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

GST!Petition!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)!878U9100,!x878
GST$Confidential $Guided$Systems$Technologies,$Inc.

GST!Petition!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&Aircraft&Systems&(sSUAS)&Operations&

Allowed&by&Section&333&of&the&Federal&Aviation&Administration&Modernization&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!following!listed!Code!of!Federal!Regulations!(“CFR”)!to!

allow!commercial!operation!of!its!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS (also!designated!the!Avenger!B!and!coUbranded!

as!the!Guided!Systems!Model!VU10E!sUAS)!within!the!National!Airspace!System!(NAS)!for!controlled,!

lowUrisk,!aerial!data!collection1 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!would!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!mission!essential!personnel!only!and!3)!Provides!improved!safety!

controls!and!efficiency!to!the!aerial!data!collection!industry!presently!using!conventional!aircraft.!

Approval!of!this!exemption!would!thereby!enhance!safety!and!fulfill!the!Secretary!of!Transportation’s!

(the!FAA!Administrator’s)!responsibilities!to!“...establish!requirements!for!the!safe!operation!of!such!

aircraft!systems!in!the!national!airspace!system”!as!stated!within!Section!333(c)!of!the!FMRA.!In!making!

this!determination,!the!Secretary!is!required!to!determine!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!requested!exemption!is!in!the!public!interest!based!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,!and!significant!cost!savings!

achieved!by!transitioning!from!traditional!manned!aerial!resources!to!sUAS.!The!petitioner!respectfully!

requests!that!the!FAA!grant!the!requested!exemption!without!delay.!Petitioner!will!operate!its!Avenger!

sUAS!while!keeping!the!documents!required!by!the!regulations!at!the!ground!control!station!and!

immediately!accessible!to!the!Pilot!In!Command!(PIC)!and!by!modification!of!the!required!markings!

(registration!number)!of!the!sUAS!to!be!displayed!on!the!fuselage!of!the!unmanned!aircraft.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 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!Petition!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.!91.407(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!yearUold!UAS!company!with!a!long!and!wellUrecognized!history!in!advanced!UAS!

flight!automation!technology!and!autonomy,!in!the!design!manufacture,!integration,!automation!and!

operation!of!unmanned!rotorcraft,!and!in!the!practical!application!of!rotary!wing!UAS!for!tasks!that!

include!intelligence,!surveillance!and!reconnaissance,!as!well!as!mapping,!survey!and!inspection.!

Petitioner’s!automation!technology!and!UAS!products!include!a!special!rotorcraft!variant!of!the!Cloud!

Cap!Piccolo!commercial!autopilot!and!have!exceled!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,!Northrop!Grumman,!local!law!enforcement,!various!university!research!

teams,!and!for!private!companies!engaged!in!commercial!enterprise.!!In!particular,!GST!developed,!

delivers!and!supports!the!unmanned!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!wing!Avenger!commercially!for!the!special!purpose!of!lowUrisk!aerial!data!collection!(including!

precision!aerial!mapping,!infrastructure!inspection,!and!surveying),!continuing!an!established!legacy!that!

has!always!sought!the!highest!standards!of!operations!and!safety.

D.&Airworthiness&of&the&Avenger

A!critical!element!of!consideration!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!criteria!provided!in!

Section!333!of!PL!112U95!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!various!requirements!including!many!specifics!included!within!FAA!Order!
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GST!Petition!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.&Leptron&Avenger&Summary

1.!LEPTRON!AVENGER

Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!to!operate!the!Leptron!Avenger!for!limited!approved!commercial!

purposes!within!the!NAS2.!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!petition.

Figure!1 Photo!of!a!typical!Leptron!Avenger!with!its!registration!number!displayed!in!

accordance!with!14!C.F.R.!Part!45.
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GST!Petition!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!University.!!Additional!COA!granted!by!the!FAA!to!Middle!Georgia!State!College,!

and!the!US!Department!of!Energy!cover!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!FAAU2015U0433).

