1 November 2 3 , 2015

Attn:

U. S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t i on Do c k e t Op e r a t ions

W e st B ui l ding G r ound F l oor, Room w1 2

- 140

1200 N e w J e rs e y Av e

, S E W a shin g ton, DC 20590

Re: Michael S obola req u est for an ex e m p t i on f rom t he re q u i rem e nts of t i t le 14 o f the Co d e of

F ed e r a l Reg u la t i o n s. S ec t i o n s 61.113 ( a ) & (b ) , 91.7 ( a ), 91

. 121, 91. 1 51(b ) , 91.405 ( a ),

91

. 407 ( a ) ( 1 )

, 91.40 9 ( a ) (1) & ( a ) ( 2 ), a nd 91.41 7 ( a ) & (b) co n cer n i ng c o mme r c i a l ope r a t i o n o f the

DJI Phantom 3 u n ma n ned a i rcra f t sy s tem p ur s u a nt t o se ct i on 333 of The FAA M o d er n i z a t i on a nd

R e f orm A ct of 2012 ( p u bl i c l aw 11 2

- 95)

Michael Sobola

3241 6 th Street South

Arlington, VA 22204

703

- 380

- 7325

mikesobola@verizon.net2 TAB L E OF CONT E N T S P a g e

G l os s ary o f a bb r e v i a t i o ns

...... .................. ......................................................... . ...... . ........... . ...3

S ummary....

...................................................................................................... . ...... . ... . ...........4

I n trod u c t i o n a nd i n tere s ts of p e t i t i o ner.

.. .............................. ............................. . ...... . ..............4

B ackground.......

........... . ..................................................................................... .... . ............. . .4

B a sis for the p etition.....

. .......................................................................................... . ..............5

N a me a n d a d d ress of p e t i t i o ner

......... ..................... . ............ . .......... ... ........ ...............................6

The sp e c i f i c s ec t i o ns of 14 C. F .R. f r om w h i ch Michael Sobola see k s exem p t ion

....... .. .... . .....7

The ex t ent o f r e l i ef Michael Sobola s ee k s a n d the reason Michael Sobola s ee k s the r e li ef

... 10

The reaso n s w hy gra n t i ng M ichael Sobola’ s r eq u est w o u l d b e i n the p u b l i c i nt e rest...

... . ..12

The reaso n s w hy gra n t i ng t he e x e m p t i on t o Michael Sobola w o u l d n ot a d v e r s e l y

a f

f

ect s a f e t y....

. ................................................................................ ................ ............... .. . . .....14

S ummary t h at can b e p u bl i s hed i n t he F ed e r a l Re g i s t er

... . ...... ........................................ . . .....25

A n y a d d i t i o n a l i n f orma t i o n, v i e ws

, or argume n ts a va i l a b l e to s up p ort Michael Sobola’s

r eq u est

... .... ................ ................................................... ............................. .............. ... . ..... . . ....25

C onclusion........

.............. . ............................................................................................ . ....... . 2 6

Ap p en d i ce s

......... ... ...... ........... ....................................... ... ... ... ................ .. ... .. .... 2 73 G LO SS A R Y OF AB B R EVI A TIONS

A G L Above G r ound L e v e l

A O I A re a o f I nte r e st

ATC Air T r a f fic Control

ATO Air T r a f fic O r g a ni z a t i on

AV A e ri a l V e h i c le

C F R Code of F e d e r a l R e g u l a t i ons

COA C e rtifi ca te of Autho r i z a t i on

F AA Fe d e r a l Aviation Adm i nis t r a t i on

F AR Fe d e r a l Aviation Re g ula t ion

GCS G r ound Control S tation

GPS Glob a l P osi t ion i ng S y s t e m

L O L L oss of L ink

NAS N a t i on a l Airsp a c e S y st e m

N O TAM Notice to Airm a n

P I C P i l ot I n Co m mand

S ec t i on 333 F AA Mod e rni z a t io n a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012 ( F M RA)

S O S a f e t y Obs e r v e r

S OP S tand a rd O p e r a t i ng P r oc e dur e s

UA Unm a nn e d Ai r c r a ft

UAS Unm a nn e d Ai r c r a ft S y st e m

V F R Visu a l F l i g ht R ules

V L OS Visu a l L ine o f Site

VMC Visu a l Meteo r ol o g ic a l C ondi t ions

VT O L V e rtic a l T a k e o f f a nd L a n ding4 S U M M A R Y

Michael Sobola s ee ks e x e mp t i on f r om the r e quir e me n ts of 14 C. F .R §§ 61. 1 13( a ) & ( b ),

91.7 (a ), 91.121, 91.151 ( b )

, 91. 4 05( a ), 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91

. 409( a ) ( 1 ) & ( a ) ( 2 )

, a nd 91.417 (a ) &

( b ), to op e r a te a n Unm a nn e d A ir c r a ft S y stem ( D J I P h a ntom 3 ) pursu a nt to S e c t i on 333 of

the F A A Mode r ni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012 ( F M R A )

. This e x e mp t ion wi l l p e rmit

MICHAEL SOBOLA to op er a te a n Un m a nn e d A i r c r a f t S y s t e m ( U AS) for the c om m e r c ial

purp o se of c ondu c t i ng a e ri a l video recording a nd photogr a p h y o f c o n stru c t i on si t e s, r e sident ia l

a nd c om m e r c ial r ea l e stat e

, c iv i l lands ca p e s a nd e v e nts ov e r ce rt a in a r ea s of the United S t a tes.

INTRODUCTI O N A N D I N TERE S TS OF THE P ET I T ION E R

Michael Sobola is a licensed Private Pilot (ASEL) (Certificate No. 3826278), and holds a

current Third Class Airman Medical Cert ificate. He has logged more than 165 hours as PIC

in the Cessna 172. He has also logged 45 hours of practice/instruction as PIC of the DJI

Phantom 3 UAS.

For more than 25 years, Michael Sobola h a s p r ovided his c l i e nts with e x p e rtise a nd knowl e d g e

in vi deo a nd mu l t i med i a production, ma r k e t i n g

, publ i c r e lations a nd tr a in i ng usi n g a d v a n c e d

te c hnolo g i e s a nd solu t ions. Michael Sobola h a s w o rk e d on hundreds of p r odu c t i ons ov e r the

p a st 25 y ea rs in a ll t y p e s of loc a t i o n s with a p e r f ec t c l i e nt a nd e mp l o y e e s a f e t y r e c o r d

. I n the

p a s t he h a s supp l ied his c l i e nts with ae ri a l video a nd photo g r a p h y usi n g c om m e r c ial a i r c r a f t

. The

ob j ec t i ve of Michael Sobola a nd his Unm a nn e d Ai r c r a ft S y s t e m ( D J I P h a ntom 3 Professional

and DJI Inspire ) a e r ial op e r a t i ons is to p r ov i de a mo r e a f fo r d a b l e , hi g h

- qu a l i t y p r odu c t i on

s y stem for a v a r i e t y of cinematographic and videographic uses , sp ec i fi c a l l y ta r g e t i n g :

• Imaging for dramatic filmmaking and re

- creations and related professional activities ;

• Aerial video and/or photogra phy for public and/or private events including television,

cinematography, newsgathering and other related professional activities

.

B A C K G ROU N D

MICHAEL SOBOLA s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion to op e r a t e the D J I P h a ntom 3 and the DJI Inspire

s y stem s f o r c ompens a t i on or hi r e w i t hin the N A S

.

The D J I P h a ntom 3 is a v e rti c a l tak e o f f a nd l a ndi n g U n m a nn e d Ai r c r a ft with a G r o u nd

Control S tation ut i l i z ing an e le c tron i c tabl e t s y s t e m. The D J I P h a ntom 3 h a s a ma x im um

g ross w e i g ht of a ppro x i m a te l y 2.8 lb.

, a di a g on a l d i m e nsion of 23.2 ”

, a ma x i m um ascent

spe e d of 16.4 fps

, a nd a ma x i m um f l y

i n g h e i g ht o f 40 0 ft

. MSL (software

- driven). It is e quipped

with four main r otors; dr i v e n b y L i t hium P o l y m e r b a t t e r y

- pow e r e d e l ec tric mo t o r s.

The DJI Inspire is also a v e rti c a l tak e o f f a nd l a ndi n g Un m a nn e d Ai r c r a ft with a

G r o u nd Control S tation ut i l i z ing an e le c tron i c tabl e t s y s t e m

. The D J I Inspire model I h a s

a ma x im um g ross w e i g ht of a ppro x i m a te l y 6.5 lb.

, a di a g on a l di m e nsion of 17.3 ”

, a

ma x i m um ascent spe e d of 16.4 fps

, a nd a ma x i m um f l y i n g h e i g ht o f 393.7 ft

. MSL (software

controlled). It is e quipped with four main r otors; dr i v e n b y L i t hium P o l y m e r b a t t e r y

- pow e r e d

e l ec tric mo t o r s.5 The DJI Phantom 3 and the DJI Inspire to be op e r a ted b y Michel Sobola will be r eg is t e r e d in

acc o r d a n c e with 49 U.S. C

. 44103, R e gis t rat i on o f Aircraf t

, a s w e ll a s 14 C. F .R P a rt 47, Aircraft

R e gis t rat i on

, a nd ma r k e d in acc o rd a n c e with 14 C. F .R. P a rt 45, Id e nt i f

ic at i on and R e gis t rat i on

M arking

.

BASIS F OR P ETI T ION

P e t i t i on e r, Michael Sobola, p u rsu a nt to the p r ovis i ons of the F e d e r a l Avi a t i on R e g ulations (14

C

. F .R. § 11.61) a nd the F AA M o d e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012 ( F M R A )

, S ec t i on 333,

Sp ec ial R ules for C e rta i n Un m ann e d Aircraft S y ste m s

, h e r e b y p e t i t i ons the Admin i str a tor to

c om m e r c ial l y o p e r a te the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS in t he N a t i on a l Airsp a c e

S y stem ( N AS), a nd for a n e x e mp t ion f r om the r e quir e m e nts of 14 C. F .R §§ 61.113 (a ) & ( b )

, 91.7 ( a ), 91.121, 91.151 ( b ) , 91.4 0 5 (a ), 91

. 407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91

. 4 0 9 (a ) ( 1 ) & ( a ) (2 )

, a nd 91

. 417( a ) & ( b )

.

I n c onsi d e r a t i on of the spe e d, w e i g ht, si z e

, a nd l i m i ted op e r a t i ng a r e a a ssoci a ted with the

unmann e d a i r c r a ft a nd their op e r a t i on, Michael Sobola’s op e r a t ion of the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS

and the DJI Inspire UAS me e t the c ondi t ions of F M R A Se c t i on 333 a nd the r e fo r e

, will not

r e quire a n a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a te in a c c o r d a n c e with 14 C

. F .R. P a rt 21, Subp a rt H.

A cc o r di n g l y

, Michael Sobola r e qu e sts r e l i e f f r o m S ec t i ons 91.405 ( a ),

91.407 (a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a ) ( 1) & ( a ) ( 2 ), a nd 91.41 7 ( a ) & ( b ), a s the s e s ec t i ons s e t fo r th r e qui r e ments

for mainten a n c e that on l y a pp l y to ai r c r a ft with a n a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t e

.

Michael Sobola submi t s that the r e qu e sted r e l i e f is p r op e r since a n e q uival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y

will be e n sur e d. Michael Sobola will use e xp e ri e n c e d p e rson n e l or te c hnici a ns to p e r f o r m

mainten a n c e

, a l t e r a t i ons, or p re v e nt i ve mainten a n c e on the U A S u sing the methods, te c hniques,

a nd p rac t ic e s p re s c rib e d in the op e r a t i ng d o c uments (i. e

., the Month l y Mainten a n c e L o g , the

Sobola Motion Picture and Televisi on Flight Operations Manual, and the DJ I P h a ntom 3 and

DJI Inspire I nstr u c t i on Man ua l s ). F u r th e rmo re

, Michael Sobola will do c ument a nd maintain a ll

mainten a n c e r e c o r ds f o r the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS

.

