April 16, 2015

 Exemption No. 11345

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−0048

Ms. M. Anne Swanson

Cooley LLP

Counsel

1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Suite 700

Washington DC 20004−2400

Dear Ms. Swanson:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated January 8, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of PrecisionHawk, Inc. (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. The 

exemption would allow the petitioner to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to 

conduct precision aerial surveys, including in agriculture as well as flight demonstrations and 

structural assessments.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.
2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a Hawkeye Mk-III.

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that the relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection. The FAA has issued grants of

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

• They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

• The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, PrecisionHawk, Inc. is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.
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Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, PrecisionHawk, Inc. is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Hawkeye Mk-III

when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any 

other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must 

be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 
4

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or 

revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the 

operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS 

Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or 

revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 
5

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may 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.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 
6

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These 

documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.
7

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

This exemption terminates on April, 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service
cool ex 

M. Anne Swanson 

T: + 1 202 776 2534 

aswanson@cooley.com 

January 8, 2015 

James H. Williams 

Manager 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Officec 

AFS-80 

800 Independence Ave., S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20591 

Dear Mr. Williams: 

Enclosed please find an exemption application filed on behalf of PrecisionHawk, Inc. under 

Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 to allow 

commercial operations of unmanned aircraft for precision aerial survey. 1 

MAS:taf 

Enclosures 

cc: Robert Pappas 

Jake Troutman 

Dean Griffith, Esquire 

Thuy H. Cooper 

Christopher Dean, CEO, PrecisionHawk 

Timothy Ravich, General Counsel, PrecisionHawk 

1 Confidential manuals associated with this request, which are exempt from disclosure under the 

Freedom of Information Act, are being filed under separate cover. 

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COM 
M. Anne Swanson 

T: +1 202 776 2534 

aswanson@cooley.com 

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COM 

January 8, 2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and 

Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) 

and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, PrecisionHawk, Inc. (“PrecisionHawk”), the developer and operator of 

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“sUASs”), including the Hawkeye Mk-III, seeks an 

exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) listed below and discussed in 

Appendix A.1

 PrecisionHawk seeks exemption from the listed FARs to allow its use of the 

Hawkeye Mk-III in commercial operations, such as precision aerial surveys, including in 

agriculture as well as flight demonstrations and structural assessments, so long as such 

operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as established by 

the FAA in an exemption granted under either Section 333 or Section 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f).2

As discussed below, at pages 4-8, PrecisionHawk is willing to abide by conditions the FAA has 

required in issuing recent Section 333 exemptions, specifically Exemptions 11109 (Clayco, Inc.) 

and 11110 (Trimble Navigation Ltd.). This agreement on PrecisionHawk’s part and the strong 

similarity of its operations to those approved in Exemptions 11109 and 11110 should give the 

FAA a basis for prompt consideration and processing of this request. 

PrecisionHawk is a leading information delivery company. It proposes to use a small, 

lightweight UAV – the Hawkeye Mk-III – and proprietary cloud-based software to collect, 

process, and analyze aerial data principally for purposes of precision agriculture and precision 

surveying. In doing so, PrecisionHawk would occupy a brand new space in a transformative 

industry by providing high quality and actionable information to users. Indeed, use of the 

Hawkeye Mk-III would contribute to various social goods, from environmental protection to 

improved crop yields. In providing this service, PrecisionHawk would empower crop 

 

1 See Pub. Law 112-95, 126 Stat. 11, § 333 (2012). 

2

 PrecisionHawk relies upon the following exemptions where specific reference to an exemption 

is not provided: Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109 through 11112, and 11114. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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researchers and farmers to make better management decisions through software that identifies 

disease and insects, nutrient deficiencies, and materials for increasing yields with fewer 

resources. 

Operations under the exemption will be subject to strict operating requirements and conditions 

to ensure at least an equivalent level of safety to currently authorized operations using manned 

aircraft and under conditions as may be modified by the FAA as required by Section 333.3

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would authorize commercial operations 

of aerial surveys using the Hawkeye Mk-III, which with a maximum take-off weight of 5.5 lbs. is 

small in size. The Hawkeye Mk-III will be operated under controlled conditions at low altitude in 

airspace that is limited in scope, as described more fully herein; it will have automated control 

features, as described herein. The Hawkeye Mk-III also will be operated by an individual 

possessing a private pilot certificate. Finally, the airspace in which the UAS will operate will be 

disclosed to the FAA in advance. 

