October 27, 2015 

Docket Operations, M-30 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Room W 12-140, West Building Ground Floor 

Washington, DC 20590-0001 

Re: Petition for Exemption under FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95). 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

This application is being submitted on our own behalf without legal counsel or consulting services. 

Skylark Aerials, LLC, an Ohio Limited Liability Company doing business as Skylark Aerials, 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 Skylark Aerials, LLC, an owner and operator of 

small unmanned aircraft, be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below so that 

Skylark Aerials, LLC may operate its small unmanned aircraft /lightweight unmanned aircraft systems 

(UAS) commercially in airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

Skylark Aerials, LLC has established itself as 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 of situations and locations. ' . ····.: ' .. :·. ' . : •. . . · .• :·,~· .... '•• ~.J·· .. ·, ·~. ;~ ·• -~- '*"r\.•~ .: :.-;·,·, •• •• ~ 

Sk)ilaik Aerials, LLC primarily utiliies the Cin~Star ·s, for the television, motion picture, corporate and 

advertising industry. Cine Star 8 UASs are the most' advanced rem cite control aircraft being used for these 

purposes and they are already highly regarded by noteworthy experts in the field of unmanned 'rotorcraft, 

as· well as filmmakek · · · · · · · · · •:: · · ' ' · · · ~ ' . 

Skylark Aerials; LLC was founded by.Robert;Gerding, ~m innovative and creative individual with over 50 

years 'of professional experience in the br01idcast industry hnd a recent recipient of the National Academy 

of Television 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 of 3 dedicated individuals each flight 

is flown Line of Sight (LOS) and with Pilot, Navigator and Spotter. 

To date; Skylark AeriaJs, LLC has flown countless flights around these United States and has done so 

safely and ·successfully.' Skylark Aeria'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 of operation, 

cordoned off locations 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 by amateurs 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 Skylark Aerials, LLC researches flight 

data and other informati.on''gained through permitted flight operations. : . . 
Granting Skylark Aerials, LLC request comports with the Secretary ofTransportations (FAA 

Administrators) responsibilities to not only integrate UASs into the national airspace system, but to 

establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems [UASs] in the national airspace 

system under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act. Further, Skylark Aerials, LLC wi1l conduct its operations 

in compliance with the protocols described herein or as otherwise established by the FAA. 

For the reasons stated in our attached petition, Skylark Aerials, LLC respectfully requests the grant of an 

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~ President I 

Gerding 

Founder 

~ 

Skylark Aerials, LLC 

2828 Hamilton New London Rd. 

Hamilton, OH 450 13-9531· 

5131703-1348 Mobile 

info@skylarkaerials.com 

www.skylarkaerials.com