# Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

Regulatory Docket No: FAA

- 2014

- 1054

Submittal Date: February 29 , 2016

Submitted to: United States of America Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration Washington, D.C.

Submitted by: Altavian, Inc

Attn: Thomas Rambo Chief Operating Officer

1724 NE 2 nd St
Gainesville, FL 32609

855

- 325

- 8284Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

2 | 8 

### 1. Introduction

Petitioner, Altavian, Inc. (“Altavian”), pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Aviation

Regulations and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) Modernization and Reform Act of

2012, Section 333, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems, hereby petitions the

Administrator for an amendment to the conditions and limitations of Grant Of Exemption No.

11317 (Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 1054), which granted to Altavian an exemption from

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c),

91. 121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b) to the

extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate an Altavian Nova F7200 UAS to perform

aerial data collection.

Specifically, Altavian seeks an amendment to Ex emption No. 11317 to the extent necessary

to allow Altavian to operate an Altavian Nova F7200 UAS for compensation or Hire in the NAS

under Exemption No. 11317. Altavian submits that the Nova F7200 UAS has nearly identical

performance parameters and emerge ncy procedures as the Nova F6500 UAS, and under the

conditions and limitations set forth in Exemption No. 11317 there will be no additional impact to

safety to other aircraft or non

- participating persons or property.



### 2. Name And Address Of The Petitioner.

T he name, address, and point of Contract of the Petitioner is:

Altavian, Inc.

Attn: Thomas Rambo

1724 NE 2nd St
Gainesville, Fl 32609

855.325.8284x701

thomas.rambo@altavian.com



### 3. Amendment Requested

Altavian requests the amendment to Condition and Limitation No. 1 of Exemption No.

11317, which states the following:

Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Altavian Nova F6500 when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

3 | 8 Altavian requests that the Condition and Limitation No 1 now read as follows:

Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Altavian Nova F6500 and Nova F7200 when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this
exemption.

Altavian is proposing this amendment because Altavian’s o riginal Petition f or Exemption

(Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 1054) did not request that operation of the Nova F7200 UAS

be allowed under the Exemption , and the F7200 did not exist at that time . However, Altavian

proposes that it may safely operate the F 7200 UAS under the same Conditions and Limitations

set forth in Exemption No. 11317 for the F6500 UAS.



### 4. The Reasons Why Granting This Amendment Will Maintain An Equivalent Level Of Safety To Exemption 11317 Or Not Further Adversely Affect Safety.

Altavian proposes that the Nova F7200 UAS is materially similar in physicality,

performance, and automatic behavior to the Nova F6500 UAS, and there are no material

differences between the aircraft that would impact safety if the aircraft is operated pursuant to

th e same Conditions and Limitations se t forth in Exemption No. 11317.

I n supp o rt th e r e o f, Altavian s t a tes a s follows:

Nova F7200 UAS

The Nova F7200 is c omprised of a hand

- launched, belly landed fixed wing unmanned

aircraft (UA) controlled via Flare TM , the Altavian GCS software. As discuss e d h e r e in, t he Nova

F7200 i s similar in specifications and performance to the predecessor aircraft, the Altavian

Nova F6500 (also known as the Altavian Nova Block III). As the manufacturer of this vehicle,

this is the first exemption request for the Nova F7200 , however there are several dozenDepartment of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

4 | 8 exemptions approved for the Nova F6500.

Figure 1. The Nova F7200

Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft

S y stem The Nova F 7200 is an U nmann e d Ai r c r a ft S y st e m t h a t i s comp r ised

of a n a mph i bious unma n n e d a ir c r a ft a nd a tr a nsp o rt a ble g round

station.

Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft

Dimensions W in g span: 108 in.

L e n g th: 57 in.

En g ine (Propulsive Unit) En g ine (Propulsive Uni t )

(1) Altavi a n I n c

. P /N : 31151 (El ec tri c )

F AA E n g ine T y

p e C e rt: None

P ropulsive U nit T y

p e : 2 5 V, 11 A mp Hour c a p ac i t y

, L i t hium ion

b a t t e r y pow e r e d, dir e c t d rive e le c t ric mo t or

Moto r , El ec tric Sub

- Ass e mb l y :
Man u f a c tu r e r: N e uMotor

Model: 1509

2.0 HP P ea k P ow e r D ir e c t Drive

10 o z

. W t.