PrecisionHawk respectfully submits that because this small, unmanned aerial vehicle – the 

Hawkeye Mk-III – will be used in lieu of comparatively hazardous operations now conducted 

with fixed wing and rotary conventional aircraft, the FAA can have confidence that the 

operations will achieve at least an equivalent level or greater level of safety. Approval of this 

exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s (the FAA 

Administrator’s) responsibilities under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act to “establish 

requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” 

The name and address of the applicant are: 

PrecisionHawk, Inc. 

Attn: Timothy Ravich, General Counsel 

9001 Glenwood Avenue 

Suite 100 

Raleigh, NC 27617 

Ph: 888.958.1451 

Email: t.ravich@precisionhawk.com

The regulations from which the exemption is requested are as follows: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.F.R. § 61.133(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a); 

 

3

 While PrecisionHawk is filing this exemption request on its own behalf, it anticipates that 

purchasers of the Hawkeye Mk-III, in the future, will file exemption applications to allow them to 

operate the Hawkeye Mk-III in commercial operations on their own farms or at other sites that 

require precision surveys. Those filings will be substantially similar to this exemption request. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(1); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.409(a)(2); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.417(a) & (b) 

Appendix A discusses each rule listed above and explains why exemptions pursuant to the 

proposal set forth in this letter are appropriate, provide an equivalent level of safety, and are in 

the public interest. Appendix B provides the requisite Federal Register summary. 

THE APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARD UNDER SECTION 333 

PrecisionHawk submits that grant of this exemption application for use of the Hawkeye Mk-III in 

precision aerial surveys will advance the Congressional mandate in Section 333 of the Reform 

Act to accelerate the introduction of UASs into the national airspace system (“NAS”) if it can be 

accomplished safely. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether 

certain UASs may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the rulemaking required 

under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to 

determine which types of UASs do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose 

a threat to national security in light of the following: 

 The UAS’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability; 

 Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and 

 Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator. 

Reform Act § 333(a)(1). If the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in 

the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation 

of such aircraft in the national airspace system.” Id. § 333(c) (emphasis added).4

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This 

statutory authority, by its terms, includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under 

§ 40101 of the Act, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness 

certificate and those regulations requiring commercial pilots to operate aircraft in commercial 

service: 

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation 

prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any of sections 44702-

44716 of this title if the Administrator finds the exemption is in the public interest. 

 

4

 Applicant submits that this provision places a duty on the Administrator to not only process 

applications for exemptions under Section 333, but for the Administrator, if he deems the 

conditions proposed herein require modification to allow approval, to supply conditions for the 

safe operation of the UAS. PrecisionHawk welcomes the opportunity to consult with FAA staff 

in order to address any issues or concerns that this proposal may raise that they believe may 

require modification. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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49 U.S.C. § 44701(f). See also 49 U.S.C. § 44711(a); 49 U.S.C. § 44704; 14 C.F.R. 

§ 91.203(a)(1). 

The grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest based on the clear direction in 

Section 333 of the Reform Act; the additional authority in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; 

the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations; and the significant 

public benefit, including enhanced safety and cost savings associated with transitioning to UASs 

for aerial surveying. Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the 

requested exemption without delay.5

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the 

characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at 

least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current regulatory 

structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to operations that 

would be conducted with conventional aircraft. These conditions are drawn from Exemptions 

11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, and 11110. 

These limitations and conditions to which PrecisionHawk (or “operator”) agrees to be bound 

when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include: 

1. Operations of the Hawkeye Mk-III are limited to the aircraft described in the attached 

manuals, which is a miniature propeller airplane built by PrecisionHawk that weighs less 

than six pounds (the “UA” or “UAS”). Proposed operations of any other aircraft will 

require a new petition or a petition to amend this grant.6

2. The UA may not be flown at an indicated airspeed exceeding 50 knots. 

3. The UA may be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(“AGL”), as indicated by the procedures specified in the attached manuals. All altitudes 

reported to Air Traffic Control (“ATC”) must be in feet AGL. 

4. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (“VLOS”) of the pilot-in-command 

(“PIC”) at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any 

 

5

 In filing this application, PrecisionHawk also is requesting that the FAA combine the grant of 

the Section 333 exemption with a stand-alone Certificate of Operation (“COA”) that will allow 

commercial operations of the Hawkeye Mk-III without the necessity of filing for a COA for each 

flight. Compliance with the conditions agreed to herein and that may be imposed by the FAA, 

as set forth in prior Section 333 exemptions, provide the separation needed from other aircraft. 

Notice to airmen and notice to air traffic control can be provided by the filing of a NOTAM as set 

forth within the proposed conditions. 

6

 PrecisionHawk is submitting under a request for confidentiality the flight operations manual 

and an aircraft flight manual for the Hawkeye Mk-III (“manuals”). 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman 

medical certificate. 

