418 NE 5th St

Madison, SD 57042

Contact: Danny Frisby-Griffin, 

Chief Executive Officer

Danny.frisby-griffin@saunterraven.com

(402) 332-7423

RE: EXEMPTION REQUEST UNDER SECTION 333 OF THE FAA REFORM ACT AND 

PART 11 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS

Dear Sir/Madam,

Pursuant to Section 333 of PL 112-95 commonly known as the "FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012" or "The Reform Act", Saunter Raven, LLC, hereby petitions the FAA for 

authorization to conduct commercial operations of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), as 

well as for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to allow 

commercial operation, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the 

conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA in an exemption granted 

under either Section 333 or Section 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f).

SECTION I – REQUESTED REGULATIONS FOR EXEMPTION 

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 C.F.R. 61.113 (a) (b) and 61.133 (a) (l) (ii)- Private and Commercial Pilot Privilege 

and Limitations

“14 C.F.R. § 61.113: (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (g) 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:

14 C. F. R. § 61.133: (a) Privileges- (/) General. A person who holds a commercial pilot 

certificate may ac1 as pilot in command of an aircraft- (ii) for compensation or hire,

provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable 

parts of this chapter that apply to the operation.”
Currently, there are no applicable areas identified for UAS in either the private or 

commercial sector and therefore an exemption is required to conduct commercial 

operations. As flight operations will be conducted in a restricted environment, these 

strict guidelines will achieve an equivalent level of safety for each individual flight 

especially when compared to commercial flights identified in Part 61 when originally 

developed. In addition, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, Aeryon SkyRanger, and 

Lockheed Indago UAS primary control system utilizing GPS waypoints for guidance 

and control, APS flight operations will be conducted by qualified UAS operators.

NOTE: Operators will have a minimum a private pilot’s certification until further UAS 

certification guidance is issued by the FAA. All operators will be trained and locally 

certified IAW the current FAA UAS proposal guidance.

14 C.F.R. 91.109 (a) - Flight Instruction > States: No person may operate a civil 

aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that 

aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.

DJI Phantom 3 Professional UAS, Aeryon SkyRanger, and Lockheed Indago (as 

described below in Section IV of this petition) are developed with single operational 

control through the use of pre-determined GPS enabled waypoints programmed before 

or during flight in addition to the use of a single hand held transmitter or control station 

controlled by the Pilot In Command (PlC). The design does not allow for dual controls 

during flight training and therefore the exemption is requested to qualify/certify 

operators as required by the manufacturer along with specific operations training and 

procedures identified above within section II. An equivalent level of safety will be 

ensured during training operations by utilizing the same flight planning process for 

normal operations. In the flight planning document and/or real-time flight avoidance 

software will be used to identify all ground hazards and mitigation techniques will be 

enacted to ensure flights are executed within FAA and legal guidelines.

NOTE: The FAA has set precedent by previously issuing exemptions fork 91.1 09(a): 

Exemption Nos. 5778K and 9862A. Also see most recent exemption approvals for Astraeus 

Aerial, Aerial MOB. HeliVideo Productions, RC Pro Product ions. Snaproll Media and 

Pictorvision for further justification of approval.

14 C.F.R. 91.151 (a)- Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions> States: No 

person may begin flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind 

and forecast weal her conditions /here is enough fuel to fly to the first point of 

intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed- (I) During the day to fly after 

that for at least 30 minutes:
The DJI Phantom 3 Professional UAS (as described below in Section IV of this petition) 

has a limited flight time of approximately 23 minutes, and is operated by using a LiPo 4S 

battery. The Aeryon SkyRanger and Lockheed Indago have a much greater battery life 

enabling them to fly for up to 50 minutes and 40 minutes respectably.

NOTE: The FAA has set precedent by previously issuing exemptions for§ 91.151 (a): 

Exemption Nos. I 067 3. 2689F, 5 745. I 067 3 and I 0808. Also, see most recent exemption 

approvals for Astraeus Aerial. Aerial MOB. HeliVideo Productions. RC Pro Productions. 

