# NORTHLAND COMMUNITY

& 

## TECHNICAL COLLEGE July 7th, 2015 U.S. Department

of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave

., SE Washington,

DC 20590 Re: Exemption Request Section
333 ofthe FAA Reform
Act of2012
and Part

11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

from

14 C.F.R.



### § 21, Subpart Hand

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.203(a)(1);

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.9 (b);
14 C.F.R.



### § 45

. 23(b);

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.203(a)

and 91.203(b);

14 C

. F

. R.



### § 91.109(a);

14 C.F

. R.



### § 91.103;

14 C.F

. R.



### § 61.113(a)

and (b);
14 C

. F.R.



### § 91.119;

14 C

. F.R.



### § 91.121;

14 C

. F

. R. 91.151(a)

14 C

. F

. R

. § 91.405(a), 407(a)(l), 409(a)(2), 417(a) Dear Sir or Madam

: Pursuant

to Section
333 of the FAA Modernization

and Reform
Act of2012
(the Reform Act), The Minnesota
State College
and Universities System,
dba Northland Community

and Technical College
(the petitioner), hereby applies

for an exemption
from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations

("F ARs")

to allow commercial operation

of its sUAS,

so long

as such operations

are conducted within
and under
the conditions outlined herein

or as may be established

by the FAA as required

by Section

333

. Northland

is part ofthe Minnesota
State Colleges

and Universities System (MnSCU).

The MnSCU system

is the largest single provider

of higher education

in the state
of Minnesota

and the fifth largest system

of colleges

and universities

in the United States. The system includes

31 institutions

(24 technical

and community colleges

and seven state universities) spanning

54 campuses across

47 Minnesota communities serving more than 435,000 students annually. Northland provides innovative training programs

and high-quality technical education. Northland currently offers over 110 programs, which lead

to Associate's

in Science (AS), Associate's

in Arts (AA), and Associate's

of Applied Science (AAS), degrees, diplomas

and certificates. Northland's aviation programs
have

a rich history

of excellence, quality
and innovation.
More than
20 individuals staffNorthland Aerospace,

with hundreds

of years

in combined experience

in aviation education

and industry applications. Northland

has been offering

the Aviation Maintenance Technology program since 1959. The program, which

is

a Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) Part

14 7 certified program, concentrates training

in all facets

of repair and inspection

in electrical, pressurization, hydraulics, instruments, navigation,

and engine systems

.

1

### Northland Aerospace

has shown tremendous vision and innovation

in the rapidly growing industry

of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

. In 2010, Northland developed

the nation's
first UAS Maintenance Technician program

to train students

for positions

in the emerging,
highgrowth UAS industry

. The UAS certificate concentrates

on the maintenance

and repair

of the components

of unmanned aircraft systems

to include

: unmanned aircraft (UA), ground control stations (GCSs), understanding

the function

of data links
or; the communication/guidance

system between vehicle
and satellites
(line
of sight), and

a basic understanding

of computer networks and their functionality
within UAS

. In 2011, Northland developed

a unique Imagery

and Geospatial Analysis program

as

a result

of growing demand

for technicians educated

in collection, processing

and product development

of imagery

and information

data for diverse industries

. On April

11, 2014 Northland received

a Certificate

of Authorization 2013-CSA-107

to operate the proposed aircraft

in Roseau County, MN
to research applications ofUAS

in precision agriculture practices. Operations
were conducted

over the 2014 and 2015 growing season under this COA without

any incidents

or accidents

. As

a result

of these operations

and the continued interest

by other programs

in the Minnesota
State Colleges

and Universities System, Northland

is requesting

an exemption

to continue building education, training

and awareness

for UAS operations

and applications

. Northland

also has

a pending National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Project Grant, which would

be greatly enhanced

as it focuses

on developing education

and pathways around UAS technology. With this exemption Northland

is seeking

to

: Conduct UAS flight operations

for education

and training purposes. Conduct UAS flights

to develop marketing

and career pathways materials. Conduct UAS flights

in support

of research projects. Approving
these exemptions

for Northland

will create

a great benefit

in increasing access

to UAS education

and training, leading

to safe operating environments

and discoveries

in many industries

that will benefit from the technology

, ultimately

in the public interest. 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. As described more fully below,
the requested exemption would permit
the operation

of sUAS

by the applicant

for commercial

use under controlled conditions

in airspace
that

is (1) limited;

(2) predetermined;

(3) controlled

as to access;
and

( 4) would provide

an increased
level
of safety beyond
that existing when fixed

or rotor wing manned aircraft

are used

to accomplish

the same purpose

.

2Northland would operate

a multi-rotor
sUAS

, weighing

25 lbs

. or less, including payload

. The UAS operates under normal conditions

at

a speed

of no more than
50 mph

. It will operate

in line of sight over uncongested airspace

as depicted

on VFR and WAC sectionals.
Such operations will ensure that the sUAS will not create

a hazard

to the users

of the National Airspace System

or the public. Considering

the equivalent
level
of safety and reduction

in environmental impacts (including reduced emissions associated

with allowing sUAS
for the proposed operations),

the grant
of the requested exemptions

is in the public interest. While Northland

is filing this exemption request

on its own behalf,

it anticipates

that its industry partners

and other MNSCU institution,

in the future, will file exemption applications

to allow them

to operate

the multirotor sUAS

in commercial operations

as well

. Northland

will work with these entities

to ensure similarity

to this exemption application

. Northland

is submitting

the following documents

in support ofthis exemption application

: (Exhibit

1) Currently approved FAA COA granted

to Northland vetting

the systems operations

. (Exhibit

2) Vireo-Phoenix Manual (Exhibit

3) DJI Phantom Vision

2 Manual (Exhibit

4) DJI Phantom Vision

3 Manual (Exhibit

5) DJI Inspire Manual (Exhibit

6) 3DR Multirotor Manual (Exhibit

7) Lockheed Martin Indigo Manual Consistent

with the requirements

of 14 C

. F

. R.

§ 11.81

, Northland provides

the following information

in support

of its petition

for exemption: The name and address

of petitioner

is

: Minnesota
State Colleges

and Universities dba Northland Community

and Technical College Attn: Curtis Zoller 13892 Airport Drive ThiefRiver
Falls, MN 56701 Phone

: (218) 683-8829 Fax

: (218) 683-8994 Email Curti

s

. zoller@northlandcollege.

edu AffiCRAFT

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 an exceptional

level
of safety

to operations. These limitations

and conditions

to which Northland agrees

to be bound when conducting commercial operations under

an FAA issued exemption include

: 1. Safety will be the first and foremost consideration

in any sUAS operation

. 2. The sUAS will weigh less than
25 lbs.
33.Flightswillbeoperatedatanaltitudeofnomorethan500feetAGLandwillnotbeconductedwithinnavigableairspace.FlightswillbeconductedonlyinVLOSduringdaylighthoursandinVFRconditions4.ThesUASoperatorwillobtaintraininginaccordancewithOriginalEquipmentManufacturer(OEM)guidelinestobecomecertifiedinthepropersafetyandoperationsofthesUAS.5.ThesUASoperatorwillholdarecreationalorsportpilotcertificate.6.ThesUASoperatorwillholdatleastadriver'slicensetosatisfythemedicalrequirement.7.PriortoasUASflight,anareaofoperationwillbeestablished.Thisareaofoperationwillincludeadefinedlateralandverticalarea,wherethesUASwilloperate.8.Coordinationwillbemadewithallpersonsandpropertyownerswithintheareaofoperation.9.TheoperatorwillhavereceivedtrainingingeneraloperationsofsUASandup-to-dateinformationontheparticularsUAStobeoperatedasrequired.10.IfthesUASlosescommunicationforlongerthan120seconds,thesUASispreprogrammedwithacontingencyplanwhichwillbeinaplacetosafelyterminateflight11.IfthesUASlosesitsGPSforlongerthan120seconds,thesUAShasthecapabilitytobeginacircularlandingnearitscurrentlocation.12.ThesUASoperatorhasthecapabilitytoabortaflightplanandmanuallyflytheaircraftincaseofunpredictedobstacles,emergenciesorotherevents.13.ThesUASwillatalltimesgivewaytoallotheraircraft.14.Flightplanningwillincludeflightcompletionwithatleast10%batterypowerremainingorappropriatetimingasmeasuredbythesUASreportedonthegroundcontrolstation.15.AbriefingwillbeconductedinregardtotheplannedsUASoperationspriortooperationateachnewlocation.Allpersonnelwhowillbeperformingdutieswithintheboundariesoftheareaofoperationwillbepresentforthisbriefing.16.ThesUASoperatorwillcomplywithallappropriatelawsandregulationsofstate,countyorcityjurisdictions,includinglocallawenforcement,fire,orotherappropriategovernmentalagencies.17.Written,toincludeelectronic,and/ororalpermissionfromtherelevantpropertyownerswillbeobtainedpriortoanoperation.18.ThesUASwilloperate,undernormalconditions,ataspeedofnomore than60mph.19.Operationswillnotbeconductedcloserthan3nauticalmilesfromanyairportorheliportwithoutpriorcoordinationwiththeairportoperatorandtheairportairtrafficcontroltower,ifapplicable.20.OperationswillbeconductedinlineofsightoveruncongestedairspaceasdepictedonVFRandWACsectionals.21.ANoticetoAirmen("NOTAM")willbeissuednotmorethan72hoursinadvanceofflight,butnotlessthan48hoursbeforeflight.EXEMPTIONREQUESTSANDEQUIVALENTLEVELOFSAFETY4