5. All operations must utilize a visual observer (“VO”). The VO may be used to satisfy the 

VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and 

PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. The PIC must be designated 

before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. 

The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the functions prescribed in the operator’s 

manual. 

6. The manuals must be amended to include all conditions and limitations required by the 

FAA. The manuals must be maintained and made available to the Administrator upon 

request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the exemption 

and the procedures outlined in the manuals, the conditions and limitations in the 

exemption take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow 

the procedures as outlined in the manuals. 

The operator may update or revise the manuals. It is the operator’s responsibility to 

track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator 

upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it 

petitions for an extension or amendment of this exemption. If the operator determines 

that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this 

exemption, then the operator must petition for amendment to its exemption. 

7. Prior to each flight, the PIC must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a condition for safe 

flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the 

aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been 

performed, and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The ground control 

station must be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alterations 

must be properly documented in the aircraft records. 

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a 

functional test flight in accordance with the operator’s manual. The PIC who conducts 

the functional test flight must make an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The 

manuals include this requirement. 

9. The preflight inspection section in the manuals includes the following requirement: the 

preflight inspection must account for all discrepancies, i.e., inoperable components, 

items, or equipment, not covered in the relevant preflight inspection sections of the 

operator’s manual. 

10. The operator must follow PrecisionHawk’s UA aircraft/component, maintenance, 

overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements, with particular attention to 

flight critical components that may not be addressed in the manufacturer’s manuals. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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11. Operator must carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requirements 

in accordance with the manuals. Maintenance, inspection, and alterations must be 

noted in the aircraft logbook, including total flight hours, description of work 

accomplished, and the signature of the authorized technician returning the UAS to 

service. 

12. The authorized technicians must receive and document training referenced in the 

manuals. 

13. Each UAS operated under the exemption must comply with all PrecisionHawk system 

and safety bulletins. 

14. Operator’s maintenance personnel must make a record entry in the UAS logbook or 

equivalent document of the corrective action taken against discrepancies discovered 

between inspections. 

15. The PIC must possess at least a private pilot certificate and a third-class airman medical 

certificate. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 C.F.R. 

61.56 as to the UAS. 

16. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless that PIC has demonstrated 

through PrecisionHawk’s training and currency requirements that the PIC is able to 

safely operate the UA in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under 

this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining 

appropriate distances from people, vessels, vehicles, and structures. 

17. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a predetermined location within the private or controlled-access property and land or be 

recovered in accordance with the manuals. 

18. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in 

accordance with the manuals. 

19. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough power to fly to the first point of intended landing 

and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes. 

20. The operator will file a request for a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) not more than 72 hours 

in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation. 

21. All aircraft operated in accordance with the exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 C.F.R. part 47, and have identification 

(N-Number) markings in accordance with 14 C.F.R. part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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22. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and 

control of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) or 

other appropriate government oversight agency requirements. 

23. The documents required under 14 C.F.R. 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC 

at the ground control station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These 

documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official 

upon request. 

24. The UA must 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.). 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 C.F.R. 1.1. 

27. All operations shall be conducted in Class G airspace. 

28. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (“VMC”). The 

UA may 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. 

29. During operations in Class G airspace, the UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of 

the geographic center of an airport as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical 

chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the 

operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM as required by the operator’s COA. 

The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the 

Administrator upon request. 

30. The UA may not be operated over congested or densely populated areas unless the 

conditions set forth in #31 are satisfied. These populated areas include, but are not 

limited to, the yellow areas depicted on World Aeronautical Charts (“WAC”), Sectional 

Aeronautical Charts (“Sectionals”), or Terminal Area Charts (“TAC”). However, 

aeronautical charts may not reflect pertinent local information. Ultimately, it is the PIC’s 

responsibility to maintain the minimum safe altitudes required by § 91.119. 

31. Operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons 

(persons other than the PIC or VO), vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

a. barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that 

nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises in which 

nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, 

flight operations must cease immediately; and/or 
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January 8, 2015 

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b. the aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles, or structures where the land 

owner/controller has granted permission and the PIC has made a safety assessment 

of the risk of operating closer to those objects; and 

c. operations near the PIC or VO do not present an undue hazard to the PIC or VO, per 

§ 91.119(a). 

32. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from 

land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be 

conducted. 

33. In the event COAs are required, any incident, accident, or flight operation that 

transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the 

applicable COA must be reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (“AFS-80”) within 

24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board 

(“NTSB”) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. 

******** 

Privacy. All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property 

owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Inspection will be in areas where the owners will have 

consented to the inspections or otherwise have agreed to allow the UAS and the operator to be 

in the area where inspection will take place. 

