1

April!1,!2016

U.S.!Department!of!Transportation

Docket!Operations!M=30

West!Building!Ground!Floor,!Room!w12=140

1200!New!Jersey!Ave.,!SE

Washington,!DC!20590

Re:!Exemption!Request!Under!Section!333!of!the!FAA!Reform!Act!and!Part!11!of!the!

Federal Aviation!Regulations

Dear!Madam,!Sir,

Pursuant!to!Section!333!of the!FAA!Modernization!and!Reform!Act!of 2012!(the!

"Reform!Act") and!14!C.F.R.!Part!11,!Mount!Shasta!Aerial!Imagery!("MSAI"),!an!

operator!of the DJI!Matrice!100 ("Matrice"), seeks!an!exemption!from the!Federal!

Aviation!Regulations!("FARs")!listed!below:

•!14!C.F.R.!21

•!14!C.F.R.!45.23

•!14!C.F.R!45.29

•!14!C.F.R.!61.133(a)

•!14!C.F.R.!91.7(b)

•!14!C.F.R.!91.9(b)(2)

•!14!C.F.R.!91.109(a)

•!14!C.F.R.!91.119

•!14!C.F.R.!91.151(a)

•!14!C.F.R.!91.203(a)!&!(b)

•!14!CFR!Subpart!E!(91.401= 91.417)

MSAI!is!comprised!of!commercial!pilots,!biological,!environmental,!and!ecological

research!scientists,!environmental!education!instructors, and!Geographic!

Information!Systems!(GIS)!and!software!specialists!trained!in!working!in!the!land!

management,!education!and!environmental!fields.!In!addition,!MSAI!is!partnered!

with!a!team!of!medical!professionals!focused!on!remote!medical!care!and!disaster!

relief.!Our!pilots have!over!5!years!of!experience!that includes!flying!unmanned!

aircraft.!The!requested!exemption!would!authorize!commercial operations!using!the!

Matrice for!aerial!data!collection!for!the!purposes!of!land!mapping!and!search!and!

rescue.

These!operations!will!be!subject!to!strict!operating!requirements!defined!in!the!

Matrice User!Manual and!conditions!defined!by!the!Safety Code!of!the!Academy of!

Model!Aeronautics!(see!Appendix B),!in!order!to!ensure!at!least!an equivalent!level!

of!safety!to!currently!authorized!operations!using!manned!aircrafts.
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The!Matrice will!be!operated!by!an!individual!who!fulfill!the!following!

requirements:

• Has!been!trained!by!a!flight!instructor!who!has!successfully!passed!a!UAS!

manufacturer's!training!program;

• Has!a!Private!Pilot!license.

1.#CHARACTERISTICS#OF#THE#AIRCRAFT

The!Matrice is!a small!(25.5 inches between!rotors)!and!ultra=light!(maximum!take=

off!weight!of!7.9 pounds), and!made!of!composite materials.!This aircraft!performs

pre=programmed!precision!aerial!mapping!missions!thanks!to on=board!GPS!and!the!

related!flight!management!software!that!allows!the!operator!to!plan!safely and!

efficiently!a!mission!in!3D,!and!then!monitor!it!in!real=time.!The!Matrice takes high=

definition!video!and!photos!that!is!used!later!to generate!maps,!photographs,!and!

contour!lines!of!the!surveyed area.!The!Matrice!is!capable!of!carrying a!thermal!

camera!that!can!map!heat,!thus!being!a!cutting!edge!tool!for!search!and!rescue. In!

addition,!the!longer!flight!time!per!battery!could!allow!for!longer!search!times.

The!four!main!characteristics!of!the!Matrice are:

a.!Very!light!weight

The!Matrice!is so!light!that!the!operator!can!launch!it by!hand!and!let!it land on!

almost!any!surface!without!requiring!a!parachute!or!landing!net.!Its!low!impact!

energy!in!case of!a!controlled!emergency!landing,!also!significantly!reduces!the!risk!

of!hazardous!situations. The!rotor!arms!of!the!Matrice are!rounded!and!made!of!

plastic!with!no!sharp edges.

b.!Electric=powered

The!Matrice is electric!powered.!The!four!motors!are!very quiet!and!reliable.

c.!Semi=automatic!flight

The!artificial!intelligence!incorporated!within!the!Matrice autopilot!system

continuously!analyzes!data!from!the!Inertial!Measurement!Unit!and!from!the!

onboard!GPS!and takes!care!of!all!the!aspects!of!the!flight!under!the!supervision!of!

the!operator.

d.!Option!for!Manual!control

Additionally,!the!Matrice provides an!override!capability!that!allows!the!operator!to

take!manual!actions!during!the!flight!(Go!to!Home,!Go!Land,!Hold!and!Resume!the!

mission)!and also!suspend!automated!operations!and!take!manual!control!of!the!
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aircraft!should!it!become necessary!to!respond!to!emergent!circumstances,!thanks!

to!the!remote!controller!provided!with!the system.

2.#APPLICATIONS

The!aircraft!will!be!utilized!for!gathering!scientific!data!(biological,!ecological,

environmental,!and!land!assessment) for!forestry management,!biological!research!

and!restoration,!and!education=related!studies!and!projects.!In!addition,!the!thermal!

imaging!will!be!used!for!search!and!rescue.

Those!data!will!be!used!for!creating!highly!accurate maps!and!for!pin!pointing!the!

location!of!lost!individuals!for!rescue.!In!addition,!the!aircraft!will!allow!gathering!of

scientific!data!in!areas!where!access!to!the!terrain!is!difficult!or!dangerous,!thus!

increasing!the!safety!of!the!scientists,!medics and!professionals.

Additionally,!the!use!of the!Matrice will!negate!the!need!for!conventional!manned!

helicopters in!many!situations,!thus,!reducing!risk!to!pilot!and!passenger!of!the

helicopter,!and!personnel!on!the!ground.!The!use!of!UAV!will!also reduce!the!need!

for conventional!aircraft!in!gathering!photogrammetric!data, thus!improving!public!

safety. The!use!of!UAV!will!also!reduce!the!amount!of!greenhouse!gas!emissions!

from!conventional!aircraft!for!jobs!that!now!can!be!performed!with!battery!

operated!UAV!equipment,!a!benefit!to!public!health!and!safety.

3.#APPLICABLE#LEGAL#STANDARD#UNDER#SECTION#333

a.!Operating!Requirements

Grant!of!the!exemption!to!MSAI!for!the Matrice will!be!subject!to!the!following

operating!conditions,!based!on!the!operating!conditions!set!forth!by!the!Academy!of!