R e l i e f f r om ce rt a in r e q u ir e ments of S ec t i on 61.113 (a ) a nd ( b ), e nt i t l e d P rivate P i l ot P rivi l e g e s

and L i mita t ions: Pil o t in C om m an d

, is r e qu e sted b y Michael Sobola to the e xtent n ece ss a r y to

a l l ow a P i l ot in C om m a nd (P I C) ho l ding a p r ivate pi l ot or hi g h e r lev e l ce rtifi c a te, a s w e ll a s a n

a irm an medi c a l ce rti f i c a te, a nd who h a s d e monstr a ted, b y m e e t i ng m i ni m um fli g h t

- hour a nd

c u rr e n c y r e qui r e ments, that the P I C is a ble to s a f e l y op e r a te the D J I P h a ntom U AS and the DJI

Inspire UAS in a mann e r c onsistent with th i s e x e mp t ion, inclu d ing e v a sive a n d e m e r g e n c y

ma n e uv e rs a nd maintaining a ppro p ri a te dis t a n ce s f r om peop l e

, v e ssels, v e hicl e s and stru c t u re s.

Michael Sobola s ee ks r e l i e f f rom S ec t i on 91.7 ( a ), e nt i t l e d Civil A ircra f

t A ir w orth i n e s s

, b eca use

the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS do no t r e quire a n a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi ca te in

acc o r d a n c e with 14 C. F

. R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H. As such, Michael Sobola submi t s that he will

e nsure t h a t th e D J I P h a ntom 3 and the DJI Inspire are in a n a irwo r t h y c ondi t ion, p r ior to e v e r y

fli g ht, b y d e t e rmin i ng t h a t the UAS a r e in c o mp l ian c e with the op e r a t i ng do c u m e nts ( i. e

., the

Month l y Mainten a n c e L o g s , the Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual,

and the DJ I P h a ntom 3 & DJI Inspire I nstr u c t i on Man ua l s ), a nd that the a ir c r a ft a r e in a c ondi t i on

for sa f e fli g ht.6 Michael Sobola a lso s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the r e quir e ments of S ec t i on 91.121, e nt i t l e d

Alt i m e ter S e t t i n g s

, a s the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS will not h a ve a

t y

p i ca l b a rom e tr i c a l t i m e ter onbo a rd. Ho we v e r, a l t i t ude inf o r mation of the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS

and the DJI Inspire UAS will be p r ovided to the P I C via Glob a l P osi t ion i ng S y stem ( G PS )

e quip m e nt a nd r a dio c o m mun i ca t i ons tel e met r y d a ta l i nk, whi c h downlinks f r om t he UA to the

GCS for ac t i ve mon i toring of the fli g ht p a t h. This a l t i t ude info r mation, c omb i n e d with Michael

Sobola ’s op e r a t i on of the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS wit h in visual l i ne of

si g ht, b e low 400 f e e t A G L

, will e nsure a lev e l of s a f e t y e quiva l e nt t o S ec t i on 91.121.

Addit i on a l l y

, Michael Sobo la s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r o m the r e qui r e ments of S ec t i on

91.151 ( b )

, e nt i t l e d Fu e l r e quire me nts for f l i ght in VFR c ondi t ion s

. Michael Sobola submi t s that

s a f e t y will not be a f f

e c ted b y o p e r a t i on of t h e D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS

duri n g d a y l i g ht hours in visual met e o r olo g i ca l c ondi t ions ( V M C ) und e r visual fli g ht rul e s

( V F R), with e nou g h b a t t e r y po w e r to f l y the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS f o r a to t a l du r a t i on of

a ppro x i m a te l y 23 m i nutes, and e nou g h b a t t e r y po w e r to f l y the DJI Inspire UAS f o r a to t a l

du r a t i on of a ppro x i m a te l y 18 m i nutes. B a t te r y pow e r ind i ca tors on the aircraft and the

controllers a r e a lso a ble t o show e x ac t l y h o w m u c h b a t t e r y p o w e r is le f t, a s w e ll a s h o w

much t i me is n ee d e d to r e turn s a f e l y b a c k to po i nt of ta k e

- of f

.

I n acc o rd a n c e wit h 14 C. F .R. § 11.81, Michael Sobola p r ovides the following info r mation i n

support of i t s peti t ion for e x e mp t i o n:

A. N a m e a nd Ad d re ss Of T h e P e ti t io n er

.

The n a me a nd a dd r e ss of the Peti t ioner a nd point of c onta c t i s:

Michael Sobola

Writer/Producer /Director

3241 6 th Street South

Arlington

, VA 22204

703

- 380

- 7325

mikesobola@verizon.net

www.mikesobola.com7 B. T h e Sp ec i f ic S ec tions Of 14 C. F

. R. F r o m W h ich Michael Sobola Se e k s Ex e m p tion.

1. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 61.113 ( a) And ( b ).

S ec t i on 61.113, e nt i t l e d P riv a te pi l ot p r iv i l e g e s a nd l i m i tation s : Pilot in c om m an d

, subse c t i ons ( a ) a nd ( b ) p r e s c ribe the followin g

, in r e lev a nt p a rt:

( a ) No p e rson who hol d s a p r ivate pi l ot ce rtifi c a te m a y ac t a s a pi l ot in c om m a nd

( P I C) o f a n a ir c r a ft that is ca rr y i n g p a sse n g e rs or p r op e r t y f o r c ompen s a t i on o r hir e ;

nor m a y t h a t pe r son, f o r c ompens a t i on or hir e

, ac t a s P I C of a n a i r c r a ft.

(b) A p riv a te pi l ot m a y

, f o r c om p e nsation or hir e

, a c t a s P I C of a n a ir c r a ft in

c onn ec t i on with a n y bus i n e ss or e mp l o y m e nt i f

—

(1) The f l i g ht i s on l y inc i d e ntal to t h a t bu s iness or e mp l o y ment; and

(2) The a i r c r a ft do e s not ca r r y p a sse n g e rs or pro p e r t y for c om p e nsat ion or hir e

.

2. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.7 ( a )

.

S ec t i on 91.7, e nt i t l e d Civil a i r c raft air w o r th i n e s s

, subse c t i on ( a ), st a tes t h e followin g :

( a ) N o p e rson m a y op e r a t e a c iv i l air c r a ft unless it is i n a n a irwo r t h y c o ndi t ion.

3. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e q u ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.121.

S ec t i on 91.121, e nt i t l e d Alt i met e r s e t t in g s

, subs e c t i on ( a ), stat e s the followin g

, in p a rt:

( a ) E a c h p e rson op e r a t i ng a n a i r c r a ft shall maintain the c ruising a l t i t ude or fli g ht lev e l

of that a ir c r a ft, a s the c a se m a y b e

, b y r e f e r e n c e to a n a l t i m e ter that is s e t, wh e n

op e r a t i n g

--

(1) B e low 18,000 f e e t MS L

, t o

--

( i ) The c u r r e nt r e por t e d a l t i m e ter s e t t ing of a stati o n a long the route a nd

with i n 100 n a ut i ca l m i l e s of the a ir c r a ft;

(ii) I f t h e re is no stati o n with i n the a r e a p r e s c rib e d in p a ra g r a ph ( a ) ( 1 ) (i) of th i s

s ec t i on, the c u r re nt r e port e d a l t i m e ter s e t t i n g o f a n a ppro p ri a te a v a i l a ble stati o n;

or

(iii) I n the c a se of a n a i r c r a ft not e quipped with a r a dio, the e le v a t i on of the

d e p a rtu r e a irpo r t or a n a ppro p ri a te a l t i m e ter s e t t ing a v a i l a ble b e f o r e

d e p a rtu r e

.8 4. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e q u ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.151 ( b ).

S ec t i on 91.151, e nt i t l e d Fu e l require me nts f or f l i ght i n VFR c ondi t ion s

, s u bse c t i on

(b ) , stat e s the f ol l owi n g :

( b ) No p e rson may b e gin a f l ight in a rot or c raft und e r VFR c ondi t ions unless

( c onsid e ring wind and f o r ec ast w e a ther c ondi t ions) there is e nough fuel to f l y to t h e

f

i rst poi n t of in t e nd e d l a nding and, assuming n or mal c rui s i ng spe e d, to fl y af t e r that

for at least 20 minu t e s.

5. Michael Sobola Se e k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n t Of S ec tion 91.405 ( a )

.

S ec t i on 91.405, e nt i t l e d M ain t e nan c e r e qui r e d

, subse c t i on ( a ), stat e s t h e f ol l owin g : E ac h

own e r or o p e r a tor o f a n a ir c r a f t

—

( a ) S h a ll h a ve that a i r c ra ft inspe c ted a s p r e s c rib e d in subp a rt E of th i s p a rt a nd shall

b e tw ee n r e quir e d ins p e c t i ons, e x ce pt a s p r ovided in p a r a g r a ph ( c ) of t h is s ec t i on,

h a ve disc r e p a n c i e s r e p a i r e d a s pr e s c rib e d in p a rt 43 of th i s ch a pte r [ .]

6. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.407 ( a ) (1)

S ec t i on 91.407, e nt i t l e d Op e rat i on af t e r maintenan ce

, p r e v e n t i v e maintenan c e

,

r e bui l ding, or al t e rat i o n

, subse c t i on ( a ) (1 )

, stat e s the f ol l owin g :

( a ) No p e rson m a y op er a te a n y a ir c r a ft that h a s und e r g one mainten a n ce , p re v e nt i ve

mainten a n ce

, r e bui l din g

, or a l t e r a t i on unles s

--

(1) I t h a s b ee n a ppro v e d for r e turn to s e rvi c e b y a p e rson a uthori z e d und e r § 43.7

of th i s ch a pte r [ .]

7. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e q u ir eme n ts Of S ec tions 91.409 ( a ) (1) And

91.40 9 (a ) (2 )

.

S ec t i on 91.409, e nt i t l e d Insp ec t i ons

, subse c t i on ( a ), st a tes the f ol l owi n g :

( a ) E x c ept a s p r ovided in p a r a g r a ph ( c ) of th i s s ec t i on, no p e rson m a y op e r a te a n

a ir c r a ft unless, with i n the p rece di n g 12 ca len d a r m onths, it h a s had

--

(1) An a nn u a l inspe c t i on in acc o r d a n c e with p a rt 43 of th i s c h a pter a nd h a s b ee n

a ppro ve d f o r re tu r n to s e r v i c e b y a p e rson a uthori z e d b y § 43.7 o f this ch a p t e r; or

(2) An inspe c t i on f o r the is s u a n c e o f a n a i r wo r t hiness ce rtifi c a te in a cc o r d a n c e

with pa r t 21 of th i s ch a p t e r.9 8. Michael Sobola S ee k s Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e q u ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.417 ( a) A n d

91.417 ( b ).

S ec t i on 91.417, e nt i t le d M ain t e nan c e r e c ord s

, subse c t i ons ( a ) a nd (b )

, state the

followin g :

( a ) E x ce pt f o r w o rk p e r f o r med in a c c o r d a n c e with §§ 91.411 a nd 9 1 .413, ea c h

r e g is t e r e d o wn e r o r op e r a tor shall k ee p the follo w ing r ec o r ds f o r the p e rio d s spe c ified

in pa r a g r a ph ( b ) o f this s ec t i on:

(1) R ec o r ds of the ma i nten a n ce , p r e v e nt i ve m a in t e n a n c e

, a nd a l t e r a t i on a nd

r e c o r ds of the 10 0

- hou r

, a nnu a l, p r o g re ss i v e

, a nd other r e quir e d or a p p r ov e d

inspe c t i ons, a s a ppro p r i a te, for eac h a ir c r a ft (i n c l u ding the a ir f r a me) a n d eac h

e n g i n e

, pro pe l le r, r otor, a nd a ppl i a n c e of a n a i r c r af t. The rec o rds must includ e

--

(i) A d e s c ripti o n (or r e f e r e n c e to d a t a a cce ptab l e to the Admin i str a tor) of the

wo r k p e r fo r med; a nd

(ii) T he d a te o f c omp l e t i on of the w o r k p er fo r m e d; and

(iii) The s i g n a tu r e

, a nd c e rtifi ca te number o f the p e rson a p p roving the a i r c r a ft

for re turn to s e rvi ce

.

(2 ) R ec o r ds c ontaining t h e f ol l owing inf o rm a t i on:

(i) The to t a l t i me in s e rvi c e of the a ir f r a me, e a c h e n g ine, e a c h p r op e l l e r, a nd

eac h r o t o r.

(ii) The c u r r e nt status of l i fe

- l i m i ted p a rts of eac h a ir f r a me, e n g i n e

, p r op e l le r

,

roto r

, a nd a ppl i a n ce

.

(iii) Th e t i me since last ov e rh a ul of a ll i t e ms ins t a l l e d on the a ir c r a ft wh i c h

a re r e quir e d to be o v e r ha uled on a spe c if i e d t i me b a si s

.