Petitioner!proposes!that!requirements!should!take!into!account!the!characteristics!of!the!

particular!sUAS.!The!Avenger!is!characterized!by!a!high!degree!of!preUprogrammed!control,!various!

builtUin!technical!capabilities!that!limit!the!potential!for!operation!outside!of!the!operating!conditions!as!

set!forth!below,!and!many!builtUin!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!and!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,!pursuant!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!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),!

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!Petition!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!“expedited!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!national!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!

airports!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!does!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!44702U44716).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!its!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!PIC,!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!expedited!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!operation!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)).
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GST!Petition!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!specially!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!cameras!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!VU10E.!!The!

Avenger!and!Model!VU10E!are!one!and!the!same!sUAS.

Unmanned!Aircraft!Dimensions Rotor!Diameter:!72.25!in.

Length:!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

ElectricUpowered!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:!LEPTRONUAVGR!(also!known!as!GST)

Model:!1000!(also!known!as!the!GST!Model!VU10E)

Fuel Not!Applicable.

NOTE:!The!Leptron!Avenger!sUAS!is!powered!by!a!lithium!

polymer!rechargeable!battery.
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GST!Petition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

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Engine!(Propulsive!Unit)!Limits 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

ElectricUpowered!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:!LEPTRONUAVGR

Model:!1000!(also!known!as!the!GST!Model!VU10E)

Propeller!and!Propeller!Limits FAA!Propeller!Type!Certificate:!None

Propeller!Type:!2Ublade,!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!and!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 3U3.5!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!
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GST!Petition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

9

modules.

Frequencies 902U928!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!Leptron!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!+/U5

TAIL!ROTOR!–!VARIABLE!PITCH!+12/U12°

Nominal!Endurance 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!Areas
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GST!Petition!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!tightly!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!within!5!nautical!miles!(NM)!of!the!geographic!center!of!a!nonUtowered!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!persons!associated!with!and!

necessary!for!flight!operations.

f.!Visual!LineUofUSight

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!maintain!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!with!whom!the!PIC!will!have!the!ability!for!direct!and!continuous!twoUway!

verbal!communications6!so!as!to!ensure!that!the!flight!operations!remain!within!the!PIC’s!VLOS!and!

prescribed!flight!boundaries!and!deUconflict!with!objects!in!the!air!and!on!the!ground.!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!current!PIC’s!and!VOs,!as!provided!in!the!SOP!will!be!used.

2.!Other!Factors

a.!Leptron!Avenger!Safety!Systems

Including!as!noted!above,!the!Avenger!sUAS!is!replete!with!MechaniSafety!Operations!

Procedures!to!ensure!safe!operations!and!protect!persons!and!property!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!that!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!preUset!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!without!

communications!equipment.
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Min!Altitude,!and!Low!Voltage.!The!Avenger!is!also!equipped!with!GeoUfencing!logic,!capable!

of!restricting!it!within!preUprogrammable!flight!boundaries.!This!may!be!accomplished!by!

setting!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!visual!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!colorUcoded!‘Dashboard’!lights!for!the!operator.

• Double!Entry –!The!Avenger!Ground!Station!has!double!entry!response!window!for!all!inU

flight!parameter!changes.!This!allows!the!user!to!not!send!incorrect!information!without!

two!verification!mouse!clicks.

b.!Safety!Management!System

Leptron’s!established!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!Petitioner!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!shall!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!

the!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,!(submitted!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!

meteorological!conditions!(VMC).!The!Avenger!shall!be!operated!only!during!daylight!
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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!Avenger!shall!operate!from!onUsite!takeoff/landing!locations!directly!next!to!the!PIC!

and!coUlocated!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!minimum!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!(dualUrotor),!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!minimum!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!takeUoffs!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!

upUtoUdate!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!mandatory!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!

concurrence!of!the!FSDO.!If!required!by!the!FSDO!to!be!submitted,!the!Plan!of!Activities!
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shall!include:!dates!and!times!for!all!flights;!operator’s!and!onUscene!flight!operator’s!

name!and!phone!number;!sUAS!make,!model!and!serial!or!NUnumber;!PIC’s!name!and!

certificate!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!

activity,!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.! Petitioner!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!FSDO.

