March 8 , 2016

U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

Do c k e t Manag e ment S y s tem

1200 N e w J e rs e y Av e

., S E

W a shin g ton, DC 20590

R e : P e tition of Elevated Analytics, LLC

. for G r a nt of E xe mption P u r suant to S ec t i on

333 of the F A A Mod e rniz a tion a nd Re f o r m A c t of 20 1 2

To Whom it M a y Con c e r n:

Pu r suant to S ec tion 333 of the F A A Mod e rn i z a tion a nd R e fo r m A c t o f 2012 (R e f o rm

A c t) a nd 14 C. F .R. P a rt 11, Elevated Analytics

, LLC

. ( Elevated Analytics ) h e r e b y a ppli e s for a

G r a nt of E x e mption f

r om the F e d e r a l Av i a tion R e g u l a tions ( F AR s ) identifi e d b e low, to op e r a te

small unmann e d a e ri a l v e hicl e s ( i.e., small unmann e d a ir c r a ft s y stems or U A S ) for the purp o se

o f c ondu c ting ae r i a l d a ta c oll ec tion in support of industrial inf ra str u c ture inspe c tion a nd

mainten a n c e ac tivities

, precision agriculture, public entity support operations, wildlife and forestry

monitoring, aerial surveying, construction si te inspection and monitoring, bridge inspections,

uti lity

- power generation system inspections and patrolling, pipeline inspections and patrolling,

structural assessment of tall structures such as, but not limited to, wind turbines, communications

towers, and flare stacks, as well as aerial photography and vi deography for both commercial and

residential real estate marketing and event photography /videography, training to persons

individually or belonging to both private and public organizations to increase awareness and

improve safety for current and future UA S operations within the NAS

.

Elevated Analytics r e s p ec t f ul l y submits that this P e tition for E x e mpti o n qu a lifi e s for

e x p e dit e d a ppro va l, a s the F e d e r a l Avi a tion Administr a tion ( F A A ) h a s p r e vious l y issu e d g r a nts

of e x e m pt i on in c ir c umst a n ce s simil a r in a ll mat e ri a l r e sp e c ts to those p re s e nted h e r e in.

I n a ddition to this P e ti t i o n for E x e mption, Elevated Analytics will a lso submit the

following op e r a ti n g do c uments un d e r s e p a r a te c ov e r:

 Elevated Analytics Op e r a tions Manu a l

Elevated Analytics submi t s th is manu a l a s c onfi d e nti a l do c uments und e r s e p a r a t e c ov e r

pursu a nt to 14 C. F .R. § 1 1.35 ( b )

, a s the m a nu a l c o ntain s c onfid e nti a l com m e r c ial a nd propri e t a r y

info r mation that is not g e n e r a l l y made a v a il a ble to the publi c

. As a r e sult, t he info r mation is a lso

p r ote c ted from re l e a se u n d e r the Fre e dom of I n f o r mation A c t, 5 U.S.C. § 552 e t seq.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 2

F or y our c onv e nie n ce , t h is P e tition is o r g a ni z e d a s follows:

T ABLE O F C O NTENTS

P age

I. B A C K GROU N D & D E SC R I PT I ON O F P E TITI O N E R

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

II. D E SC R I

P TI ON O F P ROPOSED O PER A TI ON

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

III. R ELE VA N T S T A T U T ORY A U T

HO R IT Y

................................ ................................ .................... 9

IV. ELEVATED ANALYTICS ' P ROPOSED UA S O PER A TI ONS M E E T T H E R E Q U I

R E M E N T S O F

S E C TI ON 333 O F T HE R E FORM A CT

................................ ................................ ...................... 9

A. App r ov a l is W a rr a nted B a s e d on the U A S ' s Si z e

, W e i g ht, S p ee d, a nd

Op e r a tion a l C a p a bili t y

................................ ................................ ............................ 9

B. App r ov a l is W a rr a nted B a s e d on the O p e r a tion a l R e strictions in Elevated Analytics

O p e r a ti n g D o c uments .....................................................................10

V. R E G U L

A TI ONS F R O M W H I CH E X E M P TI ON I S S OUG H T

................................ ......................... 11

A. 91.9 (c ), 45

. 23( b ) a nd 45

. 27( a ): Ai r c r a ft M a rk i n g a nd I d e ntifi c a tion

R e quir e ments

................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 11

B

. 91.405 (a ), 91

. 407 ( a ) ( 1 ), 91.409 (a ) ( 1 ) a nd ( 2 ); 91.417 (a ) a nd (b ) :

Mainten a n c e I nspe c tions

................................ ................................ ....................... 12

C. 61.23 (a ) a nd ( c ), 61

. 113, 61.101 (e ) ( 4 ) a nd ( 5 ), 61

. 315: P riv a te,

R ec re a tion a l and Sport Pilot Medi ca l C e rtifi ca te, Privile g e s and

L imit a tions

................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 13

D. 91.7 (a ): Civil Air c raft Ai r wo r thin e ss

................................ ................................ .... 13

E. 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) : Civil Air c raft F li g ht Man u a l in the A i r c r a ft a nd 91.203 ( a ) a nd

(b ) : C a r r y i n g Civil Air c r a ft Ce r

tifi c a tion a nd R e g i str a tion

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

F. 91.103: P r e fli g ht A c tion

................................ ................................ ........................ 1 5

G. 91.109 (a ): F l i g ht I nstru c t ion

................................ ................................ ................. 1 5

H. 91.119 (c ): Minimum S a fe Altitudes O v e r O th e r T h a n Cong e sted A r ea s

............. 1 5

I. 91.121: Altim e ter S e ttin g s

................................ ................................ .................... 1 6

J. 91.151 (a ): F u e l R e quirements for F l i g ht in V F R Conditio n s

............................... 1 7

VI. D RUG AND A L COH O L P ROGRAM

................................ ................................ ......................... 1 7

VII. P UB L I C I

N TE R E S T

................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 1 7

VIII. P R I

VACY

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 1 8

IX. F E D E R A L R E G I S TE R S U M M A RY

................................ ................................ ........................... 1 8

X. C ONC L

U S I ON

................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 1 8U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 3

I. BAC KG R O U N D & D ESC R I P TI O N O F P ETITI O NER

Elevated Analytics

, LLC

. is a tech startup from experts in the Chemical and Mechanical

Engineering fields . Using small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs ) to provide clean, less

expensive, and reliable methods of transporting state

- of

- the

- art sensor and recording equipment to

hard

- to

- reach and even dangerous locations. Our patented sensors

, accompanied with state

- of

- the

art ret rieval methods

, provide real time, instant data of emi ssio ns and provide high

- resolution

pictures and videos . Utilizing these methods, companies improve t heir products or facilities to

exceed high goals of environmental stewardship.

Elevated Analytics collect s aerial data usi n g state of t h e a r t photo g r a p h y and sensor

e quipm e nt a nd a r e mo t e c ontroll e d m ultirotor UA S. This s y s t e m is both s a f e r a nd mo r e

ec onomi ca l than p e r f

o rming the s a m e wo r

k b y e ith e r s e ndi n g a m a n a loft or u sing a h e li c opter

or f i x e d wing a i r c raft.

I n a c c o r d a n c e with 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 ( a ), Elevated Analytics p r ovides the followi n g

info r mation in support of its P e tition f o r E x e mpti o n.

The c onta c t in f

o rm a tion f

o r Petitioner is as f

ollo w s:

Zach Smith

Elevated Analytics, LLC.