(iv) The c u rr e nt inspe c t i on status of the a ir c r a ft, including the t i me since the

last inspe c t i on r e quir e d b y t h e insp e c t i on p r o g ra m und e r whi c h the a i r c r a ft

a nd i t s ap p l i a n ce s a re m a in t a ined.

(v) The c u r r e nt status of a ppl i ca ble a irwo r th i n e ss dir ec t i v e s ( A D ) a n d s a f e t y

dir ec t i v e s includi n g

, f o r eac h, the method o f c o mp l ian ce

, the A D or s a f e t y

dir ec t i ve number a nd re vis i on d a te. I f the AD or s a f e t y dir e c t i ve invo l v e s

r e c u r ring ac t i on, the ti m e a nd d a te w h e n the n e x t a c t i on is r e quir e d.

(vi) Copies of the fo r m s p r e s c rib e d b y § 43. 9 ( d) of th i s c h a pter for e ac h

major a l t e r a t i on to the a ir f r a m e a nd c u rr e nt l y ins t a l l e d e n g ines, rot o rs

,

p r op e l l e rs, a nd a ppl i a n c e s.10 (b) The ow n e r or op e r a tor shall r e t a in the f ol l owing r e c o r ds f o r the p e riods p re s c rib e d:

(1) The r e c o r ds s p ec ified in p a r a g ra ph ( a ) (1) o f t h is s ec t i on shall be r e tai n e d unt i l

the wo r k is r e p ea ted o r s up e rs e d e d b y other w o rk or for 1 y e a r a ft e r the wo r k is

p e r f o r med.

(2) The r e c o r ds s p ec ified in p a r a g ra ph ( a ) (2) o f t h is s ec t i on shall be r e tai n e d a nd

tr a ns fe r r e d with t he a i r c r a ft a t t he t i me the a i r c r a ft is sold.

(3) A l i st of d e f e c ts fu r n ished to a r eg is t e r e d o w n e r or op e r a tor und e r § 43.11 of

th i s c h a pter shall be r e t a ined unt i l the d e f e c ts a re r e p a ir e d a nd the a i r c r a ft is

a ppro ve d f o r re tu r n to s e r vic e

.

C. T h e Ex te n t Of R e l i e f Michael Sobola Se e k s And T h e R e ason He S ee k s T h e R e l i e f

.

1. Ex te n t Of R e l i e f Michae l Sobola Se e k s And T h e R e ason Michael Sobola S ee k s R e l i e f

F r o m S ec tion 61

. 113( a ) A n d ( b ).

R e l i e f f r om Se ct i on 61. 1 13( a ) a nd ( b ) e nt i t l e d P r ivate pi l ot privi l e g e s a n d l i mita t ions: Pilot in

c om m and

, is r e qu e sted to the e x tent n ece ssa r y to a l l ow a P I C hold i n g a p r ivate pi l ot or hi g h e r

lev e l c e rtifi ca te, a s w e ll a s a c u r re nt a nd v a l i d a irman medi c a l c e rtifi ca te, a nd who h a s met

ce rt a in fl i g h t

- hour a nd c u r r e n c y r e quir e ments, to c ondu c t the p r opos e d U AS fli g ht op e r a t i ons for

c ompens a t i on or hir e

.

This r e l i e f is r e q u e sted since the l i m i tations s e t fo r th in S ec t i on 61.11 3 ( a ) a nd (b) state that a

p r ivate pi l ot m a y

, for c ompens a t i on or hi r e

, a c t a s P I C of a n a ir c r a ft i n c onn e c t i on with a n y

busin e ss or e mp l o y ment if: (1) T h e fl i g ht is on l y incid e ntal to that busin e s s or e mp l o y ment; a nd

(2) The a i r c r a ft do e s not ca r r y p a sse n g e rs or pro p e r t y for c om p e nsation or hir e

.

As s e t fo r th more ful l y b e low, Michael Sobola submi t s that a n e quival e nt le v e l of s a f e t y will be

maintain e d b eca use no P I C will b e a l l ow e d to op e r a te the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire

UAS unless that P I C h a s met ce rt a in fli g h t

- ho u r a nd c u r r e n c y r e quir e ments with the aircraft

, d e monstr a t ing t h a t the P I C is a ble to s a f e l y o p e r a te the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire

UAS in a mann e r c onsistent with the op e r a t i ons spe c ifi c a t i ons a s d e s c rib e d in th i s e x e mp t ion,

including e v a sive a nd e me r g e n c y man e uv e rs, a s w e ll a s maintaining a ppro p ri a te dis t a n ce s f r om

p e ople, v e ssels, v e hicl e s a nd stru c tur e s.

F u r the r

, Michael Sobola subm i ts that a ll fli g hts o f the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire

UAS

, c ondu c ted b y the P I C p u rsu a nt to the g r a nt of th i s P e t i t i on: (1) will be incid e ntal to

Michael Sobola ’s busin e ss; a nd ( 2) will not ca rr y p a sse n g e rs or p r op e r t y for c ompens a t i on o r

hir e

.11 2. Ex te n t Of R e l i e f Michael S obola Se e k s And T h e R e ason Michael Sobola S ee k s

R e l i e f F r o m S ec tion 91

. 7 ( a )

.

R e l i e f f r om S ec t i on 91

. 7 (a ) e nt i t l e d Civil airc r aft air w o r th i n e s s , is r e qu e sted to the

e x tent r e quir e d to a l l ow Michael Sobola to d e te r m i ne that the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and

the DJI Inspire UAS a re in a irwo r t h y c ondi t ion p r i o r to e v e r y fli g ht b y e nsuring that

the U A S are in c omp l ian c e with the op e r a t i n g do c uments (i

. e

., the Month l y

Mainten a n c e L o g , the Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual,

and the DJ I P h a ntom 3 and DJI Inspire I nstr u c t i on Man ua ls ).

Michael Sobola s ee ks the r e qu e st e d r e l i e f b e c a use the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI

Inspire UAS do n o t r e quire a n a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a te in acc o rd a n c e with 14 C. F .R.

P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H. Th e r e fo re

, Michael Sobola will e nsure t h a t the D J I P h a ntom 3

U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS a re in a irwo r t h y c ondi t ion b a s e d upon their

c omp l ian c e with the o p e r a t i n g do c uments (i. e

., the Month l y Mainten a n c e L o g , the

Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manu al, and the DJ I P h a ntom 3

and DJI Inspire I nstr u c t i on Man ua ls) p r ior to e v e r y fl i g ht, a nd fu r the r

, d e te r m i ne

t h a t the a ir c r a ft a r e in c ondi t ion for sa f e fli g ht, a s s t a ted in the c ondi t ions and l i m i tations

b e low.

3. Ex te n t Of R e l i e f MICHAEL SOBOLA S ee k s An d T h e R e ason MICHAEL

SOBOLA S ee k s R e l i e f F r o m S ec tion 91

. 121.

R e l i e f f r om S ec t i on 9 1 .121, e nt i t l e d Alt i met e r s e t t in g s

, m a y be r e q u ir e d to a l l ow

fli g ht op e r a t i ons of the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

, whi c h ut i l iz e s a

b a ro m e tric p re ssure s e nsor, GPS e quip m e nt, a nd a r a dio c om m unic a t i ons tel e met r y

d a t a l i nk to downli n k a l t i t ude info r mation f r om the UA to the P I C a t t he g round c ontrol

s t a t i on ( G C S ). S ince the F AA r e quir e s that a n y a l t i t ude info r mation c o n ce rni n g U A S

op e r a t i ons be r e por t e d to a ir tr a f fic c ontrol ( A TC) in f ee t a bove g round le v e l ( A G L ),

Michael Sobola s ee ks the r e qu e sted r e l i e f b eca u s e the D J I P h a n tom 3 U A ’s and the DJI

Inspire UA’s a l t i m e ter m a y b e s e t on the g round to ze ro fe e t A G L, r a ther t h a n the lo c a l

b a rom e tric p r e ss ure o r f i e ld alt i tude, b e fo r e e a c h f l i g ht.

Consid e ring the l i m i ted a l t i t ude of the p r opos e d op e r a t i ons, r e l i e f f rom 14 C F R 91.121 is

sou g ht to the e x tent n ece ssa r y to c omp l y with the a ppl i c a ble c ondi t ions a nd l i m i t a t i ons

stat e d b e low. As more ful l y s e t fo r th h er e in, a n e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be

maintain e d since the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS a re

both e quipped with a b a rom e tric p re ssure s e ns o r a nd G P S e quip m e nt, whi c h

a uto m a t i ca l l y e nsur e s th a t a g r ound lev e l p r e ssure s e t t ing will b e e stabl i sh e d p r ior to

e a c h fli g h t

, a nd p r ovides the P I C with alt i tude in f o r mation of the UA on the h e a d s

- up

disp la y of the GC S

.

4. Ex te n t Of R e l i e f M ichael Sobola S ee k s And T h e R e ason Michael Sobola S ee k s

R e l i e f F r o m S ec tion 91

. 151(b).

R e l i e f f r om S ec t i on 91.151 ( b) e nt i t l e d F u e l r e quir e ments for fli g ht in V F R c ondi t ion s

, is12 r e qu e sted to the e x tent r e quir e d to a l l ow fl i g hts of the b a t t e r y p o w e r e d D J I P h a ntom

3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS during d a y l i g ht hours in visual met e o r olo g i c a l

c ondi t ions ( V M C ), und e r visual fli g ht rul e s ( VF R), f o r a to t a l dur a t i on of 23

m i nutes (for the DJI Phantom 3) and 18 minutes (for the DJI Inspire )

. Michael Sobola

s ee ks the r e qu e sted r e l i e f b e ca use without a n e x e mp t ion f r om S ec t i on 91.151 ( b )

, the

fl i g ht t i me dur a t i on of th e b a t t e r y

- p o w e r e d DJI Phantom 3 UAS and the DJI

Inspire UAS w i ll s e v e r e ly c onstr a in the p r a c t i ca l it y o f a n y ae r i a l video or st i ll ph o to

fli g ht op e r a t i ons that Michael Sobola p r opos e s to c ondu c t pursu a nt to t his P e t i t ion.

S i g nifi ca nt l y

, a s s e t f o rth b e low

, the te c hni c a l sp e c ific a t i ons of the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S

and the DJI Inspire UAS

, the D J I P h a ntom 3 and DJI Inspire op e r a t i ng d o c uments, a nd

Michael Sobola ’ s p r opos e d op e r a t i n g l i m i tation s

, e nsure that Michael Sobola will s a f e l y

op e ra te the b a t t e r y p o w e r e d D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire d u ring

d a y l i g ht ho u rs in v i sual met e o r ol o g ic a l c o n di t ions ( V M C ), und e r visual fli g ht rules

( V F R), with enou g h b a t t e r y po w e r to f l y f or a to t a l dur a t i on of 23 m i nute s (for the DJI

Phantom 3) and a total duration of 18 m inutes (for the DJI Inspire )

.

5. Ex te n t Of R e l i e f MICHAEL SOBOLA S ee k s And T h e R e ason MICHAEL SOBOLA

S ee k s R e l i e f F r o m S e c ti o n s 91.405 ( a )

, 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a ) (1) & ( a ) ( 2 ) , And 91.417 ( a)

& ( b ).

S ince S ec t i ons 91.405 (a )

, 91.407 (a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a) (1) & ( a ) ( 2 )

, a nd 91.417 ( a ) & (b) on l y

a pp l y to a ir c r a ft with a n a irwo r t hiness ce rtifi ca t e

, Michael Sobola r e qu e sts r e l i e f f rom

these S ec t i ons b eca u s e the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS do not

r e quire a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a tes. As s e t fo r th more ful l y b e low, t he D J I P h a ntom 3 U AS

and the DJI Inspire UAS me e t the c ondi t ions of F M R A S ec t i on 333 for op e r a t i on

without a n a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a te. A cc o r di n g l y

, Michael Sobola will use tr a ined

te c hnici a ns to p e r f o r m mainten a n ce

, a l t e r a t i ons, or p re v e nt i v e mai nten a n c e on the

UAS using the methods, te c hniques, a nd p r a c t i c e s p re s c rib e d in the U A S op e r a t i ng

d o c uments (i. e

., the Month l y Mainten a n c e L o g , the Sobola Motion Picture and

Television Flight Operations Manual, and the DJ I P h a ntom 3 and DJI Inspire

I nstr u c t i on Man ua ls)

. F u r t h e rmo re

, Michael Sobola will do c ument a nd maintain a ll

mainten a n c e r ec o r ds f o r the D J I P h a ntom 3 U AS and the DJI Inspire UAS

.

