Martin Sawyer Jan. 15, 2016

263 County Route 85

Cropseyville, N.Y. 12052

Email: popnglow@hotmail.com

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act of 2012

Dear Sir or Madam,

In Accordance with FAA’s Guidelines for Submitting a Petition for Exemption under Section 333 

of the FAA modernization and Reform act of 2012, I Martin Sawyer, request exemption from the 

following sections of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations:

61.113(a)&(b); 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151 (a); 91.405(a);91.407(a)(1);91.409(a)(1); 

91.409(a)(2);91.417(a)&(b);

In order to Operate small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercially in airspace that is controlled 

by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the purpose of aerial photography, cinematography, 

and other flight operations that could be performed safely and more cost effectively with the use of 

small UAS at low altitude within the U.S. National airspace system as compared to a manned aircraft. 

Operations will be performed only at the request of, with authorization and permission of clients or 

their authorized agents in order to facilitate the education and the beneficial uses of small unmanned air 

systems. So long that the operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined by the 

FAA as required by Section 333. 

I, Martin Sawyer, the Petitioner, seek exemption from the above Federal Regulations for the 

following reasons;

61.113 (a) & (b) Request relief in order to facilitate the utilization of pilots who hold a private 

pilots certificate or, greater. Any pilots operating under this exemption would be required to comply 

with any conditions as set forth in the previously granted exemptions.

91.119(c) As mentioned in prior exemptions, operations conducted closer than 400 feet to the 

ground will require that the UAS be operated closer than 400 feet to essential person, or objects that 

would not be possible without additional relief. I, Martin Sawyer also request a modification or 

exemption “congested areas” and “densely populated”. Due to the overall size, weight and accuracy of 

controls to a UAS, I, Martin Sawyer request a waiver for this condition to allow responsible operation in 

areas of subdivisions and neighborhoods if required for real estate photography.

Small UAS Certificate of Registration

CERTIFICATE HOLDER: Martin Sawyer

UAS CERTIFICATE NUMBER: FA3CXEX9YP

ISSUED:12/21/2015 EXPIRES:12/21/2018
91.121 The Federal Regulation is inapplicable since the UAS does not have an altimeter and 

instead uses electronic GPS with a barometric sensor for altitude information that is accurate to the foot 

readable during flight on the on screen controls and after the flight with the built in flight recorder, to 

include a limiter to provide a hard ceiling adjustable to the pilot during preflight operations.

91.151(a) As mentioned in prior exemptions (11136 and 2689) have been granted due to the 

operation is going to be only fly under VFR conditions. The UAS provides a battery power that provides 

approximately 18 minutes of powered flight. Further, the operator of the UAS will be notified by visual 

and audio alerts when battery power reaches 30% and UAS onboard computer will initiate a landing 

procedure when battery reaches a specified level due to location and altitude of the aircraft.

91.405(a) 91.407(a)(1);91.49(a)(1)&(2); 91.417(a) &(b) I Martin Sawyer, the petitioner,

proposes to inspect and ensure that the UAS is in condition for safe flight in accordance with the 

operating documents. Prior Exemptions (11138) found that the operating documents and conditions and 

limitations specified, description of maintenance, inspection and recordkeeping were sufficient to insure 

that safety would not be adversely affected. 

The UAS (DJI Inspire1 V.2)

The DJI Inspire1 V.2 platform is wildly known and recommended as one of the best small 

rotorcraft in the quadcopter configuration. The overall weight is 3060 grams and max speed of 20m/S. 

It is controlled by a dedicated controller that operated in the range of 2.400GHz-2.483 GHz. DJI 

advertises unparalleled safety features of beginner mode, preset parameters for altitude and distance. A 

GPS enabled “geofence” that prevents flying into unauthorized areas. The unit has several fail safes to 

include a return to home function that if connectivity, battery or pilot issues, the function takes the 

aircraft to a safe altitude and flies strait line back to the take off point. As discussed earlier in the 

document, the unit is equipped with a smart battery that notifies the pilot of 30% and also initiated 

landing sequence when the battery is depleted. On the controlling unit, flight data to include battery 

life, altitude GPS location and distance away from pilot is displayed. Also shown is a live feed of the HD 

camera that has a 94 degree field of view and no zoom capability. It is anticipated that flights for Real 

estate and cinematography will usually last less than 15 minutes at a time. More information on the 

aircraft is available at Http:/www.dji.com.

Risk Mitigation

I, Martin Sawyer reviewed the FAA exemptions that have been established prior and believe

that the limitations and requirements are very reasonable and will be clearly used to mitigate risks and 

the safety of the public and other aircraft. The equipment and the pilot will conduct a preflight check 

list prior to take off to include inspections of the aircraft and the air space to be entered. I, Martin 

Sawyer am planning on flying for real-estate or business photography and cinematography and plan on 

flying within the property of the structure and no higher than 20-40 feet above the structure and 

possibly inside the structure for added photographs or video. The UAS will be within view of the 

operator at all times. Due to the UAS not carrying any flammable fuel the risk of having any kind of fire 

or hazmat situation is minimal if any. Finally, any regards to adverse weather or high wind will be 

checked prior to any flights and also be monitored during the flight.
Public Interest

Operations of the UAS on a commercial level can impact the public in many different ways. First 

economical; to able to provide a different view of real-estate, attractions, property, and events from an 

aerial point of view for an affordable price can boost advertisements and proceeds to a small business

perspective. To hire a manned aircraft, fuel costs and time would be at least ten times the cost of the 

same or better footage from the Inspire1 V.2 drone. Aerial surveying of an area to assist crop surveying

can help save crops that need more or less pesticides and fertilizer, to overall reduce the cost and 

increase the yield. 

The second would be the environment. Due to the Inspire1 V.2 having rechargeable batteries, 

the operation has nowhere near the environmental impact as a fixed wing or rotary aircraft during the 

same time of flight. 

The third is over all public interest. So much media attention has been due to persons not flying 

responsibly, either too high or in an area that did not want video or pictures taken. I, Martin Sawyer 

would like to inform the public on the capabilities of this technology. 

Conclusion 

I, Martin Sawyer am requesting this exemption for the purposes of “aerial photography, 

cinematography, land and crop surveying and inspections. My goal is to provide a safe and legal option 

to provide a service to business, personal property owners or groups with an affordable quality product. 

The demands for the different perspective is increasing and many opportunities may increase for aerial 

data collection to decrease risks to personnel or equipment and UAS technology could be the way to 

explore those opportunities safely.