1

Aloha Drones 2499 Kapiolani Blvd, #1106 H o n o l u lu , H a wa i i 96826 patrick@lightsondigital.com February XX , 2 0 1 6 U
. S
. D e p a r

tm e n t of Tra ns p ort a t i on D oc k et M a n a g e m e n t S ys t em 1 2 00 N ew Jersey Ave., S E W a s h i n g t o n , D C 2 0 5 9 0 R e: E xemp t i on Re q u e st S ecti o n 333 of t he F A A R e fo r m Act a n d P a r

t 11 of t he F e d e ral Av i ati o n R e g u l ati o ns fro m 14 C
. F
. R
. 4 5 . 2 3 ( b ) ; 14 C FR P art 2 1 ; 14 C FR 6 1. 1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 9 1
. 7 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 9 ( b) ( 2 ); 9 1
. 1 0 3( b ) ; 9 1
. 1 0 9 ; 9 1
. 1 1 9 ; 9 1
. 1 2 1; 9 1
. 1 5 1 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 2 0 3( a ) & ( b ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 5 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 7 ( a) ( 1 ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 9 ( a) ( 2 ); 9 1
. 4 1 7 ( a ) & ( b )
. D e a r Si r o r M a d am: P ursuant t o S ecti o n 333 of t he F A A M o d ern i zati o n and R efo rm Act of 2 0 1 2 ( t he Refo rm Act ) a n d 14 C
. F
. R
. P a r t 1 1 , Aloha Drones , o p era tor of S m a l l U nmann e d Ai rc raf t S ys t e m s (“ s UA S s ” ) e q u i p p ed t o co n d u ct a e r i al e l ectro ni c d a t a co ll ecti o n c a n d a e r i al p h ot o g ra p hy fo r t he co m m erci a l v i d e o i n d u s try , h ereby a p p li es for an e xe m pti o n fro m t he li s t ed F e d e ral Av i ati o n R e g u l a t i o n s (“ F AR s ” ) to a ll ow c o mm e rc i al o p era t i on of i t s s UAS s, so l o n g a s such o p era t i o n s a re co n d u ct ed w i t h i n and und e r t he co n d i t i o n s o u t li n e d h ere i n or as m ay be estab li sh e d by t he F A

A a s re q u i red by S ecti o n 3 3 3. As d e sc r i b e d m o re f u ll y b el o w , t he re q u e st ed e xemp t i on wo ul d pe r m i t t h e opera t i on of s m a ll , u n m a n n e d and re l ati ve l y i n e x p e n s i ve sU A S u n d e r co nt r o ll ed co n d iti o n s i n a i rsp a ce t h a t i s 1) li m i t ed 2) pre d e t e r m i n e d 3) co n tro ll ed as t o a ccess and 4) wo ul d p ro v i de s afe ty e n h a nce m e nt s t o t he a l re a dy sa fe o p e rati o ns in t he a e r i al f il m i n g a n d m o n i t ori n g i n d us t ry presently us i ng co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf t . A p p ro va l of t h i s e xemp t i on wo ul d t h e re b y e n h a nce s afety a n d f u l f il l t he S ecre t ary of Trans p o r t ati o n ’ s (t he FA

A Admi ni s tra t or’s) res p o n s i b ili t i es t o “ ...e s t a bli sh re q u i re m e nts fo r t he s afe o p era t i on of such a i rc raf t s ys t e m s i n t he n a t i o n al a i rsp a ce s ys t e m . ” S e ct i on 3 3 3( c ) of t he R efo r m Act .

c Ae r ia l D a ta C o ll e ct i on ” w hic h in c lud e s a n y rem ote se n si n g an d me a su r i n g b y a n i n s tr u m e n t( s ) a boa rd th e UA. E xample s i nc l ud e i m age ry ( pho t o g ra p h y , v ideo , in fra red , e t c .), el e ctro ni c m e asu re m en t ( p rec i s i o n su r v e y ing , RF anal ys is , e t c . ) , c he m ic a l me a s u rem e n t ( p a rt i cu l a te me a su re men t, e tc .), o r an y o t h e r g a t h e r in g o f da ta b y i n s tr u me n ts aboa rd th e UA2

T he n a m e a n d ad d ress of t he a p p li ca n t i s: Aloha Drones Patrick Ahler Ph: 808 - 349 - 7326 Email: patrick@lightsondigital.com Address: 2499 Kapiolani Blvd, #1106 Honolulu, HI 96826 R e g u l ati o ns fro m w h i ch t he e xemp t i on i s re q u e st e d :

14 C FR P a r

t 21 14 C
. F. R
. 4 5 . 2 3 ( b ) 14 C FR 6 1
. 1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b ) 14 C
. F. R
. 9 1
. 7 ( a) 14 C FR 9 1
. 9 ( b ) ( 2) 14 C
. F. R
. 9 1
. 1 0 3 14 C
. F. R
. 9 1
. 1 0 9 14 C
. F. R . 9 1
. 1 1 9 14 C
. F. R
. 9 1
. 1 2 1 14 C FR 9 1
. 1 5 1 ( a ) 14 C FR 9 1
. 2 0 3 ( a ) & ( b ) 14 C FR 9 1
. 4 0 5 ( a ) 14 C FR 4 0 7 ( a) ( 1 ) 14 C FR 4 0 9 ( a) ( 2 ) 14 C FR 4 1 7 ( a) & ( b) T h i s e xem p t i on a p p li cat i on i s e x press l y su b m itt e d t o f u l f il l C o n g ress’ g o a l i n pass i n g S e ct i on 3 3 3(a) t h ro u g h ( c) of t he R e fo r m Act . T h i s l aw d i rects t he S e c re t ary of T ra ns p ort a t i on t o co n s i d e r w h e t h e r ce r

t a i n un m a n n e d a i rc raf

t s ys t e m s m ay o p era t e s afe l y i n t he n a t i o n al a i rsp a ce s ys t e m ( NAS ) before comp l e t i on of t he ru l ema k i n g re q u i red u n d e r S e ct i on 3 3 2 of t he R e fo r m Act . I n m a k i n g t h i s d e t e r m i n a t i o n , t he S e c ret a ry i s re q u i red t o d e t e rm i ne w h i ch t y p e s of s UAS s do n o t c re a t e a h a zard t o us e rs of t he NAS or t he p u b li c or p o se a t hre a t t o n a t i o n al sec u r i ty i n l i g h t of t he fo ll o wi n g :

• T he s UAS’ s s i ze, we i g h t , sp e e d , a n d op e ra t i o n al ca p a bili ty ; • O p e rati o n of t he s UA S i n cl o se p ro x i m i ty t o a i r p o rt s a n d pop ul a t ed a re a s • O p e rati o n of t he s UA S wi t h i n v i su a l li ne of s i g h t of t he o p e rat o r . R e fo r m Act § 3 3 3 ( a )
. L a s t l y , i f t he S e c ret a ry d e t e rm i n e s t h a t such ve hi c l es “ m ay o p era t e s afe l y i n t he n a t i o n al a i rs p a ce s ys t e m , t he S ecre t ary sh al l estab li sh re q u i remen t s fo r t he s afe o p era t i on of s uch a i rc raf t i n t he n a t i o n al a i rs p a ce s ys t em . ” I d. § 3 3 3 ( c) ( e m p h as i s a d d e d) A
A A ppl i can t in t e r p re ts t h i s p ro v i sio n t o p l a c e t h e d u ty o n t h e Admi n is t ra t o r to n o t o n l y p ro ce s s a p pl i ca t i o n s fo r e x emp t ion s un d e r s ect io n 333 , bu t fo r th e Ad m in i s tra to r t o c r a ft c ond i t i o n s f

o r t h e s a fe o pe r

a t io n o f t h e s UAS, i f i t sho u l d b e d e t e r m in e d t h a t t h e con d i t i o n s se t fo rth he re i n d o no t fu l fi l l t h e s t a t u to ry req u i re men ts fo r app ro v al
.3