D. T h e R e aso n s W h y G r a n ting Michael Sobola’s R e qu e st Wo u ld Be In T h e P ub l i c

I n t e re s t; T h at Is, H ow It Wou l d B e n e fit T h e P ub l i c As A W h ole.

G ra nt i ng t h e p re s e nt P e t i t i on will fu r ther the publ i c in t e r e st b y a l l owing Michael Sobola

to s a f e l y

, e f fi c ient l y

, a nd e c onom i ca ll y p e r f o rm ae ri a l video , cinematography a nd

photo g r a p h y ov e r c e rt a in a r e a s of the United S t a tes. Addit i on a l l y , use of the D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and/or the DJI Inspire UAS will d ec r ea se c o n g e st i on of the N A S

,

r e d u c e pol l ut i on, a nd p r ovide s i g nifi c a nt b e n e fits to the ec ono m y . Not a b l y

, t h e b e n e fits

of Michael Sobola ’s p r o p osed op e r a t i on of the DJ I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire

will be r ea l iz e d without i m pl i ca t i ng a n y priv a c y i ssues.13 1. T h e P ub l i c Wi l l B e n e f it F r o m D e c re ased C o n g e stion Of T h e N A S

.

The D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS are both b a t t e r y

po w e r e d a nd s e rve a s s a f e

, e f fi c ient, a nd e c onom i ca l a l t e rn a t i ve s to the mann e d

a ir c r a ft t r a di t ional l y u t i l i z e d to obtain ae ri a l i m a g e r y

. B y r e du c i n g t h e a mount of man n e d

a i r c ra ft n ee d e d to p e r f o r m a e r i a l ac quis i t i ons, a n e x e mp t ion a l l owing the use of a D J I

P h a ntom 3 U AS and the DJI Inspire UAS woul d r e du c e t h e a mo u nt of mann e d a ir c r a ft

in t he N A S

, r e d u c e noise a nd a ir pol l ut i on, a s w e ll a s inc r e a se the s a f e t y of l ife a nd

p r o p e r t y in t he a ir a nd on the g roun d

.

F u r the r m o r e

, b y r e d u c ing the number of man n e d a ir c r a ft op e r a t i n g in the N A S

,

c ong e s t i on a r ound a irp o rts ca u s e d b y a rr iv i n g a nd d e p a rting a ir c r a ft will be r e du c e d

.

T he D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS do not r e quire a n a irpo r t to tak e o f f

or land. L ike w ise, a r e du c t i on of mann e d a ir c r a ft c ondu c t i ng ae r i a l video

, cinematography a nd photo g r a p h y m i ss i ons would r e sult in f e w e r a ir c r a ft that must be

h a ndled b y a ir tr a f f ic c o n trol during the g roun d

, t a k e o f f, d e p a rtu r e

, a r r ival, a nd landi n g

ph a s e s of fli g ht ope r a t i ons.

2. T h e P ub l i c Wi l l B e n e f it F r o m T h e S a f e ty A n d Ef f

ici e n c y O f T h e DJI P h a n t o m

3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

.

Condu c t i ng a e ri a l ac qui s i t ions with the D J I P h a n tom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

, ins t ea d of mann e d a ir c r a ft, will g r ea t l y b e n e fit the publ i c b y d ra st ic a l l y r e du c i n g the

lev e ls of a ir a nd no i se pol l ut i on g e n e r a ted during tr a di t ional a e ri a l video a nd st i ll

photo g r a p h y fl i g ht op e r a t i ons. By using b a t t e r y pow e r a nd e le c tric mo t o r s, the D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS p r odu c e no a ir pol l ut i on, a nd are the mo s t

viab l e e nvironme n tal l y

- c onsci o us a l t e rn a t i ve to the ca b i n c lass, six c y l i nd e r in ter n a l

c ombust i on e n g ine a ir c r a ft that a re t y pi c a l l y ut i l i z e d for ae ri a l video a nd p hoto g r a p h y

, while burning a ppro x i m a te l y 20

- 30 g a l l ons p e r hour of le a d e d a viation fu e l. The D J I

P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS

, while r e du c ing the ca rbon footp r int of a e ri a l

ac quis i t i ons, a lso e l i m i n a te noise pol l ut i on, a s t he UAS are p r op e l l e d b y b a t te r y pow e r e d

e l ec t r ic mo t o r s, r a ther than a n in t e rn a l combus t ion e n g ine.

B y usi n g the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS to p e r f o rm a er ial

ac quis i t i ons, the subs t a nt i a l risk to l i fe a nd p r op e r t y in t he a ir a nd on the g r ound, whi c h is

us u a l l y a ss o c iat e d with t r a d i t i on a l m a nn e d a ir c r a ft fli g ht op e r a t i ons, will b e subs t a nt i a l l y

r e du c e d o r c omp l e te l y e l i m i n a ted. Aside f r om the l a c k of fli g ht c r e w memb e rs l o ca ted

onbo a rd the a i r c r a ft, the D J I P h a nt o m 3 UAS ( we i g hi n g a ppro x i m a te l y 2 .8 pou n ds a t

its’ ma x i m um g r oss w e i g ht with di a g o n a l di m e nsion of 2 3.2 inch e s, a nd with no fu e l

on bo a rd )

, and the DJI Inspire UAS (weighing approximately 6.5 pounds with a

diagonal dimension of 17.3 inches and with no fuel on board) h a ve less p h y sic a l

potential f o r c ol l a t e r a l d a m a ge to l if e a nd p r op e r t y on the g roun d

, a nd in the a ir,

c omp a r e d to the mann e d a ir c r a ft t h a t t y pi c a l l y c ondu c t si m i l a r op e r a t i ons ( w e igh i ng

a p p r o x i m a te l y 6,0 0 0 pounds wi t h a wi n g sp a n of a ppro x i m a te l y 42 f e e t, a l e n g th o f 34

f

e e t, a nd a f u e l c a p ac i t y of 1 8 0 g a l l ons).14 3. P e r f o r m i n g A er ial V i d e o , Cinematorgaphy a n d P h o t og r a ph y O p er a t io n s with

Th e DJI P h a n t o m 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS Wi l l B e n e f it T h e E c o n o m y.

I n a ddi t ion to b e i n g s a fe a nd e f fi c ient, the DJ I P h a ntom 3 U A S is a lso a n

ec onom ic a l a l t e rn a t i ve to using mann e d a ir c r a ft to c ondu c t si m i l a r ae ri a l op e r a t i ons. As

such, op e r a t i on of the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS will a l l ow

United S tat e s

- b a s e d entitie s, l i ke Michael Sobola

, to r e main c om p e t i t i ve a nd c ontribu t e to

g r o wth of the U.S. e c on o m y

. S p e c ific a l l y

, with the rising c ost of a viat i on fu e l a nd the

Enviro n ment a l P rot ec t i on A g e n c y ( “ EPA ” ) re g ulato r y ac t i ons ph a si n g out le a d e d

a viation f u e ls, U.S. o wn e d a nd o p e r a t e d entities must a dopt n e w a nd a l t e r n a t ive

t e c hnolo g y in o rd e r to r e main c ompeti t ive. Op e r a t i n g t h e b a t t e r y pow e r e d D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS is one such te c hnol o g y t h a t not on l y

a l l ows entities g rea t e r op e r a t i on a l fl e x ib i l i t y c ompa r e d to mann e d a ir c r a ft, but

p r ovides such fl e x ib i l i t y without the hi g h op e r a t i on a l cost of a tr a d i t i on a l m a nn e d

a ir c r a ft.

B y o p e r a t i ng the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

, entities such a s

Michael Sobola ca n r e main c ompeti t ive a nd p r o f i t a ble, a nd p r ovide more opportunities

for sub

- contractors

, whi c h will u l t i m a te l y c ontribu t e to g r owth of the U.S. ec onom y

.

4. T h er e A r e No P r iva c y Iss u e s.

S i m i l a r to the mann e d ae ri a l ac quis i t i on fli g ht op e r a t i ons that h a ve b ee n c ondu c ted for

d e c a d e s, Michael Sobola ’s p r opos e d o p e r a t i on of the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the

DJI Inspire UAS will not i m pl i ca te a n y p r iva c y i s sues. S p ec ific a l l y , the DJ I P h a ntom 3

U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS will be op e r a te d on l y in c omp l ian c e with op e r a t i ng

d o c uments (i. e

., Month l y Main t e n a n c e L o g

, the Motion Picture & Television Flight

Operations Manual, the D J I P h a ntom 3 Instruction Manual and the DJI Inspire

UAS I nstr u c t i on Man ua l) whi c h r e quir e s p r op e r t y own e r invo l v e me nt a s w e ll a s loc a l

law e n f o r c e ment not i fi ca t i on, a nd in acc o r d a n c e with the F e d e r a l Avi a t i on

R e g u l a t i ons, including t h e m i ni m um a l t i t ude r e q ui r e ments of 14 C. F .R. § 91.119.

E. T h e R e aso n s W h y G r a n ting T h e Ex e m p t i on Wo u l d Not Adve r s e ly A ff ec t

S a f e ty, O r How T h e Ex e m p tion Wo u ld P r ovi d e A L e v e l O f S a f e ty At L e ast E qu al

To T h at P r ovi d e d By T h e Ru l e F r o m W h i c h M ichael Sobola Se e k s E x e m p tio n

.

1. R e aso n s W h y T h e DJI P h a n tom 3 U A S and T he DJI Inspire UAS M ee t

T h e Con d i tions O f T h e F AA M o d er n iz a t ion a n d R e fo r m A c t of 2012 ( F M R A)

S ec tion 333.

I n c onsi d e r a t i on of the si z e

, w e i g ht, spe e d, a nd l i m i ted op e r a t i ng a r e a a ssoci a ted with the

unmann e d a i r c r a ft a nd i t s op e r a t i o n

, Michael Sobola ’s op e r a t i on of the D J I P h a ntom 3

U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS m e e t t he c ondi t ions of F M R A S e c t i on 333, a nd will not

r e quire a n a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a te in a c c o r d a n c e with 14 C

. F .R. P a rt 21, Subp a rt H.

S ec t i on 333 p r ovides a u t hori t y for a U A S to op e r a te w i thout a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on

a nd s e ts fo r th r e quir e ments for c o nside r ing wh e t h e r a U A S will c r e a te a h a z a rd to u s e rs of15 the N A S or the publ i c

, or othe r wise pose a thr ea t to n a t i on a l s ec u r i t y

. S p ec ific a l l y

,

F M R A S ec t i on 333 stat e s the followin g

, in pa r t:

( a ) In G e n e ral

. - - Notw i t hstanding any other r e quire me nt of th i s subti t le, a nd

not la t e r than 180 da y s af t e r the date of e n a c tm e nt of th i s A c t, the S ec r e tary

of T r

a nspor t at i on shall d e ter m ine if ce rt a in unmann e d aircraft s y ste m s may

o

p e rate sa f

e ly in the nat i onal air s pa c e s y stem b e fore c ompl e t i on of the plan

and ru le m a k ing r e quired by s ec t i on 332 of t his Act or t he guidance req u ired

b y se c t i on 334 of t his Act.

( b ) Assessm e nt of Un m a nn e d Aircraft S y ste m s

. - - In ma k ing the

d e t e rmination und e r subse c t i on ( a )

, the S e c r e t ary shall det e rmin e

, at a

min i mu m

--

( 1 ) which ty p e s of u n m a nn e d aircraft s y ste m s, if an y

, as a r e sult of

their si z e , w e igh t

, spe e d, op e rat i o nal c apabi l i t y , proxi m i t y to airports

and popu l ated areas, and op e rat i on w i t hin v isual l ine of sig h t do not

c r e ate a hazard t o u s e rs of the nat i onal air s pa c e s y stem or the publ i c

o r pose a threat to nat i onal s ec uri t y ; and

( 2 ) wh e t h e r a ce rt i f

i c ate of waiv e r, ce rt i f

ic ate of authoriza t ion, or

air w orth i n e ss ce rt i f

i c at i on und e r s ec t i on 44704 of t i t l e 49, Un i ted

S t

ates Cod e

, is r e quired for t h e op e rat i on of unmann e d aircraft

s y ste m s identi f

ied und e r paragraph ( 1 ).

