A has f ound t hat s a f e t y f a c t o r s pe r m it t ed op e r a t i on o f UAS s by

ope r a t o r s w i t h t hese q u a li f i ca t i ons i n t he case o f ope r a t i ons p u r sua n t t o p ub li c C O A s w hen t he

m anda t o r y ope r a t i n g co n d i t i ons spec i f i ed abo v e w e r e p r esen t

. S ee Fed e r a l A v i a t i on

A d m i n i s tr a t i o n

, N o t i ce N

- 8900

. 227, U n m anned Ai r c r a f t S y s t e m s ( UAS ) O p e r a t i onal A pp r o v a l

, a t

20

- 21 ( Ju l y 30, 201 3 )

. The F A A has t he s t a t u t o r y au t h o r i t y t o g r a n t e x e m p t i ons t o t he

r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r and p r i v il e g es ass o c i a t ed w i t h t h e g r a n t o f a i r m en ’ s c e rt i f i ca t es. 4 9 US C

§44701 ( f )

.

* * *

I n s u m m a r y

, app li cant s e e k s an e x e m p t i on fr o m t he F AR s s e t f o r t h abo v e and i n A ppend i x A t o

a ll o w co mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons o f a s m a l l u n m ann e d v eh i c l e conduc t i ng p r e c i s i on ae r i al su r v e y s.

A p p r o v al of t he e x e m p t i o n a ll o wi ng c o mm e r c i al o pe r a t i ons o f t he i1 f o r p r ec i s i on su r v ey w o r k

wil l enhance s a f e t y by r e duc i ng r i s k

. C on v en t i o n al ae r i al su r v ey ope r a t i o ns, us i n g j e t o r

p i s t on

- po w e r ed a i r c r a f t p r esent r i s k s assoc i a t ed wi t h v eh i c l es t hat w e i g h i n t he ne i g hb o r hood o f

5

, 000 t o 7

, 000 l b s

. , or m o r e, ca r r y l a r g e q ua n t i t i es o f f ue l , passe n g e r s

, a n d, i n s o m e case s

,

ca r g o. S uch a i r c r a f t m u s t f l y t o and fr om t he su r v ey l oca t i on. I n con t r a s t , a i1 w e i g h i ng l ess

t han 6 l bs. and po w e r ed by ba tt e r i es e li m i na t es a po rt i on o f t hat r i s k g i v en t he r educed m ass

and l a c k o f c o m bu s t i b l e f uel ca rr i ed on bo a r d. T h e i1 i s c a rr i ed t o t he s u r v ey l oca t i on, not

f l o w n t h e r e. T he i1 w i l l ca rr y no passe n g e r s o r c r ew and, t he r e f o r e

, w il l not e x pose any

i nd i v i dua l s t o t he r i s k s a s soc i a t ed w i t h m anned a i r c r a f t f l i g h t s.

A dd i t i ona l l y

, no na t i onal secu r i t y i ssue i s r a i sed b y t he g r a n t o f t he r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i ons.

G i v en t he s i z e, l oad ca rry i ng capac i t y

, speed at w h i ch i t ope r a t e s

, and t h e f a c t t hat i t ca r r i es no

e x p l os i v es or o t h e r da n ge r ous m a t e r i a l s, t he i1 poses no t h r e a t t o n a t i onal secu r i t y

.

8 DroneWorks h a s ca l cu l a t ed t he po t e n t i al ene r g y i n f l y i ng t he i1

. B ased on a m a x i m um speed

i n descent o f 2 m / s bu il t i n t o t he au t op il ot and t he i1 ’ s m ass o f 5.5lbs

, t he s e ca l cu l a t i ons y i e l d

300 Jou l es o f en e r g y

. A pp l y i ng t he C anad i an r e gu l a t o r y s t and a r d o f en e r g y / a r ea, t he i1 i s

ca l cu l a t ed t o be 5

. 9 J / cm 2. C anada i s p r opos i n g t o app l y no r e g u l a t i on t o a UA S be l ow 15

J / c m 2.T he ope r a t i on o f t he i1

, w e i g h i ng l ess t han 6 l bs

. , f o r p r ec i s i on s u r v e y s i n

acc o r dance w i t h t he s tr i c t cond i t i ons ou t l i ned abo v e, w il l p r ov i de an e q u i v a l ent l e v el

of s a f e t y suppo rt i n g t he

g r ant o f t he e x e m p t i ons r e q ue s t ed h e r e i n, i nc l ud i ng e x e m p t i n g DroneWorks fr o m t he

r e q u i r e m en t s o f

P a r t 2 1

.