National Security. No national security issue is raised by the grant of this exemption. Given 

the size, load carrying capacity, speed at which it operates, and the fact that it carries no 

explosives or other dangerous materials, the Hawkeye Mk-III poses no threat to national 

security. 

******** 

In summary, PrecisionHawk seeks an exemption from the FARs set forth in Appendix A to 

operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55 lbs. or less) in aerial survey operations. 

Approval of this exemption for commercial aerial survey operations will enhance safety by 

reducing risk. Conventional operations, using jet or piston powered aircraft, operate at 

extremely low altitudes just feet from the subject being inspected and in extreme proximity to 

people and structures. Such manned operations present the risks associated with vehicles that 

weigh in excess of 6,000 lbs., carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel. Such aircraft must 

fly to and from the project location. In contrast, a sUAS weighing fewer than six lbs. and 

powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of 

combustible fuel carried on board. The sUAS is carried to the target area and not flown. The 

sUAS will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks 

associated with manned aircraft flights. 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

January 8, 2015 

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The operation of small UASs, weighing less than six lbs., conducted in the strict conditions 

outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions 

requested herein. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in 

areas that are under the control of the customer. As a result, they are far safer than 

conventional operations conducted with manned aircraft operating in close proximity to the 

ground and people. 

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 – size, weight, 

speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within 

visual line of sight and national security – provide more than adequate justification for the grant 

of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicant’s UAS for the Purposes 

outlined herein and are consistent with exemptions already granted, including Exemptions 

11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109 through 11112, and 11114. 

Sincerely, 

M. Anne Swanson 

Cooley LLP 

Counsel for PrecisionHawk, Inc. 

John McGraw 

John McGraw Aerospace Consulting, LLC 

Advisor to PrecisionHawk, Inc. 

cc: James Williams 

Robert Pappas 

Jake Troutman 

Dean Griffith, Esquire 

Thuy H. Cooper 

Christopher Dean, CEO, PrecisionHawk 

Timothy Ravich, General Counsel, PrecisionHawk 
APPENDIX A

EXEMPTION REQUEST AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY SHOWINGS UNDER 

APPLICABLE RULES SUBJECT TO EXEMPTION

PrecisionHawk requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any additional 

regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the Hawkeye Mk-III: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 61.133(a): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations; Pilot in 

Command; Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations.

Section 61.113(a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Unlike a conventional 

aircraft that carries a pilot, passengers, and cargo, the Hawkeye Mk-III in this case is remotely 

controlled with no passengers or property of others on board. Section 61.133(a) requires an 

individual with a commercial pilot’s license to be pilot in command of any aircraft for compensation 

or hire. PrecisionHawk respectfully proposes that operator requirements should take into account 

the characteristics of the particular UAS. PrecisionHawk’s Hawkeye Mk-III has a high degree of 

pre-programmed control and various built-in technical capabilities that strictly limit the potential for 

operation outside of the operating conditions set forth in the exemption application. 

The Hawkeye Mk-III has an autonomous navigation and control system. Flights are preprogrammed with precision GPS guidance and do not require human intervention. In the case of 

unplanned events, the operator can manually intervene to take one of the following actions: 

(i) command the aircraft to begin to autonomously return to the recovery area and land; 

(ii) command the aircraft to autonomously return to the recovery area where the pilot will assume 

control and land the aircraft; or (iii) manually assume control of the aircraft via the hand controller 

and return the craft to the recovery area where the operator lands it. 

Additional automated safety functions and safety enhancing features of the Hawkeye Mk-III include 

the following: 

 Auto-pilot detection of lost GPS or of insufficient satellites initiates a stand-by loiter pattern 

until such time as GPS is re-established or the PIC assumes manual control of the aircraft. 

 Low battery power on the aircraft (10.4 volts) triggers the landing sequence and the craft 

will fly to the recovery area. 

 If the auto-pilot detects a lost-link to the ground control station for longer than 30 seconds, 

landing procedure begins. 

 The aircraft, weighing fewer than 6 lbs., fully loaded, is constructed of foam, which is 

intended to absorb impact energy. 

 In the event the ground station reaches a low power state, it will alert the pilot. 

Given these safety features, PrecisionHawk proposes that operators of the Hawkeye Mk-III should 

not be required to hold a commercial pilot certification. Instead, operators should be required to 

hold only a private pilot certification. 

The risks associated with the operation of the Hawkeye Mk-III (given its size, speed, operational 

capabilities, and lack of combustible fuel) are so diminished from the level of risk associated with 

commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 with conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) 
2 

that allowing operations of the UAS as set forth above meets or exceeds the present level of safety 

provided under 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b) and does not rise to the level of requiring a commercial 

pilot to operate the aircraft under § 61.133(a). 