( c ) R e quire me nts for Sa f

e Op e rat i on

. - - If the S e c r e tary d e ter m i n e s und e r t his

s ec t i on that ce rta i n unmann e d a ircraft s y ste m s m a y op e r ate safely in t h e

n at i on a l air s pa c e s y ste m

, the S ec r e ta r y shall e stab l ish r e quire me nts for the

safe op e rat i on of such aircraft syst e ms in t he nat i onal a i rspace syst e m.

I n s ee ki n g th i s e x e mp t ion, Michael Sobola submi t s that the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the

DJI Inspire UAS ca n op e r a te s a f e l y in t h e N A S purs u a nt to F M R A S ec t i on 333, a s

d e monstr a ted b y : ( a ) the c h a r a c te r is t ics o f the D J I P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI

Inspire UAS ; (b) t he pi l ot c e rtifi ca t i on r e q uir e ment; a nd ( c ) the spe c ific o p e r a t i n g

l i m i tation s

.

a. T h e Sp ec i f ica t io n s Of T h e DJI P h a n t o m 3 U AS and the DJI Inspire UAS

D e m o n st r a t e Their S a f e Chara c t er istics.

The D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS do not c r e a t e a h a z a rd to use r s of

the N A S or t h e publ i c

, or othe r wise pose a thr e a t t o n a t i on a l se c u r i t y c onsid e ri n g their

s iz e

, w e i g ht, sp e e d, a nd o p e r a t i on a l c a p a bi l i t y

.

i. T ec hn ical Sp ec ifica t io n s Of T h e DJI P h a n tom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS

.

The te c hnic a l sp e c ific a t i ons of the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire are s e t

fo r th b y the respective Us e r Man ua l s

, the pertinent section s of which is a t t ac h e d h e r e to a s

App e ndix A (Phantom 3) and Appendix B (Inspire 1).16 i i

. T h e DJI P h a n tom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS G lo b al P ositio n i n g

M o d e s En a b le T h e U A S To R e m ain Within A De f i n e d O p er a t io n al A re a.

The D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS m a y be o p e r a t e d in both manu a l

a nd g lobal posit i oning fl i g ht modes. The Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight

Operations Manual specifically prohibits the use of the manual operation mode except under

emergency situations.

i i i. Th e DJI P h a n tom 3 and the DJI Inspire UAS U A S are D e sig n e d F or

Auto m a tic R e turn T o Ho m e Poi n t Or Hov e r In T h e Ev e n t Of Loss Of T h e

Cont r ol L i n k Or N avigatio n

.

W h e n the Control L ink is los t

, the D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS will

r e main sta t iona r y , in fli g ht, for 3 s ec onds or mo r e

. I f, a ft e r 3 s ec onds, the aircraft do e s

not r e

- ac quire c ontrol l i nk d a ta f r om the G round C ontrol S ystem (GCS)

, the U A S will

a ssu m e that the Control L ink is lost a nd the will r e turn to the home posit i on (i. e

., f a i l s a fe

m o d e ) via GP S

, a nd will d e s ce nd to t he tak eo ff posit i on a nd shutdown.

b

. F l i g h t Ope r a t i on s Of the DJI P h a n t o m 3 U AS and the DJI Inspire UAS are

Li m it e d To T h e Li n e Of S i g h t Of A C er ti f ica te d P i l ot in Co mm a n d.

Only Michael Sobola or those holding a Sport Pilot or higher license with current

Thir d

- Class Airman Medical Certificate will be ac t ing a s a pi l ot in c om m a nd ( P I C) o f

the DJ I P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS.

c

. F l i g h ts Of the DJI P h a nt om 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS Wi l l B e

Con du c t e d P u r s u a n t To S pec i f ic O p er a t i n g Li m ita t io n s.

I n s ee ki n g th i s e x e mp t i o n, Michael Sobola p r opos e s to co m me rc ial l y op e r a te the D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS for the sp ec ial pu r pose o f c ondu c t i ng a e ri a l

v i d e o , cinematography a nd pho t o g r a p h y ov e r ce r t a in a r e a s o f U ni t e d S tat e s, p u r suant to

t he f ol l owing s p ec ific o p e r a t i n g l i m i tation s :

1. Op e r a t i ons a uthori z e d b y th i s g r a nt of e x e mp t ion will be l i m i ted to t h e

follow i n g a ir c r a ft d e s c rib e d in the op e r a t i n g do c uments, ro t o rc r a ft UAS

w e i g hi n g l e ss than 55 pounds ma x i mum g ross w e i g ht: the D J I

P h a nt om 3 Unm a nn e d Air c r a ft S y stem and the DJI Inspire Unmanned

Aircraft System. P ropos e d op e r a t i ons of a n y other a i r c r a ft will re quire a

n e w p e t i t i on or a p e t i t i on to a mend this g r a nt.

2. U A S op e r a t i ons und e r th i s e x e mp t ion will be l i m i t e d to c ondu c t i n g

o p e r a t i ons f o r the pu r pose of ae ri a l v i d e o , cinematography a nd photogr a p h y

.

3. The U A S m a y not be f lown a t an indi c a ted a irsp ee d e x cee di n g 20 k n ots.

4. The UA S must be op e r a ted a t a n a l t i t u de of no m o r e than 400 f e e t a bove

g r ound lev e l ( A G L ), a s ind ic a te d b y t he p r o ce du r e s sp e c ified in the op e r a t i n g

do c u m e nts unless a spe c ial r e qu e st is made a nd a ppro ve d b y A TC. All

a l t i t ud e s r e port e d to ATC must b e in f ee t A G L

.17 5. The UAS must be o p e r a ted with i n visual l i ne of si g ht ( V L OS) of the

P I C a t a ll t i mes. This r e quir e s the P I C to be a ble to use h uman vis i on

un a ided b y a n y d e vi c e other than c o r re c t i ve l e nses, a s spe c ified on the P I C’s

F A A

- is s u e d a i r man medi ca l ce rtifi c a te.

6. The use of fi r st p e r so n view ( F P V) b y the P I C or s a f e t y obse r v e r (SO) is

not p e rmit t e d.

7. All op e r a t i ons must u t i l iz e a s a f e t y obs e rv e r (S O )

. The S O m a y b e used to

s a t i s f y the V L OS r e quir e ment a s long a s the P I C a lw a y s maintains V L OS

c a p a b i l i t y

. The S O a nd P I C must b e a ble to c om m unic a te v e rb a l l y a t a ll t i mes.

Ele c tronic m e ss a g ing or te x t i ng is not p e rmit t e d during fl i g ht op e r a t i ons. The

P I C must be d e signat e d b e fo r e the fli g ht a nd c a nnot tr a nsf e r his or h e r

d e s i g n a t i on for the dur a t i on of t h e fl i g ht. The P I C must e nsure that t h e S O ca n

p e r f o r m the fun c t i ons p re s c rib e d in the op e r a t i n g do c u ments.

8. The S O must not p e r f o r m a n y oth e r dut i e s b e y ond a ss i st i ng the P I C with

s ee ing a nd a void i ng ot h e r a ir t r a f f i c a nd other g r ound b a s e d

obst ac les/obs t r u c t i ons a nd is not p e rmit t e d to o p e r a te the c a me r a o r oth e r

instrum e n ts.

9. The op e r a t i n g do c u m e n ts a nd the g r a nt of e x e mp t ion must be acce ss i ble

during U A S op e r a t i ons a nd made a v a i l a ble to t h e Admin i str a tor upon

r e qu e st. I f a disc re p a n c y e x is t s b e tw ee n the c ondi t ions a nd l i m i tations

c o n tain e d in the g ra nt of e x e mp t ion a nd the p ro c e dur e s ou t l ined in the

o p e r a t i ng do c uments, the c o ndi t ions a nd l i m i tations c ontain e d in the g r a nt of

e x e mp t ion take p rece d e n c e a nd must be follow e d. Oth e r w ise, the op e r a tor must

follow the p r o c e dur e s a s out l ined in i ts op e r a t i n g do c uments. The op e r a t o r

m a y up d a te o r r e vise i t s op e r a t i ng do c u m e nts. I t is the op e r a tor ’ s r e spons i bi l i t y

to tr ac k such r e vis i ons a nd p r e s e nt upd a t e d a nd r e vised do c uments to the

Admin i str a tor upon r e qu e st. T h e op e r a t o r must a lso p re s e nt upd a ted a nd

r e vised do c uments if it p e t i t i ons for e x te nsion or a mendm e nt to the g ra nt of

e x e mp t ion. I f the op e r a t or d e te r m i n e s that a n y upd a te or r e vis i on wou l d

a f

f

e c t the b a sis upon whi c h the F A A g r a nted the e x e mp t ion, then the o p e r a tor

must p e t i t i on for a mendm e nt to i t s g r a nt of e x e mp t ion. The F A A ’s U A S

I nt e g r a t i on O f f i c e ( A F S

- 80) m a y be c ont a c ted if qu e st i ons a rise r e g a rdi n g

upd a tes or r e vis i ons to t h e op e r a t i n g do c uments.

10. P rior to eac h f l i g ht t h e P I C must inspe c t the U AS t o e nsu r e that it is i n a

c ondi t ion for s a f e fl i g ht. I f the in s p ec t i on r e v ea ls a c ondi t ion that a f f

ec ts the

s a f e o p e r a t i on of the U A S

, the a ir c r a ft is p r ohib i ted f r om op e r a t i n g unt i l the

n ece ssa r y mainten a n c e h a s b ee n p e r f o rm e d a nd the U A S is found to be in a

c ondi t ion for s a fe fli g ht. The G r ound Control S tation must be includ e d in the

p re flight inspe c t i on. All main t e n a n c e a l t e r a t i ons m ust be p r op e r l y

do c u m e nted in the a i r c r a ft r ec o rds.18 11. A n y U A S that h a s und e r g one mainte n a n c e or a l t e r a t i ons that a f f

ec t the

U A S op e r a t i on or f l i g ht c h a r ac te r is t ics, e

. g

. r e pl a c e ment of a fl i g ht c ritic a l

c omponent, must und e r g o a fun c t i o n a l test fli g ht. The P I C w ho c ondu c ts the

fun c t i o n a l test fli g ht must make a n e nt r y in t h e a ir c r a ft r ec o r ds.

12. The p r e

- fl i g ht inspe c t i on must acc ount f o r a ll p o tential disc re p a n c ies, e

. g

. inope ra ble c omponents, i t e ms, or e quip m e nt, n ot a lr ea d y c ov e r e d in the

r e lev a nt s ec t i ons of the op e r a t i ng do c uments.

13. The o p e r a t o r m u st follow the U A S manu fac tu r e r ’ s

a i r c raft/compon e nt, mainten a n ce

, o v e rh a ul, r e pla ce m e nt, i n spe c t i on, a nd l i fe

l i m i t r e quir e ments.

14

. The op e r a tor must ca r r y out i t s mainten a n c e , inspe c t i ons, a nd r e c o rd

k ee pi n g r e quir e ments, in a c c o r d a n c e with the op e r a t i n g d o c uments.

Mainten a n c e

, inspe c t i on, a l t e r a t i ons, a nd status of r e pla c e ment/ove r h a ul

c o m p on e nt p a rts must be n oted in the a ir c r a ft r e c o rds, including to t a l t i me in

s e rvi ce

, d e s c ripti o n of wo r k a cc omp l ished, a nd the si g n a ture of t h e a uthori z e d

p e rson re turni n g the U AS t o se r vic e

.

15. E ac h UAS op e r a t e d und e r th i s e x e mp t ion must c omp l y with a ll

manu fac tu r e r S a f e t y B ul l e t i ns.

16. The a u thori z e d p e rs o n must make a n e nt r y in the a ir c r a ft r ec o r d o f the

c o r r e c t i ve ac t i on tak e n a g a inst disc r e p a n c ies disco v e r e d b e t w ee n insp ec t i ons.

17. The P I C must posse s s a t le a st a Sport P i l ot C e rtifi ca te a nd a t l ea st a c u r re nt

th i r d

- c lass medi ca l c e rtifi c a t e

.

18. The o p e r a t o r m a y not p e rmit a n y P I C to op e r a te unless the P IC me e ts the

op e r a tor ’ s qu a l i fi c a t i on c rite r ia a nd d e monstr a t e s the a bi l i t y to s a f e l y

o p e r a te the U A S in a mann e r c onsistent with how the U A S w i l l be op e r a ted

un d e r the e x e mp t ion, includi ng e v a sive a nd e me r g e n c y ma n e uv e rs a n d

maintaining a p p rop r ia t e dis t a n ce s f r om p e rsons, v e ssels, v e hicl e s a nd

stru c tu r e s. P IC qu a l i fi ca t i on fli g ht h o u r s must be log g e d in a mann e r c on s is t e nt

with 14 C. F .R. § 6 1.5 1 (b )

. F l i g hts for the p u r poses of tr a in i ng t he o p e r a to r ’s

P I Cs a r e p e rmit t e d u nd e r the te r ms o f the e x e mp t ion. Ho we v e r, tr a in i ng

o p e r a t i ons m a y on l y b e c o ndu c ted duri n g d e dic a t e d tr a in i ng s e ss i ons. Du r ing

tr a in i n g, p r o f ici e n c y

, a nd e x p e r i e n c e

- bui l di n g fli g h ts, a ll p e rsons not e ssential

fo r fli g ht o p e r a t i ons a re c onsid e r e d n onp a rticip a nts, a nd t h e P I C must

op e r a te the U A with a p p rop r iate dis t a n c e f r om n o np a rticip a nts in acc o rd a n c e

with 14 C. F .R. § 91.119.

19. U A S op e r a t i ons m a y not be c ondu c ted duri n g ni g ht, a s d e fin e d in 14 C. F .R.

§ 1.1. All op e r a t i ons must be c ondu c ted und e r visual met e o r ol o g ic a l c ondi t ions

( V M C ). I f fli g ht a t ni g ht is r e quir e d , a spe c ial r e qu e st will be made a t the F AA19 o f

fi c e c losest to p r opos e d a r e a of op e r a t i ons. F l i g hts und e r spe c i a l v i sual fli g ht

rul e s (SV F R) a re not a uthori z e d.

20. The UA S m a y not o p e r a te with i n 5 n a ut i ca l m i les of a n a irp o rt r e f er e n c e

point a s d e noted on a c u rre nt F AA

- publ i shed ae ro n a ut i ca l c h a rt unless a lett e r

of a g ree m e nt with that a irpo r t’s man a g e ment is obtain e d, a nd the op e r a t i on is

c o ndu c ted in acc o r d a n c e with a N O TAM a s r e quir e d b y t he op e r a tor ’ s CO A

.

T h e letter o f a g ree m e nt with the a irp o rt man a g e ment must be made a v a i l a ble

to the A d m i nis t r a tor upon re qu e st.

21. The UA S m a y not be op e r a ted less than 500 f e e t b e low o r less than 2,00 0

f e e t hori z ontal l y f r om a c loud or w h e n vis i bi l i t y is l e ss t h a n 3 st a tu t e m i les f rom

the P I C.

22. I f t h e UA S loses c o m mun i ca t i ons or loses i t s GPS si g n a l, it must r e tu r n to

a p r e

- d e te r m i n e d lo c a t i on wi t hin the plann e d op e r a t i n g a r e a a nd land or be

r ec ov e r e d in acc o r d a n c e with t he op e r a t i ng do c u m e nts.

23. The P I C must a bort t he f l i g ht i n the e v e nt of u npr e dict e d obst a c les or

e me r g e n c ies in a cc o r d a n c e with t he op e r a t i n g do c uments.

24. The P I C is p r ohib i ted f r om b e g inn i n g a fl i g ht un l e ss ( c onsid e ring wind

a nd fo re c a st w ea th e r c ondi t ions) the r e is e nou g h pow e r to f l y a t norm a l

c ruisi n g spe e d to the intend e d landi n g point a nd land the UA S with 2 0 % ba t t e r y

po w e r r e mai n in g

.

25. The op e r a tor must o b tain a n Air T r a f f i c O r g a n i z a t i on ( A TO) is s u e d

C e r t i fi ca te of W a iver or Autho r i z a t i on (CO A ) p r ior to c ond u c t i ng a n y

o p e r a t i ons und e r the g r a nt of e x e mp t ion when flying the UAV above 200 feet

AGL. This COA will a lso r e quire the op er a tor to r e qu e st a Notice to

Airm a n ( N OT A M) not mo r e th a n 72 hours in a dv a n c e

, b ut not les s than 48

hours p r ior to the op e r a t i on. All o p e r a t i ons shall be c on d u c ted in a cc o r d a n c e

with a i rsp a c e re quir e ments in the ATO is s u e d COA including c lass of

a i rsp ace

, a l t i t ude lev e l a n d potential tr a nspond e r r e quir e ment s

.

26. All ai rc r a ft op e r a ted i n acc o r d a n c e with t he e xe mp t ion m ust be id e nt i fi e d b y

s e ri a l numbe r

, r e g is t e r e d in a c c o r d a n c e with 14 C. F .R. p a rt 47, a nd h a ve

ident i fi ca t i on ( N

- Numb e r) m a rki n g s in a c c o r d a n c e with 14 C

. F .R. p a rt 45,

S ubp a rt C. M a r kin g s must be a s la r ge a s p r ac t i ca bl e

.

27. B e fo r e c ondu c t i n g op e r a t i ons, the r a dio f re q u e n c y s p ec trum used f o r

op e r a t i on a nd c ontrol o f the UA S must c omp l y with t h e F e d e r a l

Com m unic a t i ons Com m is s i o n ( F CC) or other a ppro p r i a te g o v e rnm e nt

ov e rsi g ht a g e n c y r e quir e m e nts.

28. The d o c uments r e quir e d f or 14 C. F .R. 91

. 9 a nd 91.203 must b e a v a i l a ble

to the P I C a t t h e G round Control S tation of the U AS a n y t i me the U A S is

op e r a t i n g . Th e se do c uments must be made a v a i l a ble t o the20 Admin i str a tor or a n y l a w e n f o r c e ment o f f i c ial up o n r e qu e st.

29. The UA S mu st r e ma i n c le a r a nd y i e ld the r i g ht o f w a y to a ll man n e d

a viation op e r a t i ons a nd a c t i vi t ies a t all t i m e s.

30. The U A S m a y not be op e r a ted b y the P I C f r o m a n y mov i n g d e vi c e or

v e hicl e

.

31. F l i g ht op e r a t i ons must be c ondu c ted a t le a s t 500 f e e t f r om a ll

non p a rticip a t i ng p e rsons (p e rsons other than the P I C, S O, op e r a tor tr a ine e s or

e ssenti a l p e rsons ) , v e ssels, v e hicl e s, and st r u c tur e s un l e ss:

a

. B a r ri e rs or stru c tu r e s a re p re s e nt that suf f ic i e nt l y p r ote c t nonp a rticip a t i ng

p e rsons f r om the UA S a n d/or d e b r is i n the e v e nt of a n a c c id e nt. The

op er a tor must e nsure that nonp ar t i c ipating p e rsons r e ma i n und e r such

p rot ec t i on. I f a si t u a t i on a ris e s wh e re n onp a rticip a t i ng p e rsons l ea ve s u c h

p r ot e c t i on a n d a re with i n 500 fee t of the U A S

, f l i g ht op e r a t i ons m ust c ea se

i m m edi a t e l y a nd/ o r;

b. The a ir c r a ft is op e r a ted n ea r v e ssels, v e h i c les or stru c tur e s wh e r e the

own e r/ c ontrol l e r of such v e ssels, v e hicl e s o r str u c tur e s h a s g r a nted p e rm i ss i on

a nd the P I C h a s made a s a f e t y a s s e ss m e nt of the risk of op e r a t i ng c los e r to

those o bj ec ts and d e t e rmin e d that i t does not pr e s e nt an undue h a z a rd, a nd;

c

. Op e r a t i ons n ea r e r to the P I C, S O, op e r a tor tr a ine e s or e ssential p e rso n s

do not pr e s e nt an undue h a z a rd to those p e rsons p e r § 91.119 ( a ).

32. All op e r a t i ons shall be c ondu c ted ov e r p r i v a te or c ontrol l e d

- a cce ss

p r op e r t y with p e rmission f r om the la n d own e r/ c ontrol le r or a u thori z e d

r e p re s e n t a t i v e

. P e rmission f r om land own e r/ c ontro l ler or a uthori z e d

r e p re s e ntative will be obtain e d for eac h fli g ht t o be c ond u c ted.

33. A n y incid e nt, a c c id e nt, or fli g ht op e r a t i on t h a t tr a ns g r e sses the lat e r a l or

v e rtic a l bound a ri e s of t h e op e r a t i on a l a r e a a s d e fin e d b y the a ppl i ca ble COA

must be r e p o rt e d to the F AA ' s U A S I nt e g ra t i on O f f i c e ( AF S

- 8 0 ) with i n 24

hours. A c c id e nts must be r e port e d to the N a t i on a l T ra nsport a t i on S a f e t y

Bo a rd ( N TS B ) p e r ins t ru c t i ons c ontain e d on the N T S B W e b site:

w w w.ntsb. g ov.

2. R e aso n s W h y An E x e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 61.113 ( a) And

(b) Wo u ld Not Adve r s e ly A ff ec t Sa f e ty.

Mi chael Sobola submi t s that the e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y e stabl i shed b y Se c t i on

61.113 (a ) a nd (b) will be maintain e d b eca use no P I C will be a l l ow e d to op e r a te the D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire UAS unless that P I C h a s d e monstr a ted, b y

me e t i n g m i ni m um fli g h t

- hour a nd c u rr e n c y r e quir e ments, that t h e P I C is a b l e to

s a f e l y o p e r a te t h e D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire UAS in a man n e r

c onsistent with the e x e mp t ion, including e v a sive a nd e me r g e n c y ma n e uv e rs a nd

maintaini n g a ppro p ri a te dis t a n ce s f r o m peop l e

, v e ssels, v e hic l e s and stru c tu r e s.21 Consid e ring Michael Sobola ’s p ropos e d a r e a of o p e r a t i ons, a nd the o p e r a t i n g l i m i tations

s e t fo r t h

- a b ov e ; the p a r a l l e l n a tu r e of p riv a te pi l ot ae r on a ut i ca l knowl e d ge r e quir e ments

to those of c om m e r c ial pi l ot r e quir e men ts ( S e e E x e mp t ion No. 11062 ) ; a nd the

a irma n ship ski l ls n ece s s a r y to s a f e l y o p e r a te t h e D J I P h a n t om 3 U A S and the DJI

Inspire UAS

, Michael Sobola submi t s that the a ddi t ional mann e d a irma n ship

e x p e ri e n c e of a c om m e r c ial l y ce rtifi c a ted pi l ot would n ot c o r r e l a te to the a irma n ship

ski l ls n ece ssa r y for Michael Sobola ’s sp ec ific p rop o s e d fli g ht op e r a t i ons.

The F A A h a s p r e viously g r a nted r e l i e f f rom S ec t i on 61.113 (a ) a nd ( b ) spe c ific to U A S

, in c ir c ums t a n c e s si m i l a r, in a ll mat e ri a l r e spe c ts, to those p re s e nted h e r e in ( e

. g

.

E x e mp t ion Nos. 11062, 11063, 11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 11109, 11110,

11112, 11136, 11 1 38, 11150, 11153, 11156, 11158, 11159, 11160, 11161 )

.

Michael Sobola will not a l l ow a ny P I C to op e r a te the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S or the DJI

In spire UAS unless that P I C h a s d e monstr a t e d, b y me e t i n g m i ni m um fli g h t

- hour

r e quir e m e nts f or the respective aircraft’s tr a in i ng a nd c u r r e n c y r e qui r e ments, t h a t t he P I C

is able to sa f e l y op e r a te the respective aircraft in a mann e r c onsi s tent with t h is

e x e mp t ion, including e v a sive a nd e me r g e n c y man e u v e rs a nd maintaining a ppro p r i a te

dis t a n ce s f rom p e opl e

, v e ssels, v e hicl e s and st r u c tur e s. S p ec ifi ca l l y

, the P I C must h a ve

a c c umu l a ted a nd l og g e d, in a mann e r c ons i stent wi t h 14 C. F .R. §61.51 ( b )

, 25 hours of

to t a l t i me a s a U A S roto rc r a ft pi l ot ( w i t h a m i n i m u m of 5 hours of those hours a s a

U AS p i lot op e r a t i ng the same ma k e a nd model of U A S to be us e d for op e r a t i ons und e r

the e x e mp t ion). I n a ddi t ion to the hour r e quir e ments, the P I C must acc o mp l ish 3

tak e o f fs a nd la ndin g s in t he p r ece di n g 90 d a y s ( f or c u rr e n c y p u rpos e s).

