Motion Pictures and Television Flight Operation Manual

Grant 

Zoschnick

49422 East Woods 

Shelby Township,

Michigan 48317

(248)-765-4269

• Introduction:

• Purpose

• Pilot/Operator Organization

• Persons Authorized

• Area of Operations

• Plan of Activities

• Permission to Operate

• Security

• Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

• Certification/Airworthiness

• Communications

• Accident Notification

• Recall/ Stop procedures

• Manual Recap

• Occupation Responsibilities/Duties:

• Chief Pilot

• Pilot in Command
• Description/ Forms:

• Aircraft Details

• Pilots

• Flight Acceptance Release Form (Example)

1.Introduction

• Purpose

This manual has been developed by Grant Zoschnick, in conjunction with 

an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions

of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. Grant Zoschnick and 

other production personnel will comply with the policies; procedures and 

conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight 

operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization.

• Pilot/ Operator Organization

Grant 

Zoschnick

49422 East Woods 

Shelby Township,

Michigan 48317

(248)-765-4269

• Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and 

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet 

of the area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the 

filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet 

if an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has 

approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined 

by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain 

features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from 

debris in the event of an accident.

• Area of Operations

Grant Zoschnick's area of operations will be in the continental United 

States of America.
• Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Grant Zoschnick will

submit a written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction 

over the specific area. The plan of activities should include the following

details:

• Dates and times for scheduled flights.

• Contact Information of production line producer or whomever in 

charge.

• Contact Information and credentials of Pilot.

• Details of aircraft being used in project.

• Proof of permission from all parties involved, those who are 

property owners along with involved subjects (flight acceptance 

release form).

• Flight description such as projected route and expected altitudes.

The three (3) day notification requirements may be waived, if accepted 

by the local FSDO office.

• Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations are conducted at less than 500 feet under the 

provisions of the certificate waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local 

officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be 

required are listed below:

• Property owners

• Law enforcement officials

• Fire department officials

• Local, State and Federal Government

• Air traffic control

Grant Zoschnick when obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever 

practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard 

permission form is provided under FORMS and may be used when obtaining 

written permission. Grant Zoschnick will assure a sufficient number of those forms 

are available on set. Collected forms will be filed for a 4 months period and 

available for inspection by the FAA.

• Security

Prior to any flight-‐taking place the pilot in charge will coordinate a safe 

perimeter for the aircraft in collaboration with the production team or 

others involved insuring no unauthorized persons come near this 

designated area. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinuing 

operations should the area(s) become compromised or for any other 

reason become a safety risk.
• Briefing of Pilot/Production Team

Prior to any flights under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures and protocols to 

participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency procedures, and

safeguards to be followed during having an aircraft on set. Personnel will

also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO 

that has geographic responsibility for the operational area, including any 

restrictions such as boundaries or time limits.

This briefing will include:

• Operations manual

• Planned activities

• Aircraft location

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production

event

• Takeoff and landing procedures

• Emergency landing

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

• Certification/ Airworthiness

All aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) 

for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness

certificates to the extent required unless specifically waived under Section

333 of the FAA Modernization and reform Act of 2012 (FMRA). However, 

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing maintenance schedule and 

inspections. The pilot in command will assure that preflight inspections 

will be performed before each flight.

• Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in 

command will formulate a plan to provide communications capability 

to all participants during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual 

or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the 

current status of the operation.

• Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB 

occur, the notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would take

place.
• Recall/ Stop Procedures

In the case of an emergency landing the safest route will be taken by the

pilot depending on the scenario and the aircraft will take a step-‐by-‐

step flight check before going back into operation.

• Manual Recap

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in Grant

Zoschnick's motion picture and television operations manual is the

primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be

jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will 

only be those specified in the Grant Zoschnick's motion picture and 

television operations manual. Each pilot’s name and certificate number

shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) 

participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before 

the scheduled event.

Each pilot-‐in-‐command conducting operations authorized under this 

certificate understands the conditions of issuance, and that it 

constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c).

Multi-‐rotor aircraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a 

manner that will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the 

takeoff and landing area.

Grant Zoschnick will ensure that the participating persons involved in 

the operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, 

communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the 

authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person 

may participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing 

on the provisions of the waiver.

• Occupation Responsibilities/ Duties

• Chief Pilot

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures 

concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison to the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual 

and obtain a signed statement from each that they have read 

and understand its contents.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are 

distributed and processed properly

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation 

performed by the production under the provisions of this

manual.

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as 
such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel 

but retains responsibility.

• Pilot in Command

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition 

and all inspections and required maintenance have been 

performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation 

under the provisions of this manual.

• Be knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and 

abide by the procedures, policies and conditions 

contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate

plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety of all persons 

involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and 

have it on site at any job or operation requiring the waiver.

PILOTS

Chief Pilot: Grant Zoschnick

P: 248-765-4269

E: Grantzphoto@iCloud.com

Aircraft’s Description

Below

1.

Manufacturer: DJI

Name: Inspire1

Platform: Multi-‐rotor/ Quad-‐copter

Size: Diameter (581mm)

Weight:

Maximum Takeoff 

Gross (7 lbs) 

Continuous Payload*
Flight Acceptance Release Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of “Grant Zoschnick” permission to 

operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property which I own or 

control, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or affiliated with, 

for the purpose of film or television production.

Name:

Title:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Sign:

Date: 

Witness: