ecologyandenvironment,inc.InternationalSpecialistsintheEnvironmentBUFFALOCORPORATECENTER368PleasantViewDrive,Lancaster,NewYork14086Tel:716/684-8060,Fax:716/684-0844September15,2015FederalAviationAdministrationU.S.DepartmentofTransportationDocketManagementSystem1200NewJerseyAve.,SEWashington,DC20590Re:ExemptionRequestunderSection333oftheFAAReformActandPart11oftheFederalAviationRegulationsfromcertainpartsoftheFARs.DearSirorMadam:PursuanttoSection333oftheFAAModernizationandReformActof2012(theReformAct)and14C.F.R.Part11,EcologyandEnvironment,Inc.(hereinafter"E&E")herebyappliesforanexemptionfromthelistedFederalAviationRegulations("FARs")toallowittooperatesmallUnmannedAircraftSystems("sUAS")undertheconditionsandlimitationssetforthinthisPetition.Foundedin1970,E& Eisanenvironmentalservicesfirmwhoseunderlyingphilosophyistoprovideprofessionalservicesthatpromoteeconomicandhumandevelopmentinanenviromnentallysustainablemanner.IncorporatedinNewYorkState,E&EisheadquarteredinLancaster,NewYork,andispubliclytradedontheNASDAQ.E&Emaintainsprofessionalofficesinapproximately30majorcitiesthroughouttheUnitesStates.E&Eemploysspecialistsinmorethan85disciplinesinthesustainable,physical,biological,social,andhealthsciences.E&Eoffersabroadrangeofenvironmentalconsultingservicesforbothprivateandpublicsectorclients,includingenvironmentalplanningandsiteassessment;managementandregulatorycompliancesupport;environmentalandpollutioncontrolengineering; EnvironmentalImpactStatementandEnvironmentalAssessmentreportdrafting,and,increasingly,emergencyresponseandmanagement.E&EhasidentiliedsUASasatechnologythatcanimprovepublicsafetyandalleviateheathandsafetyconcernsassociatedwithpersonnelfieldeffortswhileprovidingenhancedservicesandmoreaccuratedatacollection.Theproposedexemption,ifgranted,wouldallowE&EtoconductcommercialoperationswithsUAS's,meetingorexceedingalloftheoperationalandsafetyrequirementsCongresshassetforthinSection333.IrecycledpaperI.14CFR11.18(a)-NameandaddressofthePetitioner:EcologyandEnvironment,Inc.368PleasantViewDriveLancaster,NewYork14086Phone:716-628-8060chuckle@ene.comII.14CFR11.81(b)-ExemptionsRequested:TheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)considersunmannedaircraftas"aircraft"flownbya"pilof'regardlessofthelocationofthepilot.AllaircraftandpilotsmustcomplywithapplicablesectionsofTitle14oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(14CFR)andotherrules/regulationstooperatewithintheNationalAirspace.Unmannedaircraftareunabletocomplywithcertainsectionsof14CFRastheregulationswerewrittenpriortotheconsiderationofsUASintegrationwithintheNationalAirspace.ThereforeE&Eisrequestinganexemptionfromthesectionsof14CFRcitedbelow,inadditiontofurtherexemptionsandreliefastheFAAmaydetermineisnecessarytopermittheoperationsdescribedhere.14CFRPart21SubpartH-Airworthinesscertification14C.FR§6123(a)and(c)-Medicalcertificate:requirementandduration14C.FR§61.101(e)4and5-Recreationalpilotprivilegesandlimitations14C.FR§61.113(a)-Privatepilotprivilegesandlimitations:Pilotincommand14C.FR§61.315(a)-Sportspilotcertificateprivilegesandlimits14C.FR§91.7(a)-CivilAircraftAirworthiness14C.FR§91.119(c)-Minimumsafealtitudes14C.FR§91.121-Altimetersettings14C.FR§91.151-Fuelrequirement'sforflightinVFRconditions14C.FR§91215-ATCTransponderandAltitudeReporting14C.FR§91.405-Maintenancerequired14C.FR§91.407(a)(1)-Operationaftermaintenance,preventivemaintenance,rebuildingalteration14C.FR§409(a)(1)and(2)-Inspections14C.FR§417(a)&(b)-MaintenanceRecordsill