# Northland seeks

an exemption

to operate multirotor sUAS
for compensation

or hire within
the national airspace system (NAS).
The multirotor sUAS
are comprised

of

a main structure, electric rechargeable battery power source,
and sensor payload.

The multirotor sUAS have

a maximum gross weight

of approximately

25 lbs. The multirotor sUAS
are equipped
with

a smart battery technology,

and

is gimbal stabilized

. The sensor payload includes RGB and IR sensors swappable

with

a variety

of other sensors

. These systems

are vertical takeoff
and capable

of preprogrammed
landing. Northland

is currently operating

the Vireo UAS safely within
the NAS

in northern Minnesota pursuant

to

a COA (2013-CSA-107)
granted

by the FAA

in 2014

. Northland requests

an exemption to

the following regulations

as well

as any additional regulations

that may technically
apply

to the operation

of sUAS. A.



# 14 C

. F

. R.

§ 21, Subpart Hand

14 C

. F

. R.

§ 91.203(a)(l)- Airworthiness certificate B.

14 C

. F

. R.

§ 91.9 (b)- Flight manual, marking,

and placard requirements C.

14 C.F.R.

§ 45.23(b) Markings ofthe Aircraft) D.

14 C.F.R.



# § 91.203(a)

and 91.203(b)- Certificate requirements E.



# 14 C.F

. R

. 

# § 91.109(a)- Flight instruction F.

14 C

. F

. R

. 

# § 91.103- Preflight Action G.

14 C.F.R

. 

# § 61.113(a)

and (b)- Private pilot privileges

and limitations H.

14 C.F

. R.



# § 91.119- Minimum

safe altitudes I.



# 14 C.F

. R.



# § 91.121- Altimeter Settings J.



# 14 C.F

. R. 91.151(a)-

Fuel requirements

for flight

in VFR conditions K.



# 14 C.F.R

. § 91.405(a), 407(a)(l), 409(a)(2), 417(a) -Maintenance inspections 

# In detail: 

# A.

14 CF.R.

21 Sub art H -Airworthiness Certificate atu/14 C.F.R. 91.203

a (1l_ 

# Northland
seeks

an exemption
from

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart

H, which establishes

the procedural requirements

for the issuance

of airworthiness certificates

as required

by 14 C.F .R. Section 91.203(a)(1).
Given
the size and limited operating

area associated
with the sUAS

to be utilized

by the petitioner

for Part
21 Subpart

H,
it meets
the requirements

of an equivalent
level of safety under Part

11 and Section
333 of the Reform
Act. The Federal Aviation

Act (49 U.S.C.§ 44701(f))