Snaproll Media and Pictorvision for further justification of approval.

14 C.F.R. 91.119 (c) - Minimum Safe Altitudes> States: 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.

All Saunter Raven, LLC operations will be conducted at 400ft AGL or below in 

uncontrolled Class G and occasionally Class E airspace. As sUAS are inherently safer 

than traditional aircraft due to their small size, light weight, battery operated vice fuel 

and no human on-board. In addition, objects/hazards will be identified and geo-located 

prior to flight to be utilized within the flight planning stages to ensure this objective is 

met.

14 C. F. R. 91.121 - Altimeter Settings > States: Each person operating an aircraft shall 

maintain the cruising altitude or flight level of that aircraft, as the case may be by 

reference to an altimeter that is set. When operating ...

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional, Aeryon SkyRanger, and Lockheed Indago UAS (as 

described below in Section IV of this petition) are equipped with Global Positioning 

Systems (GPS) which provide altitude and geo-location data to the operator vice 

utilizing an altimeter. Due to this fact, an exemption is required for this system to be 

utilized in flight. GPS are precise within a few feet and therefore meet a safety level 

equal to if not higher than regulatory guidance.

NOTE: The FAA has recently set precedence to this regulation within like given parameters 

and an exemption should be approved on this basis. See exemption approvals for Astraeus 

Aerial, Aerial MOB, HeliVideo Productions, RC Pro Productions, Snaproll Media and 

Pictorvision.

14 C.F.R. 91.405 (a), 91.407 (a) (1), 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b)- Maintenance

Inspections
91.405 (a) 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 his chapter

91.407 (a) (l) States: (a) No person may operate any aircraft that has undergone 

maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration unless-( !) !t has been 

approved for return to service by a person authorized under§ 43.7 of this chapter

91.409 (a) (2) States: (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this sec/ion, no 

person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it 

has had-(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 

required as an '·annual·' inspections and is entered as an 'annual' inspection in the 

required maintenance record~.

91.417 (a) & (b) States: (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: (paragraphs l (i- iii). 2 (i- vi)); (b) The 

owner or operator shall retain the following records for the periods prescribed: 

(paragraphs l - 3)

A critical element of the exemption application involves evidence of the airworthiness 

of Aeryon sUAS including the SkyRanger. Aeryon has shown compliance through a 

history of granted flight operations and successful flights- including many operations 

with public agencies. The list of granted applicants includes: Michigan State Police, 

US Navy Spawar, Mass Development (Joint Base Cape Cod), Unmanned Experts 

(NIJ Partnership}, Western Washington University, Aetos (via Northwest Michigan 

College), University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of New Mexico, Kansas State 

University, and Virginia Tech University. The SkyRanger has also successfully 

completed the Department of Homeland Security RAPS Trial in 2013. In Canada, 

Aeryon has obtained 19 Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs) from 

Transport Canada over 5 years and its customers have received multiple certificates 

to perform demonstration, research and development, public and commercial 

operations. The criteria set forth in the certificates granted specify the substantive 

showings of the device's safety and fitness for operation to ensure that the FAA has 

sufficient basis to evaluate the aircraft's safety. The SkyRanger also has a significant 

set of automated features to ensure safe takeoff, flight and landing in many 

conditions, further details of operation can be found in section IV. (see exemption 

number 11324; April 16, 2015)
Due to the fact the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, Aeryon SkyRanger, and Lockheed 

Indago UAS at present do not have airworthiness certificates, these regulations do 

not apply and therefore an exemption is required. Pre/Post and routine inspections 

(not to exceed 50 flight hours) and maintenance will be conducted in accordance with 

the manufacturer's guidance as stated in the operations manual. Unscheduled 

maintenance will be accomplished in the event of a mechanical or structural failure 

during flight. At no time will there be changes made to the air vehicle which would 

impact the structural integrity of the air frame without the manufacturer making such 

changes and verifying the flight its air worthiness.