.14CFRPart11.81(c)-TheextentofreliefE&Eseeks,andthereasonE&Eseekstherelief:E&EseeksrelieffromapplicablepartsoftheFARsandotherrules/regulationstotheextentnecessarytopermitcivilflightoperationswithinthenationalairspace.E&EseeksauthorizationtoconductsUASflightoperationstoperformaerialdatacollectionwithintheperimetersofthisexemptionrequest.Appendix1describestheFARsfromwhichanexemptionisrequestedandsummarizesthejustificationforeachrequestedexemption.IV.14CFRPart11.81(d)ThereasonswhygrantingE&E'srequestwouldbeinthepublicinterest;thatis,howitwouldbenefitthe.publicasawhole:E&ErequeststhattheFAAgrantitsexemptionrequestinthepublic'sinterest.E&E'sproposedusesincludephotogrammetry,assessingenvironmentaldamage,respondingtoenvironmentalemergencies,projectsitingandanalysis,landandresourcemanagement,andreclamationandenvironmentalremediationservices."[T]heenhancedsafetyachievedusinganunmannedaircraftwiththespecificationsdescribedhereinandcarryingnopassengersorcrew,ratheramannedaircraftofsignificantlygreaterproportions,carryingcrewinadditiontoflammablefuel,gives...goodcausetofmdthattheUASoperation...isinthepublicinterest"(seeDocketNo.FAA-2015-0094.)sUASplatformsprovideanadditionaltoolforprofessionalenvironmental2consultingby"addingagreaterdegreeofflexibility,whichsupplementsthecurrentcapabilitiesofferedbymannedaircraft."(seeDocketNo.FAA-2014-0367)AssessingEnvironmentalDamageFollowingaDisasterorRecentReleaseofHazardousMaterials:Whenrespondingtoanemergency,onepriorityistounderstandhowthemostcriticalareasareaffectedandwheretheyaresituatedbeforeputtinganymorehumanlivesindanger.TheunmannedsUASplatformputsthepowerofaerialintelligenceandincreasedsituationalawarenessdirectlyintothehandsofthefirstresponders.Real-timevideostreamingcanshownotonlytheextentofthedamagebutmayalsowarnrespondersofadditionalhazards.Geo-taggeddigitalphotographsprovideanaerialrecordoftheon-groundsituationbothbeforeandduringresponseactivities.Itisinthepublicinteresttoprovidefirstresponderswiththemostaccuratedatasothatcontainmentandremediationeffortscanbeassafe,efficientandeffectiveaspossible.AssessingEnvironmentalDamagefromLong-TermReleaseofHazardousMaterials:Inadditiontosupportingrapidresponsefollowingdisasters,sUAStechnologycanalsobeusefulinassessingenvironmentaldamagethatoccurredeithermanyyearsago,orhasoccurredoverlongperiodsoftime.Examplesincludeimpactsrelatedtoabandonedmines(orlong-termoperationofactivemines)orindustrialfacilities.ThepublicwillbenefitwhensUASplatformscanefficientlydeterminewherewidespreadimpactsmayhaveresultedfrom(forexample)waterdischargeorairemissionsthatharmlocalpopulations,vegetationandwildlifehabitat.ProjectSiting:sUASscanbeutilizedforassessingenvironmentalconditionsassociatedwithfutureandcurrentinfrastructureandenergyprojects.E&Ewillbeabletorapidlyevaluatetopographyandenvironmentalconditions,includinghabitatforsensitivespecies,areaspronetoerosion,culturalresourcesites,waters/wetlands,etc.,overlargetractsofland,leadingtobetter-informeddecisionsonsitingandroutingofinfrastructure.Large(andoftenlinear)projectssuchaspipelinesandtransmissionlineswill-inparticular-benefitfromtheuseofsUASplatforms.Thepublicwillbenefitfromthemoreefficientuseofresourcesandminimizedimpactstosensitivespeciesandnaturalresourceswhennewprojectsaresitedandpermitted.LandandResourceManagement:sUAStechnologywillstreamlinetheassessmentofenvironmentalconditionsforongoinglandandresourcemanagement.ResourcesthatcanbeefficientlyevaluatedwithsUAStechnologymayincludewater(useandretention),timber,rangehealth,invasivespecies,waters/wetlands,wildlife,habitatquality,andmanyothers.Numerousgovernmententitiesaretaskedwithmanagementoflandandresources(openspace,parks,federallands, etc.)Theabilitytoefficientlyandaccuratelyobtaindatawillleadtoimprovedandmorecost-effectivemanagementoflandsandresources,therebybenefitingthepublic.Increasedefficiencyandeffectivenessinmanaginglandandresourceswillalsoreducecostsandadministrativeburdenstotaxpayers.ReclamationandEnvironmentalRemediation:sUASscanbeutilizedforthemonitoringofenvironmentalconditionsduringreclamationactivities.Forexample,sUAStechnologycanbeusedtomonitortheconstructionofpipelines,roadways,electrictransmissionlines,andothercriticalinfrastructuredevelopmentefforts,aswellastomonitortheprogressofpost-constructionreclamationefforts.Thetechnologycanalsobeusedtomonitorenvironmental3remediationefforts,includingsurveyingoilspillcleanupefforts,hazardousmaterialcontainmentefforts,closureofabandonedmines,etc.Itisimperativethatsuchmonitoringoccuronaperiodicbasistoensureeffectiveresults.TheuseofsUASswouldprovidemorefrequent,completeandaccuratedata,allowingeffortstobefocusedonmoreproblematicareas.Thepublicwilldirectlybenefitfrommoreefficientandeffectivereclamationandenvironmentalremediationefforts.Furthermore,environmentalimpactsandremedialprogresscanbemoreeffectivelycommunicatedtothepublic.TheFAAhasapprovedsimilarenvironmentalservicesassupportingthepublicinterestinthefollowingexemptions:>-Aerialinspection,environmentalmonitoring,constructionmonitoring,andpreliminaryengineeringreportrelatedimagery-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2015-0234;>-Aerialsurveying,remotesensing,precisionagriculture,aerialphotography,wildlifeandnaturalresourcemonitoringandeducationalmultidisciplinaryresearch-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA2014-1056;>Aerialsurveytoproduceimageryandterrainmodelingproductsusefulinapplicationsrangingfromcivilengineering,landandwaterresourcesmanagement,environmentalresearch,disasterresponse,agriculture,andmanyotherusefulapplications-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2015-0094;>Wildlifeandforestrymonitoring-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2014-0826;>-Datacollectionfornaturalresourcesandconservation,constructionandinfrastructure,precisionagriculture,andinspectionandmonitoring-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2014-0972;>Pipelinesurvey,andformonitoringdamageintheeventofanaturaldisaster-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2014-0857;>Aerialinspection,environmentalmonitoring-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2015-0234;>Vegetation,andrightsofway-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2015-0005;>Aerialphotoservicestoquicklyassesspotentiallyhazardousconditions(includingbutnotlimitedtolandslideandflooding)thatmayposeasadetrimenttothepublicsafety-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2015-0181;>-SurveyandmonitoringofSurfacemining-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA-2014-0678;>Aerialsurveying,remotesensing,precisionagriculture,aerialphotography,wildlifeandnaturalresourcemonitoring,andeducationaVmultidisciplinaryresearch-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA2014-1056;>Thermalandphotographicinspectionofpowerinfrastructure-RegulatoryDocketNo.FAA2014-0845.V.14CFRPart11.81(e)-Thereasonswhygrantingtheexemptionwouldnotadverselyaffectsafety,orhowtheexemption