Model Aeronautics!(see!Appendix!B).!The!main!restrictions!are!summarized!below:

• Operations!to!be!conducted!over!private!or!public!controlled=access!property!

where approved;

• Permission!from!the!land!owner/authority!required!before!commencing!any!

flight;

• Operations!over!congested!areas!shall!be!avoided;

• Operations!must!not!interfere!with!manned!aircraft!operations,!must!yield!

the!right!of!way to!manned!aircraft,!and!operators!must!See!&!Avoid!other!

aircraft!and!obstacles!at!all times.!Use!of!an!ADS=B!receiver!by!the!VO!will!

assist!in!monitoring!the!presence!of!other proximal!aircraft;

• Operations!limited!to!Visual!Flight!Rules!Meteorological!Conditions!(VMC)!

and!daylight hours;

• Aircraft!operations!must!remain!within Visual!Line!of!Sight!(VLOS)!and!will!

be!visually monitored!at!all!times;

• VLOS!guaranteed!with!a!GPS!geo=fence!around!operator!of 0.5!miles;
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• Flight!ceiling!pre=programed!at!400!feet;

• All!operations!conducted!within!5!miles!from!an!airport!shall!only!be!

initiated!after!verbal coordination!with!the!airport!authority,!or!air!traffic!

control!when!a!control!tower!is present!at!the!airport;

• All!operations!shall!comply!with!required!permissions!and!permits!

established!by territorial,!state,!county!or!city!jurisdictions;!including!local!

law!enforcement,!fire,!or!other appropriate!governmental!agencies;

• The!Matrice operations!will!be compliant!with!existing!safety!procedures

inherent!to!the!activities!of!the!related!company.

b.!Operator!Requirements

The!Matrice Pilot!in!Command (PIC)!will!have!a!Private!Pilot!license.!The!PIC!and

Visual!Observer!(VO)!will!meet!the!requirements!outlined!in!FAA!Policy!N!8900.227!

Section!16 Personnel!Qualifications.!Additionally,!the!PIC!and!VO!will!perform!

maintenance!on!the!system and!will!complete!a!course!of!maintenance!instruction!

as!part!of!their!initial!training.!Due!to!the simplicity!of!the!system,!we!do!not!

anticipate!the!need!for!a!supplemental!pilot!in!the!field.

3.#CONCLUSION

We!submit!that!the!combination!of!the!aircrafts'!light!weight,!historically!

demonstrated!flight performance,!fully!qualified!flight!crew!and!strict!operation!

under!the!guidelines!established in!8900.227,!the!FAA!can!have!confidence!that!the!

operation!will!have!an!equivalent!or greater!level!of!safety!of!manned!aircraft!

performing!the!same!mission.

The!name!and!contact!information!of!the!applicant!are:

Mount!Shasta!Aerial!Imagery

Attn:!Ian!Fitton

6224!Hill!Street

Dunsmuir,!CA!96025

Phone:!530=859=1411

Email:!ianweissfitton@gmail.com

Respectfully!Submitted,

Mount!Shasta!Aerial!Imagery

Ian!Weiss!Fitton,!Commercial!Rotorcraft!Pilot,!CFI

President

Appendices

A.!Exemption!Request!and!Equivalent!Level!of!Safety
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B.!Academy!of!Model!Aeronautics!Safety!Requirements

C.!Privacy!Issues

D.!Safety!Case

E.!Maintenance!Procedures

F.!User!Manuals

G.!Training!Program

H.!Aviation!Experience
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APPENDIX#A:#EXEMPTION#REQUEST#AND#EQUIVALENT#LEVEL#OF#SAFETY

SHOWINGS#UNDER#APPLICABLE#RULES#SUBJECT#TO#EXEMPTION

MSAI requests!an!exemption!from!the!following!regulations!as!well!as!any!

additional!regulations that!may!technically!apply!to!the!operation!of!the!Matrice:

14#C.F.R.#Part#21,#Subpart#H:#Airworthiness#Certificates

This!part!establishes!the!procedures!for!the!issuance!of!an!airworthiness!certificate.!

While!the FAA!continues!to!work!to!develop!airworthiness!standards!for!UAS,!we!

request!an!experimental certificate!be!issued!for!the!Matrice under!either!or!both!of!

the!following!provisions:

21.191!Experimental!certificates.

Experimental!certificates!are!issued!for!the!following!purposes:

(a)#Research(and(development. Testing!new!aircraft!design!concepts,!

new aircraft!equipment,!new!aircraft!installations,!new!aircraft!

operating techniques,!or!new!uses!for!aircraft.

(b)#Showing(compliance(with(regulations. Conducting!flight!tests

and!other!operations!to!show!compliance!with!the!airworthiness

regulations!including!flights!to!show!compliance!for!issuance!of type!

and!supplemental!type!certificates,!flights!to!substantiate!major

design!changes,!and!flights!to!show!compliance!with!the!function and!

reliability!requirements!of!the!regulations.

Since!the!experimental!certificate!can!be!used!for!commercial!purposes!such!as!

market surveys,!sales!demonstrations,!and!customer!crew!training,!we!would!expect!

that!an experimental!certificate!would!permit!our!commercial!purpose!as!well.

The!aircraft!will!not!carry!persons!or!property,!will!not!carry!fuel,!and!will!only!fly!

under!strict operational!requirements.!Combined!with!the!fact!that!the!aircraft!is

lightweight,!we!propose that!the!Matrice will!be!at!least!as!safe,!if!not!safer,!than!a!

conventionally certificated!aircraft!performing!the!same!mission.

If!an!experimental!airworthiness!certificate!is!not!appropriate!for!this!application,!

then!we request!an!exemption!of!14!CFR!Part!21,!Subpart!H,!and!the!requirement!

for!an!airworthiness certificate!in!general,!citing!the!equivalent!level!of!safety!

outlined!in!the!previous!paragraph.

14#CFR#91.203(a)#&#(b)#Civil#aircraft:#Certifications#required.

The!regulation!provides!that!an!airworthiness!certificate,!with!the!registration!

number!assigned to!the!aircraft!and!a!registration!certificate!must!be!aboard!the!

aircraft.!Additionally, subparagraph!(b)!provides!that!the!airworthiness!certificate!

be!"displayed!at!the!cabin!or!cockpit entrance!so!that!it!is!legible!to!passengers!or!
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crew."!The!Matrice!is too!small!to carry!documentation,!does!not!have!an!entrance,!

and!is not!capable!of!carrying!passengers!or crew.