T he F e d e ral Av i ati o n Act e x press l y g ra n t s t h e F A A t he a uth o r i ty t o iss u e exemp t i o n s. T h i s s t at u t ory a u t h o r i ty by i t s t er m s i nc l u d es e xemp t i n g ci v i l a i rc raf t , as t he t e rm i s d ef i n e d und e r § 4 0 1 01 of t he Act , t h a t i n c l u d es sU AS s, fro m t he re q u i re m e n t t h a t a l l c i v i l a i rc raf t m u st h a ve a cur re n t a i r

wort h i n e ss ce r

t i f i cat e . T he Admi ni s t rat o r m ay grant an e xemp t i on from a re q u i re m e n t of a re g u l at i on pres c r i b e d u n d e r su b s e ct i on ( a) or ( b) of t h i s se ct i on o r a n y s ecti o ns 447 0 2 - 4 4 7 1 6 of t h i s t i t l e i f t he Admi ni s tra tor f i n d s t he exemp t i on i n t he p u b li c i n teres t . 49 U
. S
. C
. § 4 4 7 0 1 (f) S ee a l so 49 US C § 4 4 7 1 1 ( a ) ; 49 US C § 4 4 7 0 4 ; 14 C FR § 9 1.203 ( a ) ( 1). Aloha Drones ’ s UAS s are rot o rc raf t , we i g hti n g 55 or fe wer l bs. i nc l u di ng p a y l o a d. T h e y o p era t e , u n d e r n o rm al co n d i t i o n s at a speed of n o m o re t h a n 50 k n o t s a n d ha ve t he ca p a bili ty t o ho ver, a n d m o ve in t h e vert i cal a n d h o r i zo n t al p l a n e simu l t a n e o us l y . T h ey wi l l o p era t e o nl y i n l i ne of s i g ht a n d w i l l o p era t e o nl y wi t h i n t he s t er i l e a rea d e s c r i b e d in t he F l i g ht S afety M a n u a l , att a ch e d as E x h i b i t B ( h e re i n af t e r “t he M a n u al ”)
. S uch o p e rati o ns w i l l i ns u re t h a t t he s UA S w i l l “ n o t c re a t e a h a zard t o us e rs of t he n a t i o n al a i rsp a ce s ys t e m o r t he p u b li c . ” B G i ven t he s m a l l s i ze of t he s UAS s i n vo l ved a n d t he re s tr i ct ed s t eri l e en v i ro n m e n t w i t h i n wh i ch t h e y w i l l o p era t e, t he a p p li ca n t fa ll s s q u a re l y wi t h i n t h a t zo n e of s afety ( an e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety ) i n w h i ch C o n g re s s e n v i s i o n ed t h a t t he F A A m u s t , by e xemp t i o n , a ll o w com m e rc i al o p era t i o n s of UAS s t o c o mm e n ce i m m e di ate l y . Al so due t o t he s i z e of t he s UAS s a n d t he res t r i ct ed areas i n w h i ch t he re l e va n t s UAS s w il l o p e rat e , a p p ro val of t he a p pli cati o n p res e n ts no n a t i o n al sec u r i ty i ss u e. G i ven t he c l e a r d i re ct i on i n Secti o n 3 3 3 of t he R e fo r m Act , t he a u t h o r i ty co n t a i n e d in t h e Fed e ral Av i ati o n Act, a s amend e d ; t he s t ro n g e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety s u rro u n di n g t he p ro p os e d opera t i o n s, a n d t he s i g n i f i ca n t p u b li c b e nef i t , i nc l u di ng e n h a nce d s afety , re d uct i on i n en v i ro n m e n t al i m p acts, i nc l u di ng re d uc e d e m i ss i o n s ass o c i a t ed wi t h a ll o wi ng s UAS s for com m e rc i al v i d e o o p era t i o n s, t he grant of t he re q u ested e xem p t i o n s i s i n t he p u b li c i nt e re s t . Ac cord i n g l y , t he a p p li ca n t re sp e ctf u ll y re q u e s t s t h a t t he F A A g ra n t t he re q u e s t ed e xemp t i on w i t h o ut d el a y . **A I**  **RC R**  **A F**  **T A** **N D**  **E Q**  **U I**  **V A** **L EN**  **T L**  **EVE L**  **O F**  **S A** **F E**  **T Y**  T he a p p li ca n t p ro p os e s t h a t t he e xem p t i on re q u e s t ed h e re i n app l y t o c i v i l a i rc raf t t h a t h a ve t he ch a ract e r i s t i cs a n d t h a t o p e rate w i t h t he li m i t ati o ns l i s t ed h e re i n. T h e se li m i t ati o ns pro v i de fo r a t l e a s t an e q ui va l e n t or e ven h i g h e r l e vel of s afe ty t o o p era t i o n s u n d e r t he c u rre n t re g u l ato ry s tr u ct ure b e c a use t he prop o sed o p e rat i o n s re p res e nt a s afe ty e n h a nc e m e n t t o t he a l re a dy s afe c o m m erci a l v i d e o f il m i ng o p e rati o ns co n d u ct ed w i t h con ve n t i o n al a i rc raf t .

B R efo rm Act S ecti o n 3 3 3 ( b )
.4

T h e se li m i t ati o ns a n d c o n di t i o n s to w h i ch Aloha Drones a grees t o be b o u nd w h e n cond u ct i n g com m e rc i al o p era t i o n s u n d er an F A A i ssu e d e xe m pti o n i n c l u d e: 1. T he s UA S w il l we i g h l e ss t h a n 55 l bs. 2. F l i g h t s w i l l be o p era t e d w i t h i n l i ne of s i g h t of a p il ot a n d/or o b s e rver. 3. M a x i m um t otal f li g h t t i m e for e a ch o p era t i o n al fli g ht w il l be 20 m i n u t es. F l i g hts w i l l be t e r m i n a t ed a t 2 5% b att e r y p o wer res e rve shou l d t h a t occ u r p r i or t o t he 2 0 m i n u t e l i m it
. 4. F l i g h t s w i l l be o p era t e d at an a l t i t u d e of no m o re t h a n 4 0 0 fe e t A G L o r , n o t m ore t h a n 2 0 0 fe e t a b o ve an e l e vated p l a t fo rm fro m w h i ch f il m i n g is p l a n n e d. 5. M i n i m um c rew fo r e a c h opera t i on w i l l co n s i st of t he s UA S Pil o t , t he Vi s u a l O bs e rver, a n d t he C a m era O p e rat o r . 6. s UA S p il ot w i l l be an FA A li ce n sed a i rm an w i t h at l e a st a sp o r t o r recre a ti o n al cert i f i ca t e and a va li d d r i ver’s l i ce n se. T he o b server w i l l a l so ho l d a va li d d r i ver’s l i ce n se. 7. s UA S Pil ot w il l be Pil o t i n C o mm a n d ( P I C )
. I f a p il ot ce r t i f i cate h ol d e r o t h er t h a n t he s UA S Pil ot, w ho p o ssess t he n ec e ssary P I C q u al i f i c a t i o n s, i s a l so p re se n t on s e t ( i
. e . t he Ae r i al C o o rd i n a t or ) , t h a t p e rson can a l so be d e s i g n a t ed as P I C
. 8. T he s UA S w il l o n l y o p era t e w i t h i n a co n f i n e d “ S t eri l e Are a ” as d ef i n e d i n t he M a n u al
. S ecti o n C of t he M a n u a l re q u i res t he e s t a bli shm e nt of a “ S afety P erim e t e r” for t he f li g h t o p era t i o n s a re a . 9. A b r i ef i n g w il l be co n d u ct ed i n re g ard t o t he p l a n n e d sU A S o p era t i o n s p r i or t o each d a y ’ s producti o n a ct i v i t i es. I t w i l l be m a n d a t ory t h a t a l l p ersonn e l w ho w i l l be p e r for m i n g d u t i es w i t h i n t he b o u n d a r i es of t he s af ety p e r i m e t er be p res e nt for t h i s b r i ef i n g . 1 0
. T he o p era t or w i l l f il e a F A A F o rm 7 7 1 1 - 1 , o r its e q u i va l e n t , as m o d i f i ed i n l i g h t of t he re q u e s t ed e xemp t i o n , w i t h t he a p pro p r i ate F l i g ht S t a n d a rds Di s tr i ct O f f i ce. 1 1
. T he o p era t or w i l l o bt a i n t he co n se n t of a l l p e r so n s i n vo l ved i n t he f il m i ng a n d ens u re t h a t o nl y co n se n t i ng p e rso n s wil l be a ll o wed w i t h i n 100 fe e t of t he f l i g h t o p e rat i o n , a n d t h i s ra di us m ay be re d u ced t o 30 fe et b a sed u p on an e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety d e t e r m i n a t i o n , as re q u i red by S ecti o n F of t he M a n u al
. W i t h t he a d va n ced p e rm i ss i on of t he re l e va n t F SD O , o p e rati o ns at c l os e r ra n ge can be a p p ro ve d
. ( S ee S e ct i on B i n t he M a n u a l A p p e n d i x B ) 1 2
. T he o p era t or w i l l su b m i t a w r i tt en Pl an of Act i v i t i es t o t he l oc a l F SD O wi t h j u r i sd i ct i on o ver t he a rea of p ro p os e d f il m i n g . T he t hree - d a y n o t i f i cati o n m ay be wa i ved wi t h t he co n cu rre n ce of t he F SDO
. 1 3
. Pil ot a n d o b s e rver w i l l h a ve been tra i n e d in o p e rati o n of s UA S g e n era l l y a n d recei ved u p t o - d a t e i n fo rm a t i on on t h e pa r t i cu l ar s UA S t o be o p e rated as re q u i re d
. 1 4
. O bs e rver a n d p il ot w i l l at a l l t i m e s be a bl e t o com m u ni c a t e by vo i ce. 1 5 . W ritt en a n d / or oral p er m i ss i on fro m t he re l e va n t p ro p e r ty h ol d e rs w il l be o b t a i n e d. 1 6
. Al l re q u i red p e r m i ss i o n s a n d p e rm i t s w il l be o b t a i n e d from t e rr i t ori al , s t ate, co u nty o r c i ty j uris di ct i o n s , i nc l u di ng l oc a l l aw e n fo rceme n t , f i re , or oth e r a p p ro p r i ate g o ver n m e n t al a g e n c i es. 1 7 . I f t he s UA S l os e s c o mm u ni c a t i o n s or l os e s its G P S s i g n a l , t he s UA S wil l h a ve capa bili ty t o ret u r n t o a pre - d e t e rm i n e d l o cati o n w i t h i n t he S e c urity P erime t er a n d l a n d
. 1 8
. T he s UA S w il l h a ve t he ca p a bili ty t o ab o r t a f l i g h t i n c a se of u n p re di ct e d obs t ac l es or eme rg e n c i e s .5

