GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

1 

## Guided&Systems&Technologies ,&Inc. Petition&for&Exemption&Under&Section&333&of&the&Federal&Aviation& Administration&(FAA)&Reform&Act&and&Part&11&of&Title&14&CFR&for&Small& Unmanned&Aircraft&Systems&(sUAS)

DOT!Docket:!____________



### Name &and&Address&of&Petitioner

Guided!Systems!Technologies,!Inc.

Attn:! Scott!Vinson
630!Red!Oak!Road Stockbridge,!GA!30281 sv@guidedsys.com (770)!878

U 9100 ,!x878GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

2 U.!S.!Department!of!Transportation

Docket!Operations 1200!New!Jersey!Ave.,!SE Washington,!DC !20590

Re:&Petition&for&an&Exemption&to&Conduct&Small&Unmanned&Airc raft&Systems&(sSUAS)&Operations& Allowed&by&Section&333&of&the&Federal&Aviation&Administration&Moder nization&and&Reform&Act&of&2012& Through&the&Exemption&Process&Under&14&C.F.R.&Part&11



## A. &Summary

Pursuant!to!Section!333!of!the!Federal!Aviation!Administration !(FAA)!Modernization!and!Reform! Act!of!2012!(“FMRA”)!and!14!C.F.R.!Part!11,! Guided!Systems!Technologies,!Inc.!(“GST ”)! (hereafter!known! as!the!“Petitioner”),!seeks!exemption!from!the!f o llowing!listed!Code!of!Federal! Regulations!(“CFR”)!to! allow!commercial!operation!of!its!Leptron!Av enger!s UAS (also !designated!the!Avenger!B!and !co

U branded!

as! the!Guided!Systems!Model!V

U 10E!s UAS) !within !the!National! Airspace!System!(NAS)!for!controlled,!
low

U risk

,! aerial!data!collection 1 conducted!within!and!under!the!conditions!outlined!herein! or!as!may!be! established!by!the! FAA,!as!required!by!Section!333!requirements.

As!described!more!fully!below,!the!requested!exemption!wo uld!permit!the!operation!of!the Avenger!sUAS!by!Petitioner!under!controlled!conditions!in!predetermined!airspace!that!is !1)!Limited!in! scope!2)!Controlled!as!to!access!by!missi on!essential!personnel!only!and! 3)!Provides!improved!safety!
controls!and!e fficiency!to!the! aerial!data!collecti on! industry!presently!using!conventio nal! aircraft.! Approval!of!this!exemption!would!thereby!enhance!safe ty!and!fulfill!the!Secretary!of! Transportation’s! (the!FAA!Administrator’s)!responsibilities!to!“...esta blish!requirements!for!the!safe! operation!of!such!

a ircraft!systems!in!the!national!airspace!system”!as!stat ed!within!Section!333(c)!of!the! FMRA.!In!making! this!determination,!the!Secretary!is!required!to!deter mine!which!types!of!sUAS!do!not! create!a!hazard!to! users!of!the!NAS!or!the!public!or!pose!a!threat !to!national!security!in!light!of!the aircraft’s!size,!weight,! speed!and!operational!capability;!Operation!of !the!sUAS!in!close!proximity!to! airports!and!population! centers;!Operation!of!a!sUAS!within!visual!line!of!sight!of!the!operator.

Grant!of!the!req uested!exemption!is!in!the!public!interest!b ased!upon!the!concise!direction! expressed!within!section!333!of!the!reform!act;!the!added!authority!granted!by!the!Act, as!amended;!an! equivalent!level!of!safety!regarding!flight!operations!as!expressed!herein,!a nd!significant! cost!savings! achieved!by!transitioning!from!traditional!manned!aerial!resources!to!sUA S .!The!petitioner!respectfully! requests!that!the!FAA!grant!the!requested!exemption!without!delay.!Peti tioner!will!operate!its!Avenger! sUAS!while!keeping!th e!documents!required!by!the!regulations!at !the!ground!control!station!and! immediately!accessible!to!the!Pilot!In!Command!(PIC)!and!by!modifi cation!of!the!required!markings! (registration!number)!of!the!sUAS!to!be!displayed!on!the!fuselage!of!the!unmanned!ai rcraft.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 !Aerial!data!collection!includes!any!remote!sensing!and!measuring!by!an!instrument(s)!aboard!the!UAS.!Examples! include!imagery!(photography,!video,!infrared,!etc.),!electronic!measurement!(precision!surveying ,!RF!analysis,! etc.),!chemical!measurement!(particulate!measurement,!etc.),!or!any!other!gathering!of!data!by!instruments!
aboard!the!UAS.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

3 

## B.&Regulations&

– &Exemptions&Requested

a. 14!C.F.R.!45.27(a),
b. 14!C.F.R.!61.113(a)!and!(b),

c. 14!C.F.R.!91.7(a),
d. 14!C.F.R.!91.105,

e. 14!C.F.R.!91.119(c),
f. 14!C.F.R.!91.121,

g. 14!C.F.R.!91.151(b),
h. 14!C.F.R.!91.405(a),

i. 14!C.F.R.!9 1.407(a)(1), j. 14!C.F.R.!91.409(a)(1)!and!(b),!and
k. 14!C.F.R.!91.417(a)!and!(b).



## C.&Corporate&Background

GST !is!a!25 !year

U old!UAS!company !with!a!long!and! well

U recognized!history!in! advanced! UAS! flight!automation!technology!and!autonomy,!in!the!design! manufacture,!integration,!automation!and! operatio n!of!unmanned!rotorcraft ,!and!in!the!practical!application! of !rotary!wing !UAS!for!tasks!that! include!intelligence,!surveillance!and!r econnaissance,! as!well!as! mapping,! survey !and!inspection.!
Petitioner’s!aut omation!technology!and!UAS!products !include!a!special!rotorcraft!variant!of!the!Cloud! Cap!Piccolo!commercial!autopilot!and!have !excel ed !in!the!safe! flight!automation!of !unmanned!platforms! for!customers!that!span!the!US!Department!of!Defense,!US!Department! of!Energy,!aerospace!primes! such!as!AAI,!AeroVironment,!L3,!Northr op!Grumman,! local!law!enforcement,!various!university!research! teams,!and!for!private!companies!engaged!in!commercial!enterprise.! !In!particular,!GST!developed,! delivers!and!supports!the!unm anned!helicopter!flight!automation!solution!employed!by!the!Leptron! Avenger!sUAS!that!is!the!subject!of!this!petition.! As!set!forth!herein,!Petitioner!seeks!to!operate!its! rotary!wi ng!Avenger!commercially!for!the !special!purpose!of!low

U risk !aerial!data!co llection!(including! precision!aerial!mapping,! infrastructure!inspection,!and!surveying ),! continuing!an!established!legacy!that! has!always!sought!the!highest!sta ndards!of!operations!and!safety

. 

## D.&Airworthiness&of&the&Avenger

A!critical!element!of!consid eration!for!grant!of!the!petition!is!evidence!of!an!equivalent!level!of! safety!for!airworthiness!of!the!sUAS.!The!FAA!has!been!authorized!to!exempt!aircraft!from!the! requirement!for!an!actual!airworthiness!certificate!in!accordance!with!the!statutory!crite ria!provided!in!
Section!333!of!PL!112

U 95!in!reference!to!49!USC!44704,!in!consideration!of!the!size,!weight,!speed,!and! limited!operating!area!associated!with! the!aircraft!and!its!operation.! However,!Petitioner!believes!it!has! achieved!compliance!with!vari ous!requirements!including!many!specifics!included!within!FAA!Order!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

4 8130.34!series!that!ensures!the!safety!of!operations.!The!criteria!set!forth!in!that!order!demands!that! substantive!documentation!concerning!the!aircraft’s!safety!has!been!compiled.



## E. &L eptron&Avenger&Summary

1.! LEPTRON!AVENGER

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!to!operate!the!Leptron!Avenger!for!limited!approved!com mercial! purposes!within!the!NAS 2 .!The!Avenger!is!a!sUAS!that!is!comprised!of!an!airborne!unmanned!aircraft! and!a!transportable! ground!station.!The!Avenger!has!a!maximum!gross!takeoff!weight!of!approximately! 35!pounds!or!less,!depending!upon!payload,!with!a!wingspan!of!72.5!inches,!a!length!of!83.93!inches,! and!a!height!of!21!inches!with!standard!gear.!The!Avenger!is!equipped!with! a!single!rotor!driven!by!a! lithium!polymer!battery!powered!10,000!Watt!electric!main!motor!and!a!2,200!watt!tail!motor.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 GST! will !submit !Aircraft!Registration!Applications!as!required,!upon!the!grant!of!the!exemptions!sought! by!this!peti tion. Figure! 1 Photo!of!a!typical !Leptron!Avenger!with! its! registration!number!displayed!in!
accordance!with!14 !C.F.R.!Part!45.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

5 2.! Proven!Operational!History!of!the!Leptron!Avenger!in!the!NAS.