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

center!of!a!nonUtowered!airport!will!obtain!a!Letter!of!Agreement!with!the!appropriate!

airport!management!and!made!available!to!FAA!upon!request.

17.! Prior!to!flight!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!identification!(NUNumber)!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!and!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!below!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!required!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!authorized!and!

consenting!personnel!required!for!flight/imaging!operations,

27.! Prior!to!performing!any!flight!operations,!a!preUflight!checklist!will!be!used!by!a!qualified!

PIC!as!provided!in!the!SOP.!Documentation!of!such!preUflight!check!shall!be!made!in!the!

aircraft!records!and!such!records!shall!be!made!available!to!the!Administrator!upon!

request.
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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!operated!to!ensure!

a!safe!distance!away!from!all!participating!and!nonUparticipating!personnel,!at!least!500!

feet!away!from!persons!not!involved!in!the!flight!operations!(nonUparticipating!persons).!

This!distance!may!be!reduced!to!no!less!than!200!feet!if!it!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!participating!

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!first.

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!records!to!be!made!

available!to!the!Administrator!upon!request.

32.! Except!as!may!be!designated!otherwise!for!FailUSafe!operations,!the!Avenger!shall!take!

off!and!land!at!a!location!within!the!boundaries!of!the!subject!property!next!to!the!PIC.

33.! Upon!loss!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!planned!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!thereto.!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!

qualified!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!Maintenance!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.
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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.!Petitioner’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!AWR!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!events!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!operations!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!security.!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.
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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!heavier!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!the!same!operations.!No!

pilot!or!crew!need!be!airborne!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!risk!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!property!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!associated!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!

reduced!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!Need!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!traffic!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!aircraft!or!other!groundUbased!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!fossil!fuels.
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angles!and!with!better!precision!than!using!manned!aircraft.!As!a!result,!less!time!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!ensures!

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!each!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!

convenience!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!safety.!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!also!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!Consulting,!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,!Regulatory!Docket!Number!FAAU

2015U0433).

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!fixedUwing!aircraft.
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GST!Petition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

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Section!45.27,!entitled!Location!of!marks;!nonfixedUwing!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!marks!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!

applicable,!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. Section!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!that!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!persons!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!provided!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,!
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provides!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,!

in!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!renders!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!determination!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,!for!maintaining!the!aircraft!and!checking!it!before!each!flight!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!aircraft!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.Uregistered!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!fastened.

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!nor!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!
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an!unmanned!aircraft!controlled!by!a!PIC!who!at!all!times!is!located!at!and!controls!the!sUAS!from!the!

GCS.

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!person!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!feet!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!Avenger!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!deUconflict!with!manned!vehicles!operating!above!500!feet!AGL,!within!the!VLOS!of!

the!PIC!with!the!assistance!of!a!VO!so!as!to!ensure!the!safety!of!and!deUconfliction!with!any!persons!or!

property!in!the!air!and!on!the!ground,!including!participating!and!nonUparticipating!personnel,!100!feet!

and!500!feet,!respectively,!away!from!who!the!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!operation.

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,!entitled!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.”!Petitioner!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!level!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.!Prior!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.
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GST!Petition!for!Exemption!Under!Section!333!of!FAA!Reform!Act!&!Part!II!of!Title!CFR!for!SUAS

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Petitioner!seeks!an!exemption!from!14!C.F.R.!91.151(b).!Section!91.151(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!first!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!the!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!participating!and!nonUparticipating!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!and!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!paragraph!(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;
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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!by!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!

inspection!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!100Uhour,!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!service.

(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!lifeUlimited!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!inspection!program!under!which!the!

aircraft!and!its!appliances!are!maintained.
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(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!revision!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!engines,!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!that!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!can!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!summary!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!