All inspection and maintenance will be documented and maintained in-house. These 

actions will meet the intent of the regulation exemption is being requested and lead to 

the equivalent level of safety.

NOTE: The FAA has recently set precedence to this regulation within like given 

parameters and an exemption should be approved on this basis. See exemption 

approvals for Astraeus Aerial. Aerial MOB, HeliVideo Productions. RC Pro Productions. 

Snaproll Media and Pictorvision.

8900.227 Paragraph 16(c)(4) PIC Medical. and Paragraph 16(e)(1) Observer Medical. 

This policy provides that both the PIC and VO must have a valid FAA second-class 

medical certificate issued under part 67 in order to perform as a pilot or observer. 

The sUAS platforms maximum gross weights are less than 6 lbs. They are constructed of 

plastic and the PIC is not on board. Both the PIC and the VO are required to be in VLOS. 

Given the unlikely event that both the PIC and VO become medically incapacitated while 

the aircraft is in flight, the UA will return autonomously to the site of launching and land 

without crew intervention. Therefore, requiring the PIC and VO to meet the same medical 

requirements as commercial pilot carrying passengers in a large aircraft is an 

unnecessary burden. We propose that the minimum medical requirements for the PIC and 

VO be vision corrected to 20/20 and a valid, state issued driver's license. The 20/20 vision 

requirement will ensure that the PIC and VO can see and avoid air traffic; a licensed driver 

is medically qualified to operate a much larger vehicle.

SECTION II – RESTRICTIONS FOR SAFE UAS OPERATIONS

The UAS will be operated in the field with both a PIC (Pilot in Command) and a VO (Visual 

Observer) in accordance with FAA Policy N 8900.227 Section 14 "Operational Requirements for 

UAS" and with the following restrictions:

a. No flight will be made with a UA Gross weight exceeding 55 pounds;
b. All operations must occur in FAA Class G airspace at no more than 400 ft. AGL, at an 

airspeed of no more than 87 knots and no further than 3/4 NM from the PIC;

c. A visual observer (VO) will be used on every mission until the requirement is modified 

by the FAA guidance and rule change. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate 

by voice at all times during a flight operation;

d. In the event of operations are over private property, every effort will be made to notify 

and gain permission of the property owner;

e. The PIC will brief the VO and property owner about the operation and risk before the 

first flight at each new location;

f. The PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 

61.51 (b), a minimum of 100 flight cycles and 25 hours of total time as a UA rotorcraft 

pilot and at least ten hours logged as a UA pilot with a similar UA type;

g. All required permits will be obtained from state and local government prior to 

operation;

h. The sUAS System will not be operated over densely populated areas;

i. The sUAS System will not be operated at air shows;

j. The sUAS System will not be operated over any open-air assembly of people;

k. All Flight operations will be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

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

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator will 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 will cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of 

nonparticipating persons; and 

2. 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

l. The sUAS System will not be operated over heavily trafficked roads;

m. The sUAS System will not be operated within 5 NM of an airport or heliport unless 

coordinated with air traffic control or airfield management for uncontrolled airfields

(written approval on file);

n. The sUAS System will not be operated over properties smaller than two acres in size 

unless:

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

permission for operating closer to those objects and 

2. 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

o. Operations will be restricted to day only and weather conditions equivalent to VFR;

p. 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 5 minutes or 

with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

q. No flight may be made without a Pre-Flight Inspection by the PIC before each 

operation to ascertain that the UA is in a condition safe for flight.

SECTION III – BENEFITS OF EXEMPTION APPROVAL

The requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned and relatively 

inexpensive UAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) limited, 2) 

predetermined, 3) controlled as to access, and 4) would provide safety enhancements to 

the already safe operations in the fields in which it will operate, presently using manned 

aircraft or ground personnel.

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.” Section 333(c) of the 

Reform Act.