The!Leptron!Avenger!is!acquiring!substantial!system!maturity.!It!is !currently!operating!safely! within!the!NAS!pursuant!to!approximately!fourteen!(14)!COAs!granted!by!the!FAA!to! entities!that!
include!the! Arlington!Texas!Police!Department,!Central!Michigan!State!University,!Texas!A&M!University!
and!New!Mexico!State!Universi ty.!!Additional!COA!granted!by!the!FAA!to!Middle!Georgia!State!College,! and!the!US!Department!of!Energy!cove r!operations!of!the!Avenger!with!direct!support!from!Guided! Systems .!!The!FAA !has also!recently!granted! a!Section!333!Exemption!for!operation!of!the !Avenger!sUAS! by!Leptron !(Exemption!Number!12086,!Regulatory!Docket!Number!FAA

U 2015

U 0433)

.

Petitioner!proposes!that!requirements!should!take!into!account!the!characteristics!of!the! particular!sUAS.!The!Avenger!is!characterized!by!a!high!degree!of!pre

U prog rammed!control,!various!
built

U in!technical!capabilities!that!limit!the!potential!for!operation!outside!of!the!operating!conditions!as! set!forth!below,!and!many!built

U in!functional,!safety!and!redundancy!features!to!ensure!a!safe!and! reliable!operation.

In !support!of!these!characteristics,!and!to!provide!the!details!for!review!by!the!FAA,!Petitioner! submits!the!following!documents!and!manuals!as!attachments!to!this!exemption!request!as!a!set!of! Confidential!Documents!under!14!CFR!11.35(b)!as!each!document!a nd!manual!contains!proprietary! information!that!the!applicant!has!not!and!will!not!share!with!others.!The!documents!and!manuals! contain!specifications,!operating!conditions!and!procedures,!maintenance!procedures!and!a!safety! management!program!that!are!not !available!to!the!public!and!are!protected!from!release!under!the! Freedom!of!Information!Act!5!USC!552!et.seq.

•!Leptron!Avenger! B!Flight!Operation’s!Manual •!Leptron!Inspection!and!Maintenance!Manual



## F.&Regulatory&Basis&for&Petition

Petitioner,!pursuan t!to !14!C.F.R.!§§!11.61(b),!11.81,! 3 !and!the!FAA!Modernization!and!Reform! Act!of!2012!(“FMRA”),!Section!333,! Special!Rules!for!Certain!Unmanned!Aircraft!Systems !(“Section!333”),! hereby!respectfully!petitions!the!Administrator!for!an!exemption!from!the!requ irements!of!14!C.F.R.!§§,! 45.27(a),!61.113(a)!and!(b),!91.7(a),!91.105,!91.119(c),!91.121,!91.151!(b),!91.405(a),!91.407(a)(1),! 91.409(a)(1)!and!(2),!91.417(a)!and!(b).

1.! Section!333!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 14!C.F.R.!§!11.61(b)!(“Using!a!petition!for!exemption,!you!may!ask!FAA!to!grant!you!relief!from!current! regulations!in!14!C.F.R.”),!14!C.F.R.!§!11.81!(“What!information!must!I!include!in!my!petition!for!an! exemption”)?GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

6 Congress!identifies!Section!333!of!the!FMRA,!as!a!pathway!for!“expedit ed!operational! authorization”!of!certain!sUAS!in!the!NAS.!Section!333!(b)(1)!(“expedited !operational!authorization.”). 4
Under!Section!333!Congress!mandates!that!the!FAA!“shall!determine!if!certain!unmanned!aircraft! systems!may!operate!safely!in!the!nationa l!airspace!system!before!completion!of!the!plan!and! rulemaking!required!by!Section!332!of!this!Act!or!the!guidance!required!by!section!334!of!this!Act”! (Section!333(a))!upon!consideration!of!its!“size,!weight,!speed,!operational!capability,!proximity!to!

ai rports!and!populated!areas,!and!operation!within!visual!line!of!sight.”!Section!333(b)(1).!If!the!FAA! makes!such!a!determination,!the!FAA!“shall![also]!establish!requirements!for!the!safe!operation.”! Section!333(c).!The!FAA!further!may!find!that!the!sUAS!d oes!not!require!“airworthiness!certification! under!section!44704!of!title!49,!United!States!Code.”!Section!333(b)(2).

2

.! 49!U.S.C.!§!44701

The!FAA!is!further!authorized!to!grant!exemptions!from!its!safety!regulations!and!minimum!
standards!under!49!U.S.C. !§!44701!(“Section!44701”)!“if!the!Administrator!finds!the!exemption!is!in!the! public!interest.”!Section!44701(f)!(authorizing!the!grant!of!exemptions!from!safety!regulations!and! minimum!standards!under!Section!44701(a)!and !(b)!and!Sections!44702

U 44716). 5

For!the!reasons!addressed!herein,!this!Petition!qualifies!for!expedited!approval!of!Petitioner’s! request!for!exemption!under!both!Section!333!of!the!FMRA!and!49!U.S.C!§!44701.



## G. Leptron&Avenger&Statutory&Criteria&for&Exemption&under&Section&

333

Given!i ts!small!size,!light!weight,!slow!speed,!limited!load!capacity,!superior!operational! capabilities,!and!that!the!operations!will!be!conducted!only!during!the!day,!under!visual!meteorological! conditions!(“VMC”),!within!Visual!Line!of!Sight!(“VLOS”)!of!the!PI C,!with!the!assistance!of!a!visual!safety! observer!(“VO”),!and!confined!within!the!boundaries!of!a!consenting!landowner’s!property!and!not!in! the!proximity!of!airports!or!populated!areas,!the

Avenger!is!the!very!category!of!sUAS!that!qualifies!for!expedit ed!approval!under!Section!333.

1.! Section!333(b)(1)!Criteria

a.! Size!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 See!also! www.faa.gov/sUAS/legislative_programs/section_333/ !(noting!that!Section!333!grants!the! FAA!“the!statutory!flexibility!to!expedite!requirements!for!the!safe!o peration!of!certain!aircraft!systems! in!the!NAS.”).

5 See!e.g. !49!USC!§44711(a)(1)!prohibiting!operations!without!airworthiness!certificate;!(2)!prohibiting! serving!as!airman!without!airman’s!certificate;!(5)!prohibiting!commercial!operations!in!violation! of! regulations);!49!USC!§44704!(issuance!of!airworthiness!certificate);!14!C.F.R.!§91.203!(a)(1)!(carry! airworthiness!certificate)).GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

7 The!Leptron!Avenger!measures!approximately!19.75!inches!in!height!and!58!inches!wide,!with!a! wingspan!of!72.5!inches.

b.! Weight The!Leptron!Avenger!has!a!maximum!gross!weight!of!35!lbs

.

c.! Speed The!Leptron!Avenger!has!a!maximum!autopilot!limited!speed!of!approximately!12!Meters!per! second!(M/S)!(24!KTS).!However,!Petitioner!typically!operates!the!aircraft!at!below!10!M/S!(20!KTS).

d.! Operational!Capability The!Leptron!Avenger!was!spe cially!designed!for!high!or!low!altitude!surveillance,!photography,! and!sensor!management.!Supported!by!electric!batteries!that!are!rechargeable,!the!Avenger!can!fly!
from!20!

– !60!minutes!(*depending!upon!atmospheric!conditions)!and!carry!a!variety!of!camer as!or! sensors.!Other!Operational!metrics!of!the!Avenger!are!as!follows:

Unmanned!Aircraft!System The!Leptron!Avenger!is!a!sUAS!that!is!comprised!of!an! unmanned!aircraft!(UA)!and!a!transportable!ground!station. It’s!flight!automation!solution!is!provided !and!supported!by! Guided!Systems!Technologies,!Inc.!(GST).!!GST!also!operates!the! Avenger!under!an!alternate!brand!name,!the!Model!V

U 10E.!!The! Avenger!and!Model!V

U 10E!are!one!and!the!same!sUAS.

Unmanned!Aircraft!Dimensions Rotor!Diameter:!72.25!in. Leng th:!83.93!in.