T he i1 ’ s sa t i s f ac t i on o f t he c r i t e r i a s e t f o r t h i n S ec t i on 333 o f t he R e f orm A c t

— s i z e,

w e i g h t , speed, op e r a t i n g capab ili t i es, l a c k o f p r o x i m i t y t o a i r po rt s and popu l a t ed a r eas,

op e r a t i on w i t h i n v i sual l i ne o f s i g h t

, a nd n a t i onal secu r i t y

— and i t s sho w i ng o f an

e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y as i t m ay r e l a t e t o t he r e q u i r e m ent f o r a pi l o t ’ s li cense,

p r o v i de m o r e t han ad e qua t e j us t i f i c a t i on f or t he g r ant o f t he r e q u e s t e d e x e m p t i ons

a ll o w i ng c o mm e r c i al ope r a t i on o f t he i1 i n t he co mm e r c i al p r e c i s i on ae r i al su r v ey

bus i ness.

V e r y

tr u l y

y ou r s,

Luis Cardenas

.

A PP END I X A

EXE M P T IO N RE Q UEST A N D E Q U I V A L E N T L E VEL O F S A F E T Y SH O W I N G S UNDE R

A P P L I C A B LE RU L ES S UB J E C T T O EXE M P T IO N

DroneWorks r e q u e s t s an e x e m p t i on fr o m t he f o ll o w i ng r e g u l a t i ons as w e l l as a ny

add i t i onal r e g u l a t i ons t hat m ay t e c hn i ca l l y app l y t o t he op e r a t i on o f t he i1 :

14 C

. F

. R

. § 45

. 2 3 ( b ) : M ark i ng o f t he A i rcra f t

T he r e g u l a t i on p r o v i des:

W he n m a r k s i nc l ude on l y t he R o m an cap i t al l e tt e r “ N ” and t he r e g i s tr a t i on

nu m ber i s d i sp l a y ed on li m i t ed, r e s t r i c t ed o r l i g ht

- spo r t ca t e g o r y a i r c r a f t or

e x pe r i m en t al or p r o v i s i ona l l y ce rt i f i c a t ed a i r c r a f t

, t he op e r a t o r m u s t a l so d i sp l ay

on t h a t a i r c r a f t near each en t r ance t o t he cab i n, c oc k p i t , or p il ot s t a t i on, i n l e tt e r s

not l ess t han 2 i nch es n o r m o r e t han 6 i nches h i gh, t he w o r ds “ li m i t ed

, ”

“r e s tr i c t e d

, ” “ l i g h t

- spo r t

, ” “ e x pe r i m en t a l, ” o r “ p r o v i s i ona l

, ” as app li cab l e.

T he i1 has n o e n tr an c e t o t he cab i n, co c k p it

, o r p il ot s t a t i on on w h i ch t h e w o r d “ E x pe r i m en t a l ”

can be p l ace d

. G i v en t h e s i z e o f t he UAV

, t w o

- i nch l e tt e r i n g w il l be i m poss i b l e. T he w o r d

“ E x pe r i m en t a l ” w il l be p l aced on t he f o r w a r d f us e l a g e i n co m p li ance w i t h § 45

. 2 9 ( f)

.

T he e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be ach i e v ed by ha v i ng t he i1 m a r k ed on i t s f o r w a r d

f use l a g e as r e q u i r e d by § 45

. 2 9 ( f ) w he r e t he p il o t

, obs e r v e r

, and o t he r s w o r k i ng w i t h t he UA V

wil l see t he i den t i f i c a t i on o f t he UA S as “ E x pe r i m e n t a l

. ” T he F A A has i ss u ed t he f o ll o w i nge x e m p t i ons t o t h i s r e g u l a t i on t o DroneWorks. E x e m p t i o n N o. 1070 0 , and t o o t h e r s, i nc l ud i ng

E x e m p t i on N os. 87 3 8, 1 0167 and 10167 A

.

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 2 1, S ubpart H : A i r w o r t h i ness C er t i fi c a t es

14 C FR § 9 1

. 203 ( a )( 1 )

S ec t i on 91

. 20 3 ( a ) ( 1) r e qui r es a l l c i v i l a i r c r a f t t o h a v e a ce rt i f i c a t e o f a i r w o rt h i ness. P a r t 21,

S ubpa r t H

, e n t i t l ed Ai r w o rt h i ness C e rt i f i c a t e s

, e s t ab li shes t he p r ocedu r al r e q u i r e m en t s f or t he

i ssuance o f a i r w o rt h i ne s s ce r t i f i ca t e s as r e q u i r ed by F A R § 91

. 20 3 ( a )( 1 )

. G i v en t he s i z e o f t he

a i r c r a f t ( 5

. 5 l b s

. ) and t he l i m i t ed op e r a t i n g a r ea a s soc i a t ed w i t h i t s u t ili z a t i o n, i t i s unnece s sa r y t o

g o t h r o u g h t he c e rt i f i c a t e o f a i r w o rt h i ness p r ocess under P a r t 21 S ubpa r t H t o ach i e v e or

e x ceed cu rr e n t s a f e t y l e v e l s.