P.O. Box 1926

Owasso, OK 74055

(918) 513

- 2550

Email : zsmith@elevatedanalytic.com

II. D ESCRI P TI O N O F P RO P O SED O P ERATI O N

Elevated Analytics s ee ks a n e x e mption pursu a nt to S ec tion 333 o f the R e fo r m A c t to

commercially operate the following sUAV/UAS makes and models :

DJI Phantom 3

, DJI Inspire 1, DJI Spreading Wings S900, DJI Spreading Wings S1000, and

DJI Matrice 100

Elevated Analytics is c o m mitt e d to maintaining the hi g h e st stand a rds o f f l i g ht s a f e t y

,

a nd will utilize its knowl e d g e a nd e x p e ri e n c e g a ined c ondu c ting industrial testing and flight of

fixed

- wing aircraft to e n s u r e the s a fe op e r a tion of a ll a ir c r a ft. As part of its commitment to

safety and innovation, Elevated Analytics is asking for this exemption

, in part, to reduce

the risk of injury to its employees and contractors who participate in the proposed activities

the petitioner requests, including

, but not limited to : damage to agriculture, natural habitat,

buildings and other structures within the Uni ted States. All U A S op e r a tions will be p e r f o r med

in acc o rd a n c e with the acc ompa n y i n g Elevated Analytics o p e r a t i ng do c u m e nts, a nd in

acc o r d a n c e with the r e q u ir e ments of a n a ppli ca ble COA. The Petitioner proposes that the

exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate withU.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 4

the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher

level of safety to op erations under the current regulatory structure because the proposed operations

represent a safety enhancement to the operations conducted with conventional aircraft or with

humans climbing up and around structures. These conditions are drawn from Exemptio ns 11136,

11138, 11172, 11174 and 11177, 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 and as recent as 11857

.

These limitations and conditions to which Elevated Analytics (referred to as “Operator”) agrees to

be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include :

1. O perations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the aircraft listed

previously , which is a multirotor weighing up to 55 pounds

. Proposed operations

of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition t o amend this grant

.

2. The UA may not be flown at an indicated airspeed exceeding 30 mph (10 mph

during inspections).

3. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground

level (AGL), as indicated by the procedures specified in the O perator’s manual. All

altitudes reported to ATC must be in feet AGL.

4. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the Aircraft

Operator at all times. This requires the Aircraft Operator to be able to use human

vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses

.

5. The Exemption Holder’s m anuals must be amended to include all conditions and

limitations required by the FAA. The m anuals must be maintained and made

available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the

conditions and limitations in the exemption and the procedures outlined in the

Exemption Holder’s Operator’s manual, the conditions and limitations in the

exemption take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the Aircraft Operator

must fol low the procedures as outlined in its Aircraft’s manual. The Exemption

H older may update or revise its m anuals. It is the Exemption Holder’s responsibility

to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the

Administrator upon request. The Exemption Holder must also present updated and

revised documents if it petitions for an extension or amendment of this exemption.

If the Exemption Holder determines that any update or revision would affect the

basis upon which the FAA granted this exe mption, then the Exemption Holder must

petition for amendment to its exemption.

6. Prior to each flight, the Aircraft Operator must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a

condition for safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe

op eration of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary

maintenance has been performed, and the UAS is found to be in a condition for

safe flight. The Ground Control Station must be included in the preflight

inspection. All mainte nance and alterations must be properly documented in the

aircraft records.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 5

7. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS

operation or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component,

must undergo a func tional test flight in accordance with the Exemption holder’s

Manuals. The Aircraft Operator who conducts the functional test flight must make

an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The requirements and procedures

for a functional test flight a nd aircraft record entry must be added to the Exemption

Holder’s Operator’s manual.

8. The Exemption Holder must follow the manufacturer’s UAS aircraft/component,

maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements, with

particular at tention to flight critical components that may not be addressed in the

manufacturer’s manuals.

9. The Exemption Holder must carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record

k eeping requirements in accordance with the Operator’s Manuals. Maintenance,

inspec tion, and alterations must be noted in the aircraft logbook, including total

flight hours, description of work accomplished, and the signature of the authorized

technician returning the UAS to service.

10. The authorized technicians must receive and document training referenced in the

Exemption Holder’s Manuals.

11. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer

System and Safety Bulletins.

12. The Exemption Holder’s maintenance personnel must make a record entry in the

UAS logbook or equivalent document of the corrective action taken against

d iscrepancies discovered between inspections.

13. Prior to commencing operations, the Aircraft Operator shall have logged at least 2 0

hours of total time as a UA rotorcraft pilot with the same or similar equipment to

that is operated by E.A.

14. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the private or controlled

- access property and land

or be recovered in accordance with the Exemption Holder’s Manuals.

15. The Aircraft Operator must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or

emergencies, including unauthorized people entering the flight area, in accordance

with the Exemption Holder’s Manuals.

16. The PIC wil l ensure that the batteries of the sUAS have sufficient power to perform

the desired flight and safely return to the home position and land with 25% power

remaining.

17. All aircraft operated in accordance with the exemption must be identified by serial

numb er, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N

-U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 6

Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must

be as large as practicable.

18. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for oper ation and

control of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications Commission

(FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements.

19. The documents required under 14 CFR 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the

Operator at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is

operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any

law enforcement official upon request.

20. The UA must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned

operations and activities at all times (including, but not limited to: ultra

- light

vehicles, parachute activities, parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.).

21. The UA may not be operated by the Aircraft Operator from any moving device or

vehicle.

22. UAS operations may n ot be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR 1.1.

23. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the

Operator.

24. During operations the UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of the

geographic center of an airport as denoted on a current FAA

- published aeronautical

chart unless a letter of agreement with that airpor t’s management is obtained, and

the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM, if as required by the

Operator’s COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be

made available to the Administrator upon request.

25. The UA may not be op erated over congested or densely populated areas unless the

conditions set for in #26 are satisfied. These populated areas include

, but are not

limited to

, the yellow areas depicted on World Aeronautical Charts (WAC),

Sectional Aeronautical Charts (Section als), or Terminal Area Charts (TAC).

However, aeronautical charts may not reflect pertinent local information.

Ultimately, it is the Operator’s responsibility to maintain the minimum safe

altitudes required by § 91.119 (d) (1).

26. Flight operations must be c onducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating

persons from debris in the event of an accident. The Aircraft Operator mu st

ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a

situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection andU.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 7

are within 30 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately

and/or;

b. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the land

owner/controller has granted permission and/or the Aircraft Operator has

made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects

and;

c. Operations near the Aircraft Operator do not present an undue hazard to the

Operator per § 91.119(a).

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled access property with

permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission

from land owner/controller or authorize d representative will be obtained for each

flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be

reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) within 24 hours.

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

The p r opos e d op e r a tions in this P e tition for E x e mption a re not n e w o r n ov e l to the F A A

. The F AA h a s p re viou sl y issu e d g r a nts of e x e mption to use small U A S for proposed activities

the petitioner requests : S e e e

. g.

,

 Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial for closed set filming (Docket No.

FAA

- 2014

- 0352)

 Exemption No. 11109 to Clayco, Inc. for aerial imaging to monitor and

ensure safety of construction sites ( Docket No. FAA

– 2014

– 0507 )

 Exemption No. 111 10 to Trimble Navigation LTD for the purpose of

precision aerial surveys ( Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0367 )

 Exempt ion No. 111 11 to Woolpert, I nc. for precision aerial survey ( Docket

No. FAA

- 2014

- 0506 )

 Exemption No. 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC for aerial inspection, training

and flight demonstration (Docket No. FAA−2014− 0382)

 Exemption No. 11114 to Woolpert, Inc. for precision aerial survey ( Docket No.