Engine!(Propulsive!Unit) Engine!(Propulsive!Unit) The!aircraft!uses!a!10,000!Watts!electric!main!motor!and!a! 2,200!watt!tail!motor. FAA!Motor!Type!Certificate:!None
Electric

U powered!propulsion!systems. a.!Type!of!Motor!

U !395!KV!Electric!Ma in,!900!KV!Electric!tail b.!Current!draw!range!

– !Total!System!current!draw!cruise!=!30! Amps!and!Max!total!system!current!draw!=!360!Amps
c.!All!electrical!demands!are!derived!from!the!unmanned! aircraft’s!battery!system.
Make:!LEPTRON

U AVGR !(also!known!as!GS T)
Model:!1000 !(also!known!as!the!GST!Model!V

U 10E)

Fuel Not!Applicable.

NOTE:!The!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS!is!powered!by!a!lithium! polymer!rechargeable!battery.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

8 Engine!(Propulsive!Unit)!Limits Engine!(Propulsive!Unit) The!aircraft!uses!a!10,000!Watts!el ectric!main!motor!and!a! 2,200!watt!tail!motor.

FAA!Motor!Type!Certificate:!None

Electric

U powered!propulsion!systems.

a.!!! Type!of!Motor!

U !395!KV!Electric!Main,!900!KV!Electric!tail
b.!!!! Current!draw!range!

– !Total!System!current!draw!cruise! =!30!Amps!and !Max!total!system!current!draw!=!360! Amps

c.!!!! All!electrical!demands!are!derived!from!the!unmanned! aircraft’s!battery!system.

Make:!LEPTRON

U AVGR
Model:!1000 !(also!known!as!the!GST!Model!V

U 10E)

Propeller!and!Propeller!Limits FAA!Propeller!Type!Certifi cate:!None Propeller!Type:!2

U blade,!hinged!(folding),!carbon!fiber! reinforced!plastic,!fixed!pitch,!tractor

Diameter!(Nominal):!17.25!in.

Battery!Command!&!Control Thunder!Power!Air!Vehicle!Battery!P/N!Leptron!6S!powers!the! motor,!and!battery!command!a nd!control.

Airspeed!Limits Vne!(Never!Exceed!Speed)!12!m/s Vno!(Maximum!Structural!Cruising!Speed)!48!knots!(25!m/s)! Va!(Maneuvering!Speed)!12!m/s!knots!(25!m/s) Landing!Speed:!VTOL!

– !Vertical!1.5!M/s

Empty!Weight!C.G.!Range 3

U 3.5!inches!for!or!aft !of!datum

Datum Center!of!main!rotor!shaft

Mean!Aerodynamic Chord!(MAC) NA

Leveling!Means Not!Applicable.

Maximum!Weights 14.52!KG!(35!lbs)

Empty!Weight 4.99!KG!(11!lbs)

NOTE:!Empty!Weight!Excludes!weight!of!battery!and!payload!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

9 modules.

F requencies 902

U 928!MHz!(ISM!Band) 2.4!GHz!(ISM!Band)

NOTE:!FCC!license!is!not!required!to!utilize!the!above! frequencies;!uplink!and!downlink!are!on!the!900Mhz!band.!If! video!is!utilized,!uplink,!downlink,!and!video!are!all!on
2.4!Ghz.

Computer !Hardware !& !Software Avionics!embedded!processor!

– !UTC!Aerospace!Cloud!Cap! Technologies !Hardware,!Guided!Systems!Technologies,!Inc.! Flight!Control!and!Automation!Software

Minimum!Crew (1)!The!Le ptron!Avenger! sUAS!can!be!operated!by!a!single!
operator

Number!of !Seats (0)!Not!Applicable

Fuel!Capacity Not!Applicable

Oil!Capacity Not!Applicable

Max.!Operating!Altitude 1,000!ft.!AGL!(304!M)

Control!Surface

Movements MAIN!ROTOR!

– !VARIABLE!PITCH!+/

U 5

TAIL!ROTOR!

– !VARIABLE!PITCH!+12/

U 12°

Nominal!Enduranc e 30!minutes!above!32!°F!(0!°C) 15!minutes!below!32!°F!(0!°C)

Ambient!Outside!Air Temperature!(OAT) Maximum!OAT:!120!°F!(49!°C)
Minimum!OAT!At!Altitude:!0°F

Wind!Limitation 40!MPH

Maintenance This!Leptron!Avenger!must!be!maintained!in!accordance! with! the!Leptron!Inspection!and!Maintenance!Manual !or!its!GST! Inspection!and!Maintenance!Manual!Equivalent ,!or!later!FAA! accepted!revision.

e.! Proximity!to!Airports/Population!Centers!or!AreasGST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

10 Flight!operations!pursuant!to!this!Petition!will!be!tight ly!controlled!and!restricted!to low!risk!rural!areas!within!Class!G!airspace!at!an!altitude!of!no!more!than!400!feet!above!ground!level! (“AGL”)!as!indicated!in!the!SOP.!All!altitudes!reported!to!ATC!will!be!in!AGL!when!required.!Any! operations!conducted!wi thin!5!nautical!miles!(NM)!of!the!geographic!center!of!a!non

U towered!airport! will!obtain!a!Letter!of!Agreement!with!the!appropriate!airport!management!and!made!available!to!FAA! upon!request.!In!addition,!access!to!any!property!will!be!limited!to!the!person s!associated!with!and! necessary!for!flight!operations.

f.! Visual!Line

U of

U Sight

The!minimum!crew!for!each!operation!will!consist!of!a!PIC!and!VO.!The!VO!will!be!used!as!an! additional!mitigation!to!satisfy!the!VLOS!requirement,!but!the!PIC!will!always!main tain!VLOS!with!the! sSUAS.!The!Leptron!Avenger!will!at!all!times!be!flown!by!Petitioner!only!in!the!daytime!(not!at!night)! under!VMC!within!VLOS!of!the!PIC!(typically!within!a!range!less!than!500!feet!slant!distance)!with!the!
further!assistance!of!the!VO!wi th!whom!the!PIC!will!have!the!ability!for!direct!and!continuou s!two

U way! verbal!communications 6 !so!as!to!ensure!that!the!flight!operations!remain!within!the!PIC’s!VLOS!and! prescribed!flight!boundaries!and!de

U conflict!with!objects!in!the!air!and!on!the!groun d.!Thus,!pursuant!to! the!FAA!Order!8900.1!Volume!16,!Chapter!1,!Section!3,!the!proposed!operations!will!provide!an! approved!method!of!control!and!collision!avoidance!to!satisfy!the!“see!and!avoid”!requirement!of
14!C.F.R.!§!91.113: Only!qualified!and!curre nt!PIC’s!and!VOs,!as!provided!in!the!SOP!will!be!used.

2.! Other!Factors

a.! Leptron!Avenger!Safety!Systems

Includin g!as!noted!above,!the!Avenger! s UAS!is!replete!with!MechaniSafety!Operations!
Procedures!to!ensure !safe!operations!and!protect!persons!and!pr operty!on!the!ground.!In!addition!to! having!an!experienced!operator/PIC!and!VO,!the!Avenger!sSUAS!has!a!variety!of!integrated!safety! systems,!including:

• Redundant!Communications :!The! Avenger!can!be!operated!with !two!(2)!simultaneous!
communications!links!t hat!allow!for!backup!and!safe!operations.!This!includes!a!2.4!GHz! wireless!hand!held!radio!and!a!900!MGhz!laptop!ground station!link.!Both!links!must!be! terminated!to!execute!a!‘Lost!Communication’!return!home!logic.

• Flight!Plan!Altitude!Constraints :!The! Avenger!has!the!ability!for!the!operators!to!set! Maximum!and!Minimum!flight!altitudes!for!a!specific!flight!‘corridor’!for!safe!operations.

• Flight!Safety!Logic :!The!Avenger!has!the!ability!for!the!operators!to!set!safety!return!logic! including:!Exceeding! a!pre

U set!flight!timer,!Loss!of!GPS,!Loss!of!Communications,!Max!and!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6 PIC!and!VO!are!within!speaking!distance!and!all!communications!between!PIC!and!VO!will!be!wi thout! communications!equipmen t.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

11 Min!Altitude,!and!Low!Voltage.!The!Avenger!is!also!equipped!with!Geo

U fencing!logic,!capable! of!restricting!it!within!pre

U programmable!flight!boundaries.!This!may!be!accomplished!by!

settin g!permanent!borders!on!the!ground!station!or!setting!additional!temporary!files!after! the!flight!has!begun.!Additional!features!include!fencing!off!buildings,!trees,!power!lines,! poles,!etc.