S uch an e x e m p t i on m e e t s t he r e q u i r e m e n t s o f an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y under P a r t 11 and

S ec t i on 333 o f t he R e f o r m A c t

. T he Fed e r al A v i a t i on A ct and S e c t i on 333 o f t he R e f o r m A c t

bo t h a u t ho r i z e t he F A A t o e x e m pt a i r c r a f t fr om t h e r e q u i r e m ent f o r an a i r w o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e,

upon cons i de r a t i on o f t h e s i z e, w e i g h t , speed, o p e r a t i onal capab ili t y

, and p r o x i m i t y t o a i r po r t s

and popu l a t ed a r eas o f t he UA S i n v o l v ed.

I n t h i s cas e

, an ana l y s i s o f t hese c r i t e r i a de m o ns t r a t es t h a t t he i1 ope r a t ed w i t hout an

a i r w o rt h i ness ce r t i f i c a t e , under t he cond i t i ons p r o posed he r e i n, w il l be at l east as s a f e, or s a f e r

, t han a con v en t i onal a i r c r a f t ( f i x ed w i ng or r o t o r c r a f t ) w i t h an a i r w o rt h i ness ce rt i f i c a t e. T he i1- 2

- w e i g hs l ess t han 6 l b s

. f u l l y l oaded. I t w il l not ca rr y a p il ot or passe n g er, wil l not ca rr y

f l a mm ab l e f ue l , and w il l ope r a t e e x c l us i v e l y wi t h i n an a r ea p r e

- d i sc l osed and i n c o m p li ance w i t h

cond i t i ons set f o r t h h e r e i n. O p e r a t i ons under t h i s e x e m p t i on w il l be t i g h t l y con tr o ll ed and

m on i t o r ed by bo t h t he o p e r a t o r , pu r sua n t t o t he c ond i t i ons set f o rt h abo v e, and by l ocal pub li c

s a f e t y r e q u i r e m e n t s. T h e F A A w i l l ha v e ad v ance no t i ce o f a l l ope r a t i ons t h r o u g h t he f ili n g o f

N O T A M s. R ece i pt o f t he p r i or pe r m i ss i on o f t he l and o w ne r

, t h e s i z e o f t h e a i r c r a f t

, t he l a c k o f

f l a mm ab l e f ue l

, and t he f act t hat t he a i r c r a f t i s ca r r i ed t o t he l oca t i on and n ot f l o w n t h e r e a l l

es t ab li sh t he e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y

. T he i1 cons tr u c t i on w i t h abso r b ent m a t e r i al p r o v i des at

l east an e q u i v a l ent l evel o f s a f e t y t o t hat o f su c h ope r a t i ons be i n g con d uc t ed w i t h con v en t i onal

a i r c r a f t t hat w ou l d be o r de r s

- o f

- m a gn i t ude l a r g er and w ou l d be ca r r y i ng passen g e r s

, c a r g o,

and fl a mm ab l e f ue l

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 61

. 11 3 ( a) & ( b ) ; 6 1

. 133 ( a ) : P r i v a t e P il ot P r i v il eges and L i m i t a t i ons; P il o t i n

C ommand; C o m merc i a l Pi l ot P r i v il eges and L i m i t a t i ons.

S ec t i on 61

. 11 3 ( a) & ( b) li m i t p r i v a t e p il o t s t o no n

- c o mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons. U n li k e a co n v en t i onal

a i r c r a f t t hat c a rr i es a p il o t , passe n g e r s, and c a r g o

, t he i1 i n t h i s case i s r e m o t e l y con t r o ll ed wi t h

no passe n g e r s or p r ope rt y o f o t h e r s on bo a r d. S ec t i on 6 1

. 133 ( a ) r e qu i r es an i nd i v i dual wi t h a

c o m m e r c i al p il o t ’ s li cense t o be p il ot i n co m m an d o f an a i r c r a f t f or c o m pensa t i on or h i r e.

DroineWorks r e spec t f u ll y p r oposes t h a t ope r a t or r e q u i r e m en t s shou l d t a k e i n t o account t he

cha r ac t e r i s t i cs o f t he pa r t i cu l ar UAS

. DroneWorks’ i1 h a s a h i g h d e g r ee o f p r e

- p r o g r a mm ed

con tr ol and v a r i ous bu il t

- i n t ech n i cal capab ili t i es t h at s tr i c t l y li m i t t he po t e n t i al f or ope r a t i on

ou t s i de o f t he op e r a t i n g cond i t i ons set f o r t h i n t he e x e m p t i on app li ca t i on.