and Section
333 of the Reform
Act both authorize

the FAA

to exempt aircraft from the requirement

for an airworthiness certificate,
upon consideration

of the size, weight, speed, operational capability,

and proximity

to airports
and populated
areas
of the particular sUAS

. In all cases,

an analysis

of these criteria demonstrates

that the sUAS operated without airworthiness certificates,

in the restricted environment

and under the conditions proposed

will be at least

as safe,
or safer, than

a conventional fixed-wing aircraft

or rotorcraft operating
with

an airworthiness certificate without

the restrictions

and conditions

of the proposed sUAS operations. 5EachsUAStobeoperatedhereunderweighslessthan25lbs.fullyloaded,carriesneitherapilotnorpassenger,carriesnoexplosivematerialsorflammableliquidfuels,andoperatesexclusivelywithinasecuredarea.Unlikeothercivilaircraft,theproposedoperationsinthispetitionforexemptionwillbecontrolledandmonitoredbytheoperator.Thesesafetyenhancements,whichalreadyapplytocivilaircraftoperatedinconnectionwithexistinginspectionoperations,provideagreaterdegreeofsafetytothepublicandpropertyownersthanconventionaloperationsconductedwithairworthinesscertificatesissuedunder14C.F.R.Part21,SubpartH.Lastly,applicationofthesesamecriteriademonstratesthatthereisnocrediblethreattonationalsecurityposedbythesUAS,duetotheirsize,speedofoperation,locationofoperation,lackofexplosivematerialsorflammableliquidfuels,andinabilitytocarryasubstantialexternalload.B.14C.F.R§91.9(b)-FlightManual,Marking,andPlacardRequirementsNorthlandseeksexemptionfromtheflightmanual,marking,andplacardrequirementsoftheFARsbecausethemultirotorsUASweighapproximately25lbs.atitsmaximumgrossweightandduetothesizecannotcarrytheapprovedairplaneflightmanualonboard.Furthermore,sincethemultirotorsUASareunmanned,theaircrewmemberislocatedatagroundcontrolstation.Assuch,NorthlandproposesthefollowingconditionsandlimitationstoitsrequestforexemptionfromSection91.9(b):Theapprovedairplaneflightmanualmustbekeptatthegroundcontrolstation,whereitisimmediatelyavailableforreferencebytheaircrewmember(pilotincommand)ofthemultirotorsUASanytimetheunmannedaircraftisoperating.Theapprovedairplaneflightmanualmustbemadeavailablewithin10daystoanyFAA,U.S.DepartmentofDefense,orlawenforcementofficialuponrequest.Inorderofidentifytheaircraft,thepetitionerproposesthattheinformationfoundontheregistrationcertificatebepermanentlyaffixedtotheaircraft:Manufacturer:NorthlandCommunityandTechnicalCollegeModel:MultirotorUnmannedAircraftSerialNumber:XXXXXRegistrationNumber:XXXXXC14CF.R.§45.23(b)Markingso(theAircraft),states:WhenmarksincludeonlytheRomancapitalletter"N"andtheregistrationnumberisdisplayedonlimited,restrictedorlight-sportcategoryaircraftorexperimentalorprovisionallycertificatedaircraft,theoperatormustalsodisplayonthataircraftneareachentrancetothecabin,cockpit,orpilotstation,inlettersnotlessthan2inchesnormorethat6incheshigh,thewords"limited","restricted","light-sport","experimental",orprovisional",asapplicable.InpreviousGrantofExemption,theFAAdeterminedthatexemptionfromtheserequirementswaswarrantedprovidedthattheaircraft"haveidentifications(N-Number)markingsin6accordancewith14CFRPart45,SubpartCifthemarkingsareaslargeaspracticable."FAADocketNo.FAA-2014-0352.PetitionerwillmarkallaircraftwiththeirN-Numberinaprominentspotonthefuselagewithmarkingsthatareaslargeaspracticable.D.14CF.R.§91.203(a)and91.203(b)-CertificateRequirementsNorthlandrequestsexemptionfromtherequirementofSection91.203(a)(i.e.,thatanappropriateandcurrentairworthinesscertificateandaneffectiveU.S.registrationcertificatebecarriedwithintheaircraft),andfurther,requestsrelieffromtherequirementofSection91.203(b)(i.e.,thattheairworthinesscertificatebedisplayedatthecabinorcockpitentrancesothatitislegibletopassengersorcrew).AsthemuiltirotorsUASareunmanned,ithasnocabin,cockpit,pilotstation,orentrancesthereto.Therefore,theaircrew memberislocatedatagroundcontrolstationandnopassengersarecarriedatanytime.Assuch,NorthlandproposesthefollowingconditionsandlimitationstoitsrequestforexemptionfromSections91.203(a)and(b):ThedocumentsrequiredbySections91.203(a)and(b)mustbekeptatthegroundcontrolstation,whereitisimmediatelyavailabletotheaircrewmember(pilotincommand)ofthemultirotorsUASanytimetheunmannedaircraftisoperating.Thedocumentsrequiredby91.203(a)and(b)mustbemadeavailablewithin10daystoanyFAA,U.S.DepartmentofDefense,orlawenforcementofficialuponrequest.TheFAAhasissuednumerousexemptionstothisregulation.ArepresentativesampleofotherexceptionsincludesExemptionNos.9565,9665,9789,9789A,9797,9797A,9816A,and10700.E.14CF.R§91.109(a)-FlightinstructionNorthlandrequestsexemptionfromSection91.109(a)providesthatnopersonmayoperateacivilaircraft(exceptamannedfreeballoon)thatisbeingusedforflightinstructionunlessthataircrafthasfullyfunctioningdualcontrols.sUASandremotelypilotedaircraft,bytheirdesigntypicallydonothavefullyfunctionaldualcontrols.Flightcontrolisaccomplishedthroughtheuseofagroundcontrolstationthatcommunicateswiththeaircraftviaradiocommunications.Themultirotorgroundcontrolstationisbasedonacomputerandwhileitdoesnotofferasecondsetof"controls",boththestudentandinstructorcan,andwill,operatethesinglesetofcontrolssimultaneously.Withbothstudentandinstructorhaving"hands-on"thecontrolsduringflight,wefeelthatthistechniquemeetstheintent91.109andprovidesanequivalentlevelofsafety.Theequivalentlevelofsafetyisprovidedbythefactthatneitherapilotnorpassengerswillbecarriedintheaircraftandbythesizeandspeedoftheaircraft.TheFAAhasapprovedexemptionsforflighttrainingwithoutfullyfunctionaldualcontrolsforanumberofaircraftandforflightinstructioninexperimentalaircraft.SeeExemptionNos.5778Kand9862A.Also,seemostrecentexemptionapprovalsforAstraeusAerial,AerialMOB.HeliVideoProductions,RCProProductions.SnaprollMediaandPictorvisionforfurtherjustificationofapproval.7