• Ground!Station!Warnings :!The!Avenger!Ground!Station!has!many!vis ual!operator!cues!for! error!conditions!such!as!low!Relative!Signal!Strength!Indicator!(RSSI)!strength,!low!battery,! low!RPM,!low!system!parameters,!and!many!other!real!time!conditions.!The!system!also!
offers!color

U coded!‘Dashboard’!lights!for!the!operator.

• Double!Entry

– !The!Avenger!Ground!Station!has!double!entry!response!window!for!all!in

U flight!parameter!changes.!This!allows!the!user!to!not!send!incorrect!information!without!
two!verification!mouse!clicks.

b.! Safety!Management!System

Leptron’s!establis hed! Safety!Management!System!(“SAFETY!OPERATIONS!PROCEDURES”)!will! regulate!Petitioner’s!operation!of!the!Avenger!and!will!significantly!contribute!to!maintaining!the!level! of!safety!contemplated!by!the!airworthiness!certificate!requirements!from!which!Pet itioner!now!seeks!
relief.

Pursuant!to!the!SAFETY!OPERATIONS!PROCEDURES!and!14!C.F.R.!§!43.13,!entitled! Performance! Rules!(general) ,!each!person!performing!maintenance,!alteration,!or!preventive!maintenance!on!the! Avenger,!motor,!propeller,!or!appliance!sh all!use!the!methods,!techniques,!and!practices!prescribed!in!
the!current!manufacturer's! Inspection!and!Maintenance Manual !or!Instructions!for!Continued! Airworthiness!prepared!by!its!manufacturer,!or!other!methods,!techniques,!and!practices!acceptable!to!
th e!Administrator.!Each!person!shall!use!the!tools,!equipment,!and!test!apparatus!necessary!to!assure! completion!of!the!work!in!accordance!with!accepted!industry!practices.

c.! Flight!Operation!Limitations!and!Safety

To!ensure!consistent!safety!operations,! Petitioner!has!developed!a!detailed!Flight!Operations! Manual!(FOM)!for!the!Leptron!Avenger!sSUAS!based!on!extensive!use!and!experience,!procedures!and! notices!provided!by!Leptron ,!and!guidance!the!FAA!has!provided!to!obtain!exemption!under!Section! 333,!(su bmitted!on!a!proprietary!and!confidential!basis!to!the!FAA).

In!seeking!this!exemption,!Petitioner!proposes!to!operate!the!Avenger!pursuant!to!the!following! specific!operating!limitations,!as!also!addressed!in!the!SOP:

1.! Flight!operations!are!permitted !only!in!Class!G!Airspace.

2.! The!Avenger!shall!only!be!operated!at!or!below!400!ft!AGL.

3.! The!Avenger!shall!be!operated!within!VLOS!of!the!PIC!and!safety!VO.

4.! The!Avenger!shall!be!operated!pursuant!to!Day!Visual!Flight!Rules!(VFR)!in!visual!
meteorol ogical!conditions!(VMC).!The!Avenger!shall!be!operated!only!during!daylight!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

12 hours! (i.e. !between!the!end!of!morning!civil!twilight!and!the!beginning!of!evening!civil! twilight,!as!published!in!the!American!Air!Almanac,!converted!to!local!time).

5.! The!Aveng er!shall!operate!from!on

U site!takeoff/landing!locations!directly!next!to!the!PIC!
and!co

U located!VO.!The!PIC!and!the!VO!shall!be!able!to!verbally!communicate!during!all! operations.

6.! Operations!shall!be!conducted!by!certificated!airmen!who!possess!a!minim um!of!a! Private!Pilot’s!Certificate!and!a!valid!third!class!medical!certificate,!as!well!as!completed! training,!checking,!currency,!and!recency!of!experience.

7.! The!PIC!requirements!will!include!the!following:

a.! FAA!licensed!airman!possess!a!minimum!of !a!Private!Pilot’s!Certificate!and!a!
valid!third!class!medical!certificate.
b.! The!PIC!shall!have!accumulated!and!logged!(in!a!manner!consistent!with!14! C.F.R.!§!61.51(b))!a!minimum!of!50!flight!cycles!and!12!hours!of!total!time!as! a!sUAS!rotorcraft!pilot !and!at!least!ten!hours!as!a!sUAS!pilot!with!a!similar! sUAS!type!(dual

U rotor),!such!log!of!which!shall!be!made!available!to!the! Administrator!upon!request.

c.! The!PIC!shall!have!accumulated!and!logged!(in!a!manner!consistent!with!14! C.F.R.!§!61.51(b))!a!m inimum!of!five!flight!hours!as!a!sUAS!pilot!operating! the!make!and!model!of!sUAS!to!be!used!for!operations!under!the!exemption! (e.g.!Leptron!Avenger)!and!three!take

U offs!and!three!landings!in!the! preceding!90!days,!such!log!of!which!shall!be!made!available !to!the! Administrator!upon!request.
d.! Have!successfully!completed!the!qualification!process!as!specified!in!the! SOP!to!include!a!knowledge!and!skill!test!in!accordance!with!the!Aircrew! Training!Manual.

e.! Meet!flight!review!requirements!as!specified!in! 14!CFR!§61.56!in!an!aircraft! in!which!the!PIC!is!rated!on!their!pilot!certificate.

8.! The!PIC!and!VO!will!have!been!trained!in!the!operation!of!sUAS!generally!and!received!

up

U to

U date!information!on!Avenger!operations.

9.! The!VO!will!hold!at!least!a!third !class!medical!and!will!have!training!to!communicate!to! the!PIC!any!instructions!necessary!for!safe!operations.

10. If!a!pilot!certificate!holder!other!than!the!PIC,!who!possesses!the!necessary!PIC! qualifications,!is!also!present!during!flight!operations,! that!person!can!also!be! designated!as!PIC!and!will!follow!the!procedures!as!defined!within!the!FOM!to!assume!
control.

11.! A!briefing!will!be!conducted!in!regard!to!the!planned!operations!prior!to!each!flight!as!
detailed!within!the!SOP.!It!will!be!mandator y!that!all!personnel!who!are!performing! duties!within!the!boundaries!of!the!flight!operations!safety!perimeter!be!present!for!the! briefing.

12.! The!Avenger!will!only!operate!within!a!confined!geographic!area!as!defined!in!the! subsequent!COA.

13.! At!least !three!(3)!days!before!scheduled!operations,!operator!shall!submit!a!written!Plan! of!Activities!to!the!local!Flight!Standards!District!Office!(FSDO)!with!jurisdiction!over!the! area!of!proposed!operations,!such!submission!of!which!may!be!waived!with!the!

con currence!of!the!FSDO.!If!required!by!the!FSDO!to!be!submitted,!the!Plan!of!Activities!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

13 shall!include:!dates!and!times!for!all!flights;!operator’s!and!on

U scene!flight!operator’s! name!and!phone!number;!sUAS!make,!model!and!serial!or!N

U number;!PIC’s!name!and!

c ertificate!number;!statement!that!the!operator!has!obtained!permission!from!property! owners!and/or!local!officials!to!conduct!the!operations!(such!list!of!those!who!gave! permission!to!be!made!available!upon!request);!description!of!the!planned !flight!

activ ity,!including,!as! applicable,!maps!or!diagrams!of!the!area,!city,!town,!county!and/or! state!over!which!the!operation!will!be!conducted,!and!the!altitudes!essential!to! accomplish!the!operation;!signature!of!the!exemption!holder!or!representative.

14.! Peti tioner!will!obtain!an!Air!Traffic!Organization!(ATO)!issued!COA!prior!to!conducting! any!actual!flight!operations.

15. Petitioner!will!file!a!NOTAM!for!each!flight!no!more!than!72!hours!but!no!less!than!48! hours!prior!to!each!flight!with!the!appropriate!FSD O.

16.! Any!operations!that!will!be!conducted!within!5!nautical!miles!(NM)!of!the!geographic!
center!of!a!non

U towered!airport!will!obtain!a!Letter!of!Agreement!with!the!appropriate! airport!management!and!made!available!to!FAA!upon!request.

17.! Prior!to!fli ght!operations,!Petitioner!shall!coordinate!1!hour!ahead!of!the!proposed!flight! a!communication!with!the!nearest!local!Air!Traffic!Control!facility!indicating!location,! altitude!and!duration!of!the!proposed!flight.

18.! All!required!permissions!and!permits !will!be!obtained!from!territorial,!state,!county!or! city!jurisdictions,!including!local!law!enforcement,!fire,!or!other!appropriate! governmental!agencies!at!least!12!hours!in!advance!of!any!flight!operation.

