To the attention of: Rob Pappas

Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

For UAS STEM Education Usage

Atlanta FSDO region
Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

For UAS STEM Education Usage

12/19/14

Requested by: S.T.E.M. Magazine Inc. 

Wayne Carley / Publisher / STEM Educator

2055 Barrett Lakes Blvd.

Suite 1315

Kennesaw, Ga. 30144

478-319-7177

www.stemmagazine.com

A. STEM Magazine is an electronic monthly education magazine for teachers and 

students K-16 and is currently the most read STEM publication in the world, in 

47 U.S. States and 37 countries. Current readership is just over 500,000 

monthly, globally.

The STEM Education program uses 2 small UAS’s as part of the on-campus 

and public STEM lecture programs in Georgia and the Southeast U.S. in direct 

support of workforce development and STEM careers preparation.

December issue: www.stemmagazine.com/1214.php

Wayne Carley is the primary STEM instructor with 28 years experience as a 

private pilot, 7 years as a flight instructor at Robins AFB in Georgia, 2,200 UAS 

flight hours and 9 years as a STEM educator.

STEM Magazine would like to participate with the Atlanta FAA and National 

FAA in developing STEM education programs, literary content and public 

awareness regarding STEM in general and UAS usage in the U.S.
1. UAS overview and details

- Use of 2 UAS demonstration aircraft (Phantom II and S-800) weighing 

less than 15 lbs. each.

- Flight time of each aircraft limited to 9-10 minutes due to battery 

limitation.

- Decibels: Each UAS has been monitored at 40-50 decibels at 50 ft.

- Built in safety features for both aircraft include:

o GPS stationary positioning within 5 ft. of GPS location

o Manuel override to all features as necessary

o Limited flight time of 8 minutes for safety

o Not to exceed 200 ft. AGL

o Normal use is 10-50 miles from nearest Class B airspace

o All program flights are line of site, not to exceed 50 yards

o On-board auto landing feature at site of takeoff if power levels 

suddenly drop, wind conditions exceed 15 knots or unexpected 

termination of flight is necessary.

o Live camera download for remote monitoring and photography

2. Pre – Flight / inspections / maintenance and repair

- Since these to UAS’s are expensive to replace, pre-flight inspection of 

all components occurs well before arrival at location. A short test 

flight to 15 ft. AGL is done to confirm controls and safety features are 

working properly.

- Maintenance is as necessary and consists of checking battery levels, 

electronic connections and cleanliness of all components.

- Repairs are rare, but done immediately upon discovery of physical or 

electronic flaws. These are fragile aircraft and must never be flown 

unless in perfect condition.

3. Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum

- Connections to aircraft are by wireless Bluetooth connection directly 

to personal ipad, iphone or aircraft controller and have a limited 
range of roughly 200 yards, at which point the automatic “return 

home” safety feature engages and the “auto land” feature is 

activated.

- Wayne Carley prefers to be Pilot in Command as often as possible to 

ensure safe control within stated flight parameters. All safety 

features remain available.

4. Qualifications of Pilot in Command

- Wayne Carley is the primary STEM instructor with 28 years 

experience as a private pilot, 7 years as a flight instructor at Robins 

AFB in Georgia and over 2,200 UAS flight hours.

- FAA pilots certification # 513641044 / 2/22/1985

- As lead flight instructor for the National STEM Academy, Wayne 

Carley has personally taught over 200,000 students since 2006.

- Wayne Carley is regarded as an expert in STEM education and a 

professional level UAS operator.

5. Medical Standard

- Wayne Carley has full medical coverage through USAA and 

participates in regular medical checkups.

- When pilot’s license is current, required FAA medical exam is 

updated.

6. Intended UAS operation

- UAS operation will be used in conjunction the STEM Magazine 

education program with school STEM lecture presentations as a 

demonstration tool, following the above mentioned parameters.

- Usage will include personal flight time for currency of skill levels and 

emergency procedures as with any aircraft flight.
- On occasion, use may include the monitoring of construction sites 

upon request staying within above mentioned flight parameters to 

monitor progress and safety conditions.

- There is never a need to operate above or near the public as this 

poses unnecessary safety concerns.

7. Maximum operating speed and altitude

- Operation of UAS’s is primarily vertical in nature at 1 meter per 

second.

- Typical altitude will be 50-200 ft. AGL

- On rare occasions, maximum altitude may be 400 ft. AGL, never to 

exceed 400 ft. AGL.

- Horizontal flight is limited to 50 yards if necessary at a speed of 1 

meter per second.

- UAS operation will never be permitted near power lines, trees, cranes 

or any other obstruction that could cause harm to the UAS or 

property. This is an unnecessary risk for education demonstrations or 

other flights.

8. Characteristics of the area of intended operation

- Educational flights are conducted at unpopulated football and 

baseball fields, empty parking lots or public open space.

- Construction site applications will be over unpopulated site within 

stated flight parameters and limited to 8 minutes.

- Personal flights will be conducted in unpopulated open space.

9. Airport proximity

- There will not be a need to operate within 5 miles of an active 

airport.
10. Visual Line of Site

- Visual line of site will not exceed 50 yards for any reason.

11. Pre-Flight

- Since these to UAS’s are expensive to replace, pre-flight inspection of 

all components occurs well before arrival at location. A short test 

flight to 15 ft. AGL is done to confirm controls and safety features are 

working properly.

- Visual inspection is always performed.

12. FSDOs

- The Atlanta FSDO will be notified for all planned flights.

- A record / log of each flight and its characteristics will be kept for 

reference.

13. NAS

- STEM Magazine and Owner/ Publisher Wayne Carley will notify the 

Atlanta FSDO for permissions if there is a need to enter Controlled 

National Air Space. Programs and projects never require an altitude 

above 400 ft. AGL.

I, Wayne Carley, STEM Magazine Inc. CEO and publisher state that all of 

the information provided above is true and accurate.

Wayne Carley

STEM Magazine

Wayne Carley / Publisher / STEM Educator

2055 Barrett Lakes Blvd.

Suite 1315

Kennesaw, Ga. 31044 478.319.7177