Saunter Raven, LLC submits that the combination of the UA's light weight, flight 

performance and ability, fully qualified flight crew and strict operation under the guidelines 

established in 8900.227, and under all other Restrictions (a) through (o) listed above, the 

FAA can have full confidence that the operation will have an equivalent or greater level of 

safety than manned aircraft performing the same mission. Like in exemption No. 11153, the 

ability to use an UAS, replacing manned aircraft, the safety of the public and all those 

considered. UAS also provides an additional tool to the aerial imagery industry which 

supplements the current capabilities offered by manned aircraft.

The requested exemption would support an application for a commercial Certificate of 

Authorization to use the above described UAS platforms to conduct aerial imagery and 

data collection for the purpose of augment precision agriculture, herd management, 

energy grid surveillance and real estate listing videos.

SECTION IV – EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION

About DJI PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL:

Here are the technical specifications of the equipment that Saunter Raven LLC will be 

operating:

AIRCRAFT

Weight (Including Battery and Propellers) 1280 g

Diagonal Size (Including Propellers) 590 mm
Max Ascent Speed 984 fpm

Max Descent Speed 590.55 fpm

Hover Accuracy Vertical: +/- 10cm

Horizontal: +/- 1m

Max Speed 31.10 knots (ATTI mode, no wind)

Max Altitude above Sea Level 19,685.04 Feet

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

GPS Mode GPS/GLONASS

Max Flight Time Approximately 23 minutes

Battery Type LiPo 4S

Battery Voltage 15.2 V

VISION POSITIONING

Max Velocity Less than 8 m/s (when 2 m above ground)

Altitude Range 30 cm-300 cm

Operating Range 30 cm-300 cm

Operating Environment Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (Lux > 15)

Other specifications that make this specific UAS convenient for our business include:

 4K Video / 12 Megapixel Photo Camera

 Integrated 3-Axis Stabilization Gimbal

 Easy to Fly, Intelligent Flight System

 Live HD View

 Dedicated Remote Controller

 Powerful Mobile App w/ Auto Video Editor

 Vision Positioning for Indoor Flight
About the ground operational base:

 A Pilot in Command (PIC) in operational control of a flight operation from 

beginning to end and who controls the UA while in the air;

 A 2.400 GHz-2.483 GHz remote controller operated by the PIC to control the UA while in 

flight;

 A mobile device receiving live video and flight data from the on-board camera and 

computer projects it all together onto a screen for the PIC to view during flight;

 A Visual Observer (VO) is a person who provides a second pair of eyes to visually track 

the UAS while in flight (when required for mission completion).

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST 

1. Remote Controller, smart battery, Range Extender and smartphone are fully charged. 

2. Propellers are mounted correctly. 

3. Damping absorbers are in good condition, not broken or worn. 

4. Camera lens cap has been removed. 

5. Micro-SD card has been inserted if necessary. 

6. Gimbal is functioning as normal. 

7. Motors can start and are functioning as normal. 

8. DJI VISION App can connect to the camera. 

TAKE OFF/LANDING PROCEDURES 

Place the PHANTOM 3 on ground with the battery level indicator facing you. 

1. Power on the remote controller. 

2. Power on the range extender. 

3. Switch the camera to the “ON” position. 

4. Power on the aircraft by turning on the intelligent battery 

5. Connect the mobile device to the PHANTOM 3, run the DJI Pilot App to enter the camera 

preview page. 

6. Wait until the LED flight indicator starts to slowly blink green/yellow. This means the aircraft is 

initializing and entering the “Ready to Fly”/“Ready to Fly (non-GPS).” state. Then proceed to

execute the CSC command to start motors. 

7. Push the throttle stick up slowly to lift the aircraft off the ground. 

8. When landing, be sure to be hovering over a level surface. Pull down on the throttle stick gently 

to descend and land. 

9. After landing the aircraft on the ground, keep the throttle stick at its lowest position for about 3 

to 5 seconds which will automatically stop the motors. 