wouldprovidealevelofsafetyatleastequaltothatprovidedbytherulefromwhichE&Eseekstheexemption:E&EiscommittedtoutilizingsUAStechnologyinasafeandeffectivemanner.E&EcommitstothefollowingguidingprincipleswhenoperatingsUAStechnologypursuanttothisrequestedexemption.1.PilotinControl(PigAllE&EPilotinControl(PIC)personnelwillholdeitheranairlinetransport,commercial,private,recreational,orsportpilotcertificate.PICpersonnelwillalsoholdacurrentFAAairmanmedicalcertificateoravalidU.S.driver'slicense.ThePICwillalsomeettheflightreviewrequirementsspecifiedin14CFR61.56inanaircraftinwhichthePICisratedonhisorherpilotcertificate.ThisensuresthatallPICshavetheknowledgeregardingtheFederalAviationRegulations,Airspace,andotherpertinentknowledgetoconductsafeoperationsofsmallunmannedaircraftsystems.E&E'sPICswillbetrained4onUASoperations,willoverseeallsUASoperation,andensureallVisualObservers(VOs)receivepropertrainingandabidebyallpertinentregulations.AllPICsandVOswillbetrainedindetailregardingeachoftheunmannedaircraftsystemplatform'soperations,systemsandemergencyprocedures.TrainingrecordswillbekeptatE&EheadquartersforeveryPICandVOandwillbeavailableforreview.ThePICswillberesponsibleforcompliancewithallproceduresandrequirementsstatedin14CFR§91.103.Specifically,thePICwilltakeallactionsincludingreviewingweather,flightbatteryrequirements,aircraftperformancedata,andlandingandtakeoffdistancesbeforeinitiationofaflight.ThePICwillalsoaccountforallrelevantsite-specificconditionsintheirpreflightprocedures.Bywayofexample,E&E'sJimWelchwillserveasonePIC.Mr.Welchreceivedhisairman'sprivatecertificatein1996andcommercialandinstrumentlicenses(fixedandrotarywing)in1998.Hehasloggedover2,150hoursinamultitudeoffixedandrotarywingaircraft.AsaformerNavalAviator,hisexperienceincludesbeingaflightandinstrumentinstructoraswellasbeingtyperatedintheSikorskyS61aircraft.E&E'sEricLindemanwillserveasanotherPIC.Mr.Lindemanreceivedhisairman'sprivatecertificatein1968.Hehasloggedapproximately285hoursinavarietyofsingle-engine,land-basedaircraft.Mr.Lindemancarriesanairman's3rdclassmedicalcertification;hisbi-annualFlightReviewiscurrentandheparticipatesintheFAAWingprogram.Mr.LindemanisamemberoftheAircraftOwnersandPilotsAssociationandregularlyattendstheirSafetySeminars.Mr.Lindemanwillcontinuetomaintainanairman's3rdclassmedicalcertificatetooperateanysUAS.2.VehicleDJIPhantom2Vision+E & EwillflyoneormoreDJIPhantom2Vision+systemsequippedwithathree-axisgimbalandcamera.TheDJIPhantom2VisionhasbeenapprovedforSection333exemptioninnumerouspriorFAAexemptionapprovals,includingbutnotlimitedtoRegulatoryDocketNos.FAA-2015-0106,FAA-2014-0836,andFAA-2015-0174.FAA'spriorapprovalofthissUASplatform,forotheroperators,demonstratestheconfidencetheFAAhasforthismanufacturer'soperationalandsafetyprotocol.Thesevehicleshavethebuilt-incapabilitytolimittheheighttheyflyabovetheground,limitthedistance(radius)theyflyfromthelaunchingpoint,andautomaticallylandwhenenteringairspacesurroundingClassAandBairports.Theaircraftalsohavethebuilt-incapabilitytoreturntothelaunchingpointifthewirelesscontrollinkisinterruptedoriftheoperatorattempts