### F.

14 CF.R.

§ 91.103 -Preflight Action Northland request exemption
from the requirements

of Section 91.103. Section 91.103 requires

a PIC
to become familiar with specific information before each flight, including information contained

in the FAA-approved

Flight Manual

on board the aircraft. While
the PIC will be familiar with
all information necessary

to safely conduct

the flight,

an exemption

is requested

to the extent that an FAA-approved

Flight manual

is required. An equivalent
level
of safety will be provided

by following

the Aircraft Operations Manual
and flight manual provided

by the manufacturer.

The PIC will take
all required preflight actions, including performing

all required checklists

and reviewing weather, flight requirements, battery charge, landing
and takeoff distance, aircraft performance

data, and contingency landing areas, before initiation

of flight. 

### G.

14 CF.R. 91.119

- 

### Minimllm

sa

e altitudes Northland requests exemption
from the requirement

of Section 91.119

. Section 91.119 prescribes

the minimum

safe altitudes under which aircraft may not operate, including

500 feet above the surface
and away from any person, vessel, vehicle,

or structure

in non-congested

areas. To provide

the intended aerial surveys
and inspections,

the sUAS
are normally operated below 500 feet AGL.

In addition,

due
to the nature

of the proposed operations,

the operator
may

at times

be less than 500 feet away from structures during
the operation. Compared

to flight operations

with conventional fixed-wing aircraft
and rotorcraft weighting

far more than the maximum

25 lbs. proposed herein,
and the lack
of flammable

fuel, any risk associated

with these operations

is far less than those presently presented
with conventional aircraft.

An equivalent
level
of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed

of the sUAS as well

as the location where they will be operated

. As described,

the sUAS will be operated

in

a restricted
area, where buildings

and people will not be exposed

to operations without theirpreobtained consent.

No flight will be taken without

the permission

of the relevant property owner and/or local officials. Because

of the advance notice

to the property owner and participants,

all relevant affected individuals

will be aware

of the planned flight operations

as set forth herein. Furthermore,

by operating

at such lower altitudes,

the sUAS will not interfere
with other aircraft that are subject

to the minimum

safe altitude regulations. 

### H

14 CF.R.

-Private

ilot rivile

es and limitations Section 61.113(a) limits private pilots

to being

in command

of non-commercial

flights

. Section 61.113(b
)(1) provides

an exemption

that allows

a private pilot

to command

an aircraft without passengers

or property,

in connection

with business

or employment if"[t]he flight

is only incidental

to that business

or employment."

That exemption likely does not apply

to the proposed operations under this petition

for exemption,

as the flights
are not incidental

to the proposed aerial surveys
and inspections

but rather essential

to it. Accordingly,

this petition seeks an exemption

to§

61

. 113(a)'s commercial limitation and/or Section 61.113(b)(1)'s requirement that the flight

be incidental

to the business

to benefit from the exception. The purpose

of 61

. 113

is to ensure that the skill and competency

of any PIC matches

the airspace in which
the PIC will be operating,

as well

as requiring certifications

if the pilot

is carrying 8passengersorcargoforhire.Inthiscase,whilethesUASwillbeoperatedaspartofacommercialoperation,butunlikeaconventionalaircraftthatcarriesthepilotandpassengers,thesUASareremotelycontrolledwithnolivingthingonboard.Additionally,theareaofoperationiscontrolled,andallflightsareplannedandcoordinatedinadvance.ThelevelofsafetyprovidedbytherequirementsoutlinedexceedsthatprovidedbytheFARsforasingleindividualholdingacommercialpilot'scertificateoperatingaconventionalaircraftinaccordancewithSections61.113(a)and(b).Thelevelofriskassociatedwiththeoperationofsmall,lightweightUASislessthanthelevelofriskassociatedwithcommercialoperationscontemplatedbyPart61whendrafted-thatis,allowingtheproposedoperationsinthispetitionforexemptionexceedsthepresentlevelofsafetyachievedbySections61.113(a)and(b).I.14CF.R§91.121-AltimeterSettingsSection91.121providesthataircraftshallmaintaincruisingaltitudesbyreferencetoanaltimetersettingavailablewithin100nauticalmilesoftheaircraft.Theaircraftwillflybelow400feetAGLandwillnotneedtomaintainhemisphericalcruisingaltitudesinordertode-conflictwithotheraircraft.Assuch,anappropriatealtimetermeasurementpresentedtothepilotshouldbeAboveGroundLevelandshouldbebasedonthebarometricpressureatthepointoflaunch.Toprovideanequivalentlevelofsafety,theUAS'sAGLaltimeterwillbesettozeroonthegroundpriortoeveryflight.Sincetheaircraftwillflynomorethan50minutes,evenrapidchangesinbarometricpressurewillhave limitedeffectonthesafetyoftheflight.Additionally,theaircraftmaintainscruisealtitudemostlyfromGPSaltitudereadings,sorapidfluctuationsinatmosphericpressurewillhaveevenlessofaneffect.GiventheseconditionsanequivalentlevelofsafetyisprovidedinlinewithpreviousexemptiontoAstraeusAerial,DocketNo.FAA-2014-0352.J.14CF.R91.151(a-FuelreuirementsorihtinVFRconditionsThisregulationprohibitsanindividualfrombeginning"aflightinanairplaneunderVisualFlightRules(VFR)conditionsunless(consideringwindandforecastweatherconditions)thereisenoughfueltoflytothefirstpointofintendedlandingand,assumingnormalcruisingspeed-(1)Duringtheday,toflyafterthatforatleast