**14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **P a**  **r**

**t 2**  **1, S**  **u b**  **p a**  **rt H**  **: A** **i r** 

**w o**  **r t**  **h i**  **n e**  **ss C**  **e r** **t i**  **fi c**  **a t**  **es 14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. § 9**  **1 .**  **2 0**  **3 (**  **a )**  **( 1)**  S u b p a r t H , e n t i t l ed Ai r

wort h i n e ss C ert i f i c a t e s , e st a bli sh e s t he p roc e d u ral re q u i re m e nt s for t he i ssu a nce of a i r

wort h i n e s s ce r

t i f i cat e s as re q u i red by F A R § 9 1.203 ( a) ( 1 )
. G i ven t he s i z e and li m i t ed o p era t i ng area a s soc i ated w i t h t he a i rc raf t t o be uti li z ed by t he A p pli ca n t , an e xem p t i on fro m P a r t 21 S u b p a r

t H m e e t s t he re q u i reme n t s of an e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety u n d e r P a r t 11 a n d Sect i on 3 3 3 of t he Refo rm Act . T he F e d e ral A v i ati o n Act ( 49 U
. S
. C
. § 4 4 7 0 1 ( f) ) a n d S ecti o n 333 of t he R efo rm Act b o t h a u t h o r i ze t he F A A t o e xem p t a i rc raf

t f rom t he re q u i re m e n t for an a i r wort h i n e ss ce r

t i fi c a t e, u p on co n s i d e ra t i on of t he s i z e, we i g ht, sp e e d , o p e ra t i o n al ca p a bili ty , a n d p ro x i m i ty t o a i r p o rt s a n d p o p ul ated areas of t he p a r t i cu l ar s UAS
. I n a l l cas e s , an a n a l ys i s of t h e se c r i t e r i a d e m o n s t rat e s t h a t t he s UA S o p era t ed w i t h o ut an a i r wort h i n e ss cert i f i c a t e, i n t he res t r i ct e d en v i ro n m e n t a n d und e r t he co n d i t i o n s p ro p os e d w i l l be at l e a s t as s afe, or s afe r , t h a n a co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf t (fi xed wi ng o r rot o rc raf t ) o p e rati n g w i t h an a i r wort h i n e ss ce r

t i f i cate wi t h o ut t he res t r i ct i o n s a nd co n d i t i o n s p ro p os e d
. T he s UA S t o be o p e rat e d he re u n d e r i s l ess t h a n 55 l bs. f u ll y l o a d e d, ca r r i es ne i t h e r a p il ot n o r p a sse n g e r , c a rr i es no e x p l os i ve m ate r i a l s or f l a m m a bl e l i q u i d f u el s, a n d o p e rates e xc l us i ve l y wi t h i n a sec u red a rea as set o u t i n t he M a n u al
. U n li k e o t h e r c i v i l a i rc ra f t , o p era t i o n s u n d e r t h i s e xemp t i on w i l l be t i g htly co n tro ll ed a n d m o ni t o red by b o t h t he o p e ra to r , p u rsu a nt t o t he M a n u a l’ s re q u i re m e nt s, a n d und e r t he re q u i re m e nts a n d i n c o m p li a n ce w it h l o cal p u b li c s afety re q u i reme n t s , t o p ro v i de sec u r i ty fo r t h e a rea of o p e rati o n as i s n o w d o ne wi t h con ve n t i o n al f il m i n g. T he F A

A w il l h a ve ad va n ce no t i ce of a l l o p e rati o ns. T h e se s afe ty e n h a nce m e nt s, w h i ch a l re a dy a p p l y t o ci v i l a i rc ra f t o p e rated i n conn e ct i on w i t h m oti o n p i ct ure a n d t e l e v i s i on producti o n, pro v i de a gre ater d e g ree of s afe ty t o t he p u b li c a n d p ro p e r ty ow n e rs t h a n co n ve n t i o n al o p era t i o n s co n d u ct ed w i t h a i r wort h i n e ss c e rt i f i c a t es iss u ed u n d e r 14 C
. F. R
. P a r t 2 1 , S u b p a r

t H
. L a s t l y , a p p li cati o n of t h e se same c r i t eria d e m o n s tra t es t h a t t h e re i s no c re di b l e t hre a t t o n a t i o n al sec u r i ty p o sed by t he s UAS , d u e t o i t s s i z e, sp e ed of o p era t i o n , l oc a t i on of o p era t i o n , l a c k of e x p l os i ve m ate r i a l s o r f l a m m a bl e l i q u i d f u el s, a n d i n a b ili ty t o ca r ry a su b s t a n t i al e xt ernal l o a d. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 4**  **5 .**  **23 (**  **b )**  **. M**  **ark i**  **ng o** **f t**  **he A** **i rcra**  **f t**  T he re g u l ati o n re q u i re s : W he n m a rk s i nc l u d e on l y t he R oman ca pi t al l e tt e r " N " a n d t he re g i s tra t i on n u m b e r i s d i sp l a yed on li m i t e d , re s t r i ct ed o r l i g h t - sp o rt cat e g o ry a i rc raf t or e x p e r i m e n t al or pro v i s i o n a l l y cert i f i c a t ed a i rc raf t , t he o p e rat o r m u s t a l so d i sp l ay on t h a t a i rc raf

t n e ar e a ch e nt ra n ce t o t he ca bi n, coc k p i t , or p il ot s t ati o n, i n l ett ers n o t l ess t h a n 2 i n ch e s n o r m ore t h a n 6 i n ch e s h i g h , t he words " li m i t e d, " "re s tr i ct e d , " " l i g ht - sp o r

t , " " e x p e r i m e n t a l, " o r " pro v i s i o n a l , " as a p p li ca bl e. E ven t h o u g h t he s UA S w il l h a ve no a i r wort h i n e ss cert i f i c a t e, an e xem p t i on m ay be n e e d ed as t he s UA S w i l l h a ve no e n tra n ce t o t he ca bi n, co c k p i t o r p il ot s t a t i on on w h i ch t he word “ E x p e r i m e n t a l ” can be p l ac e d. G i ven t he s i ze of t he s UAV , two - i nch l ett e r i ng w i l l be6