19.! The!Avenger!shall!be!marked!with!an!identi fication!(N

U Number)!in!accordance!with!14! C.F.R.!§!45.23,!such!markings!to!be!as!large!as!practicable!pursuant!to!14!C.F.R.!§! 45.29(f),!and!identified!by!a!serial!number!registered!in!accordance!with!14!C.F.R.!Part!

47.

20.! All!flights!will!remain!clear!an d!yield!the!right!of!way!to!all!other!manned!operations!and! activities!at!all!times,!including,!but!not!limited!to:!ultralight!vehicles,!parachute! activities,!parasailing!activities,!hang!gliders,!etc.

21.! Flights!will!not!be!operated!less!than!500!feet!b elow!or!less!than!2,000!feet!horizontally! from!a!cloud!or!when!visibility!is!less!than!3!statute!miles!from!the!PIC.

22. For!the!proposed!flight!operation,!only!one!Avenger!shall!be!airborne!at!any!given!time.

23.! The!Avenger!shall!only!be!operated!at!or! below!an!airspeed!of!12!Meters!Per!Second! (24kts).

24.! Prior!to!performing!any!flight!operations,!the!PIC!and!VO!shall!have!successfully! completed!a!qualifying!process,!as!provided!in!the!FOM!and!SOP.

25.! Any!time!the!UA!is!operating,!all!documents!requi red!under!14!C.F.R.!§!91.9!and!§!
91.203!shall!be!available!to!the!PIC!at!the!GCS.!Such!documents!shall!be!made!available! to!the!Administrator!or!any!law!enforcement!official!upon!request.

26.! The!UA!shall!not!be!operated!directly!over!any!person,!except!a uthorized!and! consenting!personnel!required!for!flight/imaging!operations,

27.! Prior!to!performing!any!flight!operations,!a!pre

U flight!checklist!will!be!used!by!a!qualified! PIC!as!provided!in!the!SOP.!Documentation!of!such!pre

U flight!check!shall!be!made!i n!the! aircraft!records!and!such!records!shall!be!made!available!to!the!Administrator!upon!
request.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

14 28.! The!radio!frequency!spectrum!used!for!operation!and!control!of!the!UA!shall!comply! with!the!requirements!of!the!SOP.!The!Avenger!shall!at!all!times!be!o perated!to!ensure! a!safe!distance!away!from!all!participating!and!non

U participating!personnel,!at!least!500! feet!away!from!persons!not!involved!in!the!flight!operations!(non

U participating!persons).! This!distance!may!be!reduced!to!no!less!than!200!feet!if!i t!would!not!adversely!affect! safety!and!such!person!provides!his/her!prior!consent.

29.! Other!than!for!takeoff!and!landing,!the!UA!shall!be!operated!at!least!100!feet!away!from! persons!involved!in!the!flight!operations!(participating!persons),!such!partic ipating! persons!shall!at!all!times!be!essential!to!the!flight!operations!and!have!provided!prior! written!consent!to!their!participation!in!such!operations.

30.! The!flight!will!be!terminated!at!20%!battery!power!reserve!or!12!minutes,!whichever!
occurs!firs t.
31.! Prior!to!each!flight,!the!PIC!shall!inspect!the!Avenger,!including!any!inoperable! components,!items!or!equipment,!to!ensure!it!is!in!an!airworthy!condition!for!safe!flight.! If!the!inspection!reveals!a!condition!that!affects!flight!readiness!or!safe !operations,!the! Avenger!shall!not!be!operated!until!the!necessary!maintenance!has!been!performed!and! it!is!found!to!be!in!a!condition!for!safe!flight.!Any!discrepancies!and!all!maintenance!or! alterations!shall!be!documented!in!the!aircraft!records,!such!r ecor ds!to!be!made!
available!to!the! Administrator!upon!request.

32.! Except!as!may!be!designated!otherwise!for!Fail

U Safe!operations,!the!Avenger!shall!take! off!and!land!at!a!location!within!the!boundaries!of!the!subject!property!next!to!the!PIC.

33.! Upon!l oss!of!communication!or!GPS!signal,!the!Avenger!shall!return!to!a!predetermined! location!within!the!boundaries!of!the!landowner’s!property!and!land!or!be!recovered!in!
accordance!with!the!FOM.

34.! In!the!event!of!an!emergency!or!unanticipated!obstacle!to!p lanned!operations,!the! operation!shall!be!aborted!and!the!Avenger,!if!airborne,!shall!return!to!a!predetermined!
location.

35.! The!Avenger!shall!be!maintained!in!accordance!with!the!manufacturer’s!Maintenance! Manual,!including!any!amendments!or!updates!the reto.!All!amendments!or!updates! shall!be!tracked!and!a!record!of!such!amendments!or!updates!shall!be!maintained!and! made!available!to!the!Administrator!upon!request.

36.! All!maintenance!to!be!performed!on!the!Avenger!shall!be!performed!by!a!technician!

qua lified!pursuant!to!the!criteria!provided!in!the!Maintenance!Manual.

37.! The!operator!shall!follow!the!manufacturer’s!aircraft/component,!maintenance,! overhaul,!replacement,!inspection!and!life!limit!requirements,!as!provided!in!the! Inspection!and!Maintena nce!Manual.!Any!incident,!accident!or!flight!operation!that! transgresses!the!lateral!or!vertical!boundaries!of!the!operational!area!as!defined!by!the! applicable!COA!shall!be!reported!to!the!FAA’s!UAS!Integration!Office!within!24!hours.!
Accidents!shall!also !be!reported!to!the!National!Transportation!Safety!Board!(NTSB).! Further!flight!operations!shall!not!be!conducted!until!the!incident,!accident!or! transgression!is!reviewed!by!the!UAS!Integration!Office!and!authorization!to!resume! operations!is!provided.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

15 c. Privacy

Petitioner!will!comply!with!all!federal,!state,!and/or!local!privacy!regulations!that!may!apply!in! the!areas!in!which!Petitioner!will!operate!the!Avenger!pursuant!to!this!Petition.!Further,!Petitioner’s! policy!is!to!avoid!operations!that!might !invade!personal!privacy!in!accordance!with!Petitioner’s!privacy! policy!available!to!the!administrator!upon!request.

d. Physical!Security

In!order!to!ensure!its!safe!and!proper!use,!Petitioner!will!be!the!only!operator!of!the!Avenger! and!the!Avenger!will !at!all!times!remain!in!Petitioner’s!custody.

3. History!of!Safe!Operations!Flying!the!Leptron!Avenger

Arlington!Texas!Police!Department.!The!Leptron!Avenger!has!been!operated!successfully!in!Class! B!airspace!with!the!Arlington!Police!Department.!Petitio ner’s!flight!team!has!used!the!equipment!in! both!urban!and!residential!areas.!Petitioner!also!has!other!COA’s!with!Central!Michigan!University,! Texas!A&M!University,!and!the!US!Department!of!Agriculture.!Additionally!the!Avenger!has!been!given!a! US!Army!AW R!under!the!US!Army!AED!process. !!GST!has!specifically!supported!safe!and!successful! operation!of!the!Avenger!under!FAA!COA!issued!to!Middle!Georgia!State!College!for!agricultural! research!flights!and!for!demonstration!of!safe!sUAS!operations!at!public!eve nts!that!include!the!Sunbelt! Expo!in!Moultrie,!GA.

4. Lack!of!Threat!to!the!NAS,!Public,!or!National!Security

For!the!reasons!previously!addressed,!including!meeting!Section!333(b)(1)!criteria,!Petitioner’s! established!record!of!safety!and!the!small!size !of!the!sUAS!involved!and!the!controlled!sterile!area! within!which!they!will!operate,!Petitioner!falls!squarely!within!that!zone!of!safety!(an!equivalent!level!of! safety)!in!which!Congress!envisioned!that!the!FAA!must,!by!exemption,!allow!commercial!operat ions!of! sUASs!to!commence!immediately.!Petitioner!has!previously!demonstrated!that!the!Leptron!Avenger! sUAS!will!be!operated!safely!in!the!NAS!without!creating!a!hazard!to!other!aircraft!or!persons!or! property!on!the!ground!or!pose!a!threat!to!national!sec urity.!Further,!given!its!small!size!and!limit!load! capacity,!the!Avenger!sUAS!is!incapable!of!carrying!any!substantial!external!load,!including!explosive! materials!or!flammable!liquids.

