Greetings. 

I wish to apply for an Exemption under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-

95 FEB. 14, 2012, Section 333 in order to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System in the course of my 

work as a Forensic Engineer. 

1. How the Aircraft Will Be Operated Safely 

The Aircraft, a commercially-available DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter, is equipped with a GPS locating 

system and autostabilization. It is equipped with, and is regularly updated to, the most current 

Operating System which includes automatic altitude/distance restrictions in Restricted Areas such as 

near airports. It is further restricted within the Operating System Software to fly at under 400 ft 

regardless of location. It includes features that return the UAS to its launch location when the battery 

level gets low and if it should lose contact with the controller. It will be equipped with a camera similar 

to a GoPro Hero 3+ attached to a video downlink. The camera and video downlink will be the only 

payload, and comprise the only modifications to the airframe from the factory-supplied configuration. 

The UAS will be operated per the manufacturer’s instructions and within the limitations placed upon it

via the manufacturer’s Default Performance settings. 

2. Safety Procedures to be Used When Flying the Aircraft 

The manufacturer’s recommendations pertaining to preflight checks will be followed. These include 

visual inspection of all flight equipment and self-test of Aircraft and Camera System. In addition, the 

Compass will be calibrated prior to each flight. Launch shall occur only after the visual inspection and 

checks for Controller Pairing, Compass Calibration, GPS Signal Verification, and Camera Functionality 

have been made and passed. Post-flight inspection will be performed to determine to presence of 

wear/damage, and any worn/damaged parts will be replaced prior to the next flight. 

3. Control of the UAS 

The controls for the UAS will operate on an available frequency within the 2.4GHz band commonly used 

for this type of Aircraft. The video downlink of the UAS will operate on an available frequency within the 

5.8GHz Frequency band commonly used for this type of Aircraft. 

4. General Information about UAS PIC 

I (Steven Koontz) am the Pilot In Command of the UAS for which I am applying for an Exemption. I have

no Aircraft Pilot qualifications or Certificates. I have trained with the UAS for about 40 hours and am 

sufficiently proficient at flying it to accomplish the type of work I wish to do with it 

5. Medical Information about UAS PIC 

I am in good health, but as I have no Flight Qualifications there are no health Standards to be met. 

6. Intended Use of the UAS 

In the course of my work I intend to use the UAS to aerially photograph public roadways and highways, 

and private property where written permission of the owner or owner’s representative is obtained to do

so prior to the flight. The purpose of these flights will be to obtain information concerning damage from 

weather, the location of evidence such as tire marks and roadway gouges left during a vehicle crash, and 

similar uses. The UAs will best serve the purposes by remaining well above the ground, not in or near

the paths of vehicles using the roadway, or being in close proximity to the buildings which are being 

surveyed for damage. While Florida Statute 471.027 allows Engineers to access Private Property for the 

purposes of surveys, I do not intend to extend that permission to use of the UAS without written 
permission of the Owner or Owners Representative. All Safety procedures previously described will be 

followed to ensure the safest possible flight. 

7. Speed and Altitude 

The UAS will be operated below 200 ft Elevation. Speeds in any direction will not exceed those 

mandated by the Default settings within the Manufacturer’s operating system. In conditions 

determined to be too foggy or windy to safely operate, no operations will be made. The purpose of this 

UAS is to hover and take photographs. 

8. Typical Operations Area 

Typical Operations Area will include over Public Roadways and Highways, and over Private Property 

where written permission has been granted for the Survey. Potential hazards include Power lines, 

Vehicles, and operation in Populated Areas. Visual Line Of Sight tracking of the UAS, limitation to nearproximity operation, and restricted operations near areas such as Airports will serve to make the flights 

as safe as possible. 

9. Operations near Airports 

No operations with UAS elevation over 100 ft will be performed within proximity of any Airport as 

described by Section 333(b)(1) 

10. VLOS Operation 

The UAS will be operated only within a Visual Line Of Sight. The Operator will maintain visual contact 

with the UAS and can at any time activate the “Homing” feature of the UAS to safely return the UAS to 

its launch location 

11. Preflight Safety Risk Assessment 

In addition to the Preflight Checks on the UAS itself, the Operations Area will be assessed for hazards to 

people and/or property, and for compliance VLOS Operation requirements. No operations will be 

performed if any Check is deemed Unsafe. 

12. Operations requiring FSDO Notification 

No Operations requiring FSDO Notification will be made 

13. COA from FAA Air Traffic Organization 

COA Application will be submitted once a Docket Number for this Exemption has been received 

Steven Koontz, PE 

13232 Quigley Ave. 

Weeki Wachee, FL 34614 

(352)796-7337