FAA

- 2014

- 0398 )

 Exemption No. 11136 to Advanced Aviation Solutions, LLC to perform

precision agriculture ( Docket No. FAA

– 2014

– 0508 )

 Exemption No. 11153 to Burnz Eye View, Inc. to perform aerial photography

and inspection ( Docket No. FAA

– 2014

– 0519 )

 E x e mption No. 1 1 156 to Tot a l S a f e t y US for flare sta c k a nd other industrial

inf ra stru c tu r e inspe c tion ( D o c k e t No. F A A

- 2015

- 0648 )

 Exemption No. 11167 to Pravia, LLC. for the purpose of providing high

resolution aerial imagery in support of, biomass analysis and e stimation, yield

monitoring, leaf area indexing and reporting of geographical data and overall

crop health to a domestic agricultural seed company ( Docket No. FAA

– 2014

–

0789 )U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 8

 E xemption No. 11192 to Viking Unmanned Aerial Systems, Inc. to conduct

aerial photography and 3D mapping for the agriculture, energy, infrastructure,

ranching, and construction industries ( Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0850)

 Exemption No. 11204 to Build Imagery, LLC. for aerial photography for the

architectural, engineering, and construction industry sites and in motion picture

and television operations (Docket No. FAA

– 2014

– 0886)

 Exemption No. 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. to perform market research, aerial

surveys, mapp ing, and inspections (Docket No. FAA−2014−0642)

 Exemption No. 11222 to Vision Services Group, LLC to collect high quality,

actionable data for use by agronomists, crop consultants, and forestry

professionals ( Docket No. FAA−2014−0563 )

 Exemption No. 11286 to Balfour Beatty Construction Services US to conduct

aerial imaging at construction sites (Docket No. FAA

− 2014

− 0960)

 Exemption No. 11293 to Erie Insurance Group to conduct research and

development at its own facilities and property sur veys and inspections, and

risk assessment, risk management, loss prevention, and underwriting

(Docket No. FAA

– 2014

– 0962)

 Exemption No. 11364 to Real Estate Strategies, LLC. to augment real

estate research analysis and for

- sale listing photographs and video s ( Docket

No. FAA

– 2015

– 0116)

 Exemption No. 11419 to Mr. Douglas R. Dorrer to conduct educational

community outreach, aerial real property and pre/post environmental

remediation surveys, and not

- for

- profit Search and Rescue operations

supporting local law e nforcement (Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 0185 )

 Exemption No. 11467 to Aerial Inspection Resources, LLC. to conduct

examination and monitoring of power lines, pipelines and related utility

structures ( Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 0261)

 Exemption No. 11540 to Titan Aerial, LLC. to conduct aerial photography

and videography (Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 0395)

 Exemption No. 11721 to Aerial Works, Inc. to conduct visual inspections

of telecommunications towers and power lines and engineering research

with local universities addressing a number of small UAS concerns ( Docket

No. FAA

– 2015

– 0141)

 E x e mption No. 11761 to D r on a ir Solutions for utili t y a nd industrial infr a st r u c ture

inspe c tions ( D o c k e t No. F A A

- 201 5

- 0648 )

 Exemption No. 11813 to CellAntenna Corpo ration to conduct visual observation,

inspection, and recording and RF signal extension and detection work ( Docket

No. FAA

– 2015

– 1010)

 Exemption No. 11857 to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to conduct aerial

photography for home and business roof inspection, and large structure/fire site

inspection ( Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 0513)

 Exemption No. 11865 to SkySpecs, Inc. to conduct visual inspection and

photography of vertical structures (Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 0478)

 Exemption No. 12031 to Orlando Aerial Video s to conduct market research,

aerial surveys, mapping, inspections, and aerial data collection ( Docket No.

FAA

– 2015

– 1301)

 Ex emption No. 12645 to Allied Drones to conduct aerial infrastructure

inspections and surveys for the bridge, tower, and building cons truction andU.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 9

maintenance industries ( Docket No. FAA

– 2014

- 0804 )

 Exemption No. 13953 to Flares & Stacks, Inc. to conduct aerial data collection in

support of industrial infrastructure inspection, and maintenance activities ( Docket

No. FAA

– 2015

– 3021 )

 Exemptio n No. 14118 to 10

- 8 Video LLC to perform aerial data collection and

closed set motion picture and filming ( Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 4596 )

The low

- risk U A S op e r a t ions p r opos e d b y Elevated Analytics in this P e tition for

E x e mption f

a ll squar e l y within the ca t e g o r y of a e ri a l d a ta c oll ec tion that h a s b ee n subj ec t

to p r e vious a ppro va l.

III. R ELE V ANT STATUT O RY A UT H O RI T Y

This P e tition for E x e mption is submitted pursu a nt to S ec tion 333( a ) t h r ou g h ( c ) o f the

R e fo r m A c t. Co n g r e ss h a s dir e c ted t h e F A A " to s a f e l y a c ce ler a te t h e int e g ra tion of c ivil

unmann e d a i r c raft s y st e ms into the n a tion a l a ir s p ac e s y stem

. " Pu r s u a nt to S ec tion 333 of the

R e fo r m A c t, the F AA Administr a tor is to p e rmit unmann e d a ir c r a ft s y s tems to op e r a te in the

N A S wh e re it is s a f

e to do so b a s e d on the f

ollow i ng c onsi d e r a tions:

 The U A S ' s si z e , w e i g ht, spe e d a nd op e r a tion a l ca p a bili t y ;

 Op e r a tion of the U A S in close pro x imi t y to ai r p o rts a nd populat e d a r ea s; a n d

 Op e r a tion of the U A S within the visu a l line of sight of the op e r a tor.

Addition a l l y

, the F AA A dministr a tor h a s g e n e r a l a uthori t y to g r a nt e x e mptions f r om the

a g e n c y 's s a f

e t y re g ulati o ns a nd minimum s tand a rds wh e n the Ad m inistr a tor d ec ides a r e qu e sted

e x e mption is in the p u blic int e r e st. S e e 49 U

. S.C. § 106( f ) (d e fining the a uthori t y of the

Administr a tor ) ; 49 U. S .C. § 44701 ( f) (p e rmitting e x e mptions f r om §§ 44701 (a ), (b) a nd §§ 44702

– 44716, e t s e q

. )

. A p a r t y r e qu e sti n g a n e x e mption must e x pla i n the r e a sons w h y t h e e x e mption:

(1) would b e n e fit the public a s a who l e

, a nd (2) would not a d v e rs e l y a f fe c t s a f e t y ( o r how it would

p r ovi d e a l e v e l of s a f

e t y a t le a st e q u a l to the e x isting rul e s). S e e 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 (p e titions f o r

e x e mption).

IV. ELEVATED ANALYTICS ' P R O P O SED UAS O P ERATI O N S M EET T H E

R E Q UIREMENTS O F SECTI O N 333 O F T H E R E F O RM ACT

Elevated Analytics p r opos e d op e r a tions in this P e tition for E x e mption qu a l i f y

for e x p e dit e d a ppro va l und e r S ec tion 333 of the R e f o r m A c t, a s e a c h of the statuto r y c rite r ia

a nd r e lev a nt f

ac tors a r e s a t isfied a nd the F AA h a s p re vious l y issu e d g r a nts of e x e mption

in c ir c umst a n c e s similar to those p re s e nted in this P e tition f o r E x e mption.

A. Ap p r oval is Wa rr ant e d Based on t he U A S's S i z e , W e ig h t, Sp ee d, and

O p er a t io n al Capability

The proposed sUAV/UAS makes and models me e t the r e quir e ments o f S ec tion 333 of the

R e f o r m A c t due to its w e i g ht, spe e d a nd o p e r a tion a l ca p a bilitie s

. In addition, multiple prior

exempti ons were awarded to prior applicants using the same make and models as proposed by El evatedU.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 10

Analytics

.

The flight control system of each make and model provide for safe operation. The fli g ht

s y s tem p rovid e s position a nd a ltitude lock in w in d y c onditions. This p e rmits pr e c ise hov e ri n g

a nd stabili t y

. I n a dditi o n, the c ontroll e r c omes with both a n a utom a tic a nd manu a l r e turn

- to

- h o me

f e a ture to e f

f ic i e nt l y d ea l with un e x p ec ted fl ig ht c onting e n c ies. The s y ste m ' s e n h a n c e d f a i l

- s a fe

e nsur e s that the mul t i

- rotor will hov e r a uto m a ti ca l l y i f it loses RC si g n a l. A f t e r losi n g the si g n a l

for a ce r t a in time p e riod, the d e vi c e will c a lcul a te t h e s a f e st w a y to r e turn the v e hicle to t he

home position. The v e hicle will hov e r ov e r the GPS sta r t p o int a n d land a utom a ti ca l l y

.

The s y stem a lso p r ov i d e s I ntell i g e nt O ri e nta t i on Control ( I OC )

. T h is a llows the

c ontroll e r to g ive c om m a nds to the v e hicle b a s e d on its dir e c tion f r om the c ontroll e r a nd is

indep e nd e nt of the o r ien t a tion of the v e hicl e

. Th i s p re v e nts the pilot f rom inadv e rt e nt l y issui n g

fli g ht c omm a nds in dire c tio n s dif fe r e nt f r om the one int e nd e d. F inal l y

, t he c ontroll e r p r ovides

the a bili t y to c ustomi z e two lev e ls of low b a tt e r y w a rni n g to p r ovide a d e q u a te time to te r min a te

the f li g ht with a n e n h a n c e d lev e l of s a f e t y

.

The proposed make and models u s e d b y Elevated Analytics h a ve c ommon c h a r ac te r isti c s with

other U A S a ppro ve d f

o r use in p r e vious S ec tion 333 G r a nts o f E x e mption, in c ludin g :

 The y w e i g h less t h a n 55 pou n ds i n c luding p a y load;

 They have the c a p a bili t y to o p e r a te s a f e l y a f t e r e x p e r i e n c i n g ce r t a in i n

- fli g ht c ontin g e n c i e s

or f a ilu re s, a nd it e mpl o y s a n a uto

- pilot s y stem to maintain U A S stabili t y a nd c ontrol.

T h e U A S is a lso a ble to r e s pond to a loss of GPS or a los t

- link e v e nt with a p r e

c oo r din a ted, p re dic t a ble, a u tom a ted fli g ht man e uv e r. T h e se s a f e t y f e a tur e s p r ovi d e a n

e q uival e nt lev e l of s a f

e t y c ompa r e d to a mann e d a ircr a ft p e r f o r m ing a simil a r op e r a tion

a nd miti g a te the risk of c omm a nd a nd c ontrol link f a ilu re s ;

 The r a dio fr e qu e n c i e s u s e d for op e r a tions a nd c ontrol of the U A S c o mp l y with the

F e d e r a l Communic a tions Commission ( F CC) a nd other a ppro p ri a te g ov e r n me n t ove r si g ht

a g e n c y r e quir e m e nt s ; and

 The U A S a ll op e r a te a t a spe e d of 8 7 knots or l e ss.

B. Ap p r oval is Wa rr ant e d Based on t he O p er a t io n al R e st r ic t io n s in

Elevated Analytics ' O p er a t i n g Do c u me nts

The op e r a ti n g do c umen t s for the s e le c ted U A S c ontain a ll the p r o ce dur e s a nd limitations

n ece ss a r y to s a f

e l y a nd suc c e ssful l y p e r f o r m the p r opos e d op e r a tions. To e x p e dite the F A A ' s

s a f e t y a s s e ssm e nt of Elevated Analytics ' p r opos e d U AS op e r a tions, Elevated Analytics h a s tailor e d

its op e r a ti n g do c uments to c omp l y with the c onditio n s a nd limitations imposed on simil a r l y

situ a ted p e tition e rs s ee king to use small U A S for ae ri a l d a ta c oll ec tion. S e e e .g., Gr a nt of

E x e mption No. 14602 issu e d to Midwest Aerial Vantage

, Docket No. FAA

– 2015

– 5558

. I n

p a rticul a r, the op e r a ti n g do c uments c ontain s y s t e ms a nd p r o ce du r e s to p e rmit Elevated Analytics

to c omp l y with the c onditions and limitatio n s in the F A A ' s G r a nt of E x e m ption. Id.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 11

V. R E G ULATI O NS F R O M W H ICH E X EM P TI O N IS S O U GH T

The F e d e r a l Avi a tion A c t e x p re ss l y g ra nts the F AA the a uthori t y to is s ue e x e mptions.

This statuto r y a uthori t y

, b y its te r ms, includ e s e x e mpting c ivil a ir c r a ft, a s the te r m is d e fin e d

und e r § 40101 of t h e A c t, including U A S, f r om its s a f

e t y re g ulations a n d minimum stand a rds

wh e n the A dministr a tor d ec ides a r e qu e sted e x e mption is in the public int e r e st

. 1

Elevated Analytics s ee ks a n e x e mption f r om s e v e r a l int e r r e lat e d p r ovisions of 14

C. F .R. P a rts 45, 61 a nd 91 for purp o s e s o f c ondu c ti n g the r e qu e sted op e r a tions using

small UA S, includin g :

F A R D e s cr i p tion

91.9 (c ); 45.23 ( b) a nd

45.27 (a ) Air c raft M a rki n g a nd I d e ntifi c a tion R e quir e m e nts

91.405 (a ); 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ) ;

91.409 (a ) ( 1 ) a nd ( 2 );

91.417 (a ) a nd (b) Mainten a n c e a nd I nsp e c t ion R e quir e ments

61.23 (a ) a nd ( c ), 61.113;

61.101 (e ) ( 4 ) a nd ( 5 )

, 61

. 315 Priv a te, R ec re a tion a l a nd Sport Pilot Medi c a l C e rtifi ca te,

Privile g e s and L imit a tio n s

91.7 (a ) Civil Air c r a ft Ai r wo r thi n e ss

91.9 ( b ) (2 ) ; 91.203 ( a ) a nd

(b) C a r r y i n g Aircr a ft F li g ht Man ua l, C e rtifi ca tion a n d

Re g istr a tion in

the A ir c r a ft 91.103 Pr e fli g ht A c tion

91.109 (a ) F li g ht I nstr u c tion

91.119 (c ) Minimum S a fe Altitudes O v e r Oth e r than Cong e s t e d Ar e as

91.121 Altimet e r Settin g s

91.151 (a ) F u e l R e quir e m e nts for F l i g ht in V F R Conditions

L ist e d b e low a re the specific s ec tions of 14 C. F .R. for whi c h a n e x e mption is sou g ht,

a nd the op e r a ti n g p r o ce d u r e s a nd s a fe g u a rds that P e ti t ioner h a s e stablished whi c h will e nsure

a lev e l of sa f

e t y b e tt e r th a n or e qu a l to the r ules f rom w h ich e x e mption is sou g ht

. 2

A. 91.9 (c ), 45

. 23(b) and 45

. 27(a ) : Ai r cr a f t M a r ki n g and

Id e nt i f ica t ion R e quire m e nts

Elevated Analytics s ee ks a n e x e mption f r om t he a ir c r a ft ma r

ki n g a n d identifi ca tion

r e quir e ments c on t a ined i n 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.9 (c ), 4 5.23 ( b) a nd 45.27 ( a ).

1 S e e 49 U.S. C . § 44701 ( f ) ( a uthori z ing the g ra nt o f e x e mptions f r om r e qui r e ments of r e g ulations p re s c rib e d p u rsu a nt

to S e c tions 44701( a ) a nd (b) a nd S ec tions 44702

- 44716 )

2 S e e 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 ( e ) , whi c h r e qui r e s a p e tition f o r e x e mption to includ e :

The r e a sons w h y g r a nting the e x e mption would not a dv e rs e l y a ff ec t s a f e t y

, or how the

e x e mption would p r ovide a le v e l of s a f e t y a t l e a st e q u a l to that p r ovided b y the r u l e f rom w hich

y ou s ee k e x e mption.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 12

● 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 (c ), C i vil Air c r a ft F li g ht Ma n u a l, Ma r ki n g a nd Plac a rd

R e quir e ments, p r ovides th a t:

No p e rson m a y o p e r a te a U.S

. - re g ist e r e d c ivil a ir c r a ft unless that a i r c r a ft is

identifi e d in a c c o r d a n c e with P a rt 45 of this ch a pte r

.