T he i1 has a s e m i

- a u t ono m ous na v i g a t i on and con t r ol s y s t e m c o m p r i s e d o f a Gr ound C on t r ol

S t a t i on (G CS ) and au t o

- p il ot s y s t e m

. Al l f li g h t s can p r e

- p r o g r a mm ed w i t h p r ec i s i on G P S

g u i dance and do not r e qu i r e hu m an i n t e r v en t i on. F li g ht m i ss i on a r ea and r ou t i n g can be

chan g ed a ft er l aunch. I n t he c a se o f unp l anned e v en t s

, t he ope r a t or i npu t s e v as i v e m aneu v e r s

fr o m t he c o n t r ol un i t , and t he con t r ol u n i t e x ecu t es t hat m aneu v e r

. P r e

- p r o g r a mm ed ope r a t o r

i n t e r v en t i ons i nc l ude d i v e r s i on t o t he r i gh t ; i n i t i a t i on o f ho l d i ng at p r esent pos i t i on; suspens i on o f

m i ss i o n ; f l y back t o l aunch po i n t ; f l y t o po i nt and ho l d; abo r t m i ss i o n and l and;

and e m e r g ency po w er c ut o f f and l and ( F li g h t T e rm i na t i on S y s t e m )

.

A dd i t i onal au t o m a t ed s a f e t y f unc t i ons and s a f e t y enhanc i ng f e a t u r es o f t h e i1 i nc l ude t he

f o ll o wi n g :

• A u t o

- p il ot d e t ec t i on o f l ost G P S o r o f i ns u ff i c i ent s a t e lli t es i n i t i a t es a n i mm ed i a t e

sp i r al l and i n g

.

• Low p o w er on t he a i r c r a f t tr i g g e r s e sca l a t i n g a l a rm s at G C S at 3 5 % and 10%

l e v e l s.

• I f t he a u t o

- p il ot de t e c t s a l os t

- li n k t o t he G C S f o r l o n g er t han 3 0 secon d s, l and i n g

p r ocedu r e b e g i ns.

• Ai r c r a f t has an on

- boa r d f a i l s a f e t hat li m i t s speed i n t he e v ent of d i v e t o

app r o x i m a t e l y 2 m / s.

• T he a i r c r a f t

, w e i g h i ng l e ss t han 6 l bs

. , f u ll y l oa d ed, i s con s tr u c t ed o f Carbon Fiber

or similar material- 3

- • T he m o t or i s d r i v en by a pu l se w i d t h m odu l a t ed s i g na l , not an ana l o g s i g n a l

.

G i v en t hese s a f e t y f ea t u r es, DroneWorks p r oposes t h a t op e r a t o r s o f t he i1 s h ou l d not be

r e q u i r e d t o ho l d a c o mm e r c i al or p r i v a t e p il ot ce r t i f i ca t i o n

. I n s t ead, ope r a t o r s shou l d be

r e q u i r ed t o:

• ha v e succes s f u ll y co m p l e t ed, a t a m i n i m u m

, F A A p r i v a t e p il ot g r ound i n s tr u c t i on

and passed t he F A A P r i v a t e P il ot w r i tt en e x a m i na t i on or F A A

- r ec o g n i z ed

e q u i v a l en t s;

• ha v e co m p l e t ed t he m a nu f ac t u r e r ’ s t r a i n i ng p r o g r am f or op e r a t i on o f t he U A S

. T he

m an u f a c t u r e r ’ s tr a i n i ng p r o g r a m w il l h a v e been sa t i s f a c t o r il y r e v i e w ed t h r o u g h t h e

SA C p r oces s

.

DroneWorks no t es t hat t he F A A has f ound t hat s a f e t y f a c t o r s pe r m it t ed op e r a t i on o f UAS s by

ope r a t o r s w i t h t hese q u a li f i ca t i ons i n t he case o f ope r a t i ons p u r sua n t t o p ub li c C O A s w he r e t he

m anda t o r y ope r a t i n g co n d i t i ons spec i f i ed abo v e a r e p r esen t

. S ee Fed e r al A v i a t i on

A d m i n i s tr a t i o n

, N o t i ce N

- 8900

. 227, U n m anned Ai r c r a f t S y s t e m s ( UAS ) O p e r a t i onal A pp r o v a l

, a t

20

- 21 ( Ju l y 30, 201 3 )

. The F A A has t he s t a t u t o r y au t h o r i t y

, g r a n t ed at 49 U

. S

. C

. §4470 1 ( f ) t o

w a i v e t he p il ot r e q u i r e m e n t s f or c o mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons.