For!all!of!these!reasons,!Petitioner’s!proposed!operations!using!the !Leptron!Avenger!qualify!for! expedited!approval!of!the!sought!exemption!pursuant!to!Section!333!for!the!specified!uses!and!under! the!proposed!operating!requirements!and!restrictions.



## H.&Public&Interest&Benefits

Granting!Petitioner’s!request!for!exemption !would!benefit!the!public!and!have!no!adverse!effect!on! safety!for!the!following!reasons.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

16 1.! Public!Interest!Generally

The!Leptron!Avenger!is!a!battery!powered!sUAS!that!serves!as!a!safer,!more!efficient,!and!economical! alternative!to!larger!and!heavie r!manned!aircraft!carrying!flammable!liquid!fuels,!traditionally!use!for!
aerial! data!collection .!This!will!provide!for!an!added!superior!level!of!safety!to!persons!and!property!in! the!air!and!on!the!ground!than!that!provided!by!manned!aircraft!performing!t he!same!operations.!No! pilot!or!crew!need!be!airb orne!and!granting!the!exemption! would!also!decrease!the!number!of!manned! aircraft!in!the!NAS!and,!as!a!result,!reduce!congestion!as!well!as!the!environmental!impact!of!such! operations.!Using!the!Avenger!also !provides!the!benefit!of!greater!operational!flexibility!and!reduced! cost!when!compared!to!manned!aircraft.

(a) Increased!Aircrew!Safety!and!Reduced!Risk!to!Persons/Property!On!Ground

Because!the!Avenger!is!unmanned,!the!proposed!operations!eliminate!the!ris k!to!pilot!and!crew! associated!with!flying!such! aerial !data!collection !missions!in!confined!airspace!at!low!altitude.!Further,! given!its!small!size!and!weight!and!low!airspeed,!using!the!Avenger!also!reduces!the!risk!of!damage!or! injury!to!persons!or!prope rty!on!the!ground,!and!in!the!air,!were!there!to!be!an!unforeseen!mishap.

(b) Reduced!Environmental!Impact

Using!the!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS!instead!of!manned!aircraft!also!benefits!the!public!by! eliminating!or!greatly!reducing!air!and!noise!pollution!associate d!with!traditional!aerial!surveying! operations.!Because!it!is!battery!powered!and!uses!electric!motors,!the!Avenger!sUAS!consumes!no!fuel,! generates!no!air!pollution,!and!creates!very!little!noise.!As!a!result,!the!public!is!benefited!as!a!result!of!
reduce d!environmental!impact,!reduced!operator!and!other!human!exposure,!and!greater !fuel! conservation,!which!serve !additionally!to!support!our!Government’s!specific!efforts!to!reduce!the!U.S.’s! carbon!footprint. 7

(c) Fewer!Manned!Aircraft!in!the!NAS!and!Reduced!Ne ed!for!ATC!Handling

The!Leptron!Avenger!also!does!not!require!a!runway!or!helipad!to!takeoff!or!land!and!will!not!be! operated!within!the!close!proximity!of!any!airports!without!prior!FAA!approval.!As!such,!fewer!aircraft! will!need!to!be!handled!by!air!tra ffic!control!during!ground,!takeoff,!departure,!arrival,!and!landing! phases.!Operations!pursuant!to!this!Petition!will!further!reduce!the!number!of!manned!aircraft!flying!or! transiting!at!or!above!500’!AGL!to!and!from!the!areas!of! aerial!data!collection !as !well!as!congestion! around!airports!due!to!aircraft!arrival!and!departure.

(d) Superior!Aerial!Imagery!and!Increased!Benefit!to!U.S.!Economy

Better!aerial!footage!can!also!be!obtained!using!the!small!and!nimble!Avenger!than!can!be! obtained!using!manned!aircr aft!or!other!ground

U based!methods.!Due!to!its!small!size!and!superior!flight! performance!characteristics,!the!Avenger!allows!for!images!to!be!taken!from!certain!locations!and!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 Reducing!the!U.S.’s!carbon!footprint!is!a!high!priority!and!consistent!with!the!U.S.!Environmental! Protection!Agency’s!regulatory!efforts!to!phase!out!the!use!of!fos sil!fuels.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

17 angles!and!with!better!precision!than!using!manned!aircraft.!As!a!result,!less!ti me!is!needed!in the!air!to! obtain!the!desired!footage,!which!in!addition!to!providing!the!benefit!of!fewer!aircraft!in!the!NAS!and! associated!reduced!risk!to!objects!and!persons!and!property!in!the!air!and!on!the!ground,!reduced! noise,!etc.,! allows!for!the !production!of!surveys ,!which!benefits!consumers.!This!additionally!ensure s! that!companies!such!as!GST !and!its!customers!remain!competitive!and!profitable,!thereby!providing! their!employees!greater!job!stability,!which!ultimately!contributes!further!to!the !U.S.!economy!through! increased!consumer!spending.

(e) Increased!Operational!Flexibility!and!Reduced!Cost

Using!the!Leptron!Avenger!also!provides!the!benefit!of!greater!operational!flexibility!and! reduced!cost!when!compared!to!manned!aircraft.!Instead!of!eac h!time!having!to!hire!a!manned!aircraft! at!thousands!of!dollars/hour,!subject!to!the!pilot’s!schedule!and!availability,!Petitioner!can!operate!the! Avenger,!which!it!has!purchased!and!outfitted!at!lower!combined!cost,!innumerable!times!and!at!the!

convenienc e!of!Petitioner’s!and!its!customer’s!schedules.

2.! No!Adverse!Safety!Effects

Granting!this!Petition!will!also!not!adversely!affect!aviation!safety!or!pose!any!undue!risks!to!the! public.!The!operations!pursuant!to!this!Petition!will!be!in!accordance!with! Petitioner’s!internal!safety! Manuals,!including!approved!processes!and!checklists!and!in!compliance!with!all!applicable!FAA!safety! policies!and!guidance.!Accordingly,!and!as!detailed!herein,!granting!the!requested!exemption!would!not! adversely!affect!safet y.!Indeed,!as!detailed!below,!operations!pursuant!to!the!limitations!and!guidelines! addressed!herein!and!the!safety!procedures,!Petitioner!will!provide!an!equivalent!level!of!safety!to! those!regulations!from!which!Petitioner!seeks!exemption.!The!FAA!has!al so!recently!set!precedence!by! granting!exemptions!with!similar!aerial!imaging!and!filming!parameters!in!all!material!respects,!to!those! presented!herein!(e.g.!Exemption!Nos.!11062!(Astraeus!Aerial),!11063!(Snaproll!Media!LLC),!11064!(RC!
Pro!Productions!Con sulting,!dba!Vortex!Aerial),!11065!(HeliVideo!Productions,!LLC),!11066!(Aerial!MOB,! LLC)!and!11067!(Pictorvision!Inc.).!! The!FAA !has !also!recently!granted! a!Section!333!Exemption!for! operation!of!the!Avenger!sUAS!by!Leptron!(Exemption!Number!12086,!Regulat ory!Docket!Number!FAA

U 2015

U 0433).

For!these!reasons! GST’s !operations!pursuant!to!this!Petition!also!qualify!for!an!exemption.



## I. Exemptions&Sought&By&Petitioner&and&Reasons&For&The&Requested&
Relief

Pursuant!to!Section!333,!Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption! from!the!requirements!of!14!C.F.R.!§§! 45.27(a),!61.113(a)!and!(b),!91.7(a),!91.105,!91.119(c),!91.121,!91.151(b),!91.405(a),!91.407(a)(1)!and!(2),! 91.409(a)(1)!and!(2),!91.417(a)!and!(b).

1.! Section!45.27(a).!Location!of!marks;!non!fixed

U wing!aircraft.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

18 Section!45.27,!entitled!Location!of!marks;!nonfixed

U wing!aircraft,!subsection!(a)!states!(emphasis! added):

(a) Rotorcraft.!Each!operator!of!a!rotorcraft!must!display!on!that!rotorcraft!horizontally!on!both! surfaces!of!the!cabin,!fuselage,!boom,!or!tail!the!ma rks!required!by!§!45.23.

To!the!extent!subsection!45.27(a)!may!be!deemed!to!apply!to!the!Avenger!sUAS,!Petitioner! seeks!an!exemption!from!the!subsection!(i.e.,!that!the!marks!be!displayed!on!both!surfaces!of!the!cabin,! fuselage,!boom,!or!tail)!because!the !Avenger!sUAS!is!of!insufficient!size!to!accommodate!any!such! marking.!Thus!marking!the!Avenger!sUAS!as!required!by!this!subsection!would!not!be!possible.