● 14 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b ) , M a rkin g s of t h e Aircr a ft, st a tes:

W h e n ma r

ks include o n l y the Roman ca pit a l letter " N " a nd the re g istr a tion

number is displ a y e d on limited, r e strict e d or li g h t

- sport ca t e g o r y a i rc r a ft or

e x p e rime n tal or p r ovision a l l y c e rtifi ca ted a ir c r a f t

, the op e r a tor must a lso

displ a y on that a i r c raft n e a r e a c h e ntr a n c e to the ca bin, c o c kpit, or pilot station,

i n lette r s not less than two inch e s nor more than six in c h e s hi g h, t h e wo r ds

" l imit e d," " r e strict e d

, " " li g h t

- sport, " e x p e rime n tal

, " or " p r ov i sional," a s

ap p li c a ble.

● 14 C. F .R. § 45.27 (a ), Ro t o rc raft, stat e s:

E a c h o p e r a t o r of a roto r c r a ft must displ a y on th a t roto rc r a ft h o rizontal l y on

both sur f a c e s of the c a bin, fu s e l a g e , boom, or tail the ma r ks r e qui r e d b y § 45. 2 3.

I n p r ior g r a nts of e x e m p tion und e r S ec tion 333 o f the R e fo r m A c t

, the F AA d e te r min e d

that e x e mption f

r om these r e qu i r e ments w a s w a rr a nted p r ovided that the a i rcr a ft

" h a ve identifi ca tion ( N

- Numb e r) m a rkin g s in a cc o r d a n c e with 14 C. F .R P a rt 45, Subp a rt C

if the ma r

kin g s a r e a s lar g e a s p rac ti ca ble

. " 3 All U A S f lown b y Elevated Analytics will b ea r N

number ma r

kin g s that a re a s la r ge a s pra c ti ca ble in a cc o r d a n c e with 1 4 C. F .R. P a rt 45, Subp a rt C

. 4

B. 91.405 ( a ) , 91.407 ( a ) (1 )

, 91.409 ( a ) (1) and ( 2 ) ; 91

. 417( a ) and ( b): M ai n t e n an c e

Insp ec tions

Elevated Analytics s e e ks a n e x e mption f r om the mainten a n c e insp e c tion r e quir e ments

c ontain e d in 14 C. F .R. § 91.405 (a ), 91.40 7 ( a ) (1 )

, 91.409 (a) ( 1 ) a nd (2 ) ; 9 1 .417 (a ) a nd (b )

. Th e se

re g ulations spe c i f

y main t e n a n c e a nd inspe c tion s t a nd a rds in ref e r e n c e to 1 4 C. F .R. P a rt 43

. 5 An

e x e mption f

r om these r e g ulations is n ee d e d b e c a use P a rt 43 a nd these s ec tions on l y a pp l y to

a ir c r a ft with a n a irwo r t hiness ce rtifi c a te, whi c h the U A S to be op e r a t e d und e r this g r a nt o f

e x e mption will not h a v e

.

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be ac hie v e d b e c a use mainten a n c e a nd inspe c tions will

be p e r fo r med in a cc o r d a n c e with t h e op e r a ti n g d o c uments a nd a n y r e qui r e d manuf ac tu r e r S a f

e t y

or S e rvi c e B ull e tins. F u rth e r, a s r e quir e d b y the op e r a ti n g do c uments, the Pilot in C o mm a nd

3 F AA D o c k e t No. F AA

- 2 014

- 0352.

4 S ee

, e .g., F AA D o c k e t N o. F AA

- 201 4

- 0352, a t 14.

5 See

, e .g., 14 C. F .R. § 9 1 .405 (a ) (st a ting that eac h own e r or o p e r a tor of a n a ir c r a ft " [ s ] h a ll h a ve the a ir c r a ft

inspe c ted a s p re s c rib e d in subp a rt E of this p a rt a nd shall b e tw ee n r e quir e d inspe c tions ...h a ve disc r e p a n c ies

r e p a i r e d a s p r e s c r i b e d in pa r t 43 of this c h a pte r

. " ).U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 13

( P I C) will c ondu c t a p r e

- fli g ht inspe c tion of the U A S a nd a ll a ssoci a ted e quipm e nt to acc ount for

a ll disc re p a n c ies a nd/ o r inope r a ble c ompo n e nts. Mainten a n c e will be p e r fo r med a nd v e ri f i e d to

a ddr e ss a n y c onditions potential l y a f fe c ting s a fe op e r a tion of the U AS a n d no fli g hts will o cc ur

unless, a nd until, a l l fli g ht c ritic a l c omponents of the U A S h a ve b ee n found to be a irwo r t h y a nd

in a c ondition s a fe f

o r op e r a tion. A fu n c tion a l test fli g ht will be c o ndu c ted followi n g the

r e plac e ment of a n y fli g ht

- c ritic a l c omponents. T he P I C who c ondu c ts t h e fu n c tion a l test fl i g ht

will ma k e a n e nt r y in the U A S a ir c r a ft r ec o r ds of the fli g ht.

The Petitioner will also follow the U A S manu f ac tu r e r ’ s mainten a n ce

, o v e rh a ul,

r e pla c e m e nt, inspe c tion, a nd life limit r e quir e m e nts for the a ir c r a ft a nd a ir c r a ft c ompo n e nts.

M o r e ov e r, maintenance r e c o r ds of the U A S mainten a n ce

, p re v e ntative mainte n a n c e

, a lt e r a tions,

status of r e plac e ment/ove r h a ul c o mponent p a rts, a nd the tot a l time in s e rvi c e of the P e tition e r ' s

U A S will be kept

. As a whol e

, the mainten a n c e a nd inspe c tion p r o ce d u res followed by the

Petitioner will e nsure that a n e quival e nt or hi g h e r l e v e l of s a f e t y will be ac hiev e d.

C

. 61.23 ( a) and (c ), 61.113, 61.101 (e ) ( 4 ) and ( 5), 61.315: Pr ivat e , R e c re a t i o nal

and S po r t P ilot Me dical C e r ti f ica t e , P r ivileg e s a nd Li m ita t io n s

Elevated Analytics s e e ks e x e mption f r om these s ec t i ons, whi c h r e stricts p r iv a te,

r e c r ea tion a l or sport pilot ce rtifi ca te holde r s f r om f l y i n g a ircr a ft for c ompens a tion or hir e

, a nd

would a lso r e quire a Class II M e di ca l C e rtifi c a te. T h e p u r pose of P a rt 61 is to e n sure that

t h e skill a nd c ompet e n c y of a n y P I C mat c h e s the a irsp ac e in whi c h the P I C will be op e r a ti n g

,

a s w e ll a s r e quiri n g ce rtif i ca tions if the p r ivate pilot is ca rr y in g p a sse n g e rs or c a r g o for hir e

. I n

t h is ca s e , while the U A S will be o p e r a ted a s p a rt of a c omm e r c ial op e r a tion, it ca rries n e ith e r

p a sseng e rs nor c a r g o.

I n the G r a nt o f E x e mption No. 11062 to Astra e u s A e ri a l 6

, the F AA d e termin e d that the

unique c h a ra c te r istics of U A S op e r a tion outsi d e of c ontroll e d a irsp ac e did not w a r r a nt the

a dditional c ost a nd r e strictions a tt e nd a nt with r e quiring the P I C to h a ve a Comm e r c ial Pil o t

C e rtifi ca te a nd Class II Medi c a l C e rtifi c a te. The ful f illm e nt of the a dditional r e quir e m e nts for a

p r ivate pilot to b ec ome q u a lifi e d a s a c omm e r c ial pilot would not le a d to a n y a dditional s a f e t y

b e n e fits wh e n U AS oper a tions a re involv e d.