FAILSAFE FUNCTION 

The aircraft will enter Failsafe mode when the connection from the remote controller is lost. The 

flight control system will automatically control the aircraft to return to home and land to reduce 
injuries or damage. The following situations would make the aircraft fail to receive a signal from 

the remote controller and enter Failsafe mode: 

1. The remote controller is powered off. 

2. The aircraft has flown out of the effective communication range of the remote controller. 

3. There is an obstacle obstructing the signal between the remote controller and the aircraft, 

essentially reducing the distance the signal can travel. 

4. There is interference causing a signal problem with the remote controller. Failsafe works 

differently depending on the mode the aircraft is in when Failsafe mode is initiated whether it is in 

the Ready to Fly or Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode. 

Ready to Fly (non-GPS) ---- Automatic landing; the flight control system will try to keep the 

aircraft level during descent and landing. Note that the aircraft may be drifting during descent 

and landing process. 

Ready to Fly ---- Automatic go home and land; the flight control system will automatically 

control the aircraft to fly back to the home point and land.

About the Aeryon SkyRanger:

Weight (Including Battery and Propellers) 5.3 lbs.

Diagonal Size (Including Propellers) 40” diameter deployed, 20x10” folded

Max Speed 40 mph

Winds Maximum 40 MPH sustained, 55 mph gusts

Max Altitude above Sea Level 14,763.8 ft.

Operating Temperature -22°F to 122°F

GPS Mode GPS/Ground Control Station 

Max Flight Time Approximately 50 minutes

Battery Type Lithium polymer batteries are self-contained high 

duration systems with "SMARr intelligence on-board. This includes cycle charge times, 

locations, GPS antenna, chemical management, and realtime data feeds to ensure maximum 

flight duration and sub-system safety processes. Charging is done in the included Aeryon 

Battery charger and can be charged via standard wall outlet, or via a vehicle

Propulsion System Engines- The SkyRanger is powered by 4 electric 

brushless DC motors. 
Batteries - Lithium polymer batteries are selfcontained high duration systems with SMART intelligence on-board. This includes cycle 

charge times, locations, GPS antenna, chemical management, and real-time data feeds to 

ensure maximum flight duration and sub-system safety processes. Charging is done in the 

included Aeryon Battery charger and can be charged via standard wall outlet, or via a vehicle.

Maintenance The UAS is nearly maintenance free, it performs 

automatic pre-flight checks and the failure of any check will prevent take-off. Checks which 

cannot be done by the system will be performed by a qualified person prior to each flight. 

Pre-flight checklist includes: 

 Visual inspection of the airframe 

 Visual inspections of rotor integrity

 Check charge of all batteries (aerial vehicle, command station, radio repeater station)

Reliability

The system is designed for maximum reliability and to maintain performance over its life. The 

only components experience routine wear are rotors, batteries, motors, and legs. Battery and 

motor conditions are monitored by the system with deviations reported to the operator. Contact 

with other objects during flight may cause other components, particularly rotors, and motor 

arms, to become damaged. Damaged components are likely to be detected during the full 

visual inspection of the airframe performed before each flight. Structural damage affecting 

flight characteristics will be detected by on-board sensors. The UAV system detects numerous 

conditions which may make flying unsafe, such as reduced GPS accuracy, magnetic 

anomalies, low battery charge, battery cell imbalances, and temperature fluctuations. 

Automatic pre-flight checks prevent the UAV from taking off if such conditions are present; or, 

if the condition is detected during flight, the system will trigger a Fatal Conditioned Response. 

Fault Tolerance

The key feature of the UAV fault tolerance is its mechanical simplicity. It uses four fixed 

pitched rotors, each mounted on a separate motor. No control surfaces or other actuators are 

required for the UAS to fly. Any component failure detectable by the system will be reported to 

the control station and will cause the UAV to perform a Fatal Condition Response (FCR) or 

Non-Fatal Conditioned Response (NFCR), depending on the type of failure. 