G i v en t hese c o nd i t i ons a nd r e s tr i c t i ons, an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be p r o v i ded by a ll o w i ng ope r a t i on o f t he i1

w i t hout a p r i v a t e p il o t ’ s c e rt i f ic a t e o r a c o mm e r c i al p il o t ’ s c e rt i f i c a t e, under t he cond i t i ons s e t f o r

t h h e r e i n.

T he r i s k s assoc i a t ed w i t h t he ope r a t i on o f t he i1 ( g i v en i t s s i z e, spe e d, ope r a t i onal capab ili t i es,

and l a c k o f c o m bus t i b l e f ue l ) a r e so d i m i n i shed f r o m t he l e v el o f r i s k a s s o c i a t ed wi t h p r i v a t e

p il ot op e r a t i o ns or c o mm e r c i al ope r a t i ons con t e m p l a t ed by P a r t 61 w i t h con v en t i onal a i r c r a f t

( f i x ed w i ng or r o t o r c r a ft )

, t hat a ll o wi ng ope r a t i ons o f t h e UA S as s e t f o rt h abo v e m ee t s or

e x ceeds t he p r ese n t l e v el o f s a f e t y p r o v i ded under 14 C

. F

. R

. § 61

. 113 ( a) & ( b) and does n o t

r i se t o t he l e v el of r e q u i r i n g a c o m m e r c i al p il ot t o ope r a t e t he a i r c r a f t under

§ 61

. 13 3 ( a )

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 7 ( a ) : C i v i l a i r c ra f t a i r w o r t h i nes s

.

T h i s r e g u l a t i on r e q u i r es t hat no pe r son m ay ope r a t e a c i v i l a i r c r a f t un l ess i t i s i n a i r w o rt hy

cond i t i on. S hou l d t he e x e m p t i o n be g r a n t ed a ll o wi ng c o mm e r c i al ope r a t i on o f t he i1 w i t hout an

a i r w o rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e, no s t anda r d w il l e x i st f or a i r w o rt h i ness o f t he i1

. G i v en t he s i z e o f t he

a i r c r a f t and t he r e q u i r e m e n t s t hat ha v e p r es u m ab l y a l r eady been m e t i n t he SA C ap p r o v al

p r o cess f o r t he i1 ( f o r i ns t ance, t he I1’s M a i n t enance & I nspe c t i on M a nual and S a f e t y C hec k li s t )

,

an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be a c h i e v ed by i nsu r i ng co m p l i ance w i t h t he DroneWorks

m anua l s p r i or t o each f l i g h t

.- 4

- 14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 9 ( b ) ( 2 ) : C i v i l A i rcra f t F li g h t M a nual i n t he A i rcra f t

.

T he r e g u l a t i on p r o v i des:

N o pe r son m ay ope r a t e a U

. S.

- r e g i s t e r ed c i v i l a i r c r a f t

...

( 2) For w h i ch an Ai r p l ane or R o t o r c r a f t F li g h t M anual i s not r e q u i r ed by §21

. 5

o f t h i s cha p t e r

, un l ess t h e r e i s a v a il ab l e i n t he a i r c r a f t a cu r r ent ap p r o v ed

a i r p l ane or R o t o r c r a f t F l i g h t M anua l

, app r o v ed m anual m a t e r i a l

, m a r k i n g s

, and

p l aca r ds, or any co m b i n a t i on t h e r e o f

.

G i v en t he s i z e and co n f i g u r a t i on o f t he i1

, i t h a s no ab ili t y or p l ace t o c a rr y such a f l i g ht

m anual on t he a i r c r a f t

, n ot on l y because t he r e i s no p il ot on b oa r d

, b u t b e cause t h e r e i s no

r oom or capac i t y t o c a rr y such an i t e m on t he a i r c r a ft

.

T he e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be ach i e v ed by k eep i n g t he f li g h t m anual ( se e

, e

. g

. , U s er

G u i de, E x h i b i t 4) at t he g r ound co n tr ol po i n t w he r e t he p il ot f l y i ng t he UA S w i l l ha v e i mm ed i a t e

access t o it

. T he F A A h as i ssued t o DroneWorks and o t h e r s t he f o ll o w i ng e x e m p t i ons t o t h i s

r e g u l a t i on: E x e m p t i on N os. 860 7

, 873 7

, 8 738, 9 2 99, 9299 A

, 956 5

, 9565 B , 10167, 10167 A

, 10602, 3282 7

, and 107 0 0.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 10 9 ( a) & 91

. 319 ( a )( 1 ) : F li g h t I n s t ruc t i on

T hese r e g u l a t i ons p r o v i de t h a t no pe r son m ay ope r a t e a c i v i l a i r c r a f t ( e x cept a m anned fr ee

ba ll oon) t hat i s be i n g us e d f o r f l i g ht i ns t r u c t i on un l ess t h a t a i r c r a f t has f u ll y f unc t i on i n g dual

con tr o l s

.