toexceedanyoftheheight,radius,orairspacelimitationspreviouslyprogrammed.Inaddition,theaircraftwillautomaticallyreturntothelaunchingpointwhentheon-boardbatterychargefallsbelow20%.Thevehicleweighsabout2poundsandhasamaximumgrossweightofapproximately2.5pounds.Ithasatopspeedofabout26knots.Ithasfourfixed-pitchrotors,thrustfromwhichisvariedbychangingRotationsperMinute(RPM).Itispoweredbyan11.1v5200mAhLithium-Polymerbattery.DJISpreadingWingsSlOOOE&EwillflyoneormoreDJISpreadingWingsS1000systems.TheDJISpreadingWingsS1000hasbeenapprovedforSection333exemptioninnumerouspriorFAAexemptionapprovals,includingbutnotlimitedtoRegulatoryDocketNos.FAA-2015-0653,FAA-2014-1017,andFAA-2015-0261.FAA'spriorapprovalofthissUASplatform,forotheroperators,demonstratestheconfidencetheFAAhasforthismanufacturer'soperationalandsafetyprotocol.5Thevehiclehasatotalweightof4.2Kgandamaximumtakeoffweightof11Kg.Propelledbyeightelectricmotors,ithastheabilitytohoverorflyinaverticalorhorizontalplaneatamaximumspeedofnomorethan45MPH.TheS1000hasadiagonalwheelbaseof1045mm.Itispoweredbya6S10000mAhLithium-Polymerbattery.SimilartotheDJIPhantom2Vision+theS1000vehicleshavethebuilt-incapabilitytolimittheheighttheyflyabovetheground,andlimitthedistance(radius)theyflyfromthelaunchingpoint.EquippedwiththeA2controller,theaircraftwillhavethecapabilitytoreturntothe launchingpointifthewirelesscontrollinkisinterruptedoriftheoperatorattemptstoexceedanyoftheheight,radius,orairspacelimitationspreviously programmed.senseFlyeBeeE & EwillflyoneormoresenseFlyeBeesUAS,equippedwithanonboardcamera.ThesenseFlyeBeehasbeenapprovedforSection333exemptioninnumerouspriorFAAexemptionapprovals,includingbutnotlimitedtoRegulatoryDocketNos.FAA-2015-0091,FAA-2014-0733,andFAA-2014-0727.FAA'spriorapprovalofthissUASplatform,forotheroperators,demonstratestheconfidencethehasforthismanufacturer'soperationalandsafetyprotocolThevehicleisultra-light,withamaximumtakeoffweightof1.7pounds.Propelledbyanelectricpusherpropeller,ithasamaximumcruisingspeedofupto56MPH,andanominalcruisingspeedof25MPH.TheeBee's38inchwingspanismadeofdetachable,flexiblefoamwithnosharporhardedges.Itispoweredbyan11.1v2150mAhLithium-Polymerbattery.ThesUAS'seMotionsoftwareandonboardGPSallowstheoperatortoplanamission,in3dimensions,andthenmonitortheprogressinrealtime.TheeBee'sincorporatedautopilotsystemcontinuouslyanalyzesdatafromtheInertialMeasurementUnitandtheonboardGPSandautomaticallyoperatestheunit,underthesupervisionofthePIC.However,theunitprovidesamanualoverridecapabilityallowingthePICtosuspendautomatedoperationsandtakedirectcontroloftheaircraftinexigentcircumstances.3.FlightprofilesE&EwillprogrameachsUASsothatitwillnotflymorethan400feetabovegroundlevel,ormorethan2000feetawayfromitsoperator.Allflightswillonlybeginifthereis50%ormoreavailablebatterypower.Iftheaircraftbatteryisreducedto20%availablepower,itwillautomaticallyattempttoland.ThePICwillcarefullyperformapreflightinspectionofthevehiclebeforeeachmissiontoassurethatitscompassandGPSsystemareproperlycalibratedandthatthereturn-tohomefeature,exclusionareafeature,andaltitudeandradiuslimitationsarefunctioning.E & EwillnotoperatesUASsincontrolledairspacewithoutapprovalfromtheFAAorabovepropertywhichisaccesscontrolledwithoutpriorconsent.Allflightoperationswillbeatleast500feetfromallnonparticipatingpersons,vessels,vehicles,andstructures,unlesspriorpermissionhasbeenobtainedbysuchpersonorownerofthevessels,vehicles,andstructures.Intheunlikelyeventthatamannedaircraftfliesbelow400feetwheretheE&EisoperatingitsDJPhantom2Vision+,theoperatorwillkeepboththevehicleandmannedaircraftinsightandwillgivewaytothemannedaircraftatalltimes.E & EwillneveroperatesUASswithin5nauticalmilesfromanairport,unlesspriorconsenthasbeenobtained.Flightswillberemotefromnoisesensitiveareassuchasparks,schools,hospitals,andchurches.Flightswillbeonlyconductedindaylightandpermissibleweather-rain,snow,or6