i m p o ss i b l e. T he word “ Ex p e r i m e n t a l ” w il l be p l ace d on t he fus el a g e in co m p li a n ce w i t h §45.29 (f )
. T he e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety w i l l be pro v i d e d by h a v i ng t he s UA V m a rk ed on i t s f us el a g e as re q u i red by § 4 5.29 (f) w h e re t he p il o t , o b s e rver a n d oth e rs wo rk i ng w i t h t he s UA V wil l see t he i d e nt i f i ca t i on of t he s UA S a s “ E x p e r i m e n t a l
. ” T he F A A h a s i ss u ed t he fo ll o w i ng e xemp t i o n s t o t h i s re g u l a t i on t o E xemp t i o n s N o s . 1 0 7 0 0, 8 7 3 8 , 1 0 1 6 7 a n d 1 0 1 6 7 A
. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 6**  **1 .**  **1 1**  **3 (**  **a )**  **& (**  **b )**  **: P**  **r i**  **v ate**  **P il**  **o t**  **P r**  **i v**  **i l**  **e g**  **es a n**  **d L**  **i m**  **it a**  **ti o**  **n s**  **: P**  **il ot**  **i n**  **C o**  **m man**  **d .**  S ecti o ns 61
. 1 13 ( a) & ( b ) li m i t p r i vate p il ots t o non - co m m e rc i al o p era t i o n s . B ec a use t he s UAS wil l n o t car ry a p il ot o r p a sse n g e rs , t he p ro p os e d o p era t i o n s can ac hi e ve t he e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety of c u rre n t o p e rati o ns b y re q u i r i n g t he P I C o p e rati n g t he a i rc raf t t o h ave a pri vate p il ot’s li ce n se rath e r t h a n a c o mm e rc i al p il ot’s l i ce n se to opera t e t h i s s m a l l s UAS
. U n li k e a co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf

t t h a t ca r r i es t he p il ot a n d p a s se n g e rs, t he s UA S i s re m ote l y co nt ro ll ed w i t h no li v i ng t h i ng on b o a rd
. T he area of o p era t i on i s co n tro ll ed a n d re s tr i ct e d , a n d a l l f l i g hts are p l a n n e d and coo rd i n a t ed i n ad va n ce as set fo rt h i n t he M a n u al
. T he l e vel of s afety p ro v i d e d by t he re q u i reme n t s i nc l u d ed i n t he M a n u a l e xce e ds t h a t pro v i d e d by a s i n g l e i n d i v i d u al h ol d i ng a com m e rc i al p il ot’s c e rt i f i cate o p e rati n g a co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf t . T he r i s k s a ssoc i ated w i t h t he o p era t i on of t he s UA S a re so d i m i n i sh e d from t he l e vel of r i s k ass o c i ated wi t h co m m e rc i al o p era t i o n s co n t e m p l ated by P art 61 w h e n d raft e d , t h a t a ll o wi ng o p e rati o ns of t he s UA S as re q u e s t ed w i t h a pri vate p il ot as t he P I C e xce e ds t he p res e nt l e vel of s afe ty ac hi e ved b y 14 C
. F.R. § 6 1.113 ( a ) & ( b )
. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **7( a**  **) :**  **C i**  **v i**  **l ai r** **c ra**  **f t**  **a i**  **r w**  **o r**  **t hine**  **s s**  **.** T he re g u l ati o n re q u i res t h a t no p e rs on m ay o p era t e a c i v i l a i rc raft u nl ess it i s i n a i r wort hy co n d i t i o n . As t h e re w il l b e no a i r wort h i n e ss ce r

t i f i cate i ssu e d fo r t he a i rc raf t , sh o u l d t h i s e xemp t i on be gran t e d , n o F A A re g u l at o ry s t a n d a rd w i l l e x i st fo r d e t e rm i n i ng a i r wort h i n e ss. G i ven t he s i ze of t he a i rc ra f t a n d t he re q u i re m e n t s co n t a i n e d i n t he M a n u a l for m a i n t e n a n ce a n d use of s afe ty ch e c k l i s t s p r i or t o each f l i g h t , a s set fo rt h i n Se ct i o n s C & D , an e q u i va l e n t l e ve l of s afety w il l be pro v i d e d. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **9 (**  **b )**  **( 2**  **) :**  **C i**  **v i**  **l A** **i rcra**  **f t**  **F l**  **i g**  **h t**  **M a**  **n u**  **al i**  **n t**  **he A** **i rcra**  **f t**  **.** S ecti o n 91
. 9 ( b ) ( 2) pro v i d e s: N o pe rson m ay o p era t e a U.S. - re g i s t ered c i v i l a i rc raf t ... ( 2) F or w h i ch an Ai r p l a n e or R oto rc raf t F l i g ht M a n u a l i s n o t re q u i red by § 2 1
. 5 of t h i s ch a pte r , u nl ess t h e re is a va i l a bl e in t he a i rc raf t a cur re n t a p p ro ved a i r p l a n e or R oto rc raf

t F l i g h t M a n u al , a p pro ved m a n u a l m a t er i a l , m a rk i n g s, a n d p l aca rds, o r a n y comb i n a t i on t h e re of
.7

T he s UAS , g i ven i t s s i z e and co n f i g ura t i on h a s no a bili ty or p l ace t o c a rry s uch a f l i g h t m a n u a l on t he a i rc raf

t , n o t on l y b e ca u se t h e re is no p il ot o n board , b u t b e ca u se t h e re is no ro o m or ca p ac i ty t o c a rry such an i t em on t he a i rc raf t . T he e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety w i l l be m a i nta i n e d by k e e p i n g t he f l i g h t m a n u a l at t he ground co n trol p oi n t w h e re t he p il ot f l y i ng t he s U A S w il l h a ve im m e di ate a ccess t o i t . T he F A A h a s i ssu e d t he fo ll o w i ng e xemp t i o n s t o t h i s re g u l ati o n : E xemp t i on N o s . 8 6 0 7 , 8 7 3 7 , 8 7 3 8 , 9 2 9 9 , 9 2 9 9A , 9 5 6 5 , 9 5 6 5 B , 1 0 1 6 7, 1 0 1 6 7 A , 1 0 6 0 2 , 3 2 8 2 7, a n d 1 0 7 0 0. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **1 0**  **3 (**  **b )**  **: P**  **re f**  **l i**  **g h**  **t a c** **t i**  **on** T h i s re g u l ation re q u i res e a ch p il ot i n c om m a n d t o t a k e ce r t a i n a ct i o n s b efo re f l i g ht t o i ns u re t he s afety of f l i g h t . As F A A a p pro ved ro t orc raf

t f li g h t m a n u al s w il l n o t be p ro v i d e d for t he a i rc raf t an e xemp t i on w il l be n e e d e d
. A n e q u i va l e nt l e vel of s afety w il l be pro v i d ed as set fo rt h i n t he M a n u al
. T he P I C wil l t a k e a l l a ct i o n s i nc l u d i ng re v i e w i ng we a t h e r , fli g ht b a tt e ry re q u i reme n t s , l a n d i ng a n d t a k e of f d i s t a n ce s a n d a i rc raf

t p e r fo rm a n ce d a t a b efore i n i t i ati o n of f l i g h t . **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **1 0**  **9: F**  **l i**  **g ht**  **i n**  **s t**  **ru c** **ti o**  **n :**  S ecti o n 9 1
. 1 0 3 pro v i d e s t h a t no p e rson m ay o p e rate a c i v i l a i rc raft ( e xce p t a m a n n e d free b all o o n) t h a t i s b ei n g us e d fo r f l i g ht i ns t r u ct i on u nl ess t h a t a i rc raf t h a s f u ll y f u n ct i o ni n g d u al co n tro l s . s UAS s a n d re m o t e l y p il o t ed a i rc raft , by t h ei r d e s i g n do n ot h a v e f u ll y f u n cti o n al d u al co n tro l s . F l i g ht co nt rol i s acc o m p li sh e d t h ro u g h t he u se of a con t rol b o x t h a t c o mm u ni cates w i t h t he a i rc raf t v i a ra di o co m m u n i cati o ns. T he F A A h a s a p pro ved e xemp t i o n s for f li g h t tra i n i n g w i t h o ut f u ll y f u n ct i o n al d u al co n t ro l s for a n u m b e r of a i rc raf t a n d for f l i g ht i nst r u ct i o n in e x p e r i m e n t al a i rc raft
. S ee E xem p t i on N os.577 8 K & 9 8 6 2 A
. T h e e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety pro v i d e d by t he fact t h a t n e i t h e r a p il ot n or p a sse n g e rs w i l l be ca r r i ed i n t he a i rc raf t a n d by t he s i z e and speed of t he a i rc raf