As in E x e mp t ion Nos. 1 1062, 11138, a nd 11153, p r ior do c ument e d fli g h t e x p e ri e n c e

that w a s obtain e d in c omp l ian c e with a ppl i ca ble r e g u l a t i ons will e nsure a n e qu i v a lent

lev e l of s a f e t y during Michael Sobola ’s p r opos e d op e r a t i ons. The Admin i str a tor h a s

h e ld that p r ior do c umen t e d fl i g ht e x p e ri e n c e t h a t w a s obt a ined in c omp l ian c e with

a ppl i ca ble r e g ulations would e nsure s a fe op e r a t ions, stati n g a s follows:

I n E x e mp t ion No. 11062, the F AA r e qui r e d th a t p r ior to c ondu c t i ng o p e r a t i ons

for the purp o se of mo t ion pictu r e film i ng (or si m i l a r op e r a t i ons), the P I C must

h a ve acc umu l a ted a nd l o g g e d, i n a m a nn e r c onsistent with 14 C F R 61.51 ( b )

, 25 hours o f t otal t i me a s a U A S roto rc r a ft pi l ot inc l uding a t le a st 10 ho u rs

l og g e d a s a U A S pi l ot w i th a mu l t i

- rotor U A S

. P rior to op e r a t i o ns und e r

E x e mp t ion No. 11062, the P I C m u st a lso h a ve acc umu l a ted a nd lo g g e d a

m i ni m um of 5 ho u rs a s a U AS pi l ot op e r a t i ng the s a me make a nd model of U A S

to be used f o r o p e r a t i ons un d e r the e x e mp t ion. F or c l a ri f ic a t i on, t h e F AA

c onsi d e rs these m i n i m um hour r e quir e ments to be inclus i ve r a ther t h a n a ddi t ive;

i.e. 5 hours make a nd model t i me m a y be includ e d in the 10 hours of mu l t i

- rotor

t i me a nd the 10 hours m a y b e includ e d in the to t a l 25 hour s of U A S roto rc r a ft

t i me. I n a ddi t ion to the hour r e qui r e ments, the P I C must a cc omp l ish 3 t a k e o f fs

a nd landi n g s in t h e p r e ce di n g 90 d a y s ( f o r c u rre n c y pu rposes )

. The F AA finds

that a t a m i ni m um, the fl i g h t

- hour r e quir e ments in E x e mp t i on No. 11062 a re22 a ppro p ri a te to p rac t i c e a nd bui l d p r o f ici e n c y in the ski l ls n ece ssa r y to s a f e l y

c ond u c t the p e t i t i o n e r ’ s p r opos e d op e r a t i ons. The F AA a lso finds that p r ior

do c um e nted fli g ht e x p e ri e n c e t h a t w a s obtain e d in c o mp l ian c e with a ppl i ca ble

r e g ulations would s a t i s f y th i s r e q uir e ment. T r a in i n g

, p r o f ici e n c y

, a nd e x p e ri e n ce

bui l di n g fligh t s ca n a lso be c ondu c ted und e r the g r a nt of e x e mp t ion to

acc omp l ish t he r e quir e d f l i g ht t i m e

. Du r i n g tr a in i n g

, pr o fi c ien c y

, a nd e x p e ri e n c e

bui l di n g fli g hts the P I C is r e quir e d to op e r a te t he UA with a ppro p ri a te

dis t a n ce s in acc o r d a n c e with 14 C

. F .R 91.119.

A cc o r di n g l y

, Michael Sobola will e nsure s a fe o p e r a t i ons b y not a l l owing a n y P I C to

op e r a te the D J I P h a n tom 3 U A S or the DJI Inspire UAS unless that P I C h a s

d e monstr a ted, b y m e e t i ng m i ni m um fli g h t

- hour a nd c u r re n c y r e quir e ments, that t h e P I C

is a b l e to s a f e l y o p e r a te the respective UAS in a mann e r c onsi s tent with the e x e mp t ion,

including e v a si v e a nd e me r g e n c y m a n e u v e rs a nd maintaining a ppro p r i a te dis t a n ce s f rom

p e opl e

, v e ssels, v e hicl e s an d st r u c tur e s.

3. R e aso n s W h y A n E x e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.7 ( a)

Wo u l d N o t Adve r s e ly A ff ec t Sa f e ty.

The e qui v a lent le v e l of s a f e t y e stabl i shed b y S ec t ion 91.7 (a ) will be maintain e d b e ca u s e

p r ior to e v e r y fl i g ht, Michael Sobola will e nsur e that the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the

DJI Inspire UAS is in a n a irwo r t h y c ondi t ion b a s e d upon the U A S ’s c o mp l ian c e

with i t s op e rat i ng do c uments a nd a s stat e d in t he c ondi t ions and l i m i tations h e r e in.

Addit i on a l l y

, the F AA h a s p re vious l y g r a nted re l i e f f r om S ec t i on 91.7 (a ) spe c ific to

U A S

, in c ir c ums t a n c e s si m i l a r, in a ll mat e ri a l r e spe c ts, to those p re s e nted h e r e in ( e

. g

.

E x e mp t ion Nos. 11062, 11063, 11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 11109, 11110,

11112, 11136, 11138, 11150, 11153, 11156, 11157, 11158, 1115 9, 11160, 11161 )

.

4. R e aso n s W h y An E x e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of S ec tion 91.121

Wo u ld Not Adve r s e ly A ff ec t Sa f e ty.

The e quivalent le v e l of s a f e t y e stabl i shed b y Se c t i on 91.121 will be maintain e d b eca u s e

the a l t i t ude info r mation of t he D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS will be

p r ovided to the P I C via GPS e quip m e nt a nd a r a dio c om m unic a t i ons tel e met r y d a ta l i nk,

whi c h downlinks f rom t he UA to the GCS for ac t i ve mon i toring of the fli g ht p a th a nd

a l t i t ud e

. This a l t i t ude info r mati o n, c omb i n e d wi th Michael Sobola ’s op e r a t i on of the D J I

P h a ntom 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS with i n visual l i ne of si g ht, a t or b e low 4 00

f

e e t A G L

, will e nsure a lev e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt to S ec t i on 91.121. The a l t i t ude

info r mation will be g e n e r a ted b y GPS e quip m e nt in s t a l l e d onbo a rd the a ir c r a ft. P rior

to e a c h fli g ht, a z e ro a l t i t ude in i t ia t i on point is auto m a t i ca l l y e stabl i shed b y the U A S a t

g round le v e l.

The F AA h a s p r e vious l y g r a n t e d r e l i e f f rom S ec t i on 91.121 spe c ific to U A S

, in

c ir c ums t a n ce s si m i l a r, in a ll mat e ri a l r e spe c ts, to those p r e s e n t e d h e r e in ( e

. g

.

E x e mp t i o n Nos. 11062, 11063, 11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 11109, 11112,

11136, 11138, 11150, 11153, 11156, 11157, 11158, 11159, 11160, 11161 )

.23 5. R e aso n s W h y An E x e m p tion F r o m T h e R equ ir e m e n ts Of S ec tion 9 1.151 ( b )

Wo u ld Not Adve r s e ly A ff ec t Sa f e ty.

A g ra nt of th i s e x e mp t ion would e nsure a n e qui v a lent lev e l of s a f e t y e st a bl i shed b y 14

C. F .R. S ec t i on 91.151 ( b) a s a r e sult of ( 1) the te c hni c a l spe c ific a t i ons of the D J I

P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS ; ( 2) the l i m i tations on the p r opos e d fl i g ht

op e r a t i o n s; a nd (3) the lo c a t i on of the p r opo s e d fl i g ht op e r a t i ons. A c c o r di n g l y

, Michael

Sobola will e nsure that he will s a f e l y o p e r a t e the b a t t e r y pow e r e d D J I P h a ntom 3 UAS

and the DJI Inspire UAS during d a y li g ht hours in V F R c o ndi t ions, with e nou g h

b a t t e r y pow e r to f l y for a to t a l dur a t i on of 23 m i nutes (Phantom 3) or 18 minutes (Inspire I).

H e r e

, a s in E x e mp t ion No. 11109, the te c hnic a l spe c ific a t i ons of the DJI P h a ntom 3

UA S (and by extension the DJI Inspire UA S)

, the l i m i tations on the p r opos e d fli g ht

op e r a t i ons, a nd the loc a t i on of the p r opos e d op e r a t i ons, will e nsure a n e quival e nt l e v e l

of s a f e t y e stabl i shed b y 14 C. F .R. S ec t i on 9 1 .151 ( b )

. F u r th e rmo re , s a f e t y will be

e nsur e d a s the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the D JI Inspire UAS p r ovide a udib l e a nd

vis u a l w a rni n g s to the P I C a t the GCS wh e n the U A S e x p e ri e n ce s low b a t t e r y vol ta g e

, the fi r st w a rni n g o c c u r ri n g a t a ppro x i m a te l y 3 3 % r e m a in i ng b a t t e r y pow e r, a n d a g a in a t

a ppro x i m a te l y 1 0% r e maining b a t te r y pow e r. At the c ritic a l l y low b a t t e r y lev e l, the D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and DJI Inspire UAS w i l l des ce nd a nd land a uto m a t i ca l l y

.

S i g nifi ca nt l y

, p r e vious e x e mp t ions g r a nted b y t h e F AA c on c e rning S ec t i on 91.151

e stabl i sh that s a f e t y is not a dv e rs e l y a f f

e c ted w h e n the te c hnic a l c h a r a c te r is t ics a nd

op e ra t i ng l i m i tations of the U A S a re c onsid e r e d. R e l i e f h a s b ee n g r a nted f o r mann e d

a i r c r a ft to op e r a te a t less than the m i ni m ums p re s c rib e d in S ec t i on 91.151, including

E x e mp t ion Nos. 2689, 5745, a nd 10650. Mor e ov e r, the F A A h a s p re vi ous l y g ra nted

r e l i e f f r om S ec t i on 91.151 spe c ific to U A S

, i n c ir c ums t a n c e s si mi la r

, in a ll mat e ri a l

r e spe c ts, to those p re s e nted h e r e in ( e

. g

. E x e mp t ion Nos. 8811, 10808, 10673, 11 0 42,

11062, 11063, 1106 4

, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 11109, 11110, 11136, 11 138,

11150, 11153, 11156, 11157, 11158, 11159, 11160, 11161 )

.

6. R e aso n s W h y An Ex e m p tion F r o m T h e R e qu ir eme n ts Of

S ec tions 91.405 ( a )

, 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a ) (1) & (a ) (2 )

, And 91.417 ( a) & (b)

Wo u ld Not Adve r s e ly A ff ec t Sa f e ty.

I n s e e ki n g th i s e x e mp t i o n, Michael Sobola submi t s that the e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y

with r e g a rd to the r e g ulato r y mainten a n c e a nd a l t e r a t i on r e quir e ments e stabl i shed b y

S ec t i ons 91.405 (a ), 91. 4 07( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 (a ) (1) & ( a ) ( 2 ), a nd 91.417 ( a ) & ( b) will be met

b eca use Michael Sobola will use tr a ined te c hnici a ns to p e r fo r m m a in t e n a n c e

,

a l t e r a t i on s , or p re v e nt i ve mainte n a n c e on the UAS usi n g the methods, te c hniques, a n d

p rac t i ce s p r e s c rib e d in the op e r a t i n g do c u m e nts (i. e ., Month l y Mainten a n c e Lo g

, Th e

Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual, the D J I P h a ntom

3 Instr uc t i on Man ua l and the DJI Inspire UAS Instruction Manual ). F u r t h e rmo re

, Michael Sobola will d o c ument a nd maintain a ll mainten a n c e r e c o r ds f or his D J I

P h a ntom 3 U A S and DJI Inspire UAS

.

S ince the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS will be inspe c ted a s24 p re s c rib e d b y the op e r a t i ng d o c uments, Michael Sobola will maintain the e quival e nt

lev e l of s a f e t y e s tabli s h e d b y S ec t i ons 91.405 (a ), 91.409 ( a ) ( 1 ), a nd 91.409 ( a ) ( 2 )

. The

pertinent sections of the D J I P h a nt o m 3 UAS and the DJI Inspire UAS Us e r

Man u a ls a re a t t ac h e d h e r e to a s App e ndix A (Phantom 3) and Appendix B (Inspire I)

. A

copy of the Sobola Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual is

included as a pr oprietary document submitted via separate email . A copy of the

Monthly Maintenance Log is attached hereto as Appendix C.