# winds

above

12 mph

will terminate

the flights.

In the event

of

a lost communication

link,

the UAS

will return

to

a specific predetermined

location;

once

the UAS

is safely recovered,

all flight operations

will cease

until

any communication/data

link issues

are properly

resolved. The sUAS

will

only

be operated

by

the PIC within

a Visual

Line

of Site (VLOS).

If the

PIC utilizes aVO,

verbal communication

will

be maintained

at

all times.

Risks presented

by glare

will

be mitigated

by the PIC's

and YO's ability

to see other

air traffic

and initiate

a return-to-home

sequence

if needed.

Prior

to operating

the sUAS,

all pre-flight

checks

will

be conducted

as per

E



# & E's SOP (Standard

Operating Procedures).

Safety

will

be the paramount

concern

in defining

flight profiles. The

PIC

and

VO

will conduct

flight operations

and safety briefings

prior

to

all planned

sUAS flights. Briefings

will include weather

reviews

and reviews

of takeoff,

landing

and aircraft performance

data

for real

time conditions.

Full

pre-

and post-flight inspections/checklists

will

be conducted

for each specific sUAS.

The radio frequency

spectrum

used

for

the operation

and control

of the sUAS

will comply

with the FCC

or other appropriate

government

oversight

agency requirements. 

# 4. Maintenance

and 

# Reporting The

PIC

will perform

a functional

test flight

on any sUAS

that

has undergone maintenance

or alterations that affects

the sUAS operation

or flight characteristics.

The

PIC

will record

the flight

in the UAS aircraft records.

All maintenance

and alterations

will

be similarly documented

in the aircraft records.

E



# &

E will follow

the sUAS manufacturer's aircraft/component,

maintenance,

overhaul, replacement,

inspection

and life limit requirements.

All maintenance,

preventive maintenance,

alterations,

status

of replacement/overhaul

component

parts,

and

the total

time

in service

of the UAS

will

be recorded

and documented.

E



# &

E will comply

with

all manufacturer

safety bulletins. Any incident,

accident

or flight operation

that transgresses

the lateral

or vertical boundaries

of the operational

area

as defined

by

the applicable

COA

will

be reported

to the FAA's

UAS Integration

Office (AFS-80)

within

24 hours. Accidents

will

also

be reported

to the National Transportation

Safety

Board (NTSB). 

# VI.

14 CFR

Part

11.81

(f)-



# A summary

the FAA

can publish

in 

# the Federal Register: E



# &

E'

s s

U AS program

will

be

for aerial

data collection

purposes previously

approved

by

the FAA.

The program

will utilize

sUAS aircraft

that have

been similarly approved.

E



# &

E will operate

its program responsibly

and abide

by

the limitations

of previous

grants.

As such,

E



# &

E believes

the Summary

Grant Process

should

be applied

to this petition

and

no summary

need

be published

in the Federal Register. However,

in the event

the FAA determines

such

a summary

is needed,

E

&



# E respectfully

submits

the following:



# (1) The

rule from which

you seek

the exemption: 14 CPR

Part

21 Subpart

H

- Airworthiness

certification 14 C.P.R.§

4523



# (b)- Display

of marks:

general 14 C.P.R.

§ 61.23

(a) and (c)- Medical certificate: requirement

and duration 14 C.F

.R.

§ 61.10

1 (e)

4 and

5 -Recreational

pilot privileges

and limitations 14 C.P.R.§

61.113

(a)- Private

pilot privileges

and limitations:

Pilot



# in command 14 C.F

.R.

§ 61315

(a)- Sports

pilot certificate

privileges

and 

# limits 14 C.P.R.§

91.7 (a)-CivilAircraftAirworthiness 14 C.F

.R.

§ 91.119

(c)- Minimum

safe altitudes 14 C.F

.R.

§ 91.121 -Altimeter

settings 14 C.F

.R.