t . S a fe s i m u l a t i on a n d p ra ct i ce f l i g ht w i l l be ca r r i ed o u t i n co n tro ll ed e n v i ro n m e n t s . Al l s i m u l ati o ns w il l be car r i e d out on a c o m p u t e r us i n g t he drone co nt ro l s. A n y pract i ce f l y i ng w i l l t a k e p l ace i n a s afe e n v i ro n m e nt , w i t h no r i s k t o h uman l i fe b el o w . **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **1 1**  **9: Mi**  **n i**  **mum s**  **a f** **e a**  **l t**  **i t**  **u d**  **es** S ecti o n 91
. 1 1 9 e s t a bli sh e s s afe a l t i t u d e s for o p e rati o n of c i v i l a i rc raf t . S e cti on 9 1
. 1 1 9 ( d) a ll o ws h eli co p t ers t o be o p era t ed at l ess t h a n t he m i n i m u m s p res c r i b e d, p ro v i d e d t he p e rson o p era t i n g t he h eli co p t e r comp li es w i t h any ro u t e or a l t i t u d e s p rescri b ed fo r h eli co p t e rs by t he F AA
. As t h i s e xem p t i on i s fo r a s UA S t h a t i s a h e li co p t er a n d t h e e xemp t i o n re q u e st s a u t h o r i ty t o op e rate at a l t i t u d es up t o 4 0 0 A G L, or n o t m ore t h a n 2 0 0 abo ve an e l ev a t ed p l a t fo rm fro m w h i ch f il m i ng i s p l a n n e d, an e xemp t i on m ay be n e e d ed t o a ll ow such o p era t i o n s. As s e t fo r t h h e re i n t he s UA S w il l n e ver o p e rate at h i g h e r t h a n 4 0 0 AG L. I t w il l h o we ver be o p e rated i n a8

res t r i ct ed area w i t h s afe ty p e r i m ete r , w h e re bu il d i n g s a n d peo pl e w i l l n o t b e e x p o sed t o o p era t i o n s w i t h o ut t h ei r pre - o b t a i n e d conse n t . T he e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety w i l l be ac hi e ved g i ven t he s i z e, we i g ht, sp e e d of t he s UA S as we l l as t he l oc a t i on w h e re it i s o p era t e d
. N o f l i g ht wil l be t ak e n w i t h o ut t he p e rm i ss i on of t he prope r ty o w n e r or l oc a l off i c i a l s. B eca u se of t he a d va n ce no t i ce t o t he pro p e rty o w n e r a n d p a rt i c i p a nts i n t he f il m i n g act i v i ty , a l l af fe ct ed i n di v i d u a l s wil l be a ware of t h e p l a n n e d f l i g ht o p era t i o n s a s s e t fo r

t h in t he M a n u al
. C ompared to f li g h t o p e rati o ns w i t h a i rc raf t or rot orc raf

t we i g h i ng fa r m ore t h a n t he m a x i m um 5 5l bs. pro p os e d he re i n and t he l a c k of f l a m m a bl e f u el , a n y r i sk ass o c i ated w i t h t h e se opera t i o n s i s fa r l e s s t h a n t h o se p res e ntly p res e nted w i t h co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf

t o p e rati n g a t o r b el ow 5 0 0 AG L in t he m o v i e i n d u s try . I n a d d i t i o n , t he l o wa l t i t u d e opera t i o n s of t he s UA S w i l l e n sure se p a rati o n be twe e n t h e se s m a l l - UA S o p era t i o n s a n d t he o p era t i o n s of co n ve n t i o n al a i rc raf t t h at m ust c o m p l y w i t h Sect i on 9 1
. 1 1 9. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **1 2**  **1 A** **lti m**  **eter S**  **e t** **t i**  **n g**  **s** T h i s re g u l ati o n re q u i res e a ch pe rson o p era t i n g a n a i rc raf t t o m a i nta i n c r u i s i ng a l t i t u d e by refe re n ce t o an a l t i m e t er t h a t i s s et “
... t o t he e l e vati o n of t he d e p a r t ure a i r p ort or an a p p ro p r i a t e a l t i m eter s ett i n g a va il a bl e b efo re dep a rt u re . ” As t he s UA S m ay n o t h a ve a b a ro m e t r i c a l t i m et e r , b u t i nstead a G P S a l t i t u d e re a d o ut , an e xemp t i on m ay be n e e d e d
. A n e q u i va l e n t l e ve l of s afety w il l be ac hi e ved b y t he o p era t o r , p u rsu a n t to t he M a n u a l a n d S afe ty C h e c k l i s t , co n f i rm i n g t he a l t i t u d e of t he l a u nch s i t e sh o w n on t he G P S a l t i t u d e i n d i c a tor b efo re f l i g h t . **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **1 5**  **1 (**  **a )**  **: F**  **u e**  **l R** **e q**  **u i**  **reme n**  **t s**  **f or**  **F li**  **g h**  **t i**  **n V F**  **R C**  **o n**  **d i**  **t i**  **o n**  **s** S ecti o n 91
. 1 5 1 ( a ) p ro h i b i t s an i n di v i d u al from b e g i n ni ng “ a f l i g ht i n an a i r p l a n e un d er V FR co n d i t i o n s u nl ess ( co n s i d e r i ng w i nd a n d forec a st we a t h e r co n d i t i o n s ) t h e re is eno u g h f u e l t o f l y t o t he f i rst p oi nt of i nten d ed l a n d i n g , a n d , ass u m i n g no r m al c r u i s i ng sp e ed – ( 1 ) D uri n g t he d a y , t o f l y aft er t h a t fo r a t l e a st 30 m i n u t e s; or ( 2 ) At n i g h t , t o f l y aft er t h a t for at l e a st 45 m i n u t e s . ” T he b att ery p o weri n g t he s UA S pro v i d e s a p pro x i m ate l y 2 5 m i n u t es of p owered f l i g h t . T o m e e t t he 30 m i n u t e res e rve re q u i re m e n t i n 14 C FR § 9 1.151, s UA S f l i g hts wo u l d be li m i t ed t o a p pro x i m ate l y 20 m i n u t e s i n l e n g t h
. G i ven t he li m i t ati o ns on t he s UAS’ s p ro p os e d f l i g ht area a n d t he l oca t i on of it s p ro p os e d opera t i o n s w i t h i n a p re d et e rm i n e d a re a , a l o n g e r t i m e frame fo r f l i g ht i n da y li g ht or n i g h t V FR co n d i t i o n s i s re a so n a bl e. A p pli ca n t b eli e ves t h a t a n e xemp t i o n fro m 14 C F R § 9 1.151( a ) fa ll s w i t h i n t he sco p e of p r i or e xemp t i o n s. S ee E xemp ti on 1 0 6 7 3 ( a ll o w i ng L o c kh e ed M art i n C o r p o ra t i on t o op e rate w i t h o ut comp li a n ce w i t h F A R 9 1. 1 5 1 ( a ) )
. O p e ra t i ng t he s m a l l s UAS , i n a t i g h t l y co n tro ll ed area w h e re o nl y p e o pl e and prope r ty o w n e rs or of

f i c i al re p re s e n t ati ves w ho h a ve si g n ed wa i vers w i l l be a ll o we d , w i t h l e ss t h a n 3 0 m i n u t e s of res e rve f u el , d o es n o t e n g e n d e r t he ty pe of r i s k s t h a t S ecti o n 91
. 1 5 1 ( a) was i n t e n d e d t o a ll e v i ate g i ven t he s i z e and speed of t h e s m a l l s UAS. Ad di t i o n a l l y , li m i t i ng s UAS f li g h t s t o 20 m i n u t es wo ul d g re a t l y re d uce t he u t ili ty fo r w h i ch t he e xemp t i on w i l l be gran t e d.9