L ike w i s e , the e x e mp t ion s o u g ht will not a d v e rs e l y a f f

ec t s a f e t y b e c a use Michael Sobola

will use tr a i n e d te c hnic i a ns to p e r f o r m maint en a n c e

, a l ter a t i ons or p re v e nt i ve

mainten a n c e on his U A S using the methods, te c hniques, a nd p rac t i ce s p re s c rib e d

b y t h e op e r a t i n g do c uments.

F u r the r m o r e

, the e x e mp t ion sou g ht would maintain a n e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y

e stabl i shed b y S ec t i ons 91.407, 91.417 ( a ) a nd 91.417 ( b )

, b e c a u s e a ll mainten a n c e of the

D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS will be p e r f o r med b y t r a ined

te c hnici a ns. Mai n ten a n c e will be do c um e nted a nd maintain e d ut i l i z ing the month l y

ma i nten a n c e l o g

.

S i g nifi ca nt l y

, p re vi ous e x e mp t ions g r a nted by the F AA c on c e rni n g S ec t i ons

91.405 (a ), 91.407 (a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a ) ( 1) & ( a ) ( 2 )

, a nd 91.41 7 ( a ) & ( b ) e stabl i sh that

s a f e t y is not a dv e r s e l y a f f

e c ted w h e n the t ec hn i ca l ch a r a c t e rist i c s and o p e r a t i n g

l i m i tations of the U A S a re c o nsid e r e d.

I n c onsid e r a t i on of Michael Sobola ’s p r opos e d op e r a t i ng l i m i tations, the op e r a t i ng

do c uments, a nd the te c h nic a l a sp e c ts of the D J I P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire

UAS

, Michael Sobola subm i ts that s a f e t y will n ot be a dv e r s e l y a f f

e c ted b y g r a nt i n g

e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F .R. S ec t i ons 91.405 (a ), 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ) a nd ( a ) ( 2 )

, 91.40 9 ( a ) (2 )

, a nd

91.417 (a ) a nd ( b ). T h e F AA h a s p re vious l y g r a nted r e l ie f spe c ific t o U A S in

c ir c ums t a n c e s si m i l a r, in a ll m a te r ial r e spe c ts, to those p re s e nted h e r e in ( e

. g

.

Ex e mp t ion Nos. 11062, 11063, 11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 11109, 11110,

11112, 11136, 11138, 11150, 11153, 11156, 11157, 11158, 11159, 1116 0

, 11161 )

.

7. T h e F AA M ay P r e s c r i b e Any O ther Con d iti o n s F or S a f e O p er a t io n

.

I n acc o rd a n c e with S ec t i on 333 of the F AA M o d e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012

( F M R A) a nd 14 C. F .R. § 21.16 e nt i t l e d S p ec ial Condi t io n s

, Michael Sobola r e qu e sts

that the F AA p re s c ribe sp e c i a l c ondi t ions for the in t e nd e d op e r a t i on o f his D J I

P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS , whi c h c ontain such s a f e ty stand a rds that

the Admin i str a tor finds n ece ssa r y to e stabl i sh a lev e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt to that

e stabl i shed b y 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H, a nd 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 ), a nd 91.417 ( a ) & (b )

. S u c h sp e c ial c on d i t ions will p e rmit s a fe o p e r a t i on of the U A S f o r the l i m i ted purp o se of

c ondu c t i ng ae ri a l vid e o , cinematography a nd photo g r a p h y o v e r c e rt a in a r e a s of

the United S tat e s for c omp ens a t i on or hir e

. F M R A S ec t i on 333 s e ts f o r th the

r e quir e m e nts for c onsid e ri n g wh e th e r a U A S will c r e a te a h a z a rd to use r s of the N A S o r

t he publ i c

, or ot h e r w ise p ose a th r ea t to n a t i on a l s ec u r i t y ; a nd fu r t h e r, p r ovides the25 a uthori t y f o r such U A S to op e r a te without a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on in acc o r d a n c e with

a n y r e qu i r e ments that must be e stabl i shed for the s a fe op e r a t i on of the U AS i n the N AS.

L ike w i s e

, the Admin i str a tor m a y p r e s c ribe spe c ial c ondi t ions pursu a nt to 14

C. F .R. §21.16

, for op e r a t i on o f the D J I Ph a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

, since the a irw o rthin e ss r e g ulations of 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21 do not c ontain a d e qu a te or

a pp r opri a te s a f e t y s t a nd a rds, due to the nov e l or unusu a l d e si g n f ea tu r e s of the

a ir c r a ft. S ec t i on 21.16, e nt i t l e d S p ec ial Condi t ion s , stat e s the followin g :

I f the F AA finds that t he a irwo r th i n e ss r e g ula t ions of th i s subc ha pter do not

c ontain a d e qu a te or a p p rop r iate s a f e t y stan d a rds f o r a n a ir c r a ft, a i r c r a ft e n g i n e

, or

p r o p e l l e r b eca use of a no v e l or unusu a l d e si g n f e a ture of the a ir c r a ft, a ir c r a ft

e n g i n e or p r op e l l e r, he p re s c rib e s s p ec ial c o ndi t ions a nd a mendm e n t s the re to f o r

the p r odu c t. The sp e c ial c ondi t ions a re is s u e d in acc o r d a n c e with P a rt 11 of th i s

c h a pter a nd c ont a in such s a f e t y stand a rds for t h e a i r c r af t, a ir c r a ft e n g ine or

p r o p e l l e r a s the F AA finds n ece ss a r y to e stabl i sh a l e v e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt t o

that e stabl i shed in t he r e g ulation s

.

S e e 14 C. F .R. § 21.16.

Th e r e f o r e

, in a c c o r d a n c e with F M R A S ec t i on 333 a nd 14 C. F .R. § 21.16, the

F AA m a y p re s c ribe s p ec ial c ondi t i ons for Michael Sobola’s in t e nd e d op e r a t i on of the

D J I P h a ntom 3 UA S and the DJI Inspire UAS , whi c h c ontain such s a f e ty stand a rds

that the Admin i str a tor finds n ece ssa r y to e stabl i sh a lev e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt to that

e st abl i shed b y 14 C

. F

. R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H, a nd 14 C

. F .R S ec t i ons 61.113 (a ) & (b )

, 91. 7 ( a ), 9 1 .121, 91.151 ( b )

, 91.405 (a ), 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 (a ) ( 1 ) & ( a ) (2 )

, a n d

91.417 (a ) & ( b )

.

• A Su m m a r y T h at Can Be P ub l i s h e d In T h e F e de r al R e gis t er ,

sta t i n g: T h e Ru l e s F r o m W h ich Michael Sobola Se e k s E x e m p tion:

Michael Sobola s eek s e xe mption from the r e quire me nts of 14 C.F.R

S ec t i ons 61.11 3 ( a ) & ( b )

, 91. 7 ( a )

, 91.121, 91.151 ( b ), 91.40 5 ( a )

, 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 ( a ) ( 1 ) & ( a ) ( 2 ) , a n d 91.417 ( a ) & ( b )

.

A B r ief D e s cr i p t ion O f T h e Na t u r e Of T h e Ex e m p tion Michael Sobola S ee k s:

T

his exe mption wi l l p e r mit Michael Sobola to c o m me r c ia l ly op e rate an

Un m ann e d Aircraft S y s tem ( UA S ) for the pu r pose of c ondu c t i ng a e r ial v ideo,

cinematography and photography o ve r c e rta i n ar e as of t he U ni t e d Sta t e s.

• Any Ad d itio n a l I n f o rm a tion, Vi e w s, Or A r g u m e n ts Availa b le To

Su p p o r t Michael Sobola ’ s R e qu e st.

This P e t i t i on is made pu r suant to t he F AA Mod er ni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012

( F M R A) Se c t i on 333, w hich dir ec ts t h e S e c r e t a r y o f T r a nsport a t i on to d e te r m i ne if

ce rt a in U A S m a y op e r a te s a f e l y in the N A S

. As such, Michael Sobola ’s r e qu e st for

e x e mp t ion m a y be g r a nted pursu a nt to the a uthori t y of F M RA S ec t i on 333 a nd 14

C. F .R. P a rt 11, a s s e t fo r th abov e

.26 F M R A S ec t i on 333 s e ts fo r th the r e quir e ments for c onsid e ring wh e th e r a U A S will

c r ea te a h a z a rd to use r s o f the N AS or the publ i c

, or ot h e r w ise pose a th r ea t to

n a t i on a l s ec u r i t y ; a nd fu r the r

, pro v i d e s the a ut h o r i t y f or s u c h U A S to o p e r a te w i t hout

ai r wo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t i on.

As dis cuss e d in d e tail a bov e

, Michael Sobola will op e r a te his D J I P h a ntom 3

U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS s a f e l y in t h e N AS

, without c r e a t i n g a h a z a rd to

use r s of the N AS, or the publ i c

, o r othe r wise pose a thr ea t t o n a t i on a l se c u r i t y

.

Michael Sobola is a licensed Private Pilot (ASEL) (Certificate No. 3826278)

, and holds a

current Third Class Airman Medical Cert ificate. He has logged more than 165 hours as

PIC in the Cessna 172. He has also logged 45 hours of practice/instruction as PIC of the

DJI Phantom 3 UAS.

CON C LUSI O N

As s e t fo r th h e r e in, Michael Sobola s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion p u rsu a nt to 14 C. F .R. § 11.61

a nd S ec t i on 333 of t he F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012 ( F M R A )

, whi c h will

p e rmit s a fe op e r a t i on o f the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS

c om m e r c ial l y , wi t hout a n a irwo r t h i n e ss ce rtifi c a te, for the l i m i ted purp o se of c ondu c t i ng

ae ri a l video , cinematography a nd photog r a p h y ov e r c e rt a in a r e a s of the Uni t e d S tat e s. By

g r a nt i ng th i s P e t i t i on, the F AA Admin i str a tor will be ful f i l l i ng the Con g r e ss i on a l

man d a te of the F AA Mo d e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012, while a lso a dv a n c i n g

the in te r e sts of the publ i c

, b y a l l ow i ng Michael Sobola to s a f e l y

, e f f i c ient l y

, a nd

ec onom ic a l l y op e r a te the D J I P h a n tom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS c om m e r c ially

with i n the N AS.

WH E RE F OR E

, in a c c o r d a n c e with the Fe d e r a l Av i a t i on R e g u l a t i ons a nd the F AA

Mode r ni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333, Michael Sobola r e spe c tful l y r e qu e sts

that the Admin i str a tor g r a nt th i s P e t i t i on for a n e x e mp t ion f r om the r e qui r e ments of 1 4

C. F .R S ec t i on s 61.11 3 ( a ) & (b )

, 91.7 ( a ), 91.121, 91.151 ( b )

, 91

. 405( a ),

91.40 7 ( a ) (1 )

, 91.409 (a ) ( 1 ) & ( a ) ( 2 )

, a n d 91.417 (a ) & (b )

, a nd p e rmit Michael Sobola to

op e r a te the D J I P h a ntom 3 U A S and the DJI Inspire UAS c om me r c ial l y f o r the

p u rpose o f c on d u c t in g ae ri a l video , cinematography a nd ph o to g r a p h y ov e r c e rt a in a r e a s

o f the United S t a te s

.

D a ted: November 2 3 , 2015

R e spe c tful l y s ubmi t ted,

Michael Sobola

, Writer/ Producer/Director

3241 6 th Street South

, Arlington, VA 22204

703

- 380

- 7325

mikesobola@verizon.net27 App e ndic e s :

A

– D J I P h a ntom 3 Man ua l (Pertinent Sections Only)

Entire manual available here:

https://d l.djicdn.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Phantom_3_Professional_User_Manual__

V1.6.pdf

B

— DJI Inspire Manual (Pertinent Sections Only)

Entire manual available here:

h ttps://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/inspire_1/en/Inspire%20_1_User_Manual__V1.8.pdf

C

— Sobola UAV Maintenance Log

Note : The Sobola Motion Picture a nd Television Flight Operations Manual is a

proprietary document and will be sent via email per FAA proprieta ry document filing

instructions.

## Appendix A-(Four Pages)



# PHANTOM 3

(Professional)



## Specifications

## Appendix B

- (Five Pages)



# IN SP IRE 1 S pe c if ica ti onsSobola Appendix C-Daily Maintenance Log UAV Maintenance Log

Aircraft No.___________________________

Page 1 Part Description of

Maintenance Date

Requested Date

Completed Technician Test Flight: Date/Results/Recommendations/Notes

Software

Airframe

Engines

Propellers

Camera

Gimbel

Landing Gear

Vibration

Dampening

Other