T he i1 i s a r e m o t e l y p il o t ed a i r c r a f t and by des i g n

, has f u ll y f u nc t i onal dual

con tr o l s

. F li g ht co n tr ol i s acc o m p li shed t h r o u g h t he use o f a co n tr ol box t hat c o m m un i ca t es w i t h

t he a i r c r a f t v i a r ad i o co m m un i ca t i ons. T he f l i g ht p l an can be p r e

- p r o g r a m m ed i n t o t he a u t o p il ot

b e f o r e f li g h t a nd on l y i n unusual c i r cu m s t anc e s wil l t he p il ot i nput con t r ol f un c t i ons t o a l t e r t he

p r e

- p r o g r a mm ed f l i g h t

. I f i ns t r u c t i on i s acc o m p l i s hed t h r o u g h a t r a i n i ng p r og r a m

, as s e t f o r t h i n

E x h i b i t 2, an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be as s u r ed. T he F A A has app r o v ed e x e m p t i ons f or

f l i g ht t r a i n i ng w i t hout f u l l y f un c t i onal dual co n tr o l s f o r a nu m b e r o f a i r c r a f t and f o r f l i g ht

i ns tr u c t i on i n e x pe r i m en t al a i r c r a f t

. S ee E x e m p t i on N os. 5778K & 9862 A

. T he e q u i v a l ent l e v el

o f s a f e t y w il l be ach i e v ed by t he m an u f ac t u r er p r o v i d i ng t he tr a i n i ng as ou t l i ned, f o r e x a m p l e, i n

E x h i b i t 2 and t h r o u g h t he use o f e x pe r i enced and q ua l i f i ed p il o t s f a m ili ar w it h t he i1.

14 C FR § 9 1

. 119: M i n i mum S a f e A ltit udes

S ec t i on 91

. 119 e s t ab l i shes s a f e a l t i t ud e s f or ope r a t i on o f c i v i l a i r c r a f t

. S p ec i f i ca ll y

, 91

. 11 9 ( c)

li m i t s a i r c r a f t f l y i ng o v er a r eas o t her t han co n g e s t ed a r eas t o an a l t i t ude o f 500 f eet abo v e t he

su r f ac e

, e x cept o v er op e n w a t er or sp a r se l y popu l a t ed a r ea s

. I n t hose c a ses, t h e a i r c r a f t m ay

not be ope r a t ed c l os e r t h an 500 f eet t o any pe r s o n, v esse l

, v eh i c l e, or s tr u c t u r e

.

A s set f o rt h he r e i n

, t he i1 w il l ne v er ope r a t e a t h i g her t han 400 f eet A G L. I t w ill

, ho w e v e r

, be

ope r a t ed t o a v o i d con g e s t ed o r popu l a t ed a r eas t hat a r e dep i c t ed i n y e ll ow on V FR sec t i onalcha rt s

. B ecause ae r i al s u r v ey w o r k m u s t be acc o m p li shed at r e l a t i v e l y l o w a l t i t udes and a t

a l t i t udes l ess t han 500 f e et A G L, an e x e m p t i on fr o m S e c t i on 91

. 1 19 ( c ) i s n eeded.

T he e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be ach i e v e d g i v en t he s i z e, w e i g h t , spe e d, and m a t e r i al w i t h

w h i ch t he i1 i s bu il t

. A l so, no f li g h t w il l be t a k en w i t hout t he pe r m i ss i on o f t he l and o w ner o r

t hose w ho con t r ol t he l a n d. B ecause o f t he ad v ance no t i ce t o t he l ando w n e r , a l l a f f e c t ed

i nd i v i dua l s w i l l be a w a r e o f t he s u r v ey f li gh t s

. C o m pa r ed t o ae r i al s u r v ey ope r a t i ons conduc t ed

wi t h a i r c r a f t or r o t o r c r a f t w e i g h i ng f a r m o r e t han 5

. 5 l bs. and ca r r y i ng f l a m m ab l e f ue l

, any ri sk

assoc i a t ed w i t h t he s e o p e r a t i ons w il l be f ar l ess t han t hose cu r r e n t l y a ll o w ed w i t h con v en t i onal

a i r c r a f t op e r a t i n g at or b e l o w 500 f e e t A G L. I nd e ed, t he l o w