More re ce nt l y

, the F A A d e te r min e d that ho l d e rs of r ec r ea tion a l a n d sport pilot

ce rtifi c a tes would a lso h a ve a d e q u a te ae ro n a uti ca l knowl e d g e to pilot a U A S. A c c o r di n g l y

, b eca use these individuals would a lso b e subj ec t to s ec u ri t y s c r ee ni n g b y t h e D e p a rtme n t o f

Hom e land S ec u r i t y ( D H S), the F AA d e te r min e d that holde r s of r e c r e a tion a l a nd sport pil o t

ce rtifi c a tes w ould be qualifi e d to s e rve a s t he P I C for U A S op e r a tions

. 7

D. 91.7 ( a ) : C ivil Airc r a f t A ir w o r thi n e ss

I n a smuch a s there will be no a irwo r thin e ss c e rtifi ca te issu e d for the U AS, Elevated

6 F AA D o c k e t No. F AA

- 2 014

- 0352 .

7 S ee Gr a nt of E x e mption No. 11213 to A e r y on L a bs, I n c

. ( D o c k e t No. F A A

- 2014

- 0642 a t p g s.8

- 9 )

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 14

Analytics s ee ks a n e x e mption f r om 14 C. F .R. § 91.7 (a ), whi c h r e qui r e s that a c ivil a ir c r a ft be in

a n a irwo r t h y c ondition to be op e r a ted. W hile P e tition e r ’ s U A S will not h a ve a n a i r w o r thin e ss

ce rtifi c a te, the F A A h a s d e te r min e d that for t he purp o s e s of this e x e mption the pilot m a y

d e te r mine the a i r c raft is in a n a irw o rt h y c ondi t ion p r ior to fli g ht. The op e r a ting do c uments

c ontain p r o ce du r e s, whi c h a llow the P I C to d e termine wh e ther the a ir c r a f t is in a c ondition s a fe

for f li g ht, a nd a n e x e mption f r om § 91.7( a ) is th ere fo r e w a rr a nted.

E. 91.9 ( b) ( 2 ) : Civil Ai r cr a f t F light M anual in t he Ai rcr a f t and 91.203 ( a) and

(b): Car r yi n g Civil Ai rcr a f t C er ti f ica t ion and R e gist r a t ion

Title 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( b ) (2) a nd § 91.203 ( a ) a nd (b) r e qu i re the op e r a tor to ca r r y

a irwo r thin e ss do c uments a nd other a i r c raft m a nu a l s onbo a rd the a i r c raft.

Pu r suant to 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) :

(b) No person m a y op e ra te a U.S

. - re g ist e r e d c ivil a ir c r a ft

–

... (2) F or wh i c h a n Airplane or Roto r c raft F l i g ht Man ua l is r e quir e d b y § 21.5 of

this c h a pte r

, unless there is a v a il a ble in the a ircr a ft a c u rr e nt a ppro v e d Airp l a ne or

Rotor c r a ft F li g ht Man u a l, a ppro ve d m a nu a l mat e ri a l, ma r ki n g s, a nd plac a rds, or

a n y c ombin a tion the r e o f.

Pu r suant to 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 (a ) a nd (b ) :

(a) E x ce pt a s p rovid e d in § 91.715, no p e rson m a y op e r a te a c ivil a ir c r a ft u nless it

h a s within it the f

ollowin g :

(1) An a p p rop r iate a nd c u r

r e nt ai r w o rthin e ss certifi ca te...

(b) No p e rson m a y op e r a te a c ivil a ir c r a ft unl e ss the a irwo r thin e ss c e r tifi c a te

r e quir e d b y p a ra g r a

ph (a) of this s ec tion o r a s p ec ial fl i g ht a uthori z a tion issu e d

und e r § 91.715 is displ a y e d a t the ca bin or c o c kp i t e ntr a n c e so that it is legible to

p a sse n g e rs o r c r e w.

Giv e n the small si z e a n d c onf i g u ra tion o f the U A S, it would be imp o ssible to k ee p

a irwo r thin e ss docum e nts a nd other a i r c r a ft m a nu a l s on bo a rd the U AS be c a use th e re is simp l y n o

room a nd the U AS has n o ca bin or c o c kpit.

I n a n F AA O f

fice of Chief Couns e l ' s Opinion d a ted A u g ust 8, 2014, a nd p re p a r e d b y

D e a n E. G r i f

fith, Attorne y

, A G C

- 220, it w a s ac k nowl e dg e d that t h e int e nt of 14 C. F .R. 91.9 ( b)

a nd 91.203 (a ) a nd (b) is met if the pilot of the u nmann e d a ircr a ft h a s ac c e ss to the U A S fli g ht

manu a l, re g istr a tion ce r t ific a te, a nd other r e qui r e d do c uments f r om the g round c ontrol station

f r om whi c h h e or she is op e r a ti n g t he a i r c raft. 8 As this F AA O f f i c e o f Chief Couns e l Opinion

c la r ifies, the int e nt of t h e rule is to e nsure the pilot h a s acce ss to these k e y do c uments duri n g

fli g ht. Ther e f

o r e

, a n e q u ival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y w ill be ac hie v e d b y e ns u r ing that the pilot h a s

8 Memorandum f rom Ma r k B u r y

, F AA Assistant Chief Couns e l f o r I nte r n a tion a l L a w, L e g isl a tion a nd R e g ulat i on, to

J ohn Dun c a n, F AA F li g ht Stand a rds S e rv i c e ( A u g

. 8, 2014 ) ; s e e also Do c k e t No. FA A

- 2 0 14

- 0352 a t 16

- 18.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 15

ac c e ss to the do c uments a t the gro u nd c ontrol st a t ion f r om which he or s h e is piloting the U AS

. 9

F. 91.103: P r e f

light A c tion

P e tition e r s ee ks a n e x e m ption f r om 14 C. F .R. § 9 1.103, whi c h r e q u ir e s a P I C to b ec ome

f a mili a r with spe c ific i n fo r mation b e fore e a c h f li g ht, including info r ma t ion c ontain e d in the

F A A

- a ppro ve d F l i g ht M a nu a l on b o a rd the a i rc r a ft. W hile the P I C will be f a mili a r with a ll

info r mation n ece ss a r y to s a f e l y c ondu c t the fl i g ht, a n e x e mption is r e qu e sted to the e x tent that a n

F A A

- a ppro ve d F l i g ht Manu a l is r e quir e d.

Adh e r e n c e to the r e quirements in the op e r a ting do c uments will e nsure that the U A S is in

a n a irwo r t h y c ondition p rior to fli g ht. The P I C will p e r f o r m a s e r i e s of c h ec k l ists d e si g n e d to

identi f y a n y d e fe c ts or inope r a ble c omponents, whi c h c ov e r p r e

- fl i g ht, tak e

- o f f, landi n g a nd

post

- fli g ht p r o ce d u r e s. The P I C will a lso be requir e d to r e view we a th e r, fl i g ht r e quir e ments,

b a tt e r y c h a r g e

, landi n g a nd tak e o ff dist a n c e

, U A p e r fo r mance d a ta, a n d c onting e n c y l a ndi n g

a r e a s

— b e fore initi a tion of fl i g ht. P e tition e r ' s o p e r a ti n g do c u m e nts will be k e pt a t the g round

c ontrol st a tion a nd will be a c ce ssible to the P I C a t a ll times w hile op e r a ting the U AS.

G. 91.109 ( a ) : F light Inst r u c tion

P e t i tion e r s ee ks a n e x e mption f r om 14 C. F .R. § 91.109 (a ), whi c h p r o v ides in p e rtine n t

p a rt that " [ n ] o p e rson m a y o p e r a te a c ivil a ir c r a f t ( e x ce pt a mann e d f

r e e b a lloon) that is b e ing

used for fli g ht instru c tion unless that a ir c r a ft h a s ful l y fun c tioning du a l c ontrols." U A S a nd

r e mot e l y piloted a i r c r a f

t

, b y their d e s i g n, do not h a ve fun c tion a l d u a l c o ntrols. I nste a d, fli g ht

c ontrol is acc omplished throu g h the use of a d e vi c e that c ommunic a tes with the a ir c raft via r a dio

c ommunic a tions. A c c o r din g l y

, a n e x e mption will be r e quir e d for the fli g ht instru c tion

r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. § 91.109 (a ).