Given these conditions and restrictions, an equivalent level of safety will be provided by allowing 

operation of the Hawkeye Mk-III with a private pilot’s certificate, under the conditions set forth in 

the exemption request. The FAA has granted exemptions to conduct similar operations in 

Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, and 11110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness. 

This regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. Should the exemption be granted allowing commercial operation of the Hawkeye Mk-III 

without an airworthiness certificate, no standard will exist for airworthiness of the Hawkeye Mk-III. 

Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements that the operator has agreed to as relates to 

airworthiness, as set forth in the attached manuals, an equivalent level of safety will be achieved 

by ensuring compliance with the PrecisionHawk manuals prior to each flight. The FAA has granted 

exemptions to conduct similar operations in Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, and 

11110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes. 

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Specifically, 91.119(c) limits 

aircraft flying over areas other than congested areas to 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. 

As set forth herein, the Hawkeye Mk-III will never operate at higher than 400 feet AGL. It will, 

however, be operated to avoid congested or populated areas that are depicted in yellow on VFR 

sectional charts. Because aerial survey work must be accomplished at relatively low altitudes and 

at altitudes less than 500 feet AGL, an exemption from Section 91.119(c) is needed. 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed, and material with 

which the Hawkeye Mk-III is built. Also, no flight will be taken without the permission of the 

landowner or those who control the land as well as local officials. Because of advance notice to 

the landowner, all affected individuals will be aware of the survey flights. Compared to aerial 

survey operations conducted with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than 5.5 lbs. and carrying 

flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations will be far less than the risks currently 

posed by conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 feet AGL. Indeed, the low-altitude 

operations of the UAS will maintain separation between these small-UAS operations and the 

operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. The FAA has granted 

exemptions to conduct similar operations in Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, and 1110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

This regulation prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane 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 – (1) During the day, to fly after that 

for at least 30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.” 
3 

The batteries powering the Hawkeye Mk-III provide approximately 60 minutes of powered flight. 

Without an exemption from § 14 C.F.R. 91.151, the UAS’s flights would be limited to approximately 

30 minutes in length. Given the limitations on its proposed operations and the location of those 

proposed operations, a longer time frame for flight in daylight VFR conditions is reasonable. 

PrecisionHawk believes that an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a) is safe and within the scope 

of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate 

without compliance with 91.151(a)). Operating the small UAS without 30 minutes of reserve fuel 

does not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151(a) was meant to prevent given the size 

and speed at which the UAS operates. The fact that it carries no pilot, passenger, or cargo also 

enhances its safety. Limiting Hawkeye Mk-III flights to 30 minutes would greatly reduce their utility. 

In the unlikely event that the Hawkeye Mk-III achieves a low battery state (10.4 volts), it would 

simply land. Given its weight and construction material, the risks are less than contemplated by 

the current regulation. 

PrecisionHawk believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by maintaining 

15 minutes of reserve fuel, which, allowing 45 minutes of flight time, would be more than adequate 

to return the UAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its operating area. 

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operators, including Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 

10673, 10808, and Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, 1110, and 11112. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 407(a)(1); 409(a)(2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections 

Section 91.405(a) requires that an aircraft operator or owner “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 similarly makes reference to requirements in Part 43; 

Section 91.409(a)(2) requires an annual inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate. 

Section 91.417(a) requires the owner or operator to keep records showing certain maintenance 

work that has been accomplished by certificated mechanics, under Part 43, or licensed pilots and 

records of approval of the aircraft for return to service. 

Maintenance of the Hawkeye Mk-III will be accomplished by the owner/operator pursuant to the 

manuals attached as confidential exhibits. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because 

the UAS is small in size, will carry a small payload, will operation only in restricted predetermined 

areas and is not a complex mechanical device. As provided in the attached manuals, the operator 

will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, 

and keep a log of any maintenance that is performed; moreover, the operator is the person most 

familiar with the aircraft and is best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition and to 

ensure an equivalent level of safety. The FAA has granted exemptions for similar operations in 

Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, 11110, and 11112. 
APPENDIX B

SUMMARY OF PRECISIONHAWK SECTION 333 EXEMPTION REQUEST

For publication in the Federal Register, PrecisionHawk hereby provides pursuant to Part 11 a 

summary of its exemption application to allow commercial operation of the Hawkeye Mk-III 

unmanned aircraft in precision aerial survey work. An exemption is requested from the following 

regulations: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.F.R. § 61.133(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(1); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.409(a)(2); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.417(a) & (b)