An!equivalent!level!of!safety!can!be!provided!instead!by!marking!the!Avenger!sUAS,!as!may!be! applica ble,!with!lettering!as!large!as!practicable!(14!C.F.R.!§!45.29(f))!on!its!largest!available!surface!so!as! to!permit!such!marking!to!be!displayed!to!pilot,!crew,!and!others!both!when!the!Avenger!sUAS!is!on!the! ground!and!airborne!(see!Figure!1).

2. Secti on!61.113(a)!and!(b).!Private!pilot!privileges!and!limitations:!Pilot!in!command.

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!61.113(a)!and!(b).!Section!61.113,!entitled! Private! pilot!privileges!and!limitations:!Pilot!in!command ,!subsections!(a)!and!(b)! state!(emphasis!added):

(a) Except!as!provided!in!paragraphs!(b)!through!(h)!of!this!section,! no!person!who!holds!a! private!pilot!certificate!may!act!as!pilot!in!command!of!an!aircraft!that!is!carrying! passengers!or!property!for!compensation!or!hire;!nor!may! that!person,!for!compensation!or! hire,!act!as!pilot!in!command!of!an!aircraft.

(b) A!private!pilot!may,!for!compensation!or!hire,!act!as!pilot!in!command!of!an!aircraft!in! connection!with!any!business!or!employment!if:

(1)!The!flight!is!only!incidental!to!th at!business!or!employment;!and

(2)!The!aircraft!does!not!carry!passengers!or!property!for!compensation!or!hire.

In!general,!subsections!61.113!(a)!and!(b)!prohibit!a!private!pilot!from!conducting!commercial! operations.!Petitioner!seeks!exemption!from!the !subsections!because!the!sUAS!will!not!carry!a!pilot,! passengers!or!property!(other!than!a!camera).!As!addressed,!the!Leptron!Avenger!is!a!very!light,! remotely!controlled!sUAS!with!no!pe rsons!or!property!on!board.!The! area!of!operations!is!generally!

remote !or!sparsely!populated.!Each!flight!is!planned!and!fully!coordinated!in!advance!in!accordance!with! those!procedures! p rovided!in!the !SOP .!Thus!the!risk!associated!with!the!proposed!operations!is!so! diminished!from!that!associated!with!commercial!operations! contemplated!by!Part!61,!that!allowing!a! PIC!having!a!private!pilot!certificate,!rather!than!a!commercial!certificate,!met!the!minimum!flight!hour! and!qualification!criteria,!and!operating!according!to!the!limitations!and!guidelines!provided!herein,!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

19 provid es!a!level!of!safety!that!exceeds!that!provided!by!a!pilot!having!a!commercial!certificate!operating! a!conventional!aircraft!as!required!under!the!regulations.

The!FAA!has!already!set!precedence!by!previously!granted!exemptions!in!circumstances!similar,!

i n!all!material!respects,!to!those!presented!herein.

3.! Section!91.7(a).!Civil!Aircraft!Airworthiness

.

Either!finding!that!Petitioner!meets!the!Section!333!criteria!or!exemption!from!the! airworthiness!certification!requirement!under!14!C.F.R.!Part!21!ren ders!subsection!91.7(a)!inapplicable.

Section!91.7,!entitled! Civil!aircraft!airworthiness ,!subsection!(a)!states!(emphasis!added):!“No! person!may!operate!a!civil!aircraft!unless!it!is!in!an! airworthy!condition .”!There!is!no!FAA!standard!by!
which!such!a!de termination!of!airworthiness!can!be!made.!Nonetheless,!given!the!limitations!and! procedures,!as!contained!herein,! the!Safety!Procedures!contained!within!the!SOP,!the!FOM!and!the! Maintenance!Manual,!f or!maintaining!the!aircraft!and!checking!it!before!each!f light!to!ensure!that!it!is!in! peak!operational!condition,!an!equivalent!level!of!safety!will!be!provided.

3. Section!91.105.!Flight!crewmembers!at!stations.

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!91.105.!Section!91.105,!entitled! Flight!
crewmembers! at!stations ,!states!(emphasis!added):

(a) During!takeoff!and!landing,!and!while!en!route,!each!required!flight!crewmember!shall

—

(1) Be!at!the!crewmember!station !unless!the!absence!is!necessary!to!perform!duties!in! connection!with!the!operation!of!the!aircra ft!or!in!connection!with!physiological! needs;!and

(2) Keep!the!safety!belt!fastened !while!at!the!crewmember!station.

!(b) Each!required!flight!crewmember!of!a!U.S.

U registered!civil!aircraft!shall,!during!takeoff!and! landing,! keep!his!or!her!shoulder!harness! fastened!while!at!his!or!her!assigned!duty!station. This!paragraph!does!not!apply!if

—

(1) The!seat!at!the!crewmember's!station!is!not!equipped!with!a!shoulder!harness;!or,

(2) The!crewmember!would!be!unable!to!perform!required!duties!with!the!shoulder!
harness!fa stened.

In!general,!Section!91.105!requires!pilot!and!crew!to!be!at!their!duty!stations!and!harnessed! during!flight.!Petitioner!seeks!exemption!from!the!Section!91.105!because!the!Avenger!sUAS!is!by! definition!an!unmanned!aircraft,!having!neither!pilot!no r!crew!so!as!to!be!stationed!or!harnessed!as! required!by!the!regulation.!An!equivalent!or!even!higher!level!of!safety!can!be!provided!instead!by!using!GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

20 an!unmanned!aircraft!controlled!by!a!PIC!who!at!all!times!is!located!at!and!controls!the!sUAS!from!the!

GC S.

4. Section!91.119(c).!Minimum!safe!altitudes

.

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!91.119(c).!Section!91.119,!entitled! Minimum!safe!
altitudes:!General ,!subsection!(d)!states!(emphasis!added):

Except!when!necessary!for!takeoff!or!landing,!no!p erson!may!operate!an!aircraft!below!the! following!altitudes:

(c) Over!other!than!congested!areas .!An!altitude!of! 500!feet!above!the!surface ,!except!over! open!water!or!sparsely!populated!areas.!In!those!cases,!the!aircraft!may!not!be!operated!
closer!than!500!f eet!to!any!person,!vessel,!vehicle,!or!structure.

Section!91.119(c)!establishes!safe!altitudes!for!operation!of!civil!aircraft!over!other!than! congested!areas.!Petitioner!seeks!exemption!from!subsection!91.119(c)!because,!pursuant!to!this! Petition,!the!Av enger!sUAS!will!at!times!be!operated!at!or!below!400!feet!AGL.

An!equivalent!or!even!higher!level!of!safety!can!be!provided!instead!by,!as!provided!herein,! operating!so!as!to!de

U conflict!with!manned!vehicles!operating!above!500!feet!AGL,!within!the!VLOS!o f! the!PIC!with!the!assistance!of!a!VO!so!as!to!ensure!the!safety!of!and!de

U confliction!with!any!persons!or! property!in!the!air!and!on!the!ground,!including!participating!and!non

U participating!personnel,!100!feet! and!500!feet,!respectively,!away!from!who!th e!UA!would!generally!be!restricted.!Further!the!Avenger! sUAS!flight!operations!will!be!monitored!at!all times!by!both!the!PIC!and!VO!and!will!be!in!compliance! with!local!public!safety!requirements,!so!as!to!prevent!access!to!the!restricted!areas!of!operati on.

The!FAA!has!set!precedence!by!previously!granted!exemptions!in!circumstances!similar,!in!all! material!respects,!to!those!presented!herein.

5. Section!91.121.!Altimeter!settings.

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!91.121.!Section!91.121,!en titled! Altimeter!settings

,! requires!each!person!operating!an!aircraft!to!maintain!cruising!altitude!by!reference!to!an!altimeter!that! is!set!“...to!the!elevation!of!the!departure!airport!or!an!appropriate!altimeter!setting!available!before! departure.”!Petiti oner!seeks!exemption!from!Section!91.121!because!the!Avenger!sUAS!does!not!use!or! have!on!board!a!typical!barometric!altimeter!as!contemplated!by!the!regulation.!Instead,!the!Avenger!
sUAS!has!a!laser!altimeter!to!maintain!altitude.

Note:!An!equivalent!lev el!of!safety!will!be!provided!instead,!by!operating!the!sUAS!at!or!below!400!feet! AGL,!within!the!VLOS!of!the!PIC!(with!the!assistance!of!a!VO),!with!laser!altimeter!information! downlinked!from!the!SUAS!to!the!PIC!to!maintain!altitude!and!ensure!safety.!Pr ior!to!each!flight,!a!zero! altitude/AGL!will!be!established!at!the!launch!site,!as!confirmed!for!accuracy!by!the!PIC.