§ 91.151

(a) (1)-

Fuel requirement's

for flight



# in VFR conditions 7

# 14 C.FR

§ 91.405(a)-Maintenancerequired 14 C.F



# R

§ 91.407(

a) (1)

- Operation

after maintenance,

preventive maintenance,

rebuilding

alteration 14 C.F



# R

§ 409

(a)

(1) and

(2)- Inspections 14 C.F



# R

§ 417

(a)

& 

# (b)- Maintenance

Records 

# (2)

A brief description

ofthe nature

ofthe exemption

you seek: E &

E seeks relieffrom

the applicable

parts

of

14 C.F.R.

21,

45,

61

91, 409,

and

417

as requested within its petition

to allow

E & E

to safely

and efficiently

conduct

aerial

data collection

for professional environmental

consulting

services. The exemption

will enhance

safety

by reducing

risk

to the operator,

the general

public

and property owners

from

the substantial

hazards associated

with performing

equivalent

work

using traditional aircraft

and rotorcraft. Pursuant

to Section

333

of the FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act of2012

(the Reform

Act)

and

14 C.F.R.

Part 11,

E

&

E respectfull

y requests

an exemption

from

the aforementioned

F 

# ARs,

to allow

it to operate

sUASs

under the conditions

and limitations

set forth



# in this Petition. Re ectfully **submitt~** 

# -

**~** /- 

# -~"· **:..c.--~~** Courtney

Hu

**k~,**



# Esq. Staff Counsel

8APPENDIX1FARsectionSubjectJustification14CFR§61.23(a)and(c)MedicalCertificate:requirementandUnmannedaircraft.durationUnmannedaircraft.E&E14CFR§61.101(e)(4)andRecreationalpilotpositsthatthiscertificateensurestheappropriatelevel(5)privilegesandlimitationsofaeronauticalknowledgetosafelyoperatesUASs.Unmannedaircraft.E & E14CFR§61.113(a)Privatepilotprivilegespositsthatthiscertificateandlimitations;Pilotinensurestheappropriatelevelcommand(PIC)ofaeronauticalknowledgetosafelyoperatesUASs.Unmannedaircraft.E & ESportPilotCertificatepositsthatthiscertificate14CFR§61.315(a)ensurestheappropriatelevelprivilegesandlimitsofaeronauticalknowledgetosafelyoperatesUASs.Designedformannedaircraft;notsuitableforoff-the-shelfsUASs.However,E & EwillmaintainthesUASandthe14CFR§91.7(a)AirworthinessrequirementPICwilldeemthesUASsafeforflightbeforealloperationsordiscontinueanyflightintheeventofmechanical,electrical,orstructuralissues.Safetyrequires14CFR§91.119(c)MinimumaltitudesforsafeflightoperationbelowthesealtitudesE & Ewilloperatebelow400feetandwithinvisuallineof-sight.14CFR§91.121AltimetersettingsAdditionallyaltitude,orientation,GPSpositioninformationwillberelayedinrealtimetotheoperator.E & EwilloperateallsUASunderdaytimeVFRflightconditionsusingVLOS,and14CFR§91.151(a)(1)Fuelrequirementsterminateoperationswithatleast25%reservebatterypowerstillavailable.9FARsectionSub.iectJustificationE&EwillfollowUASmanufacturerrequirementsandrecommendations14CFR§91.405(a)Maintenancerequiredregardingmaintenanceandlifelimitrequirements,andwilldocumentallinspections,maintenance,overhaul,andreplacements.AsUAStechnicianorthesUASmanufacturerwillapproveaUAStoreturntouseaftermaintenance,14CFR§91.407(a)(1)Operationsaftermaintenancerebuildingoralteration.PICwillapprovereturntoserviceafteranypreventativemaintenance.Maintenancerecordswillbemaintained.E&E'sPICwillperformpreflightinspectionsthatincludealloftheaircraft's14CFR§91.409(a)(1)andInspectionscomponents.Additionally,E(2)&Ewillfollowtheguidanceincludedinthemanufacturermaintenancescheduleasattached.Allinspections,maintenance,overhaul,andreplacements14CFR§91.417(a)and(b)Launchsafety-maintenancerecordswillbedocumented.E&Ewillcomplywithallmanufacturers'safetybulletins.10