- a l t i t ude op e r a t i ons o f t he UA S w il l

m a i n t a i n sep a r a t i on b e t w een t hese s m a l l

- UA S ope r a t i ons and t he op e r a t i o ns o f con v en t i onal

a i r c r a f t t hat m ust c o m p l y w i t h S ec t i on 91

. 11 9

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 15 1 ( a ) : Fuel R equ i reme n t s f or F li g h t i n V FR C on d i t i o n s

T h i s r e g u l a t i on p r oh i b i t s an i nd i v i du a l fr o m b e g i n n i ng “ a f l i g h t i n an a i r p l a n e under V FR

cond i t i ons unless ( cons i de r i ng w i nd and f o r ec a st w ea t her cond i t i on s ) t he r e i s eno u g h f uel t o f l y

t o t he f i r st po i nt o f i n t en d ed l and i ng an d , ass u m i ng no r m al c r u i s i ng speed

– ( 1 ) D u r i n g t he da y

, t o f l y a ft er t hat f o r a t l ea s t 30 m i nu t e s; or ( 2 ) A t n i g h t

, t o f l y a ft er t h a t f or at l east 45 m i nu t e s

. ”

T he i1 ba t t e r i es p r o v i de app r o x i m a t e l y 30 m i nu t es o f p o w e r ed f l i g h t

. W i t hout an e x e m p t i on fr o m

§ 14 C FR 9 1

. 15 1

, t he UAS’ s f li g h t s w ou l d be li m i t ed t o ap p r o x i m a t e l y 20 m i nu t es i n l e n g t h

. G i v en t he li m i t a t i ons on i t s p r oposed o pe r a t i ons a nd t he l oca t i on o f t hose p r oposed op e r a t i on s

,

a l on g e r t i m e fr a m e f o r f l i g h t i n da y li g ht V FR cond i t i ons i s r easonab l e.

DroneWorks be li e v es t hat an e x e m p t i on fr om 14 C FR § 91

. 15 1 ( a) i s s a f e and wi t h i n t he s cope

o f a p r i or e x e m p t i on. S ee E x e m p t i on 10673 ( a ll o w i ng Loc k heed M a rt i n C o r p o r a t i on t o ope r a t e

wi t hout c o m p li ance w i t h 91

. 151 ( a ) )

. O p e r a t i n g t h e s m a l l UAS

, w i t hout 30 m i nu t es o f r es e r v e

f uel does n o t e n g ender t he t y pe o f r i s k s t hat S ec ti on 91

. 151 ( a ) w as m ea n t t o p r e v ent g i v en t he

s i z e and speed at w h i ch t he UA S op e r a t e s

. T he f act t hat i t ca r r i es no p il o t , passe n g e r

, o r ca r g o

a l so enhances it s s a f e t y

. A dd i t i ona ll y

, li m i t i ng i1 f li g h t s t o 20 m i nu t es w ou l d g r ea t l y r educe t he i r

u t ili t y

. I n t he un l i k e l y e v ent t hat t he i1 sh o u l d r un o u t o f f ue l

, i t w ou l d s i m p l y l and. G i v en i t s

w e i g ht and con s tr u c t i on m a t e r i a l

, t he r i s k s a r e l ess t han co n t e m p l a t ed by t he cu r r ent r e g u l a t i on.

DroneWorks be li e v es t hat an e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y can be ach i e v ed by m a i n t a i n i ng 10

m i nu t es o f r ese r v e f ue l

, w h i ch, a l lo wi ng 30 m i nu t e s o f f l i g h t t i m e, w ou l d be m o r e t h a n ad e q ua t e

t o r e t u r n t he UA S t o it s p l anned l a nd i ng z one fr o m an y w h e r e i n it s op e r a t i n g a r ea.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 203 ( a ) & ( b ) : C arr y i ng C i v i l A i rcra f t C er t i f i ca t i on and R eg i s t r a ti on

T h i s r e g u l a t i on p r o v i des as f o ll o w s:

( a)

. . . no pe r son m ay ope r a t e a c i v i l a i r c r a f t un l ess i t has

. . . an ap p r op r i a t e

and cu r r ent a i r w o rt h i ne s s ce r t i f i ca t e

. ( b) N o pe r son m ay ope r a t e a c i v i l a i r c r a f t un l ess t he a i r w o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e

r e q u i r ed by pa r a g r aph ( a ) o f t h i s se c t i on o r a spe c i al f l i g ht au t h o r i z a t i on i ssued

under §9 1

. 715 i s d i sp l ayed at t he cab i n o r co c kp i t en t r ance so t hat i t i s l e g i b l e t o

passen g e r s or c r e w

.T he i1 f u ll y l oaded w e i g hs no m o r e t h an 6 l bs. A s such, t he r e i s no ab ilit y or p l ace t o c a rr y

ce rt i f i c a t i on and r e g i s t r a t i on docu m e n t s or t o d i sp l ay t hem on t he UAS

. I n add i t i on

, t h e r e i s no

p il ot on boa r d t he a i r c r a f t

.