To!obtain!an!equivalent!level!of!safety!and!meet!the!intent!of!91.203,!we!propose!

that documents!deemed!appropriate!for!these!aircraft!by!the!FAA!will!be!co=located!

with!the!crew!at the!ground!control!station!and!available!for!inspection!upon!

request.!In!order!to!identify!the aircraft,!we!propose!that!the!information!found!on!

airworthiness!and!registration!certificates!be permanently!affixed!to!the!aircraft!via!

placard:

Manufacturer:!DJI

Model:!"Matrice!100”

Serial!Number:!15=XXXX

Registered!to:

Mount!Shasta!Aerial!Imagery

6224!Hill!Street

Dunsmuir,!CA!96025

If!found!please!contact:!(530)!859=1411.

14#C.F.R.#§#45.23##C.F.R.#§#45.29:#Display#of#marks;#size#of#marks

These!regulations!provide!that!each!aircraft!must!display!"N"!and!the!aircraft's!

registration number!in!letters!at!least!3!inches!high.!Additionally,!the!aircraft!must!

display!the!word "EXPERIMENTAL"!in!letters!at!least!2!inches!high!near!the!

entrance!to!the!cabin,!cockpit,!or pilot!station.

Given!the!size!of!the!Matrice (rotor!to!rotor!distance!of 25.5!inches), this!

requirement!is!impossible!to!match.!We!feel!that!the!permanent!placard discussed!

in!the!previous!paragraph!will!provide!the!aircraft's!registration!information!should!

it be!found!on!the!ground.!We!will!also!display!at!the!ground!station!a!high!contrast!

flag!or!banner that!contains!the!words!"Unmanned!Aircraft!Ground!Station"!in!

letters!3!inches!high!or!greater.

Since!the!aircraft!will!operate!within!1/2!NM!of!the!ground!station,!the!banner!

should!be!visible to!anyone!that!observes!the!aircraft!and!chooses!to!investigate!its!

point!of!origin.

14#C.F.R.#§#91.7(a):#Civil#aircraft#airworthiness

This!regulation!requires!that!no!person!may!operate!a!civil!aircraft!unless!it!is!in!

airworthy condition.!Should!the exemption!be!granted!allowing!commercial!

operation!of!the!Matrice without!an!airworthiness!certificate,!no!standard!will!exist!

for!airworthiness!of the!Matrice. An equivalent!level!of!safety!will!be!achieved!by!

insuring!compliance!with!the!Matrice Pilot Operating!Handbook!(flight!manual)!

prior!to!each!flight.
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14#C.F.R.#§#91.9:#Civil#aircraft#flight#manual,#marking,#and#placard#

requirements.

This!regulation!provides!that!no!person!may!operate!an!aircraft!unless!a!current,!

approved!flight manual!is!in!the!aircraft.!MSAI assumes!that!the!intent!of!this!

requirement!is!to!ensure!that!flight manual!information!is!available!to!the!aircrew!

while!operating!the!aircraft.!MSAI requests!an exemption!to!this!requirement!since!

the!aircraft!is!not!only!too!small!to!carry!documentation,!that the!documentation!

would!not!be!available!to!the!crew.

To!obtain!an!equivalent!level!of!safety!and!meet!the!intent!of!91.9,!we!propose!that!a!

current, approved!Pilot!Operating!Handbook!(Appendix!F)!must!be!available!to!the!

crew!at!the!ground station!anytime!the!aircraft!is!in,!or!preparing!for,!flight.

14#C.F.R.#§#91.109(a)#[.319(a)(1):#Flight#Instruction

The!regulation!provides!that!"No!person!may!operate!a!civil!aircraft!that!is!being!

used!for!flight instruction!unless!that!aircraft!has!fully!functioning!dual!controls."!

The!Matrice ground!control!stations!are!based!on!a!small!hand=held!computer!and!

while!they!do!not!offer!a second!set!of!"controls",!both!the!student!and!instructor!

can,!and!will,!operate!the!single!set!of controls!simultaneously.!The!Matrice can!be!

controlled!from!a!ground!station tablet!or!from!the!transmitter!so,!in!essence,!they!

have!dual!control!capability!and!redundancy.

With!both!student!and!instructor!having!"hands=on"!the!controls!during!flight,!we!

feel!that!this technique!meets!the!intent!91.109!and!provides!an!equivalent!level!of!

safety.

14#CFR#§#91.119:#Minimum#Safe#Altitudes

The!regulation!provides!that!over!sparsely!populated!areas!the!aircraft!cannot!be!

operated!closer than!500!feet!to!any!person,!vessel,!vehicle,!or!structure.!Since!the!

aircraft!will!be!operating!at!a maximum!of!400!feet!AGL,!the!Matrice cannot!comply!

with!this!requirement.

The!equivalent!level!of!safety!will!be!achieved!because!the Matrice will!only!fly!over

property!with!the!permission!of!the!landowner(s)!or!public!agencies.!The!operator!

will!define before!every!flight!a!working!area!radius!and!a!flight!area!ceiling,!

preventing!the!Matrice from going!beyond!the!flight!area.

The!landowner!and!the!persons!who!may!be!on!the!ground!in the!flight!area!will!be!

briefed!of!the expected!route!of!flight!and!the!associated!risks!to!persons!and!

property!on!the!ground.!Due!to!the small!size!of!the!Matrice and the!material!with!

which!it!is built,!the!hazard!to!persons, vessels,!vehicles,!and!structures!is!not!

comparable!to!manned!aircraft!and!should!be!considered!in granting!the!exemption.

Moreover,!the!aircraft!will!not!be!operated!over!congested!areas!nor!over!any!open=

air!assembly of!persons.!The!aircraft!will!be!operated!at!an!altitude!allowing,!if!a!
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power!unit!fails,!an emergency!landing!without!undue!hazard!to!persons!or!

property!on!the!surface.

14#CFR#91.121b Altimeter#Settings

This!section!requires!that!each!person!operating an!aircraft!shall!maintain!the!

cruising!altitude!or flight!level!of!that!aircraft,!as!the!case!may!be,!by!reference!to!an!

altimeter!that!is!set,!when operating!below!18,000!feet!MSL!to:

• The!current!reported!altimeter!setting!of!a!station!along!the!route!and!within!

100!nautical miles!of!the!aircraft;

• If!there!is!no!station!within!the area!prescribed!in!paragraph!(a)(1)(i)!of!this!

section,!the current!reported!altimeter!setting!of!an!appropriate!available!

station;

• In!the!case!of!an!aircraft!not!equipped!with!a!radio,!the!elevation!of!the!

departure!airport!or an!appropriate!altimeter!setting!available!before!

departure.

To!provide!an!equivalent!level!of!safety,!Matrice autopilot!calculates!the!reference!

altitude (ground!level)!with!the!on=board!GPS!during!the!pre=flight!tests.!

14#C.F.R.#§#91.151(a):#Fuel#Requirements#for#Flight#in#VFR#Conditions

The!regulation!provides!that!no!person!may!begin!a!flight!in!an!airplane!under!day=

VFR conditions!unless!there!is!enough!fuel!to!fly!to!the!first!point!of!intended!

landing!and!to!fly!after that!for!at!least!30!minutes.

Given!the!area!of!operation!for!the Matrice,!MSAI!believes!that!an!equivalent!level!of

safety!is!already!achieved!with!the!specific!procedure!preventing!the!Matrice from

accepting!a!take=off!order!if!the!battery!level!is!below!a!given!value.!The!Pilot!in!

Command will!monitor the!battery!levels!of!the!Matrice during!flight!and!return!the!

aircraft!to!home!when battery!levels!reach!25!to!30!percent!capacity.!Moreover,!DJI!

has integrated!“low”!and!“critical”!battery!level!warnings!into!controllers!operated!

for!these!aircraft,!and!implemented!automatic!“Return!Home”!and!“Go!Land”!actions!

in!these!situations.

14#C.F.R.#§#91.203#(a)#&#(b):#Carrying#Civil#Aircraft#Certification#and#

Registration

This!regulation!provides!as!follows:

• No!person!may!operate!a!civil!aircraft!unless!it!has!an!appropriate!and!

current airworthiness!certificate.

• 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.
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The!Matrice weighs only!7.9!pounds!(maximum take=off weight).!As such,!there!is!no!

ability!or!place!to!carry!certification!and!registration!documents!or!to!display them!

on!the!UAS. In!addition,!there!is!no!pilot!or!passengers!on!board!the!aircraft.

To!obtain!an!equivalent!level!of!safety!and!meet!the!intent!of!91.203,!MSAI!proposes!

that documents!deemed!appropriate!for!this!aircraft!by!the!FAA!will!be!co=located!

with!the!operator!at the!ground!control!station!in!the!Matrice box!and!available!for!

inspection!upon request.

14#CFR#Subpart#E#(91.401#b 91.417)#bMaintenance,#Preventive#Maintenance,#

and Alterations

The!regulation!provides!that!the!operator!is!primarily!responsible!for!maintaining!

the!aircraft!in!an airworthy!condition,!including!compliance!with!Parts!39!and!43.!

Paragraphs!91.407!and!91.409 require!that!the!aircraft!be!"approved!for!return!to!

service!by!a!person!authorized!under!Part!43.7" after!maintenance!and!inspection.!

Section!91.409(a)(2)!requires!an!annual!inspection!for!the issuance!of!an!

airworthiness!certificate.!Section!91.417(a)!requires!the!owner!or!operator!to!keep

records!showing!certain!maintenance!work!that!has!been!accomplished!by!

certificated!mechanics, under!Part!43,!or!licensed!pilots!and!records!of!approval!of!

the!aircraft!for!return!to!service.

MSAI proposes!that!the!maintenance!of!the!Matrice will!be!accomplished!by!the

owner/operator!according!to!the!maintenance!manual,!provided!by!DJI.!MSAI

requests!the!FAA treat!the Matrice training!programs!as!proprietary!under!14!C.F.R.!

11.35(b)!and!not include!these!documents!in!the!public!docket.

An!equivalent!level!of!safety!will!be!achieved!because!the!Matrice is small!in!size, is

not a!complex!mechanical!device,!and will!operate!only!in!restricted!predetermined

areas.!Moreover,!the!operator!is!the!person!most!familiar!with!the!aircraft!and!is!

best!suited!to maintain!the!aircraft!in!an!airworthy!condition!and!to!ensure!an!

equivalent!level!of!safety.
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APPENDIX#B:#ACADEMY#OF#MODEL#AERONAUTICS#SAFETY#REQUIREMENTS
Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code 

Effective January 1, 2014 

A. GENERAL: A model aircraft is a non-human-carrying aircraft capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere. It may not exceed limitations of this code and is 

intended exclusively for sport, recreation, education and/or competition. All model flights must be conducted in accordance with this safety code and any 

additional rules specific to the flying site. 

1. Model aircraft will not be flown: 

(a) In a careless or reckless manner. 

{b) At a location where model aircraft activities are prohibited. 

2. Model aircraft pilots will: 

(a) Yield the right of way to all human-carrying aircraft. 

(b) See and avoid all aircraft and a spotter must be used when appropriate. (AMA Document #540-D.) 

(c) Not fly higher than approximately 400 feet above ground level within three (3) miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. 

(d) Not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport or seaplane base except where there is a mixed use agreement. 

(e) Not exceed a takeoff weight, including fuel, of 55 pounds unless in compliance with the AMA Large Model Airplane program. (AMA Document 520-A.) 

(D Ensure the aircraft is identified with the name and address or AMA number of the owner on the inside or affixed to the outside of the model aircraft. {This 

does not apply to model aircraft flown indoors.) 

(g) Not operate aircraft with metal-blade propellers or with gaseous boosts except for helicopters operated under the provisions of AMA Document #555. 

(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the pilot's ability to safely control the 

model. 

(i) Not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices that explode or burn, or any device which propels a projectile or drops any object that creates a 

hazard to persons or property. 

Exceptions: 

• Free Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight. 

• Rocket motors (using solid propellant) up to a G-series size may be used provided they remain attached to the model during flight. Model rockets may 

be flown in accordance with the National Model Rocketry Safety Code but may not be launched from model aircraft. 

• Officially designated AMA Air Show Teams (AST) are authorized to use devices and practices as defined within the Team AMA Program Document. 

(AMA Document#718.) 

U) Not operate a turbine-powered aircraft, unless in compliance with the AMA turbine regulations. (AMA Document #51 0-A.) 

3. Model aircraft will not be flown in AMA sanctioned events, air shows or model demonstrations unless: 

(a) The aircraft, control system and pilot skills have successfully demonstrated all maneuvers intended or anticipated prior to the specific event. 

{b) An inexperienced pilot is assisted by an experienced pilot. 

4. When and where required by rule, helmets must be properly worn and fastened. They must be OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL or NOCSAE approved or comply 

with comparable standards. 

B. RADIO CONTROL (RC) 

1. All pilots shall avoid flying directly over unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or structures and shall avoid endangerment of life and property of others. 

2. A successful radio equipment ground-range check in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations will be completed before the first flight of a new or 

repaired model aircraft. 

3. At all flying sites a safety line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place. (AMA Document #706.) 

(a) Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the safety line. 

{b) At air shows or demonstrations, a straight safety line must be established. 

(c) An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. 

(d) Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited. 

4. RC model aircraft must use the radio-control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Only individuals properly 

licensed by the FCC are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies. 

5. RC model aircraft will not knowingly operate within three (3) miles of any pre-existing flying site without a frequency-management agreement. (AMA 

Documents #922 and #923.) 

6. With the exception of events flown under official AMA Competition Regulations, excluding takeoff and landing, no powered model may be flown outdoors 

closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for the pilot and the pilot's helper(s) located at the flightline. 

7. Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch an outdoor model aircraft in flight while it is still under power, except to divert it from striking an 

individual. 

8. RC night flying requires a lighting system providing the pilot with a clear view of the model's attitude and orientation at all times. Hand-held illumination 

systems are inadequate for night flying operations. 

9. The pilot of an RC model aircraft shall: 

(a) Maintain control during the entire flight, maintaining visual contact without enhancement other than by corrective lenses prescribed for the pilot. 

(b) Fly using the assistance of a camera or First-Person View (FPV) only in accordance with the procedures outlined in AMA Document #550. 

(c) Fly using the assistance of autopilot or stabilization system only in accordance with the procedures outlined in AMA Document #560. 

C. FREE FLIGHT 

1. Must be at least 100 feet downwind of spectators and automobile parking when the model aircraft is launched. 

2. Launch area must be clear of all individuals except mechanics, officials, and other fliers. 

3. An effective device will be used to extinguish any fuse on the model aircraft after the fuse has completed its function. 

D. CONTROL LINE 

1. The complete control system (including the safety thong where applicable) must have an inspection and pull test prior to flying. 

2. The pull test will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations for the applicable model aircraft category. 

3. Model aircraft not fitting a specific category shall use those pull-test requirements as indicated for Control Line Precision Aerobatics. 

4. The flying area must be clear of all utility wires or poles and a model aircraft will not be flown closer than 50 feet to any above-ground electric utility lines. 

5. The flying area must be clear of all nonessential participants and spectators before the engine is started. 
Academy of Model Aeronautics 

5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262- Membership Services 

www.modelaircraft.org 

11SEE AND AVOID11 GUIDANCE 

A. General: 

•• 

A 'if.~ ACADEMY OF 

MODEL AERONAUTICS 

1. The primary means to avoid collisions between all aircraft flying within our National Airspace System 

(NAS) is "See and Avoid." 

2. Vigilance must be maintained by each person operating an aircraft (whether model or manned) so as to 

"see and avoid" other aircraft. 

3. Model aircraft must avoid manned aircraft. Our privilege to fly model aircraft in the NAS depends on our 

commitment to remain "well clear" of manned aircraft. 

4. Simply avoiding an actual collision is not enough. A "near miss" is not acceptable. 

5. Unless flying at a mixed-use site where manned and model aircraft routinely share airspace through 

their own site-specific rules, model aircraft must fly sufficiently far away from manned aircraft so as not to 

create a collision hazard. 

6. Model aircraft flying must not only be safe, it must be perceived to be safe by the greater manned 

aviation community. Modelers must continually demonstrate their respect for the safety of manned 

aircraft by remaining vigilant and well clear. 

7. Whenever a potential conflict arises between model aircraft and manned aircraft, the pilot of the model 

aircraft must always give way to the manned aircraft. 

8. The pilot of a model aircraft must never assume the pilot of a manned aircraft can see the= model or will 

perform any maneuver to avoid the model's flight path. 

9. Visual Line of Sight is required by the Safety Code. It means that visual contact with the aircraft must be 

maintained without enhancement other than by corrective lenses prescribed for the model aircraft pilot. 

All RC flying must remain clear of clouds smoke or any other obstruction to the line of sight. 

10. "Blue Sky" is a term used to explain the method used to increase separation between a model and a 

manned aircraft in the same vicinity. The modeler should maneuver the aircraft in such a way as to 

increase the amount of blue sky perceived between the model and the manned aircraft. By increasing the 

blue sky separation, the question about depth perception is taken out of the equation and the modeler 

need not worry whether the model is closer to him than the manned aircraft or further away. Increasing 

the blue sky between the model and the manned aircraft automatically increases separation between 

them. 

Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262 I Membership Services I www.modelaircraft.org 
Academy of Model Aeronautics 

5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262 - Membership Services 

www.modelaircraft.org 

•• 

A~A: ACADEMY OF 

MODEL AERONAUTICS 

11. A modeler should never place any consideration for the well-being of the model aircraft above the 

safety of manned aircraft. Maneuvering to avoid the conflict may require that the model aircraft be 

sacrificed. 

12. Free flight models should not be launched with relatively low altitude manned 

aircraft in sight and downwind or headed downwind from the launch site. 

B. Spotters: 

1. Before a flight, the pilot must insure that the spotter understands his/her duties 

and expectations. 

2. A spotter should be used to assist in monitoring the surrounding airspace for manned aircraft whenever 

a flight is expected to exceed 400 feet above the ground and that operation is expected to be in proximity 

to known manned aircraft traffic such as at a mixed-use facility or within three miles of an airport. The 

spotter must have sufficient visual acuity and be mature enough to take this responsibility very seriously. 

3. A spotter should also be prepared to assist his/her pilot in the event that another model aircraft or 

spectators become endangered or in turn are perceived to be a danger to the pilot or the pilot's model 

aircraft. 

4. If a model aircraft pilot experiences what he or she considers a near miss with a manned aircraft, that 

model aircraft pilot should notify AMA Headquarters with a written report of the incident, including action 

taken by the model aircraft pilot to avoid the manned aircraft. This report is intended to help the modeler, 

the club, and the AMA capture as much detail as possible so that it may be used to assist all parties in 

recalling the particulars of the incident at a later time. Call1-800-435-9262 (1-800-IFLYAMA) extension 230 

or 251 for assistance with this report. 

Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262 I Membership Services I www.modelaircraft.org 
Academy of Model Aeronautics 

AMA Advanced Flight Systems Committee 

amaflightsystems@gmail.com 

AMA Document # 560 

Radio Controlled Model Aircraft Operation 

Utilizing Failsafe, Stabilization and Autopilot Systems 

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS: 

Please refer to Page 3, section 7 which contains an alphabetical listing of the definitions of the 

terms in italics that are used in this document. 

2. GENERAL: 

All model aircraft flights utilizing stabilization and autopilot control systems must be conducted 

in accordance with AMA's current National Model Aircraft Safety Code and any additional rules 

specific to a flying site/location. 

3. OPERATIONS- REQUIREMENTS- LIMITATIONS: 

a) AMA members flying radio controlled model aircraft equipped with flight stabilization and 

autopilot systems must maintain VLOS with the aircraft at all times including programmed 

autopilot waypoint flight. 

b) AMA Pilots must be able to instantaneously deactivate programmed flight of autopilot 

systems at any time during flight and resume manual control of the model aircraft. 

c) AMA Pilots must perform an RIC Test Flight of a model aircraft before activating a newly 

installed autopilot or stabilization system and/or after any repairs or replacement of model 

aircraft essential flight systems. 

d) Model aircraft exceeding 151bs and/or ?Om ph may only use an autopilot for a programmed 

"return to launch" (RTL) flight and not for programmed waypoint flying of a predetermined 

course. 

e) STABILIZATION & AUTOPILOT SYSTEMS MAY BE USED FOR/TO: 

• Stabilization/automatically stabilize aircraft to level flight when control sticks are centered. 

• Recovery/activate TRX switch to recover an out of control aircraft to level flight. 

• Heading/activate TRX switch to hold a model aircraft's heading for precision flight path. 

• Altitude/activate TRX switch to maintain fixed aircraft altitude while allowing directional control. 

• Return GPS/activate TRX switch to return aircraft via GPS to launch point. 

• Return FSS/failsafe activated from radio signal loss to return aircraft via GPS to launch point. 

• Fixed circle/activate TRX switch to circle aircraft at point of activation at fixed altitude. 

• Waypointlactivate TRX switch to initiate an autopilot programmed flight path via waypoints. 

• Fencing/autopilot programed to display site unique boundaries on video monitor/goggles. 

PAGE 1 OF 3 (Revision 01/14/2013) 
4. RANGE -ALTITUDE -WEIGHT- SPEED: 

a) One of the requirements in Federal Law (Public Law 112-95 Sec 336 (c) (2) February 14, 

2012) for model aircraft to be excluded from FAA regulations is that model aircraft be 

flown within VLOS of the operator. 

b) Model aircraft must be flown at or below 400 feet AGL when within 3 miles of an airport as 

stated in the AMA Safety Code. 

c) Model aircraft utilizing an autopilot for waypoint flying are limited to a maximum weight 

(including fuel, batteries, and onboard autopilot systems) of 151bs and a speed of 

70mph. 

5. RECOMMENDATIONS & INFORMATION: 

a) If your radio system lacks failsafe capability, consider using programmable digital servos or 

auxiliary failsafe modules. In the event of a radio signal failure these components will 

activate desired safe servo settings or an autopilot for return to base/launch (RTL). 

b) When using an autopilot system the "return to launch" {RTL) feature should be 

programmed to return the aircraft to a safe location and safely terminate the flight should 

manual control of the aircraft be lost. When using RTL, pay particular attention to the 

manufacturer's throttle recommendations to prevent stalling. 

c) The use of stabilization systems is recommended when flying FPV to improve flight 

stability and video quality. 

d) Pilots usually choose to incorporate stabilization and autopilot systems for model aircraft 

flying to enhance flight performance, correct bad tendencies of the model aircraft, 

maintain stability in windy weather, establish precision heading holds for 

takeoffs/landings, flight training for novice pilots, create a steady flight platform for 

cameras, and generally just to make an airplane easier and safer to fly. 

e) When purchasing stabilization and autopilot systems, always try to select quality equipment 

from reputable dealers, ensure for compatibility with other onboard systems, and install 

components according to manufacturers' instructions. 

6. PRIVACY PROTECTION SAFEGUARDS: 

The use of imaging technology for aerial surveillance with radio control model aircraft 

having the capability of obtaining high-resolution photographs and/or video, or using any 

types of sensors, for the collection, retention, or dissemination of surveillance data or 

information on individuals, homes, businesses, or property at locations where there is 

a reasonable expectation of privacy is strictly prohibited by the AMA unless written 

expressed permission is obtained from the individual property owners or managers. 

PAGE 2 OF 3 (Revision 01/14/2013) 
7. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS: 

AMA Pilot is an AMA member who is capable of manually operating an R/C transmitter to 

control a model aircraft's flight path within its safe intended flight envelope without losing 

control or having a collision. 

Autopilot Systems incorporate programmable flight stabilization with an altitude sensor and 

a GPS receiver for accurate positioning and to navigate/control a radio controlled model 

aircraft's flight path. Advanced systems offer software for entering navigable waypoints. The 

flight data waypoints may be saved to autopilot's/GPS memory for programmed flight. 

Essential Flight Systems are any systems or components necessary to maintain 

stable flight within a model aircraft's flight envelope. (This includes primary RIC systems 

and any stabilization or gyros required to maintain stability and heading in certain 

types of model aircraft that would be uncontrollable/unstable without their use). 

Failsafe Systems are designed to minimize or prevent damage and safely terminate a 

flight when a radio controlled model aircraft loses radio signal. Modern radio systems can 

be programmed to position servos to a desired control setting in the event of radio signal 

failure. 

First Person View (FPV) refers to the operation of a radio controlled (R/C) model aircraft 

using an on board camera's cockpit view to orient and control the aircraft. (AMA Document 

#550). 

Flight Envelope is defined as the range of airspeeds, attitudes and flight maneuvers which 

a model aircraft can safely perform/operate for its intended use. 

Non-Essential Flight Systems are any systems or components that are not necessary to 

maintain stable flight within the model aircraft's intended flight envelope. (This includes 

autopilot or stabilization systems that can be activated and deactivated in flight by the pilot 

without affecting manually controlled stable flight). 

RIC Test Flight requires an AMA Pilot to manually operate an R/C transmitter to control 

a model aircraft's flight path and determine if the aircraft is capable of maintaining stable 

flight within its safe intended flight envelope. 

Stabilization Systems are designed to maintain intended model aircraft flight attitudes. 

The pilot can install, program and/or activate a system to stabilize yaw, pitch, or roll or any 

one attitude or combination of attitudes. Systems are often based on rate/heading hold 

gyros or inertial motion sensors utilizing multi-axis gyros and accelerometers for 

attitude stabilization. 

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is the distance at which the pilot is able to maintain visual 

contact with the aircraft and determine its orientation and attitude without enhancements 

other than corrective lenses. 

PAGE 3 OF 3 (Revision 07/20/2013) 
12

APPENDIX#C:#PRIVACY#ISSUES

The!Matrice!is proposed!to!be!flown!over!sterile,!unpopulated!to!lightly!populated

areas.!In!addition,!we!propose!to!obtain!landowner!permission!to!fly!over!

properties!as!part!of!our services!and!to!notify!and!obtain!waivers!of!consent!from!

non=landowners!over!which!we!will!be flying.!Finally,!most!of!our!flights!will!be!300!

to!400!feet!above!ground!surface,!making!visual recognition!of!people!on!the!ground!

difficult.!Because!of!the!sterile!environment!and!the!prenotification of!landowners!

and!personnel!on!the!ground,!privacy!compromises!due!to!MSAI activities!are!

anticipated!to!be!alleviated.!Under!no!circumstances!will!MSAI's!aircraft!be!utilized

to!purposefully!invade!the!privacy!of!peoples!or!properties!in!areas!within!our!

studies!or!outside of!our!study!boundaries.
13

APPENDIX#D:#SAFETY#CASE

Safety!of!our!flight!crew,!other!aircraft,!people!on!the!ground,!and!public!and!private!

properties!is of!utmost!importance!to!MSAI.!MSAI's!Pilot!in!Command!(PIC)!will!be!

responsible!for!all!safety procedures!and!protocols!while!on!the!ground.!The!Visual!

Observer!(VO)!will!assist!the!PIC!in maintaining!safety!procedures!throughout!the!

course!of!a!project.!Safety!procedures!to!be!utilized in!the!field!include!the!

following:

• A!full!diagnostic!check!of!the!aircraft!by!the!PIC!and!VO!using!a!pre=flight!

checklist!will be!performed!on!the!ground!prior!to!commencement!of!each!

project;

• High!visibility!(day=glow!orange!or!green)!will!be!worn!by!the!flight!crew!

during!each project.!In!addition,!at!the!ground!station,!a!high!contrast!flag!or!

banner!that!contains!the words!"Unmanned!Aircraft!Ground!Station"!will!be!

placed!prior!to!any!flights;

• Operations!to!be!conducted!over!private!or!public!controlled=access!property!

where approved;

• Permission!from!the!land!owner/authority!required!before!commencing!any!

flight;

• Operations!over!congested!areas!shall!be!avoided;

• Operations!will!not!interfere!with!manned!aircraft!operations,!will!yield!the!

right!of!way!to manned!aircraft,!and!operators!must!See!&!Avoid!other!

aircraft!and!obstacles!at!all!times. Use!of!an!ADS=B!receiver!by!the!VO!will!

assist!in!monitoring!the!presence!of other proximal!aircraft;

• Operations!limited!to!Visual!Flight!Rules!Meteorological!Conditions!(VMC)!

and!daylight hours;

• Aircraft!operations!will!remain!within!Visual!Line!of!Sight!(VLOS)!and!will!be!

visually monitored!at!all!times;

• Use!of!a!high=definition first=person!view!from!the!aircraft!will!assist!the!PIC!

and!VO identify!potential!flight!conflicts!and!terminate!or!alter!the!pre=

programmed!flight!plan;

• VLOS!guaranteed!with!a!GPS!geo=fence!around!operator!of!0.5!miles;

• Flight!ceiling!pre=programed!at!400!feet;

• All!operations!conducted!within!5!miles!from!an!airport!shall!only!be!

initiated!after!verbal coordination!with!the!airport!authority,!or!air!traffic!

control!when!a!control!tower!is present!at!the!airport;

• All!operations!will!comply!with!required!permissions!and!permits!

established!by territorial,!state,!county!or!city!jurisdictions;!including!local!

law!enforcement,!fire,!or!other appropriate!governmental!agencies;

• Post=flight!inspection!of!the!aircraft!will!be!performed!by!the!PIC!and!VO!

utilizing!a postflight checklist;

• The!Matrice operations!will!be!compliant!with!existing!safety!procedures

inherent!to!the!activities!of!the!related!company.
14

APPENDIX#E:#MAINTENANCE#PROCEDURES

MSAI's!maintenance!procedures!for!our!rotor=powered!aircraft!are!as!follows.!In!

addition!for!the!Matrice,!they!will!also!follow!the Matrice!User!Manual,!Disclaimer!

and!Safety!Guidelines!and!Intelligent!Flight!Battery!Safety!Guidelines.!These!can!be!

located!at!the!following!links:

Matrice!User!Manual

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_User_Manual_v1.6_en_16

0324.pdf

Disclaimer!and!Safety!Guideline

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_Disclaimer_and_Safety_G

uidelines_en_160304.pdf

Intelligent!Flight!Battery!Safety!Guidelines

http://download.dji=

innovations.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_Intelligent_Flight_Battery_Safe

ty_Guidelines_en_v1.0_201509.pdf

PROPELLER!CARE

• Propellers!must!be!checked!each!flight!for!nicks!or!cracks

• Propellers!are!designed!to!last!indefinitely!if!they!do!not!impact!dust,!dirt!or!

more.

BATTERY!CARE!AND!USE

Refer!to!instruction!sheet!included!from!the!battery!manufacturer.!Typical

information!follows:

• Batteries!are!highly!flammable!and!can!explode,!especially!when!fully!

charged.

• Improper!charging,!vibration,!impact,!high!discharge,!etc.!can!lead!to!

explosion!and fire.!Batteries!must!be!charged!under!constant!supervision!and!

using!proper precautions.

• Batteries!fully!charged!must!be!handled!with!extreme!care.

• Any!battery!that!puffs!up!is!considered!damaged!and!must!not!be!used.!It!is!

in!a dangerous!state.!Never!charge!a!puffed!up!battery.

• Any!battery!which!holds!less!than!80%!of!its!rated!capacity!should!be!

discarded.

• Cycle!test!each!battery!after!every!50!cycles!or!if!a!battery!is suspected!to

have!lost!as!significant!amount!of!its!capacity!to!determine!the!current

capacity.

• Properly!dispose!of!batteries.!First!discharge!the!battery!fully!using!a!battery!

cycler.

• Bring!to!a!recycler!such!as!a!home!improvement!store.
15

• Always!charge!flight!batteries!under!"balance"!mode.

• Flight!Battery!Recommended!Charge!Rate:!1!C!which!takes!approximately!1!

hour!to charge

• Flight!Battery!Maximum!Charge!Rate:!May!exceed!5C.!Charge!rates!higher!

than!1!C will!decrease!life!cycles.!Maximum!charge!rating!per the!

manufacturer!will!provide

• 300+!cycles.!Use!the!lowest!charge!rate!which!is!practical.

• Battery!Rest!Time!between!discharging!and!charging:!30!minutes minimum,!

1!hour!maximum.

• Do!not!charge!if!the!battery!is!more!than!2°C!warmer!than!ambient,!

especially if!the temperature!is!above!20°C.!The!outer!surface!is!cooler!than!

the!inner!core!after!use.

• Damage!will!occur!when!charging!a!warm!battery.

• Recommended!Battery!Discharge!Amount:!80%.!Using!more!of!the!capacity!

of the!battery!will!decrease!the!life!cycles

• As!battery!temperature!approaches!freezing!the!capacity!of!Lithium!Polymer

batteries!decrease.!Keep!warmer!than!5°C!before!installing!into!the!UV

(unmanned!vehicle).

• Battery!capacity!decreases!at!higher!discharge!rates.!Using!more!batteries

decreases!the!discharge!rate!of!each!battery!thereby!extending!individual

battery!capacity!slightly.

• Lower!discharge!rates!improve!the!life!cycles.

• Batteries!are!rated!at!greater!than!300!life!cycles.!1!,000+!life!cycles!are!

possible.

• Batteries!must!not!be!stored!above!60%!charged!state!for!extended!periods.

• Batteries!should!be!stored!below!25°C!for!extended!periods

• Store!batteries!between!40%!= 60%!charged!state.!Fully!charge!just!before!

use.

• Fully!charged!batteries!which!are!not!to!be!used!within!24!hours!should!be!

discharged to!40%!= 60%!charged!state!using!the!battery!discharger.

• Using!more!than!one!battery!at!a!time!requires!the!proper!wiring!harness!so!

that!the voltage!is!no!more!than!25.2V.!Over!voltage!will!cause!serious!

damage!to!electrical equipment.

PREVENTATIVE!MAINTENANCE

ANNUAL!INSPECTION!(SUGGESTED)

• If!the!airframe!has!in!excess!of!300!hours!in!a!one!year!period,!an!annual

inspection!must!be!completed!by!an!approved!technician.

• An!approved!technician!should!disassemble!the!UAV!and!inspect!all!

components for!wear!and!replace!any!components!as!required.

• Test!all!batteries!for!capacity.

• Upgrade!firmware!and!software!to!latest!revisions

500!HOUR!PM!(SUGGESTED)
16

• An!approved!technician!should!disassemble!the!UAV!and!inspect!all!

components for!wear!and!replace!any components!as!required.

• Replace!all motors.

• Test!all!batteries!for!capacity.

• Upgrade!firmware!and!software!to!latest!revisions.
17

APPENDIX#F:#USER#MANUALS

User!manuals!for!the!DJI Matrice!are available!online!at!the!following!web!

addresses:

Matrice!User!Manual

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_User_Manual_v1.6_en_16

0324.pdf

Disclaimer!and!Safety!Guideline

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_Disclaimer_and_Safety_G

uidelines_en_160304.pdf

Intelligent!Flight!Battery!Safety!Guidelines

http://download.dji=

innovations.com/downloads/dev/Matrice/en/M100_Intelligent_Flight_Battery_Safe

ty_Guidelines_en_v1.0_201509.pdf

All!of!the!product specifications!for!the!Matrice!are!located!online!at:

http://www.dji.com/product/matrice100/info#specs
18

APPENDIX#G:#TRAINING#PROGRAM

MSAI’s Chief!Pilot!Ian!Fitton!completed!his!DJI!Factory!Trained!Individual!Course!

with!Troy!Built!Models!(TBM)!in!June!2015!and!received!his!certification.!His!

training!was!performed!on!the!DJI!Phantom!2!Vision!+!and!the!DJI!S1000.!The!

training!course!teaches!the!basics!of!safe!operation. The!director!of!flight!training!is!

Gene!Payson.!Payson!is!the!Director!of!UAS!Flight!Training!at!Unmanned!Vehicle!

University!and!owner!of!Troy!Built!Models.!This!certificate!is!from!Troy!Built!

Models.!DJI=Innovations,!the!FAA,!and!other!entities!do!not!currently!have!

certifications. The!test!was!developed!entirely!by!UAV!Flight!Schools.

The!training!curriculum!offered!through!TBM!that!our!CP!completed!included:

! General'UAV'characteristics,'types,'uses

! Principals'of'Flight

! Weight'and'Balance'< Center'of'Gravity'calculations'and'methods

! Operational'limitations'(vertical'speed,'horizontal'speed,'weight,'horizontal'

distance,'altitude,'endurance,'weather,'etc.)

! Subsystem'Operation'and'Maintenance'(Flight'controller,'IMU,'GPS,'Compass,'

Gyros,'Accelerometers,'Brushless'motors,'Speed'controllers,'Propeller,'

Retractable'landing'gear,'Airframe, Video'Transmission'and'Reception,'

Antennas,'Video'displays,'etc.)

! Battery'care

! Transponder'operation

! Maintenance

! Record'Keeping,'Logbooks,'and'other'Documentation

! Insurance'Requirements

! Remote'sensing'theory'and'practical'application

! Autopilot'operation'and'Mission'Planning

! Aircraft'flight'simulation

! Federal,'State,'and'Local'laws,'rules,'regulations,'policies,'and'good'practice

! Right'of'Way'rules

! FAA'Certificate'of'Authority'(COA)'process

! Pilot'in'Command'(PIC)'qualifications'and'responsibilities

! Observer qualifications'and'responsibilities

! Sensor'Operator'qualifications'and'responsibilities

! Recognizing'and'setting'Early'Warning'Alarms/Signals

! Emergency'Procedures
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! Integration'with'other'aircraft'in'the'national'airspace

! Reading'a'sectional'map'for'aircraft

! Preflight'Checklist

! In'flight'Checklist

! Post'flight'Checklist

! Autonomous'Flight

! Preflight'briefing

! Checklist'reviews

! Flight

! Certification'Testing

! How'to'start'a'UAV'business

! Typical'income'for'UAV'businesses

! Typical'charges'for'photography

MSAI’s!CP!Ian!Fitton!is!factory!trained!and!will!train!future!MSAI!pilots.!Ian!Fitton!is!

also!a!certified!flight!instructor!(see!Appendix!H).!Training!for!the!Matrice will!be!

performed!in!accordance!with!procedures!from!the!TBM!training!and!in!accordance!

with!the Matrice!User!Manual,!Disclaimer!and!Safety!Guidelines!and!the!Intelligent!

Flight!Battery!Safety!Guidelines. Links!to!these!documents!are!listed!in!Appendix!F.
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APPENDIX#H:#AVIATION#EXPERIENCE

MSAI’s!Chief!Pilot!(CP),!Ian!Fitton,!has!a!Private!Pilot’s!Certification,!Commercial!

Pilot’s!Certification,!and!is!a!Certified!Flight!Instructor.!His!relevant!certifications!

are!attached!to!this!appendix.!In!addition,!our!CP!is!an!experienced!operator!of!the!

DJI!Phantom!2!Vision+,!and!has!logged!hours!on!the!Vision,!S=1000!and!eBee!

Sensefly.!