30minutes;or(2)Atnight,toflyafterthatforatleast45minutes."Themultirotorbatteriesprovideupto30minutesofpoweredflightwithoutposingrisktothebatterysystem.Withoutanexemptionfrom§14CFR91.151,theUAS'sflightswouldgreatlylimitthesystem'sabilitytoperformeffectively.Giventhelimitationsonitsproposedoperationsandthelocationofthoseproposedoperations,anddaylightonlyVFRflightconditions,alongertimeframeisreasonable.Northlandbelievesthatanexemptionfrom14CFR§91.151(a)issafeandwithinthescopeofapriorexemption.OperatingthesUAS,without30minutesofreservefueldoesnotengenderthetypeofrisksthatSection91.151(a)wasmeanttopreventgiventhesizeandspeedatwhichthesUASoperates.Thefactthatitcarriesnopilot,passenger,orcargoalsoreducesitsliability.Additionally,limitingsUASflightstoatimelimitvsarelevantbatterypercentagewouldgreatlyreducetheirutility.Intheunlikelyeventthatthemultirotoraircraftshouldrunoutoffuel,it9wouldsimplyland.Givenitsweightandconstructionmaterial,therisksarelessthancontemplatedbythecurrentregulation.Northlandbelievesthatanequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbymaintaining10percentbatteryreserveandwouldbemorethanadequatetoreturnthesUAStoitsplannedlandingzonefromanywhereinitsoperatingarea.Similarexemptionshavebeengrantedtoothers,includingExemptions2689F,5745,10673,11311and11062.K14CF.R.§91.405(a),407(a)(1),409(a)2417a-MaintenanceinsectionsSection91.405(a)requiresthatanaircraftoperatororowner"shallhavethataircraftinspectedasprescribedinsubpartEofthispartandshallbetweenrequiredinspections,exceptasprovidedinparagraph(c)ofthissection,havediscrepanciesrepairedasprescribedinpart43ofthischapter...."Section91.407similarlymakesreferencetorequirementsinPart43;Section91.409(a)(2)requiresanannualinspectionfortheissuanceofanairworthinesscertificate.Section91.417(a)requirestheowneroroperatortokeeprecordsshowingcertainmaintenanceworkthathasbeenaccomplishedbycertificatedmechanics,underPart43,orlicensedpilotsandrecordsofapprovaloftheaircraftforreturntoservice.MaintenanceofthemultirotorsUASwillbeaccomplishedbytheowner/operatorpursuanttothetrainingmanuals,suchasexhibits,providedintheattachments.AnequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbecausethesUASissmallinsize,willcarrynoexternalpayload,willoperateonlyinrestrictedpredeterminedareasandisnotacomplexmechanicaldevice.TheoperatorofthemultirotorsUASwillensurethatthesUASareinworkingorderpriortoinitiatingflight,performrequiredmaintenance,andkeepalogofanymaintenancethatisperformed.Moreover,theoperatoristhepersonmostfamiliarwiththeaircraftandisbestsuitedtomaintaintheaircraftinanairworthyconditionandtoensureanequivalentlevelofsafety.OPERATORREQUIREMENTSNorthlandrespectfullyproposesthatoperatorrequirementsshouldtakeintoaccountthecharacteristicsoftheparticularsUAS.CertainsUAS,suchasthemultirotor,arecharacterizedbyahighdegreeofpre-programmedcontrolandvariousbuilt-intechnicalcapabilitiesthatlimitthepotentialforoperationoutsideoftheoperatingconditionssetforthabove.ThemultirotorsUAShaveasemi-autonomousnavigationandcontrolsystemcomprisedofagroundcontrolstationandauto-pilotsystem.Flightscanbepre-programmedwithGPSguidanceanddonotrequirehumanintervention.However,flightmissionareaandroutingcanbechangedafterlaunch.Theoperatorcanchangetherouteandthealtitude;howeverthesechangesareallstabilized/assistedbytheauto-pilotsystem,andtheairspeed,altitude,andbankanglelimitsareallenforcedbytheauto-pilot,sothattrue100%manualflightisneverallowed.Flightsarenotdirectedbypositivemanualcontrol,norareevasivemaneuvers.Inthecaseofunplannedevents,theoperatorinputspre-programmedevasivemaneuversfromthecontrolunitandthecontrolunitexecutesthatmaneuver.Pre-programmedoperatorinterventionsincludediversiontotheright;initiationofholdingatpresentposition;suspensionofmission;flybacktolaunchpoint;flytopointandhold;abortmissionandland;andemergencypowercutoffandland.10