A n e q u i v a l ent l e v el o f s a f e t y w i l l be ach i e v ed by k eep i ng t hese docu m e n t s at t he g r ound con t r ol

po i nt w he r e t he p il ot f l y i ng t he UA S w i l l ha v e i m m ed i a t e access t o t he m

. T he F A A has i ssued

nu m e r ous e x e m p t i ons t o t h i s r e g u l a t i on. A r e p r e s en t a t i v e sa m p l e o f o t h e r e x cep t i ons i nc l udes

E x e m p t i on N os. 95 6 5, 9 665, 978 9

, 9789 A

, 979 7 , 9797 A , 9816 A

, a nd 10 7 00.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91

. 40 5 ( a ) ; 4 07 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 409 ( a )( 2 ) ; 417 ( a ) : M a i n t enance I nsp e c ti ons

S ec t i on 91

. 40 5 ( a) r e q u i r es t h a t an a i r c r a f t op e r a t or o r o w ner “ sha l l ha v e t hat a i r c r a f t i nspe c t ed

as p r e s c r i bed i n subpa r t E o f t h i s p a r t and sha l l be t w een r e q u i r ed i nspe c t i ons, e x cept as

p r o v i ded i n pa r a gr aph ( c ) o f t h i s se c t i on, ha v e d i sc r epanc i es r epa i r ed a s p r esc r i bed i n pa r t 43 o f

t h i s cha p t er . . .

. ” S ec t i o n 91

. 407 s i m il a r l y m a k es r e f e r ence t o r e q u i r e m e n t s i n P a r t 43; S ec t i on

91

. 409 ( a )( 2 ) r e q u i r es an annual i nspec t i on f or t he i ssuance o f an a i r w o rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e.

S ec t i on 91

. 41 7 ( a) r e q u i r es t he o w ner or ope r a t or t o k eep r eco r d s sh o w i ng ce r t a i n m a i n t enance

w o r k t hat has been acc o m p li shed by ce r t i f i ca t ed m echan i cs, under P a r t 4 3, o r li censed p il o t s

and r ec o r ds o f app r o v al o f t he a i r c r a f t f o r r e t u r n t o se r v i ce.

M a i n t enance o f t he i1 wil l be acco m p li shed by t he o w ne r/ ope r a t o r pu r s u ant t o t he m anua l s,

such as E x h i b i t 3, p r o v i d ed by DroneWorks

. A n e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y w i l l be ach i e v ed

because t he UA S i s s m a l l i n s i z e, wil l ca rr y no e x t e r nal pa y l oad, w i l l ope r a t e on l y i n r es t r i c t ed

p r ede t e rm i ned a r eas a n d i s not a co m p l ex m e c h an i ca l de v i se. A s p r o v i d ed i n t he a t t ached

M a i n t enance M anual a n d t he S a f e t y C hec k li s t

, t he ope r a t or o f i1 w il l ensu r e t h a t t h e UA S i s i n

w o r k i ng o r d e r p r i o r t o i n i t i a t i n g f l i g h t

, p e r f o r m r e q u i r ed m a i n t enanc e

, and k eep a l og o f any

m a i n t ena n c e t h a t i s pe r f o r m e d. M o r e o v e r

, t he ope r a t o r i s t he pe r son m ost f a m ili ar w i t h t he

a i r c r a f t and i s best su i t ed t o m a i n t a i n t he a i r c r a f t i n an a i r w o rt h y cond i t i on and t o ens u r e an

e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y

.

A PP END I X B

SU M M A R Y O F DRONEWORKS SEC T IO N 333 EXE M PT IO N RE Q UEST

Dr oneWorks he r eby p r o v i des pu r suant t o P a r t 11 a s u mm a r y o f i t s e x e m p t i on

app li ca t i on t o a ll o w co mm e r c i al ope r a t i on o f t he i1 u n m anned a i r c r a f t i n p r ec i s i on ae r i al

su r v ey w o r k. A n e x e m p t i on i s r e q u e s t ed fr om t he f o ll o w i ng r e g u l a t i ons:

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 21;

1 4 C

. F

. R

. 4 5

. 23 ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1

. 113 ( a ) & ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1

. 133 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 7 ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 9 ( b )( 2 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 109 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 119;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 151 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 203 ( a ) & ( b ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 405 ( a ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 407 ( a )( 1 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 409 ( a )( 2 ) ;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 417 ( a )

.