Moto r , Controller S u b

- Ass e mb l y :
Man u f a c tu r e r: Castle Cre a t i on
Model: P ho e nix I

c e 100

T y p e : S p e e d Controller 100 Amps Ma x i m um
4.6 o z

. W t.Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

5 | 8 Moto r

, B a t t e r y :
Man u f a c tu r e r: M a x Amps, I

n c.

T y p e : L i t hium I on 11 Amp hour

22.2V ( nom i n a l)

F u e l Not Appl i ca ble.

N O TE: The No v a F 7200 U A S is pow e r e d b y a L i t hium

P o l y m e r r ec h ar g ea b l e b a t te r y

, Altavi a n P /N 3115.

En g ine (Propulsive Unit)

L i m i t s Ma x i m um P ow e r O utpu t : 2.0 HP

Ma x i m um R P M: 60,000 R P M ( re du ce d to a p ropel l e r R P M of
7,200)

Ma x i m um M o tor T e mpe ra tur e : 170 ° F (77 °C)

N O TE: The mo t or temp e r a ture is not d i spl a y e d to the

op e r a tor.

Ma x i m um mo t o r

, c ontroll e r sub

- a ssemb l y temp e r a tu r e : 194 °F ( 90 °C)

Mini m um vo l ta g e , mo t or b a t t e r y duri n g pr e

- fl i g ht en g i n e r un up

a ft e r 3 s e c

. a t max throttle: 22.6V

P rop e l l e r a nd

P rop e l l e r L

i m i t s (1) Altavi a n I n c. P /N 30538

F AA P rop e l le r T y

pe C e rtifi ca te: None

P rop e l l e r T y

p e : 2

- bla d e

, hin g e d ( folding), c a rbon fib e r re i n fo r c e d plasti c

, f i x e d pi t c h, tr ac tor

P rop e l l e r Su b

- Ass e mb l y :
Man u f a c tu r e r: A e ron a

ut

Model: CAM AER7234/90

Di a met e r ( Nominal ) : 17 i n.

B a t t e r y Com m a nd &

Control Nova Air V e hicle B a t t e r y P /N 31155 po w e rs the electronic

propulsion and avionics

Airsp ee d L

i m i t s Vne ( N e v e r E x cee d S p e e d) 58 knot (30 m/ s )

Vno ( Ma x i m um S tru c tu r al Cruising S p ee d) 48 k n ots (25 m / s)

Va ( Ma n e uv e ri n g S p e e d) 48 knots ( 25 m / s)

L a ndi n g S p e e d: 21 kno t s (11 m/s)

Emp t y W e i g ht C .G.

R a n g e 13.5

- 14.25 inch e s a f t of d a tum

D a tum Front Bulkhead

Me a n A e ro d y n a m i c
Chord (M A C) 13 in. long with l ea di n g e d g e 10.13 i n

. f r om front bulkhead

L e v e l i ng M ea ns Not Appl i ca ble.Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

6 | 8 Ma x i m um W e i g hts R a mp 17 l b s

.

T a k e o f f 17 lbs.

L a ndi n g 17 lb s

.

Emp t y W e i g ht 9.8 lbs.

N O TE: Emp t y W e i g ht Ex c ludes we i g ht of b a t te r y a nd

p a y l o a d modu l e s

.

F r e q u e n c ies 902

- 928 MHz ( I S M B a n d)

2.4 G H z ( I S M B a nd)

N O TE: F CC l i ce nse is n ot r e quir e d to u t i l i z e the a bove

f re qu e n c ies; C2 uplink and d ownlink a r e on the 900 M hz

b a nd. Backup hand controller uplink and downlink are on the

2.4 Gh z band.

Compu t e r Softw a re Avionics e mbedd e d pr oc e sso r

, P /N 31199

Mini m um C r e w (1) The No v a F 7200 U A S ca n be op e r a ted b y a s i n g le o p e r a tor.

Numb e r of S ea ts (0) Not Applic a ble.

F u e l C a p a c i t y Not Applic a ble.

