Date: 12.10.15 Revision: Original

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Motion Picture and Television 

Flight Operation Manual 

Michael Percelli

20 Clara Street • North Haledon, NJ 07508 

(201)961-2977
Date: 12.10.15 Revision: Original

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4 

C. Persons Authorized 4 

D. Area of Operations 4 

E. Plan of Activities 5 

F. Permission to Operate 5 

G. Security 6 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7 

K. Communications 8 

L. Accident Notification 8 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8 

N. Aerobatic Competency 8 

O. Aerobatic Competency 9 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9 

B. Pilot in Command 10

 Appendix A 

 1 List of Approved Pilots 11

 2 List of Approved Aircraft 12

 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 13

 4 Revision Letter (sample) 14 

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Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials

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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Michael Percelli", hereafter referred to as 

"MP", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization 

of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. MP 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 a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned 

above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Michael Percelli- Pilot

20 Clara Street

North Haledon, NJ 07508

Michael Percelli - Manager (201) 961-2977 office 

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 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 if an equivalent level of safety

can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent 

level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production 

area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may 

protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from 

debris in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

MP approved area of operations will be the United States, Including Alaska and 

Hawaii. 
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E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, MP will submit a written plan

of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of

activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

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

event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of

airworthiness certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic

competency, if required.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property

owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list 

of those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon 

request from the waiver holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area,

city, town, county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the

minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to 

explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations 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:
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(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The MP 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. 

MP will assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. 

Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations 

are completed, and then turned into the chief pilot 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. 

G. 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 and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other

reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/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 followed during the

filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions

that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the

operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing

shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the

attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures
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• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All MP aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) for

the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness certificates.

However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in

motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category

must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order

to be used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will be

100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and inspections

(transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each

aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for

discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the

aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and

maintenance has been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements.

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC

in the aircraft type.

(2) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(3) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under

the waiver.

(4) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14

CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers

must hold FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to

perform the operations. 
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(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an

external-load operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots

used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be

obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/or

skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the

geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads

externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements

and cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the

Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. 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 appraised of the current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

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

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

M. 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.

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a

Statement of Aerobatic Competency.
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O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the MP motion picture and

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the

surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be

those specified in the MP motion picture and television operations manual

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name appear 

on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the 

activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

MP will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency

procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before

beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that

person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this

manual.

• Act as liaison between MP and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a

signed statement from each that they have read and understand its contents. 
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• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for MP.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and

processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by MP

under the provisions of this manual.

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains

responsibility. 

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the

provisions of this manual.

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes,

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any

job or operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains

responsibility.
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Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot 

Name 

Contact Number 

Michael Percelli 

(201) 961-2977
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Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model 

1. Dji Phantom 3

2. Dji Inspire 1

3. Freefly Systems Alta

4.Freefly Systems Cinestar 8

5.

6.

7.
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Appendix A .3 

Michael Percelli

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving MP Permission to operate their 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. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________

MP Receiving Permission 

_______________________________________________________________
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Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

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R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________

Revised By _________________________________ 

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than _____________________________ 

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