A p pli ca n t b eli e ves t h a t a n e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety can be ac hi e ved by l im i t i ng f l i g h ts t o 2 0 m i n u t es or 2 5 % of b att e r y p o wer w h i ch e ver h a p p e n s f i rs t . T h i s re s tr i ct i on wo u l d be m o re t h a n a d e q u a t e t o ret u r n t he s UA S t o its p l a n n e d l a n d i ng zo n e f ro m a nyw h e re in i t s li m i t ed o p e rati n g area. Si m il ar e xemp t i o n s h a ve been gran t ed t o oth e r o p e rati o ns, i nc l u di ng E xemp t i o n s 2 6 8 9 F, 5 7 4 5 , 1 0 67 3 , a n d 1 0 8 0 8. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **2 0**  **3 (**  **a) a**  **n d**  **( b**  **) :**  **C a**  **r r**  **y i**  **ng C**  **i v**  **i l**  **A i**  **rcra f** 

**t C**  **er t**  **i f** **i c**  **a t**  **i on**  **a n**  **d R** **e g**  **i st**  **r a**  **ti on**  T he re g u l ati o n p ro v i d e s i n pe r t i n e nt p a r

t : ( a) E xce p t as p ro v i d e d in § 9 1
. 7 1 5, no p e rson m ay o p era t e a c i v i l a i rc raf t u n l ess it h a s w i t h i n it t he fo ll o w in g : ( 1) A n a p pro p r i ate a n d c ur re n t a i r wort h i n e ss ce r

t i f i ca t e. . . . ( b) N o p e rs on m ay o p era t e a c i v i l a i rc raft u nl ess t he a i r wort h i n e ss ce rt i f i ca t e re q u i red by p a ra graph ( a ) of t h i s se ct i on o r a sp e c i al f l i g ht a u t h o r i zati o n iss u ed u n d e r § 9 1
. 7 1 5 is d i sp l a yed at t he ca bi n o r co c kp i t e nt ra n ce so t h a t i t i s l e g i b l e t o passe n g e rs or c re w . T he s UA S f u ll y l o a d e d wei g hs no m ore t h a n 55 l b s a n d is o p era t ed w i t h o ut an o n b o a rd p il o t . As suc h , t h e re i s no a bility or p l ace t o c a rry c e rt i f i cati o n and re g i s t rati o n d o c u m e nt s o r t o d i sp l ay t h e m on t he s UAS
. A n e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s af ety w i l l be ac hi e ved by k e e p i ng t h e se d o cume n t s at t he g ro u nd co n trol p oi n t w h e re t he p il ot f l y i ng t he s UA S w il l h a ve im m e di ate a ccess t o t h e m , t o t he e xt e n t t h e y are a p p li ca bl e t o t h e sU AS
. T he FA A h a s i s su e d nu m e ro u s e xemp t i o n s t o t h i s re g u l ati o n . A re p re se n t a t i ve sa m p l e of o t h e r e xce p t i o n s i nc l u d es E xemp t i on N o s . 9 5 6 5, 9 6 6 5 , 9 7 8 9 , 9 7 8 9A , 9 7 9 7 , 9 7 9 7 A , 9 8 1 6A , a n d 1 0 7 0 0. **14 C**  **. F.**  **R .**  **§ 9**  **1 .**  **4 0**  **5 (**  **a )**  **; 4**  **07 (**  **a )**  **( 1); 4**  **0 9**  **( a**  **) (**  **2 )**  **; 4**  **1 7(a) &**  **( b**  **) :**  **M a**  **i nten**  **a n**  **c e**  **I n**  **s p**  **e c** **ti o**  **n s**  T h e se re g u l ati o ns re q u i re t h a t an a i rc raf t o p e rat o r or o w n e r “ s h al l h a ve t h at a i rc raf t i ns p e ct ed as p re s c r i b e d in su b p a r t E of t h i s p a rt a n d sh al l b e twe e n re q u i red i ns p e ct i o n s, e xce p t as pro v i d e d in p a ra g ra p h ( c ) of t h i s se ct i o n , h a ve d i sc re p a n c i es re p a i red a s p rescri b ed i n p a r t 43 of t h i s ch a p t e r . . . , ” a n d o t h e rs sh al l i ns p e ct o r m a i nta i n t he a i rc raf t i n com p li a n ce w i t h Part 4 3
. G i ven t h a t t h e se se ct i on a n d Part 43 a p p l y o nl y t o a i rc raf t w i t h an a i r

wort h i n e ss c e rt i f i c a t e, t h e se s e ct i o n s w il l n o t a p p l y t o t he a p p li ca n t . M a i n t e n a n ce w il l be acc o m p li sh e d by t he o p era t o r p u rsu a nt t o t he f l i g ht m a n u a l a n d op e rat i ng h a n d b o o k a s refe re n ced i n t he M a n u a l .( S ee S ecti o ns B , D a n d G ) A n e q u i va l e n t l e ve l of s afety w il l be ac hi e ved b e ca u se t h e se s m a l l s UAS s a re very li m i t ed i n si z e and w i l l car ry a s m a l l p a y l o a d a nd o p era t e on l y i n res t r i ct ed areas fo r li m i t e d pe r i o d s of t i m e . I f m e c h a n i cal i ssu e s arise t he s UA S can l a n d10

Immediately a n d w il l be o p era t i n g fro m no h i g h e r t h a n 4 0 0 fe e t A G L
. As p ro v i d e d in t he M a n u a l , t he o p e ra t or w i l l e n sure t h a t t he s UA S i s i n wor k i ng ord e r p r i or t o i n i t i ati n g f li g h t , p e r fo r m re q u i red m a i nt e n a nc e , a n d k e e p a l o g of a n y m a i ntena n ce p e r fo rm e d
. M oreo ver, t he o p era t o r i s t he p e rson m ost fami l i ar w i t h t he a i rcraft a n d be s t su i t ed t o m a i nta i n t he a i rc raf t i n an a i r wort hy co n d i t i on t o pro v i de t he e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afe ty . P ursuant t o 14 C
. F.R. P art 1 1 , t he fo ll o w i ng su m m ary i s p ro v i d e d for p u b li cati o n in t he F e d e ral R e g i s t e r , sh o u l d it be d et er m i n e d t h a t p u b li cati o n i s n e eded:

A p pli ca n t se e k s an e xe m pti o n from t he fo ll o wi ng ru l es:

14 C
. F. R
. § 2 1 , su b p a r

t H ; 14 C
. F.R 4 5 . 2 3 ( b ) ; 14 C
. F.R. §§ 6 1.11 3 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 9 1
. 7 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 9 ( b) ( 2 ); 9 1
. 1 0 3( b ); 9 1
. 1 0 9; 9 1
. 1 1 9 ; 9 1
. 1 2 1; 9 1
. 1 5 1( a ); 9 1
. 2 0 3( a ) a n d ( b); 9 1
. 4 0 5 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 9 ( a) ( 2 ) ; 9 1
. 4 0 9 ( a) ( 2 ) a n d 9 1
. 4 1 7 ( a ) & ( b) t o o p e rate c o mm e rc i a ll y a s m a l l u n m a n n e d ve hi c l e ( 5 5l bs or l ess) i n m o t i on p i ct u re and t e l e v i s i on o p era t i o n s. A p p ro val of e xemp t i o n s a ll o w i ng co m m erci a l o p e rati o ns of s UAS s i n t he f i l m i n d us t ry w i l l e n h a nce s afety by re d uc i ng r i s k. C o n ve n t i o n al f il m o p e rati o n s , us i n g j e t o r p i s t on p o wer a i rc raft , o p era t e at e xtre m e l y l o w a l t i t u d es j ust fe et fro m t he su b j e ct b ei n g f il m ed a n d in e xtreme p ro x i m i ty t o pe o p l e and s t r u ct ure s ; a n d p res e nt t he r i s k s ass o c i a t ed w i t h ve h i c l es t h a t we i g h in t he n e i g h b or h o od of 4,000 l b s . , ca r ry i ng l arg e amou n t s of j et A or oth e r fu el
. S uch a i rc raf t m u st f l y t o and f rom t he f i l m l oc a t i o n . I n co n tra s t , a s UA S we i g h i ng fe wer t h a n 55 l bs. a n d po wered by b a tt e r i es e li m i n a t es v i rt u all y a l l o f t h a t r i s k g i ven t he re d u ced m a ss a n d l a c k of combu s t i b l e f u e l c a rr i ed on b o ard
. T he s UA S i s car r i ed t o t he f i l m s e t a n d n o t f l o w n. T he s UA S wil l car ry no p a sse n g e r s or c rew a n d, t h e refore , w il l n o t e x p o se t h e m t o t he r i s k s ass o c i ated wi t h m a n n e d a i rc raf