6.! Section!91.151(b).!Fuel!requirements!for!flight!in!VFR!conditions.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

21 Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!91.151(b).!Section!9 1.151(b),!entitled! Fuel! requirements!for!flight!in!VFR!conditions ,!states!(emphasis!added):

(b) No!person!may!begin!a!flight!in!a!rotorcraft!under!VFR!conditions!unless!(considering!wind! and!forecast!weather!conditions)!there!is!enough!fuel!to!fly!to!the!firs t!point!of!intended! landing!and,!assuming!normal!cruising!speed,!to!fly! after!that!for!at!least!20!minutes

.

The!Leptron!Avenger!is!an!unmanned!aircraft,!and!thus!would!not!begin!a!flight!with!a!person!in! it!as!the!regulation!contemplates.!To!the!extent!th e!regulation!applies!to!the!Avenger,!the!Avenger!has!a! maximum!flight!duration!of!60!minutes,!depending!upon!atmospheric!conditions!and!type!of!camera!or!

sensor.

An!equivalent!level!of!safety!can!be!achieved!by!terminating!the!flight!at!20%!battery!power! reserve!or!12!minutes!whichever!occurs!first,!as!provided!in!the!FOM.!Given!that!the!Avenger!will!be! operated!within!the!VLOS!of!the!PIC,!within!the!confines!of!the!particular!landowner’s!property!with! prior!written!consent!of!the!landowner!and!participati ng!and!non

U participating!personnel,!this! restriction!would!provide!more!than!enough!battery!reserve!to!accommodate!a!safe!return!to!the! landing!zone!from!anywhere!in!the!operating!area!with!no!adverse!effect!on!the!safety!of!persons!and! property!in!the!air !or!on!the!ground.

The!FAA!has!set!precedence!by!previously!granted!exemptions!in!circumstances!similar,!in!all! material!respects,!to!those!presented!herein.

7. Sections!91.405(a),!91.407(a)(1),!91.409(a)(2),!91.417(a)!and!(b).!Maintenance! inspections!a nd!recording

.

Section!91.405(a),!entitled! Maintenance!required ,!states:

Each!owner!or!operator!of!an!aircraft

—

(a) Shall!have!that!aircraft!inspected!as!prescribed!in!subpart!E!of!this!part!and!shall!between! required!inspections,!except!as!provided!in!parag raph!(c)!of!this!section,!have!discrepancies! repaired!as!prescribed!in!part!43!of!this!chapter;

Section!91.407(a)(1),!entitled! Operation!after!maintenance,!preventive!maintenance,!rebuilding,!or!
alteration ,!states:

(a) No!person!may!operate!any!aircraft! that!has!undergone!maintenance,!preventive! maintenance,!rebuilding,!or!alteration!unless

—

(1) It!has!been!approved!for!return!to!service!by!a!person!authorized!under!§!43.7! of!this!chapter;GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

22 Section!91.409!(a)(2),!entitled! Inspections ,!states:

(a) Except !as!provided!in!paragraph!(c)!of!this!section,!no!person!may!operate!an!aircraft! unless,!within!the!preceding!12!calendar!months,!it!has!had

—

(1) An!annual!inspection!in!accordance!with!part!43!of!this!chapter!and!has!been! approved!for!return!to!service!b y!a!person!authorized!by!§!43.7!of!this! chapter;!or (2) An!inspection!for!the!issuance!of!an!airworthiness!certificate!in!accordance! with!part!21!of!this!chapter.

No!inspection!performed!under!paragraph!(b)!of!this!section!may!be!substituted!for!any! inspe ction!required!by!this!paragraph!unless!it!is!performed!by!a!person!authorized!to!perform! annual!inspections!and!is!entered!as!an!“annual”!inspection!in!the!required!maintenance!
records.

Section!91.417(a)!and!(b),!entitled! Maintenance!records ,!state:

(a) Except!for!work!performed!in!accordance!with!§§!91.411!and!91.413,!each!registered! owner!or!operator!shall!keep!the!following!records!for!the!periods!specified!in!paragraph! (b)!of!this!section:

(1) Records!of!the!maintenance,!preventive!maintenance,!and! alteration!and!records!
of!the!100

U hour,!annual,!progressive,!and!other!required!or!approved!inspections,! as!appropriate,!for!each!aircraft!(including!the!airframe)!and!each!engine,! propeller,!rotor,!and!appliance!of!an!aircraft.!The!records!must!include

—

(i)! A!description!(or!reference!to!data!acceptable!to!the!Administrator)!of!the! work!performed;!and (ii)! The!date!of!completion!of!the!work!performed;!and (iii)! The!signature,!and!certificate!number!of!the!person!approving!the!aircraft!
for!return!to!ser vice.

(2)!Records!containing!the!following!information:

(i)! The!total!time!in!service!of!the!airframe,!each!engine,!each!propeller,!
and!each!rotor. (ii) !The!current!status!of!life

U limited!parts!of!each!airframe,!engine,! propeller,!rotor,!and!appliance. (iii)! The!time!since!last!overhaul!of!all!items!installed!on!the!aircraft!which! are!required!to!be!overhauled!on!a!specified!time!basis. (iv) !The!current!inspection!status!of!the!aircraft,!including!the!time!since!the! last!inspection!required!by!the!ins pection!program!under!which!the! aircraft!and!its!appliances!are!maintained.GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Pe tition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

23 (v)! The!current!status!of!applicable!airworthiness!directives!(AD)!and!safety! directives!including,!for!each,!the!method!of!compliance,!the!AD!or! safety!directive!number!and!revis ion!date.!If!the!AD!or!safety!directive! involves!recurring!action,!the!time!and!date!when!the!next!action!is! required. (vi)! Copies!of!the!forms!prescribed!by!§!43.9(d)!of!this!chapter!for!each!major! alteration!to!the!airframe!and!currently!installed!engin es,!rotors,! propellers,!and!appliances.

(b) The!owner!or!operator!shall!retain!the!following!records!for!the!periods!prescribed:

(1) The!records!specified!in!paragraph!(a)(1)!of!this!section!shall!be!retained!until!the! work!is!repeated!or!superseded!by!other !work!or!for!1!year!after!the!work!is! performed.

(2) The!records!specified!in!paragraph!(a)(2)!of!this!section!shall!be!retained!and!
transferred!with!the!aircraft!at!the!time!the!aircraft!is!sold.

(3) A!list!of!defects!furnished!to!a!registered!owner!or! operator!under!§!43.11!of!this! chapter!shall!be!retained!until!the!defects!are!repaired!and!the!aircraft!is!approved!
for!return!to!service.

In!general,!these!regulations!require!that!an!airworthy!certificated!aircraft!be!inspected!as! prescribed!in!14!C.F. R.!Part!91,!Subpart!E!(Maintenance,!Preventive!Maintenance,!and!Alterations),!any! discrepancies!be!repaired!and!the!aircraft!be!approved!for!return!to!service!as!prescribed!in!Part!43! (Maintenance,!Preventive!Maintenance,!Rebuilding,!and!Alterations)!and!t hat!any!work!on!the!aircraft!
be!recorded!and!such!records!maintained.

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!because,!as!addressed,!the!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS!will!operate! pursuant!to!this!Petition!without!airworthiness!certification.!An!equivalent!level!of!safety!c an!be! provided!instead!by!requiring,!as!provided!herein,!that!inspections!and!maintenance!be!accomplished! according!to!the!inspection,!maintenance,!and!preflight!sections!of!the!Maintenance!Manual,!FOM,!and! SOP.!As!provided!in!the!FOM!and!SOP,!among!other! things,!the!sUAS!will!be!inspected!prior!to!each! flight!to!confirm!that!it!is!in!good!working!order.!Any!maintenance!or!repairs!will!be!perform!and!logged,! and,!upon!any!work!being!performed!on!the!sUAS,!the!sUAS!will!be!checked!and!approved!for!flight!by! personnel!before!being!returned!to!service.

The!FAA!has!set!precedence!by!previously!granted!exemptions!in!circumstances!similar,!in!all! material!respects,!to!those!presented!herein.



## J. Conclusion

As!set!forth!in!the!document!above,!the!following!summar y!is!provided!for!publication!in!the! Federal!Register.!Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!pursuant!to!Section!333!of!the!FAA!Modernization!and! Reform!Act!of!2012,!and!14!C.F.R.!Part!11!to!permit!safe!operation!of!the!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS!