Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual

Post Time Productions

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

C. Persons Authorized

D. Area of Operations

E. Plan of Activities

F. Permission to Operate

G. Security

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

I. Certification/Airworthiness

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

K. Communications

L. Accident Notification

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

N. Special Provisions

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

B. Pilot in Command

Appendix A 

List of Approved Pilots 

Appendix B 

List of Approved Aircraft 

Appendix C 

Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

Appendix D 

Revision Letter (sample) 
1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Post Time Productions", hereafter referred to as "PTP", 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. PTP 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

Jeb Smith - Owner/Operator

Post Time Productions

332 N Ashland Ave

Lexington KY, 40502

859 266 3776

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

PTP's approved area of operations will be the United States of America and its territories.

E. Plan of Activities

Prior to any scheduled filming, PTP 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.

(5) Name and contact information of pilots involved in the filming production event.

(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/maximum altitudes

essential to accomplish the operations.

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:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The PTP personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, 

however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided in 

Appendix C and may be used when obtaining written permission. PTP personnel 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, PTP 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

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• 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 sUAS aircraft operated by PTP and used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b)

and (c) for the purpose of filming, will not be required to hold airworthiness certificates per our

petition for exemption from 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H (issuance of Airworthiness Certificates

required by 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1)). All sUAS aircraft will have their make/model/serial

information registered with the FAA, and when the FAA issues registration numbers for the

sUAS aircraft they will be displayed as large as practically possible to be viewed from both

above and below.

Each sUAS 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) A minimum of 15 hours of flight time with the specific sUAS equipment Advanced Aerial

Cinematography operates.

(2) The experience of the pilot will be certified by Jeb Smith through background checks and, if

necessary, testing.

(3) Have passed the FAA Airman Knowledge Test for Private Pilots (Test Code: PAR or PRH).

(4) Have at least a valid US driver's licensee.

(5) Maintains up-to-date flight logs, and provides PTP with copies of all logs that pertain to

operation for PTP.

(6) At least 21 years old. 

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. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the PTP 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 PTP motion picture and television operations manual (see Appendixes A and B) or associated 

plan of activities. Each pilot’s name shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All sUAS 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). Takeoff and 

landing areas for sUAS equipment will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized 

persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. PTP 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 PTP 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.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for PTP.

• 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 PTP 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 the requirements of PTP and any 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.

Appendix A 

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name : Jeb Smith

Contact_859-266-3776

Appendix B 

List of Approved Aircraft 

Make and Model 

1.

2.

3. 

Registration Number 

TBD by FAA 

TBD by FAA

TBD by FAA 

In signing this form, I am giving Jeb Smith permission to operate his 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 __________________________ 

Jeb Smith or Representative Receiving Permission: 

_______________________________________________________________ 

DJI Inspire 1 

DJI Phantom 3

Freefly Alta

Appendix C 

Permission Acquisition Form
Appendix D 

Revision Letter 

Rev#: 

Section:

Action: 

Remarks:______________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

Remove and Replace  Delete and Destroy  Insert New Page 

Manual Version# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________ 

Revised By _________________________________ 

Jeb Smith approval: _________________________________ 

Signature: _________________________________ 

Date _______________________ 

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than two days after signature date.