t f l i g h t s. T he o p era t i on of s m a l l s UAS s, we i g hti n g l e ss t h a n 55 l bs
. , co n d u ct ed i n t h e s t r i ct co n d i t i o n s o u t li n e d abo ve, w i l l pro v i de an e q u i va l e n t l e vel of s afety su p p o rt i n g t he gra nt of t he e xem p t i o n s re q u e s t ed h e re i n, i nc l u di ng e xemp t i n g t he a p p li c a nt fro m t he re q u i re m e n t s of P art 21 a n d a ll o w i ng co m m erci a l o p e rati o ns. T h e se li g htwe i g h t a i rc raf t o p e rate a t s l ow sp e e d s, c l ose t o t he g ro u n d , a n d in a s t eri l e e n v i ro n m e n t a n d , as a re s u l t , a re far s afer t h a n co n ve n t i o n al o p era t i o n s co n d u ct ed w i t h t urb i ne h e li co p t ers o p e rati n g i n c l ose pro x i m i ty t o t he g ro u nd a n d peo pl e. **s U**  **A S**  **s D e**  **t ai**  **l s**  **:** S a fe ty F e at u res:

● E m e rg e n cy “ R e t urn -T o - H ome” ○ At t he b e g i n ni ng of e a ch f l i g ht a h o m e p oi nt i s se t . T h i s h o m e p oi nt i s s et i n a ccorda n ce w i t h t he m a n u a l t o a ll ow for a s afe t a ke of f a n d ret u r n. S h o u l d t h e p il ot’s con t rol l ose s i g n al w i t h t he s UAS11

or m a n u all y re q u e st a ret urn, t he s UA S w il l retu r n t o t he s t a r t i n g p oi nt.
**P r**  **i v** **a c**  **y** Al l f li g h t s w i l l occ u r o ver pri vate or co nt ro ll ed ac cess p ro p e rty w i t h t he pro p e rty o w n e r ’ s pri o r co n se n t a n d k n o w l e d g e. F i l m i ng w il l be of p e o pl e w ho h a ve a l so conse n t ed t o b ei ng f il m ed or othe r w i se ha ve a g re e d to be i n t he a rea w h e re f i l m i ng w il l t a k e p l ace . S ati sfacti o n of t he c r i t er i a p ro v i d e d in S ecti o n 3 3 3 of t he Refo r m Act of 2 0 1 2 -- s i z e, we i g h t , sp e e d , o p e rati n g capa bili t i es, p ro x i m i ty t o a i r p o r t s a n d pop ul ated a re a s a n d o p era t i on w i t h i n v i su a l l i ne of s i g ht a n d n a t i o n al sec u r i ty – pro v i d e s m o re t h a n a d e q u a t e j u s t i f i cati o n for t he g ra n t of t he re q u e s t ed e xemp t i o n s a ll o wi ng co m m erci a l o p era t i on of a p p li ca n t ’ s s UA S i n t he com m e rc i al v i d e o p ro d u ct i on i n d us t ry p u rsu a n t t o t he M a n u a l a p p e n d ed h e ret o . Si nc e re l y
Aloha Drones February / XX/201612



# A **p pe**  **n dix**  **A: N**  **o -**  **F l**  **y Zones**  Aloha Drones ’ Pil ots wil l n o t be o p e rati n g w i t h i n 5 na u t i cal m il es of a n y a i r p o rt . As a s afety p reca uti o n , Aloha Drones ’ p il ots w i l l n o t be o p e ra t i ng w i t h i n 5 n a utic a l m il es of a n y a i r p o rt s i m il ar t o t he p e rm i ss i on gran t ed i n E xemp t i on N o . 1 1 1 5 3 - R e g u l at o ry D o c k et N o. F AA2 0 1 4 0 5 1 9 , p a g e 2 5 , " 2 0
. T h e UA m ay n o t op era te w i t h i n 5 n a u t ical m i les of an a i

r p o r t r ef e r e n ce po i nt as de n oted on a cur

r e n t F AA - p ubli sh e d ae r o n a u t i cal ch a r t unless a le tter of a gr e e m e n t w

it h t h a t a i r p or t s m a n a g e m e n t i

s o bta i n e d, a n d t

he o p e r ati o n i s co n du cted i

n acc o r da nce w i t h a N O T A M as r e q ui r ed by t he o p er ato r s C O A . T h e letter of a gr

e e m e n t w

it h t he a i r p o r t m a n a g e m e n t m ust be m a de av ail a ble to t h e Adm i n i s t r ator u p on r e q u e s t. " As we l l as in E xemp t i on N o. 1 1 1 9 5 - Re g u l a t ory D oc k et N o . F AA2 0 1 4 0 8 84, p a g e 1 2 , " 1 9
. T he U A m ay n o t o p era t e w i t h i n 5 n a utic a l m il es of an a i r p o rt reference p oi nt as d e n o t ed on a cur re n t F AA- p u b li sh e d a erona u t i cal ch a rt u nl ess a l e tt e r of a gre e m e n t w i t h t h a t a i r p o rt s m a n a g eme n t i s o b t a i n e d , a n d t he o p era t i on i s c o n d ucted i n a ccorda n ce w i t h a N o t i ce t o Ai rm en ( NO TA M ) , as re q ui red by t he o p e ra t ors C ert i f i c a t e of W a i ver o r A u t h o r i zati o n ( C O A )
. T he l ett e r of a gre e m e n t wi t h t he a i r p o r t m a n a g e m e n t m u st be m a d e a va il a bl e t o t he Admi ni s tra tor u p on re q u est . " Aloha Drones re q u e st s t he s a m e f l e x i b i l i ty as exe m pti o ns 1 1 1 5 3 and 1 1 1 95 fo r a cq u i r i n g a g re e m e n t w i t h t he a i r p o rt s ' m a n a g e m e n t sh o u l d o p era t i o n s fa l l w i t h i n 5 n a utic a l m il es of an a i r p o r t .13 **A p**  **p e**  **n d**  **i x B:**  **S af** **e t** **y M**  **a n**  **u a**  **l A** **. M**  **ai n**  **t e**  **n a**  **n ce**  **a.** T he s UA S m u st be i ns p e ct ed by a fa ct ory t ra i n e d t ec h n i c i an e very 10 f li g h t h o urs. Al l m a i ntena n ce rec o rds w il l be m a i nta i n e d fo r i ns p e ct i on as set fo rt h i n S ecti o n B. **b.** I f a n y m a i ntena n ce i s u n d e rg o n e, t he s UA S m ust p a ss a f l i g ht t e st w i t h bo t h a p il ot a n d a m an u fact u rer tra i n e d t ec h n i c i an b efore f li g h t . **B .**  **R e**  **c ord K** **e e**  **p i**  **ng** a. A d i g i t al rec o rd w il l be k e pt for a l l f li g h t s, f l i g ht t i m es, a n d m a i n t e n a n ce re cords. **C .**  **S e**  **c ur**  **i ng**  **F li**  **g h**  **t S**  **it e**  **a. F**  **SD O**  **S u**  **b m**  **i s**  **s i**  **o n**  **s** i
. T he s UA S o p era t or w il l f il e a F A A F o rm 7 7 1 1 - 1 , o r i t s e q u i va l e n t , as m od i f i ed i n l i g h t of t he re q u e s t ed e xem p t i o n , w i t h t he a p p ro p r i ate F l i g h t S t a n d a rds Di s tr i ct O f

f i ce. **b .**  **S afe**  **t y**  **P arame**  **t er**  i
. B e fo re f il m i n g occ u rs , a 1 0 0 yard p e r i m et e r fro m t he p l a n n e d f li g h t p a t h wil l be i d e nti f i ed i n ord e r t o s e t a “ s t e r il e” e n v i ro n m e n t fo r t he o p e rati o n . 1. Aloha Drones m u s t o b t a i n w r i tt en or oral p e rm i ss i on f ro m a l l l a n d o w n e rs i n s t eri l e en v i ro n m e nt . 2. 48 h o urs b efo re f il m i n g , a l l res i d e nts o r b u s i n e s s es w i t h i n 100 yards of t he f il m i n g w il l b e no t i f i ed w i t h p r i n t ed f l yers. a. F lyers wil l co n t a i n da t e of f l i g h t , t i m e of f l i g h t , a n d co n t act i n fo rm a t i o n . 3. S tre et s a n d s i d e wa l k s t h at c ross i nto t he s t e r il e en v i ro n m e n t w il l be m a rk ed w i t h “

