October 27, 2015

Docket Operations, M-30 U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New JerseyAvenue, SE Room W 12-140, West Building Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590-0001

Re: Petition for Exemption under FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (P.L. 112-95).

Dear Sir orMadam:

This application is being submitted on our own behalfwithout legal counsel or consulting services.
Skylark Aerials, LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company doing business as SkylarkAerials, LLC. We
are writing pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the Reform Act) and the procedures contained in 14 C.F.R. 11, to request that SkylarkAerials, LLC, an owner and operator of small unmanned aircraft, be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below so that SkylarkAerials, LLC may operate its small unmanned aircraft/lightweight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercially in airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
SkylarkAerials, LLC has established itselfas a leader in capturing high definition feature film quality aerial cinematography with small, unmanned aircraft and lightweight UASs. Skylark Aerials, LLC has proven its ability time and time again to carry high definition feature film qua1ity cameras safely in a variety ofsituations and locations. '

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· .•**:·,~·** .... '••**~.J··** .. ·,**·~. ;~**  ·•**-~-****'*"r\.•~** .: :.-;·,·, •• ••**~** Sk)ilaikAerials, LLC primarily utiliies

### the**Cin~Star**

### ·s, for the television, motion picture, corporate and advertising industry. CineStar 8 UASs are the most'advanced remcite control aircraft being used for these purposes and they are already highly regarded by noteworthy experts in the field ofunmanned'rotorcraft, as· well as filmmakek · · · · · · · · · •:: · · ' ' · · ·**~** ' 

### . Skylark Aerials;LLC was founded by.Robert;Gerding,**~m** innovative 

### and creative individual with over 50 years 'ofprofessional experience in the br01idcast industry hnd a recent recipient ofthe National Academy ofTelevision Arts and 'Sciences Lifetime**Achiev~tnent**Award. Gerding received'his private pilot's license and instrUment rating over 25 years·ago: : ·. ,.. · ; '· · · · ·· · .· Skylark Aerials, LLC has been operating its lightweight UASs around the United States on numerous productions without incident and would like to formally request permission to fly its UASs commerciaiJy in the United States to capture aerial cinematography. With a team of3 dedicated individuals each flight is flown Line ofSight (LOS) and with Pilot, Navigator and Spotter.

To date; Skylark AeriaJs, LLC has flown countless flights around these United States and has done so safelyand ·successfully.'SkylarkAeria'Is,**LLC:'ex~niption** request would penriit 

### its operation of · : ·· lightweight, unmanned (piloted.by remote control) and comparatively inexpensive UASs in tightly controlled arid limited airspace under· 250 feet Predetermined, specifically marked areas ofoperation, cordoned offlocations and corresponding enhancements to current safety controls wil1 allow Skylark Aerials, LLC to operate within current safety parameters while innovating new ones. Currently, similar lightweight, remote :controlled tJAss are**legaiiY'op~rated** byamateurs with no flight experience, safety plan· or controls in place to**pr~vent** catastrophe:'iris orilflogical to allow Skylark'Aerials, LLC highly experienced remote·confrol'pilots,.technicians and safety crew to operate similar lightweight UASs.This will act to further safety protocols specific to lightweight UASs as SkylarkAerials, LLC researches flight data and other informati.on''gained through permitted flight operations.
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### . .Granting SkylarkAerials, LLC request comports with the Secretary ofTransportations (FAA Administrators) responsibilities to not only integrate UASs into the national airspace system, butto establish requirements for the safe operation ofsuch aircraft systems [UASs] in the national airspace system under Section 333(c) ofthe Reform Act. Further, SkylarkAerials, LLC wi1l conduct its operations in compliance with the protocols described herein oras otherwise established by the FAA.

Forthe reasons stated in our attached petition, SkylarkAerials, LLC respectfully requests the grant ofan exemption allowing it to operate lightweight, remote controlled UASs within the national airspace system and would like to work hand in hand with the FAA to develop rules and guidelines that can be utilized by the sUAS industry for similar commercial uses, forthwith.

Thank you.

# ~?~ 

# .··**,)fo~** Gerding

# ~ President 

### I Founder

Skylark Aerials, LLC 2828 Hamilton New London Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013-9531· 5131703-1348 Mobile info@skylarkaerials.com www.skylarkaerials.com