Oil C a p ac i t y Not Applic a ble.

Ma x . Op e r a t i ng Alt i tude 10,000 ft. MSL

Control S u r f

a c e
Movem e nts W ing F laps Up 0° Do w n 60°

Aile r on Up 30° Do w n 30°

“ V” tail el e v a tor a c t i on Up 60° Do w n 6 0 °

“ V” tail rudd e r act i on Up 60° D own 6 0 °

“ V” tail m a x

. c omb i n a t i on
Rudd e r e lev a tor ac t i on Up 60° D own 60°

Nominal Endu ra n c e 90 m i nutes a bove 32 °F ( 0 °C)

45 m i nutes b e low 32 °F ( 0 °C)

Ambient Outside Air

T e mpe ra tu r e ( O AT) Ma x i m um OA T : 122 °F ( 50 ° C)

Mini m um OAT At Alt i t u d e :

- 4 °F (

- 20 ° C )

W ind L i m i t a t i on 29 knots

Mainten a n c e This Nova F 7200 U AS must be maintai n e d in a c c o r d a n c e with t he

manu fac tu r e r ’ s m a in t e n a n c e m a nu a l, or l a ter F AA ac c e pted re vis i o n

.

See the Nova F7200 Aircraft Manual for more information. The Nova F7200 Aircraft F l i g ht

Man u a l , whi c h c o ntains prop r iet a r y inf o rm a t i on a nd is to be h e ld i n a sep a r a te f i l e pu r suant to 14

C

. F .R. § 11.35 ( b )

, is a t t ac h e d herein as E x hib i t A

.Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

7 | 8 

### 5. Reasons Why Granting This Amendment Will Be In The Public Interest

Granting the present petition for amendment will further the public interest as set forth by the

Administrator in Exemption No. 11317. As the Administrator held on page 4 of Exemption No.

11317, the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved usi ng an unmanned aircraft (UA) with

the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a

manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel,

gives the FAA good cause t o find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the

public interest. Further, there has been no change in the conditions and reasons relative to the

public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

Altavian ’s proposed amendment not only furthers the public’s interest as set forth by the

Administrator in Exemption No. 11317, it also is another step forward in fulfilling the

Congressional mandate of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, by allowing

Alt avian to safely, efficiently, and economically operate the Nova F7200 UAS commercially

within the NAS.



### 6. A Summary That Can Be Pu blished In The Federal Register

Altavian submi t s that g ood ca use e x is t s for not pub l ish i ng a summa r y of t h is petit i on f o r

a mendm e nt i n the Fed e ra l R e g is t e r be ca u s e the r e qu e sted a mendm e nt t o Ex e mp t ion No. 11317

would not s e t a p re c e d e n t

, a nd a n y d e l a y in ac t i n g on th i s petition would be d e triment a l t o the

p e t i t i on e r. T he F6500 UAS a uthori z e d in t he ori g inal g r a nt of e x e mp t ion i s comp a r a ble in t y p e

,

si z e , w e i g ht, sp e e d a nd op e r a t i n g c a p a bi l i t i e s to t he Nova F7200 UAS.Department of Transportation

– Federal Aviation Administration February 29 th , 2016

Altavian Inc. | Petition for Amendment to Grant of Exemption No 11317

8 | 8 

### 7. Conclusion

WH E RE F OR E , in a cc o rd a n c e with t he Fe d e r a l Aviation R e g ulations a nd the F AA

Mode r ni z a t i on a nd Re f

o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333, Altavian r e spe c tful l y r e qu e sts that the

Admin i str a tor g r a nt t his P e t i t i on f o r a n a mendm e nt t o E x e mp t ion No. 11317 to t h e e x tent

n ece ss a ry t o all o w Altavian to o p e r a te t h e Nova F7200 UAS i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e F6500 UAS

und e r t h e C o nd i t i o n s a n d L imitations o ri g i n a l l y s e t f o rth i n E x e mp t ion No. 11317.

Dated: February 19th, 2016

Respectfully submitted,

Altavian Inc.

Thomas Rambo

1724 NE 2nd St
Gainesville, FL 32609
Tel: (855) 325

- 8284x701