Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Mark Kramer: Mediacomm, 9700 Southern Pine Blvd., Charlotte, NC. 28273 PH: 803.578.1409

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

1. Purpose 

2. Pilot/Operator Organization 

3. Persons Authorized 

4. Area of Operations 

5. Plan of Activities 

6. Permission to Operate 

7. Security 

8. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

9. Certification/Airworthiness 

10. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

11. Communications 

12. Accident Notification 

13. Recall/Stop Procedures 

14. Aerobatic Competency 

15. Special Provisions

2. Company Organization 

1. Chief Pilot 

2. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

1. 1 List of Approved Pilots 

2. 2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3. 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

4. 4 Revision Letter (sample) 
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1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "MEDIA-COMM, INC.", hereafter referred to 

as Mediacomm, 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. Pilots and other company personnel when applicable 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 

as mentioned above. 

B. PIC Operating Organization

Mediacomm/Mark Kramer

9700 Southern Pine Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28273

803-578-1409

C. 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. 

D. Area of Operations 

Approved area of operations will be the continental United States and to include 

Alaska and Hawaii. 
E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Mediacomm will submit a 

written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The 

plan of activities should include the following: 

1. (1) Dates and times for all flights. 

2. (2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming 

production event. 

3. (3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

4. (4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category. 

5. (5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming 

production event, including any notation of external load endorsements or 

aerobatic competency, if required. 

6. (6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from 

property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production 

event. The list of those who gave permission must be made available to 

the inspector upon request from the waiver holder. 

7. (7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. (8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any 

area, city, town, county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted 

and the minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared 

to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

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

provisions of the certificate of 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: 

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government (5) Air traffic control 

When obtaining such permission Mediacomm will do so in writing whenever 

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

permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining 

written permission. Mediacomm will assure a sufficient number of those forms 

are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be maintained at the 

job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the chief pilot to 

be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made 

available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 
G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from 

all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

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

reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

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

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for 

the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions 

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting • Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures 

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures 

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons 

I. 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. 

However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in 

motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category 

must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in 

order to be used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will be 

100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and inspections 

(transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. 

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance 

and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for 

discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the 
aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and 

maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

1. (1) A current U.S. Private or Recreational pilot certificate with ratings 

appropriate to the category, class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be 

used under the terms of the waiver. 

2. (2) At least 100 hours logged as the PIC in the aircraft type. 

3. (3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be 

used. 

4. (4) A minimum of 20 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used 

under the waiver. 

5. (5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 

CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers 

must hold FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to 

perform the operations. 

(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an externalload operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the 

operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a 

knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or 

another company pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is 

qualified to carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 

requirements and cover the following subjects: 

1. (a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the 

Flight area. 

2. (b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

3. (c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating 

procedures and the aircraft flight manual. 

4. (d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

5. (e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

K. 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 apprised of the current status of the operation. 
L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the 

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 

O. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in this 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 by Mediacomm. 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 these conditions.

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

I 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. 
2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures 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. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations. 

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed 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. 

B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

 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 very 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. 

 The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but 

retains responsibility. 
Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot 

Name

Certificate Number Grade

Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

Pilots 

Name

Certificate Number Grade

Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

Name

Certificate Number 

Grade

Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft Make and Model 

1. DJI Inspire 1 T600 Serial # W13DCB14020352

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 
Appendix A .3

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots associated with Mediacomm’s

exemption permission to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, 

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

purpose of film or television production. 

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation: 

Signature __________________________Date __________________________ 

Representative 

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Appendix A .4 

Revision Letter 

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Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To 

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Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than 

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