Giv e n the si z e a nd spe e d of the U A S that P e tition e r int e nds to use, a n e quival e nt lev e l of

s a fe t r a ining ca n still be ac hiev e d without du a l c o ntrols be c a u s e no pilot or p a s s e n g e rs a r e a bo a rd

the U A S, a nd a s r e qui r e d b y the op e r a ting d o c u m e nts, a ll p e rsons will be a s a fe dist a n c e a w a y in

the e v e nt that the U A S e x p e ri e n ce s a n y di f fi c ulties during fl i g ht instru c tion. Mor e ov e r, a ll fli g ht

tr a ining will be c ondu c ted in c ontroll e d a nd st e rile e nvironme n t. As a whol e

, the p r o ce dures

p r ovided f

o r in the op e r a ting d o c uments e ns u re that U A S fl i g ht instru c t i on ca n be p e r f o rm e d

s a f e l y

.

H. 91.119 (c) : M i n i m u m S a f e Alti t ud e s Over Other Than Conges te d A r e as

Elevated Analytics r e q u e sts a n e x e mption f r om the minimum s a fe a ltitude r e quir e ments

9 See also E x e mption No. 11213 to A e r y on L a bs, In c

. a t p g . 11:

The p e tition e r r e qu e sted r e li e f f r om 14 C F R § 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) : Civil aircra f t flight manual, mar

k ing,

and placard r e quire m e nts a nd § 91.203 ( a ) a nd ( b) : Civil aircraft: C e rtifi c ations r e quired. The

F AA h a s p r e vious l y d e t e rmin e d that r e li e f f r om these s e c tions is not n e ce ssa r y

. S e e E x e mption

No. 11062. R e lev a nt mat e ri a ls m a y b e k e pt in a loc a tion ac c e ssible to the P I C in c omplian c e w ith

the re g ulations.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 16

o f 14 C. F .R. § 91.11 9 ( c )

. 10 S ec tion 91.119 p r e s c ri b e s the minimum s a f e a ltitud e s und e r wh i c h

a ir c r a ft m a y not op e r a te, including 500 fe e t a bove the surf a c e a nd a w a y f

r o m a n y p e rson, v e ssel,

v e hicl e , or st r u c t u re in n o n

- c o n g e sted a re a s. S e e 14 C. F .R. § 91.119 (c ).

An e x e mption is r e quir e d b eca use the p r opos e d U A S op e r a tions will no r mal l y n ee d to

o cc ur b e low 400 f

ee t AG L

. Addition a l l y

, due to the n a ture o f the p r opo s e d op e r a tions, the P I C

a nd/or Obs e rvers m a y n ee d to be less t h a n 500 f e e t a w a y f

r om the U A S. Compa r e d to fli g ht

op e r a tions with roto rc r a f t w e i g hi n g far more th a n the ma x imum w e i g hts p r opos e d h e r e in, a nd

g iven t h e la c k o f fl a m m a ble fu e l with the U A S, a n y risk a ssoc i a ted with these op e r a tions is f a r

less than those that p re s e nt l y e x ist with conv e ntion a l air c r a ft.

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be a c hiev e d given the si z e

, w e i g ht, a n d spe e d of t h e

U A S, a s w e ll as the c ontro l led loc a tion wh e r e the o p e r a tions will o cc u r

. I n o r d e r to a void a n y

risk to mann e d a ir c r a ft, fli g ht op e r a tions will be r e str i c ted to b e low 400 f e e t A G L

. T he U A S will

be op e r a ted i n a c ontroll e d e nviron m e nt, a nd a ll fli g hts will o cc ur a t a lat e r a l di s tance of a t le a st

500 f ee t f r o m nonp a rticip a ting p e rs o ns, unless that p e rson is in a position wh e re he o r she is

shield e d f r om t h e U A S a nd a n y possible d e b r is r e sulting f r om U A S f

a ilu re

. Pro c e d u re s will be

in place to e nsure f

li g ht o p e r a tions ca n be s a f e l y t e rmin a ted if a nonp a rticip a ting p e rson within

500 f e e t of the U AS le a v e s a shield e d p o sition. F u r the r

, U A S op e r a tions will o c c ur a t le a st

500 f e e t a w a y from v e hicl e s or stru c tu r e s unless the p rop e r t y own e r/ c ontroll e r h a s g r a nted

p e rmission a nd the P I

C h a s m a de a s a f

e t y a s s e ssm e nt of the risk of op e r a ti n g c los e r to those

obje c t s

, a nd op e r a tions n ea r t h e P I C or Obs e r ve r will not p re s e nt a n undue h a z a rd p e r §

91

. 119( a ). Adher e n c e to these r e strictions will e nsure t h e p r opos e d o p e r a tions ca n be c ondu c t e d

without c ompromising sa f e t y to p e rsons or pro p e r t y on the g r ound.

I. 91.121: Alt i m e t e r S e t t i n gs

To the e x tent n ece ss ar y f o r Elevated Analytics to c ondu c t the p r op o s e d op e r a tions,

P e tition e r r e qu e sts a n e x e mption f r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.121, whi c h r e quir e s a p e rson op e r a ting a n

a ir c r a ft to maintain c ruising a ltitude or fli g ht level b y r e f e r e n c e to a n a ltim e ter that is s e t to the

e lev a tion of the d e p a rtu r e a irpo r t or b a rom e tric pr e ssur e

.

The F A A h a s stat e d t h a t a n e quival e nt le v e l of s a f e t y to t h e r e qu i r e ments of 14 C. F .R. §

91.121 ca n b e ac h i e v e d i n c ir c umst a n c e s wher e : ( 1) the U A S will be o p e r a ted 400 f ee t A G L or

b e low, (2) within V L OS, (3) wh e r e GPS b a s e d a ltitude info r mation is r e la y e d in r ea l time to the

op e r a tor a t a g round

- b a s e d o n

- s c r e e n displ a y a n d

, (4) w h e r e p r ior to e ac h fli g ht, a z e ro a ltitude

initi a tion point is establi s h e d for the P I C to con f i r m a c c u r a c y of t h e onbo a r d GP S

.

The U A S that P e tition e r int e nds to use for p e r f o rming the p r opos e d o p e r a tions me e t a ll

these op e r a tion a l c h a r ac t e risti c s. Before each flight the P I C will c a lib ra te the a ir c raft ' s GPS

c ompass. As the F AA h a s d e te r min e d in c ir c umst a n c e s simil a r to this P e ti t ion for E x e mpt i on,

P e tition e r ' s U A S a nd the s a f e t y miti g a tion p r o ce du r e s c ontai n e d in the op e r a ti n g do c u m e nts,

10 Relief f r om § 91.119 ( a ) will not be n ece ss a r y b eca use P e tition e r will be a ble to p e r f o rm a n e mer g e n c y landi n g

wit h out undue h a z a rd to p e rsons or p r op e r t y on the g r ound in the e v e nt of a f a ilu re

. P e tition e r ' s p r o p osed U A S

op e r a tions wi l l not o cc ur ov e r c on g e s t e d a r e a s, a nd ther e fore a n e x e mption f r om § 91

. 119( b ) will not b e n ece s s a r y

.

S e e e .g

., G r a nt o f E x e mption No. 11157 to Slu g w e a r, I n c ., d b a L ik e on a tr e e A e ri a l a t p g

. 15 ( Do c k e t No. F AA

- 201 4

-

0 534 )

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 17

e nsure that a n e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be ac hiev e d, a nd a g r a nt of e x e mption to t he

r e quir e ments of § 191.121 is the r e fo r e a ppro p ri a te

.

J. 91.151 ( a ) : F u e l Re quire me nts f or F light in V FR Con d itions

Elevated Analytics r e q u e sts a n e x e mption f r om 14 C. F .R. § 91.151 ( a) ' s fu e l requir e ments

for fli g ht in Visu a l F l i g ht Rules (V F R) c onditions. S ec tion 91.151 st a tes:

(a) No p e rson m a y b e g i n a fl i g ht in a n a irpl a ne und e r V F R c onditions unless

( c onsid e ri n g wind a nd f

o reca st we a ther c onditions) there is e no u g h f u e l to f l y to

the f irst point of int e nd e d landing a nd, a ssuming n o r mal c ruising s p ee d

–

(1) Du r i n g the d a y , to f

l y a ft e r th a t f

o r a t l ea st 30 minutes; or

(2) At ni g ht, to f

l y a ft e r t h a t for a t l e a st 45 minutes.

H e r e

, the t e c hnolo g i ca l limitations on U A S b a t t e r y p o w e r m e a ns that no me a nin g ful

fli g ht op e r a tions c a n be c ondu c ted while still maintaining a 3 0

- minute b a tt e r y r e s e rv e

. An

e x e mption f

r om the f u e l r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. § 91.151 (a ) is ther e fore r e quir e d.

The FAA h a s p r e vious l y g r a nted r e li e f f r om t h e fu e l r e quir e m e nts of § 91.151 (a ) for

fli g ht in d a y

time V F R c onditions in c ir c umst a n ce s simil a r to those p re s e nted in this P e ti t ion for

E x e mption

. 11 I

n E x e mption No. 11213 to Ae r y o n L a bs, I n c

. 12

, the F AA d e te r min e d that a

r e quir e ments p rohibiting the P I C f r om b e g inni n g a U A S fl i g ht unless ( c onsid e ri n g wind a nd

fo r e c a st we a ther c ondit i ons) the r e w a s e no u g h a v a il a ble p o w e r for U A S to op e r a te for the

int e nd e d op e r a tion a l time a nd to op e r a te a fter t h a t for a t l ea st five minutes or with the r e s e rve

pow e r re c omm e nd e d b y the manu f ac tu r e r if g re a t e r

, would e nsure a n e qu i v a lent lev e l of s a f e t y

to the fu e l r e qui r e ments of § 91.151 (a )

. 13 P e tition e r ' s op e r a ting d o c u m e n ts impose this s a m e

r e quir e ments a nd a n e x e mption f r om § 91.151 ( a ) 's fu e l r e quir e m e nts for f l i g ht in V F R c onditions

is th e r e fore a ppro p ri a te.

VI. D RUG AND A L C O HO L POLICY

Elevated Analytics h a s est a b lished poli c ies to e nsure t h a t no pe r son m a y p a rticip a te in

U A S fli g ht oper a tions if th e y a re und e r t h e influ e n c e of a lcohol or a n y dr u g which may impair

safe operations

.

VII. P UBLIC INTEREST

The public int e r e st will be s e rv e d b y g ra nti n g Elevated Analytics ' P e tition for E x e mptio n

. Con g r e ss h a s e s t a blished a n a tion a l poli c y t h a t favors e a r l y in t e g r a tion of U A S into the N a tion a l

Air Sp ac e ( N AS) in c ontroll e d, s a fe wo r ki n g e nvironme n ts such a s those p r opos e d in this

P e tition. G r a nting this P e tition for E x e mption h e lps ful f ill Con g r e s s ' g o a l in p a ssing S ec tion

11 See e .g., E x e mption Nos. 8811, 10808, a nd 1067 3.

12 Docket No. F A A

- 201 4

- 0642.

13 Exemption No. 11213 a t p g . 12.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 18

333( a ) thro u g h (c) of the R e fo r m A c t

— the F AA Administr a tor ' s a ssessm e nt of wh e t h e r ce rt a in

U A S m a y o p e r a t e saf

e l y in the N A S b e fo r e c ompl e tion of the statutori l y re quir e d rul e maki n g

.

The p r opos e d U A S o p e r a tions in this P e tition f o r E x e mption si g nifi ca nt l y imp r ove s a f e t y

a nd r e d u c e risk b y a ll e v i a ting the publi c ' s e x pos u re to d a n g e r a ssoci a t e d with tr a ditional ae ri a l

d a ta c oll ec tion methods, n a me l y

, full si z e fi x e d

- wing a i r c raft a nd roto r c r a f t

. The U A S s Elevated

Analytics int e nds to u s e are li g ht w e i g h t

, a re b a tt e r y p o w e r e d, a nd c re a te no e missions. Mor e o v e r,

in the unlik e l y e v e nt t h a t one of P e tition e r ' s U A S c r a sh, th e re is no fu e l to i g nite a nd e x plode.

A n y a cc ident involving P e tition e r ' s small li g htw e i g ht U A S will p re s e nt si g nif i c a nt l y less d a n g e r

to the pilot and oth e r individu a ls on the g round t h a n one involving a f ull si z e h e li c opte r

.

VIII. P RI V ACY

The p r opos e d op e r a tions will be c ondu c ted in a c c o r d a n c e with a ppli ca b l e f e d e r a l, stat e

,

or loc a l la w s re g a rdi n g p riv a c y

. Elevated Analytics will not c ondu c t fli g ht o p e r a tions ov e r

p r o p e r t y that it do e s not own or c o ntrol without the prior c onse n t and kno w le d g e o f the pro pe r t y

ow n e r.

IX. F EDERAL R E G ISTER S U MMARY

Pu r suant to 14 C. F .R. P a rt 11, the followi n g su m mary is p r ovided f o r pu b li ca tion in the

F E D E R A L R E G I S TE R

, sho u ld it be d e te r min e d that p ubli ca tion is n ee d e d:

P e tition e r s ee ks a n e x e mption f r om the following rul e s in Title 14 of the Code of

F e d e r a l R e g ulations:

45.23 ( b ) ; 45.27 ( a ); 61

. 23( a ) a nd (c); 61.113; 61.101 (e ) (4) a nd (5 ) ; 61.315;

91.7 (a ); 91.9 ( b ) ( 2 ) ; 91. 9 ( c ); 91.1 0 3; 91.109 ( a ); 9 1.11 9 (b ) ; 91.121; 91.151 (a ); 91.203 ( a )

& ( b ) ; 91.40 5 ( a ); 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 91.409 ( a ) ( 1 ) & ( 2 ) ; 91.417 (a ) & ( b )

.

The e x e mption will e n h a n c e s a f e t y b y r e du c i n g risk to the g e n e r a l public a nd p r op e r t y

own e rs f r om the subst a n ti a l h a z a rds a ssoci a ted with using c onv e ntion a l fi x e d

- wing a ircr a ft o r

,

roto rc raft f

or ae ri a l d a ta c oll ec tion.

X. C O NCLUS I O N

The p r opos e d op e r a tions in this P e t ition for E x e mption s a tis f y the c rite r i a a rticul a ted in

S ec tion 333 of the R e fo r m A c t a nd the F AA h a s issu e d g r a nts of e x e mption in c ir c umst a n ce s

simil a r in a ll r e spe c ts to those p re s e nted b y Elevated Analytics in this P e ti t ion for E x e mption.

I n c onsid e r a tion of the for e g oi n g

, this P e tition for E x e mption p r ovides t h e F A A with a ll the

n ece ss a r y justific a tion f

o r g ra nti n g the r e qu e sted e x e mptions a llowing Elevated Analytics to

op e r a te small U A S f

or the pu r p o se of a e ri a l data c oll ec ti o n.

W e thank y ou for y our p r ompt c onsid e r a tion of our r e qu e sted e x e mptio n s. Should y ou

h a ve a n y qu e stions, or if y ou n ee d a dditional info r mation to support the r e qu e sted e x e mptions,

ple a se do not hesit a te to c onta c t us.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a tion

February 10, 2016

P a g e 19

Respectfully

,

Zach Smith

President, Elevated Analytics, LLC.