SWFL Droning Exemption Request August 17th, 2015

Dear Sir or Madam, 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to file for a Section 333 

exemption from the requirements of 14 C.F.R §§ 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 

91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 

91.417(a) & (b).

Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning seeks exemption from the 

requirements of 14 C.F.R §§ 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 

91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b), to 

operate an Unmanned Aircraft System pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA 

Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA). This exemption will permit 

Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System 

(UAS) for the commercial purpose of conducting aerial video and 

photography for real estate photography/videography, special events, and 

landscape over certain areas of the United States.

I am filing for this exemption to request that Tucker Weiss of SWFL 

Droning, a longtime owner of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) be given 

exemption from the above regulations, so that SWFL Droning can operate 

a UAS commercially in airspace regulated by the FAA.

This section 333 exemption would grant me operational use of my 

Drone, or UAS, for commercial aerial videography and aerial photography 

of local events, real estate, and certain areas of South West Florida.

SWFL Droning owns an Iris + by 3D Robotics, a quad copter that has 

a total weight of 2 lbs. 4 ounces, with Go Pro attached, and a manufacturer 

recommended flight time of 16 minutes. We fly at a measly 5.5 minutes 

making sure that drone is surely able to land safely. The maximum speed 

of the Iris + is 20 mph, and the battery life being able to go to 20 minutes. 

The Iris + is built with ground support technology that allows it to fly using 

GPS lock for stability, tracking, and a safe return to home feature that 

makes sure there is a safe landing if drone runs low on battery or loses 

signal of remote. All flights start with a pre-flight safety check which 

consists of checking that:
SWFL Droning Exemption Request August 17th, 2015

 Transmitter firmware is up to date

 Drone firmware is up to date

 Inspection of obvious defects in UAS

 Battery power check

 Propellers tight and/or locked

 SD card is firmly in Go Pro

 Controller brightness set to high

 Antennae is fully up

 Transmitter turned on

 Drone powered on

 GPS lock calibrated

 Maximum flight height adjusted to area

 Drone is in safe launch and recover area

 Area clear of people

I have logged 62 hours of experience with the Iris+, and I believe that 

the Iris+ is far more superior to any other drone in flight and safety 

regulations. The Iris+ is super lightweight and is much safer in the sky for 

photos and videos than other commercial options. Flight checks also 

include:

 The warning of bystanders before takeoff

 Hovering close for 10-20 seconds to look and listen for defects 

in drone

 Confirmation of controller functionality

 Device to monitor battery power is on hand 

 Device to Drone signal strength is adequate 

I, Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning, will firmly abide by the following 

additional operating requirements under this exemption, which ensures a 

high level of detailed safety during Drone, or UAS, flight. I will follow the 

guidelines of 14 C.F.R 61.51 (b) and the guidelines listed below. 

- Operate UAS far below 200 feet and within a 600 feet radius of the 

Person in Control.
SWFL Droning Exemption Request August 17th, 2015

- All flights will be accompanied by a 2-3 man crew: an Operator 

who will maintain visual line of sight, and a director who will 

monitor flight time, battery life, and other important flight details 

such as height and distance.

- Obtain permission from the owner of any vehicles or property 

when flight be within 500 feet of specified asset. 

- Operate UAS far under the recommended flight time to ensure 

battery life.

- Operate only during daylight hours so that sight of UAS cannot be 

obstructed.

- Utilize the UAS GPS Lock to ensure safe return home feature, 

GPS position of drone, and height/distance of drone from 

controller.

- Have procedures in place to abort flights in the event any safety 

gets breached.

- Never to operate drone within 5 miles of an airport.

- Also always to conduct extensive preflight inspections for safety.

I requested to be exempt from §§ 91.405(a), 91.407(a) (1), 

91.409(a) (1) & (a) (2), and 91.417(a) & (b) since the maintenance

inspections only apply to an aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. 

Although a pre-flight safety inspection will always be used as listed 

above.

I also requested to be exempt from § 91.7 (a) since there are no 

certificates usable for a UAS operation. This regulation could not be 

applicable. Another inapplicable regulation would be § 91.121 

Altimeter settings since the Iris+ uses GPS lock with a barometric 

sensor to ensure lock. I also requested to be exempt from § 91.151 

(a) Fuel Requirements, since the Drone is 100% battery powered and 

will be landed at first sign of low battery ensuring safety.
SWFL Droning Exemption Request August 17th, 2015

Personal Interest:

Aerial photography and videography using unmanned aircrafts is a 

fairly new technology that I would like to bring to South West Florida. I 

would like to bring SWFL the fairly new technology, while also bringing a 

good name to UAS flight. 

Unlike old methods of gaining aerial footage such as large helicopters 

and small aircraft, UAS flight provides an easy way to get amazing footage 

while posing a very minimal threat to the public given the small form factor 

of the 2 lbs. 4 ounces aircraft.

Not only am I inspired to bring beautiful footage to my clients, but I 

realize the proper safety regulations in place to ensure public safety. 

Summary:

Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning seeks exemption from the requirements of 

14 C.F.R §§ 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 

91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b), to operate an 

Unmanned Aircraft System pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA 

Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA). This exemption will permit 

Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System 

(UAS) for the commercial purpose of conducting aerial video and 

photography for real estate photography/videography, special events, and 

landscape over certain areas of the United States.

Tucker Weiss of SWFL Droning

14651 Indigo Lakes Circle

Naples, FL 34119

239-450-6682

Twei4252@gmail.com