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 2nd St

Gainesville, FL 32609

855-325-8284
Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration

February 29th, 2016

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

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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 Exemption 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 emergency 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.

The 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 29th, 2016

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

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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 original Petition for 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 F7200 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 

the same Conditions and Limitations set forth in Exemption No. 11317.

In support thereof, Altavian states as follows:

Nova F7200 UAS

 The Nova F7200 is comprised of a hand-launched, belly landed fixed wing unmanned 

aircraft (UA) controlled via FlareTM, the Altavian GCS software. As discussed herein, the Nova 

F7200 is 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 dozen 
Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration

February 29th, 2016

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exemptions approved for the Nova F6500. 

Figure 1. The Nova F7200

Unmanned Aircraft

System

The Nova F7200 is an Unmanned Aircraft System that is comprised 

of an amphibious unmanned aircraft and a transportable ground 

station.

Unmanned Aircraft

Dimensions

Wingspan: 108 in. 

Length: 57 in.

Engine

(Propulsive Unit)

Engine (Propulsive Unit)

(1) Altavian Inc. P/N : 31151 (Electric) 

FAA Engine Type Cert: None

Propulsive Unit Type: 25V, 11 Amp Hour capacity, Lithium ion 

battery powered, direct drive electric motor

Motor, Electric Sub-Assembly:

Manufacturer: NeuMotor 

Model: 1509

2.0 HP Peak Power Direct Drive

10 oz. Wt.

Motor, Controller Sub-Assembly:

Manufacturer: Castle Creation 

Model: Phoenix Ice 100

Type: Speed Controller

100 Amps Maximum

4.6 oz. Wt.
Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration

February 29th, 2016

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Motor, Battery:

Manufacturer: MaxAmps, Inc. 

Type: Lithium Ion

11 Amp hour

22.2V (nominal)

Fuel Not Applicable.

NOTE: The Nova F7200 UAS is powered by a Lithium

Polymer rechargeable battery, Altavian P/N 3115.

Engine (Propulsive Unit) 

Limits

Maximum Power Output: 2.0 HP

Maximum RPM: 60,000 RPM (reduced to a propeller RPM of

7,200)

Maximum Motor Temperature: 170 °F (77 °C)

NOTE: The motor temperature is not displayed to the 

operator.

Maximum motor, controller sub-assembly 

temperature: 194 °F (90 °C)

Minimum voltage, motor battery during pre-flight engine run up 

after 3 sec. at max throttle: 22.6V

Propeller and

Propeller Limits

(1) Altavian Inc. P/N 30538

FAA Propeller Type Certificate: None

Propeller Type: 2-blade, hinged (folding), carbon fiber reinforced 

plastic, fixed pitch, tractor

Propeller Sub-Assembly: 

Manufacturer: Aeronaut 

Model: CAM AER7234/90

Diameter (Nominal): 17 in.

Battery Command & 

Control

Nova Air Vehicle Battery P/N 31155 powers the electronic 

propulsion and avionics

Airspeed Limits Vne (Never Exceed Speed) 58 knot (30 m/s)

Vno (Maximum Structural Cruising Speed) 48 knots (25 m/s) 

Va (Maneuvering Speed) 48 knots (25 m/s)

Landing Speed: 21 knots (11 m/s)

Empty Weight C.G.

Range

13.5-14.25 inches aft of datum

Datum Front Bulkhead

Mean Aerodynamic

Chord (MAC)

13 in. long with leading edge 10.13 in. from front bulkhead

Leveling Means Not Applicable.
Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration

February 29th, 2016

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Maximum Weights Ramp 17 lbs. 

Takeoff 17 lbs. 

Landing 17 lbs.

Empty Weight 9.8 lbs.

NOTE: Empty Weight Excludes weight of battery and 

payload modules.

Frequencies 902-928 MHz (ISM Band)

2.4 GHz (ISM Band)

NOTE: FCC license is not required to utilize the above 

frequencies; C2 uplink and downlink are on the 900Mhz

band. Backup hand controller uplink and downlink are on the 

2.4 Ghz band.

Computer Software Avionics embedded processor, P/N 31199

Minimum Crew (1) The Nova F7200 UAS can be operated by a single operator.

Number of Seats (0) Not Applicable.

Fuel Capacity Not Applicable.

Oil Capacity Not Applicable.

Max. Operating Altitude 10,000 ft. MSL

Control Surface

Movements

Wing Flaps Up 0° Down 60°

Aileron Up 30° Down 30° 

“V” tail elevator action Up 60° Down 60° 

“V” tail rudder action Up 60° Down 60° 

“V” tail max. combination

Rudder elevator action Up 60° Down 60°

Nominal Endurance 90 minutes above 32 °F (0 °C)

45 minutes below 32 °F (0 °C)

Ambient Outside Air

Temperature (OAT)

Maximum OAT: 122 °F (50 °C)

Minimum OAT At Altitude: -4 °F (-20 °C)

Wind Limitation 29 knots

Maintenance This Nova F7200 UAS must be maintained in accordance with the

manufacturer’s maintenance manual, or later FAA accepted revision.

See the Nova F7200 Aircraft Manual for more information. The Nova F7200 Aircraft Flight

Manual, which contains proprietary information and is to be held in a separate file pursuant to 14 

C.F.R. § 11.35(b), is attached herein as Exhibit A. 
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February 29th, 2016

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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 using 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 to 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 

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

within the NAS.

6. A Summary That Can Be Published In The Federal Register

Altavian submits that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of this petition for 

amendment in the Federal Register because the requested amendment to Exemption No. 11317 

would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the 

petitioner. The F6500 UAS authorized in the original grant of exemption is comparable in type, 

size, weight, speed and operating capabilities to the Nova F7200 UAS.
Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration

February 29th, 2016

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7. Conclusion

WHEREFORE, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations and the FAA 

Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Section 333, Altavian respectfully requests that the 

Administrator grant this Petition for an amendment to Exemption No. 11317 to the extent 

necessary to allow Altavian to operate the Nova F7200 UAS in addition to the F6500 UAS

under the Conditions and Limitations originally set forth in Exemption No. 11317.

Dated: February 19th, 2016

Respectfully submitted,

Altavian Inc.

Thomas Rambo

1724 NE 2nd St

Gainesville, FL 32609

Tel: (855) 325-8284x701