### Additional automated safety functions

and safety enhancing features

of the multi rotor systems include

the following: 

### A. Auto-pilot detection

of lost GPS

or of insufficient satellites initiates

a automatic landing or the aircraft
can be manually control

for safe recovery B. 

### If the auto-pilot detects

a lost-link

to the ground control station
the multirotor returns

to

a predetermined

point; and

at

a predetermined

time performs

the landing sequence. C

. The motor

is driven

by

a pulse width modulated signal,
not an analog signal. Given these safety features, Northland proposes

that operators

of the multirotors should
not be required

to hold

a commercial

or private pilot certification. Instead, operators should

be required to have completed

a minimum

of

a recreational

or sport airman certificate

. 

### PUBLIC INTEREST An opportunity

exist

to bridge
the gaps between

an industry seeing potential

in new technology and academic training programs

that can provide education

on safe operating procedures

and guidelines.
sUAS flights

in the NAS are becoming more frequent

and many incidence
have recently been reported

by unauthorized operators

. Many

of the individuals responsible

for these incidences

are not professional

and have not received formalized training

in sUAS operation. Granting

this exemption

will continue furthering education

on safe operations

of sUAS. The exemption

will provide

the industry with operators
who demonstrate

good aeronautical judgment by implementing
proper risk management

and safety practices while operating sUAS

in the NAS. Consistent

with the requirements

of 14 C.F.R.



### § 11.81(d), Northland offers
the following reasons why granting
this petition

for exemption

is in the public interest. Granting

the present petition

of exemption

will further
the public interest

by allowing Northland

to safely, efficiently,

and economically perform aerial data acquisition, research, training

and educations

in support

of in support

of

a wide range

of industries

and applications.

As an example

the data captured

by the multirotor sUAS will be used

to help farmers plan their planting

and harvesting methods, address fertility, disease,

and pest issues

in

a timely manner,

and market their crops. Additionally,

the use of the multirotor sUAS significantly improves safety and reduces
risk by alleviating human exposure

to danger
and emissions associated
with current aerial survey
and inspection methods, namely full-sized manned aircraft.

If one of the multirotor sUAS crashes, there

is no fuel
to ignite and explode

. Any impact

of the multi rotor sUAS

is far less than

a full-sized manned aircraft. Furthermore,

there are no privacy issues that will be raised, because

the multirotor sUAS will only be operated

in areas with the permission

of the relevant property owners,

and
in accordance

with
all Federal Aviation Regulations. 

### SUMMARY Northland
seeks exemption
from the requirements

of 14 C.F.R.

§ 21, Subpart Hand

14 C.F.R.

§ 91.203(a)(1);

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.9 (b);
14 C.F.R.



### § 45.23(b);

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.203(a)

and 91.203(b); 14 C.F.R.



### § 91.109(a);

14 C.F.R.



### § 91.103;

14 C

. F.R

. 

### § 61.113(a)

and (b)

; 14 C

. F

. R.



### § 91.119; 14 C

. F

. R

. 

### § 91.121;

14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)

14 C.F

. R.



### § 91.405(a), 407(a)(l), 409(a)(2), 417(a) 11

# CONCLUSION 

# Satisfaction

of the criteria provided

in Section
333 of the Reform
Act of2012-size,
weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity

to airports
and populated areas, and operation within visual line of sight and national security-provides

more than adequate justification

for granting the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation

of Northland

in the agricultural
aerial survey industry

in accordance

with the exhibit appended hereto. If additional information

is required,

do not hesitate

to contact

the undersigned

. 

# Sin~U Curtis


# Zoll

**~** Associate Dean Aerospace Programs Northland Community

and Technical College

12