W a r n i n g Low f l y i ng Ai rc raf t - S t ay B a c k 1 5 0f

t” s i g ns t o warn t he p u b li c. 4. At a l l t i m es Aloha Drones w i l l car ry $ 1 m m i n g e n e ral li a bili ty i ns u ra n ce in c a se of a n y d a m a g e t o p ro p e r ty or p ersons w i t h i n t he s afety p a ra m e t er **c** . **I d**  **e n**  **t if** 

**y p**  **o t**  **e n**  **ti a**  **l o**  **b s**  **t a**  **cles** i
. B e fo re e a ch f l i g h t , an i n ve n t ory w i l l be t a k en fo r a l l p o t e n t i al o b s t ac l es t h a t m u st be a vo i d e d w h i l e in f li g h t . I nc l u di n g : 1. P o wer l i n e s 2. C e l l P h o ne T o wers 3. T re es 4. F l oc k s of b i rds t h a t m ay t a k e f l i g ht 5. H e a v il y tra ve l ed ro a d wa ys 6. U t ili ty w i res 7. El e vated s tr u ct ures 8. At l e a st 5 na u t i cal m il es from t he n e are s t a i r p o r t o r h eli p a d
.14

**D .**  **P re**  **- F**  **l i**  **g h**  **t C**  **h e**  **c kl**  **i st**  i. An applicable written preflight checklist based on manufacturer instructions for pre -flight, during flight and post-flight check list will be followed every time the sUASs is operated and it will be kept with the sUAS at all times. **a. T** **a k**  **e O**  **f**

**f L o**  **c a**  **t i**  **o n**  **/ “**  **H o**  **me”** i
. T he s UA S w i l l m a r k i t s t a k e of f l oc a t i on as a s afe area t o ret u r n t o shou l d t he s UA S l ose s i g n a l w i t h t he co nt rol or i f t he p il ot s i g n al s t he c raf t t o ret u r n t o its “ h o m e ” l oc a t i o n . 1. T a k e of

f l oc a t i on w il l be i n an a rea w i t h a 2 5f t ra d i us w i t h no o b s tr u ct i o n s, m a i n t a i n i ng sa i d ra di us vert i ca ll y 2 0 0ft . 2. T he s UA S w i l l t a k e of f a nd l a n d in t h e s a m e l o c a ti o n . 3. G P S Al t i m e t er w i l l be m a rk ed as 0’ e l e vati o n **b**
. **Fl i**  **g h**  **t C**  **a n**  **c el**  **i ng**  **E v** **e n**  **t s**  i
. Al l f li g h ts w i l l be ca n ce ll ed fo r a m i n i m u m of 2 h o u rs i f a n y of t he b el ow occ u r : 1. P o li ce act i v i ty i n t he area 2. L o w f l y i ng a i rc raf

t i n t he area 3. M e d i ca l / N e ws H e li co p t ers acti ve in t he a rea 4. W i nd e xce e d i ng 10 m ph 5. A ny eme rg e n cy re q u i r i n g e m e rg e n cy serv i ces oc c urs w i t h i n t he s t eri l e en v i ro n m e n t 6. P I C i s u n a bl e t o comp l e t e f li g h t w i t h o ut l os i n g v i s u a l of t he s UAS 7. A ny prec i p i t ati o n 8. H e a vy b i rd p res e nce i n t he area t h a t co ul d ca u se a m i d - a i r co lli s i o n . 9. A ny d e fe ct s or d a m a g e fo u nd d u r i n g p ref l i g ht e xam **c. P**  **h y**  **sical I**  **n s**  **p e**  **c ti**  **on** i
. B e fo re e a ch f l i g h t t he s U A S w i l l be ch e c k ed t o e n sure t h a t i t i s s afe for f l i g h t . 1. B att ery vo l t a g e w il l be ch e c k ed t o e n s u re it i s >7 5 % 2. Bl a d es w i l l be i ns p ected t o ens u re t h e y are t i g ht e n e d and free of d a m a g e 3. C ame ra m o u n t a n d g i m b al w i l l be i ns p ected t o e n sure i t i s fu ll y att ac h ed a n d op e rati n g. 4. s UA S w i l l be ch e c k ed for a n y d a m a g e t h a t m ay h a ve t a k en p l ace i n t ra n s i t . 5. T he s UA S w i l l be t e s t ed at a l ow a l t i t u d e t o e n su re a l l co nt ro l s are res p o n d i ng c o rre ct l y . 6. B att ery ch e c ked for d a m a g e t h a t co ul d affect i ts c h a rg e ii
. I f a n y p a rty of t he i ns p e ct i ng sh o ws a d a m a g ed p art or p a r t s, t he s UA S i s d e emed n o n - us a b l e and m ust be i ns p e ct ed by a facto ry t ra i n e d t ec h n i c i a n .15 **d**
. **P o**  **s t**  **F l**  **i g**  **h t**  **I n**  **s p**  **e c**  **t i**  **o n**  **s /**  **C h**  **e c**  **k li**  **s t**  i
. Aft er e a ch f li g h t , t he t he s UA S w i l l be t h o ro u g h l y i ns p ected for a n y d a m a g e t h a t occ u rred i n f l i gh t . 1. B o d y i ns p ected fo r a n y d am a g e 2. Bl a d es v i su a l l y ch e c k ed for a n y d a m a g e at a l l 3. B att ery ch e c ked for d a m a g e **E .**  **Mi d**  **- A** **i r**  **S afe**  **t y**  **P ro**  **t o**  **c ol**  **a. M**  **ax S**  **p e**  **ed** i
. Asce n t 1. 10 m/s ii
. D e s ce n t

1. 4 m/s iii
. F l i g ht S p e ed

1. T he s UA S i s n e ver t o e xce e d 10 m /s **b .**  **A ltit**  **u d**  **e** i
. T he s UA S i s n e ver to e xce e d 4 0 0f t **c. E**  **merge n**  **cy** i
. I f i t a p p e a rs t h a t t he s U AS , a n y prop e rty or h u m a ns a re at r i s k, t he s UAS wil l be g ro u n d ed i m m e di ate l y t o a s afe l oc a t i o n . **d .**  **S i**  **g h**  **t** i
. T he p il ot m ust k e e p t he s UA S w i t h i n e ye s i g ht a t a l l t i m es un a ss i s t ed by a n y t ec h n ol o g y . **F .**  **P ar** **ti c**  **i p**  **a t**  **i on by**  **n o**  **n -**  **p i**  **l ot**  **s t**  **aff** a. Al l s t af

f i n vo l ved i n t he p ro d ucti o n or f il m i n g us i ng t he s UA S w il l co n se n t t o m a i nta i n a s afe d i s t a n ce of a t l e a s t 30 f t d u r i ng t h e f il m i n g . **G .**  **P il**  **o t**  **/ S**  **p o**  **t t**  **er T**  **ra i**  **ning** a. B e fo re fl y i n g , b oth t he Pil ot a n d sp ott er w il l rec ei ve upd a t ed i n fo r m a t i on on t h e s UA S a n d its f i r m ware. i
. T he co nt ro ll er a ll o ws fo r a simu l at o r tra i n i n g , b o t h t he p il ot a n d sp ott er are a ll o wed t o r un t h ro u g h t h e simu l at o r tra i n i n g