Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

GP Walsh Productions

3576 E. Longhorn Dr.

Gilbert, AZ 85297 

(480) 275-4526 

Date: September 15, 2015 Version: Original

Page 1 of 9
Table of Contents

A. Purpose............................................................................................................................... 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization............................................................................................ 4

C. Pilots To Be Used During Filming................................................................................... 4

D. List of Aircraft by Make, Model and Serial or Registration Number ......................... 4

E. Distribution and Revision ................................................................................................ 4

 F. Persons Authorized........................................................................................................... 5

G. Plan of Activities ............................................................................................................... 8

H. Permission to Operate .................................................................................................... 9

I. Security .............................................................................................................................. 9

J. Briefing of Pilots and Production Personnel ................................................................. 10

K. Certification/Airworthiness ........................................................................................... 10

L. Pilot Personnel—Minimum Requirements................................................................... 10

M. Limitations.......................................................................................................................10

N. Communications ............................................................................................................. 10

O. Accident Notification ..................................................................................................... 11

P. Recall/Stop Procedures................................................................................................... 11

Q. Aerobatic Competency ................................................................................................... 11

Page 2 of 9
Revision Control Page

Revision # Date Initials

Page 3 of 9
Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual

A. Purpose

This Manual has been developed by GP Walsh Productions in conjunction with an application for an

exemption from a limited number of regulations pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization 

and Reform Act of 2012 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, as outlined in GP Walsh Productions’ exemption 

application dated May 20, 2015, for use of sUAS to gather footage from closed-set locations. GP 

Walsh Productions’ pilots and other company personnel when applicable will comply with the

policies, procedures, and conditions of this Manual, whenever motion picture or television flight 

operations are performed that require an exemption.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

GP Walsh Productions -- Operator

3576 E Longhorn Dr

Gilbert, AZ 85297

George Walsh - Applicant/responsible person - (480) 275-4526

C. Pilots To Be Used During Filming

Pilots to be used during filming will be included in the Plan of Activities to be filed at least three (3)

days prior to each scheduled filming, pursuant to Section H, infra, with the local FSDO having

jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The list of pilots will include each pilot’s pilot 

certificate number as well as special pilot authorizations or endorsements, if applicable.

D. List of Aircraft by Make, Model and Serial or Registration Number

A list of aircraft to be used appears in Appendix B, infra. Furthermore, any aircraft to be used in the

proposed filming shall be listed by make, model and serial or registration number in the Plan of

Activities to be filed at least three days prior to each scheduled filming, pursuant to Section H, infra, 

with the local FSDO having jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming.

E. Distribution and Revision

GP Walsh Productions will issue a copy of this manual, including all revisions, to all personnel 

involved in sUAS operation. All recipients are required to keep their manuals up-to-date with any

furnished revisions.

Amendments in FARs and normal usage will frequently indicate a need for additions, deletions, or

corrections of selected subject matter in this manual. Revisions to the manual will be issued 

periodically to reflect these changes. In addition, manual users who observe or experience a need 

for change are encouraged to submit their suggestions to the Chief Financial Officer for review and

consideration.

Page 4 of 9
Revisions to the Manual will be forwarded to the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) at 

least 15 days before the proposed effective date. Revisions will be noted on the Revision 

Control Page at the front of this Manual and will be noted in bold in this Manual. Each 

subsequent revision of the Manual will be distributed to all company personnel involved in 

sUAS operation.

F. Persons Authorized

Section 91.119(c) is waived only with respect to those participating persons, vehicles, and structures 

directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The pilot-in-command and certificate

holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to 

be involved and necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 

200 feet in the event that a suitable, equivalent level of safety can be achieved. An equivalent level of

safety may be determined by evaluation of the filming production area and the degree of terrain 

features, buildings, etc. that will provide a safety barrier to observers.

Prior to any filming, the pilot-in-command and certificate holder shall be responsible for obtaining

signed consent forms from any person who is allowed within 500 feet (or 200 feet as outlined 

above) of the filming. Such consent forms shall be maintained by the operator for a period of at 

least six (6) months following the filming.

G. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, GP Walsh Productions shall submit a

written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. 

The plan of activities shall include the following:

1) Dates and times for all flights.

2) Name and phone number of operator responsible for the filming production 

event.

3) Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of

the sUAS.

4) Make, model, and serial number or registration number of aircraft to be used 

and type of airworthiness certificate, including Category (CAT).

5) Names and certificate numbers of pilots involved in the filming production 

event.

6) A statement that permission has been obtained from property owners and/or 

Page 5 of 9
local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those who 

gave permission will be made available to the inspector upon request.

7) Signature of exemption holder or a designated representative.

8) A general outline, description or summary of the flight activity schedule, 

including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, country, and/or state over 

which filming will be conducted and the altitude essential to accomplish the 

operation.

At the discretion of the FSDO, the 3-day notification may be waived. Justification of the 

exception to the 3-day requirement is needed.

GP Walsh Productions acknowledges that prior to the beginning of any filming operations, the

plan of activities must be accepted by the FAA.

H. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operation is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver and this Manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from 

whom permission may be required are listed below:

1) Property owners

2) Law enforcement officials

3) Fire department officials

4) Local, state and federal government

The GP Walsh Productions personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever

practical; however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is 

provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. Written permission 

forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned over to 

GP Walsh Productions to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be

made available

for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request.

I. Security

Prior to any flight operation, the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel to 

devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons, vehicles and 

aircraft. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become

unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety.

Page 6 of 9
J. Briefing of Pilots and Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this Manual, the pilot in command will 

conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency 

procedures, and safeguards to be following during the filming production event. Personnel will 

also be briefed on any additional provisions that may be issued by the local FSDO, including the 

location of boundaries or any other time limits.

K. Certification/Airworthiness

Prior to any flight operation, the pilot in command will conduct a pre-flight inspection in 

accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 43 and 91 and 

applicable operating limitations. The pre-flight inspection will account for all potential 

discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items or equipment. If the inspection reveals a 

condition that affects the safe operation of the sUAS, the aircraft will be prohibited from operation 

until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the sUAS is found to be in a condition for

safe flight.

GP Walsh Productions will follow the sUAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, 

inpsection and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. Each sUAS

operated under this exemption will comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.

The aircraft to be used may be certificated in any CAT, including experimental, provided the 

requirements of 14 CFR part 91, §§ 91.7, 91.9, and 91.203 are met.

L. Pilot Personnel—Minimum Requirements

The pilot in command will hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport 

pilot certificate. The PIC will also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. 

driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or

the Federal Government. The PIC also will meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR

§ 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

M. Limitations

Aircraft operations shall conform with the limitations set forth in GP Walsh Productions’

request for a limited exemption, dated May 20, 2015, attached to this Manual as Appendix C.

The aircraft will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). 

Altitude will be reported in feet AGL.

Page 7 of 9
The aircraft will not be operated during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1.

N. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this Manual, the pilot in command will formulate a plan 

to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and filming. Oral, 

visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of the operation

O. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the operator would 

immediately notify the NTSB pursuant to 49 CFR § 830 and take steps to preserve and protect the

accident scene.

P. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

Q. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, see Volume 5, Chapter 9, 

Section 1, Issue/Renew/Rescind a Statement of Acrobatic Competency.

Page 8 of 9
GP Walsh Productions

Permission to Conduct Operations Form

In signing this form, I am giving GP Walsh Productions permission to operate its aircraft at

less than 500 feet from property, or, in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or 

affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production.

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Signature: 

Date: 

GP Walsh Productions Representative Receiving Permission:

_______________________________________

Name: 

Title: 

Location: 

Date of 

Operation: 

Page 9 of 9