Command and Control Systems

The SkyRanger Ground Control station allows the operator simultaneous control over aircraft 

and payloads. The touch screen control allows for quick navigation and data entry while the 

display screen provides all essential flight data to the operator. Telemetry data is transmitted 

to the command station at least once per second. 
Displayed on GCS:

 UAS Position 

 Navigation Route 

 UAS Tail Number 

 UAS Position 

 UAS Altitude 

 UAS Heading 

 North Seeking Arrow 

 Range to Target 

 Calculated target position 

 Date/time 

 Sensor heading and orientation relative to UAS 

On-board Flight Instruments

The UAV is equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis 

magnetometer, GPS receiver, and static pressure sensor) and a sonar sensor for precision 

AGL altitude measurement. 

On-board computer systems

The UAS is equipped on-board computer systems to monitor (sensors, battery, etc.), control 

(speeds, altitude, position, etc.), and communicate (control, telemetry, etc.). 

On-board guidance and navigation equipment

The UAS can operate autonomously; it does not require any input from ground-based 

equipment, or from the pilot to hover in place.

Flight termination link

To prevent a "fly away" or other potentially dangerous situation a flight termination link is 

available to the operator at the GCS. 

Takeoff and Landing

The SkyRanger has vertical lift autonomous launch and recovery. A Landing Zone "LZ" is 

designated by the operators and identified in the GCS software. For launch procedures the 

aircraft will takeoff and hover 3 meters directly above the LZ and hold until further operator 

instruction is given. The aircraft will automatically adjust for wind during this period. 

Navigation System

Specific maps can be downloaded to the display screen (such as air sectional and geographic 

maps) which are overlaid with GPS positional data. Waypoints can be created before and 

during flight operation creating specific locations and sequences for the aircraft. 
Redundant Systems

The UAS combines the input from a multitude of sensors. Even though the data from all 

sensors is required for optimal system performance, a single sensor malfunction is likely to 

result in degraded performance rather than leading to a catastrophic failure. 

Emergency Procedures and System Failures Failure Handling

The UAS has extensive failure detection and handling capabilities. All failures are deeded to 

be either fatal or non-fatal. Failures classified as fatal result in a Fatal Condition Response 

(FCR); and failures classified as non-fatal result in a Non-Fatal Condition Response (NFCR). 

Sensor Failure

Failure of on-board flight instruments/sensors will degrade the UAS performance and will 

result in either a FCR or a NFCR, depending on their severity. If the UAS becomes unstable 

due to sensor failure, it will stop all four motors and free fall to avoid a fly away condition. 

Motor Failure

The UAS flight performance will degrade significantly if one or more motors fails. 

Airframe Failure

If airframe is damaged in ways that impacts flight characteristics, the UAS will behave similar 

to if an on-board flight instrument failed. 

Navigation System Failure

In a navigation system failure, degraded GPS will result in FCR or NFCR 's depending on 

failures. 

Power Failure

A complete battery failure which results in power loss to the UAS will result in degraded flight 

performance. 

Low Battery Condition

Operator will be alerted of a low battery condition and will land the aircraft as soon as able. 

Line-of-Sight Loss

All flight operations will be conducted with the UAS within visual sight of the pilot. If the pilot's 

view becomes obstructed and line-of-sight is lost, the pilot may instruct the UAS to hover in 

place until line-of-sight is reestablished, to return to the take-off position, or to land at the 

current position. 
Security

The system and communication links are encrypted by the manufacturer’s proprietary 

software.

Other specifications that make this specific UAS convenient for our business include:

 Stabilized, simultaneously-streaming dual EO/IR high resolution cameras

 Low-Latency all-digital network – 256bit AES encrypted streaming video to multiple 

devices, embedded geotags and metadata

 Point-and-click touchscreen navigation and camera control

 Ruggedized and weather-sealed

 Payload, battery, arms and legs are easily replaced in the field without tools

 Failsafe Specifications in place

Additional automated safety functions and safety enhancing features of the SkyRanger include 

the following: 

 Automated pre-flight system performance checks 

 User pre-flight checklist 

 Automated condition or fault detection, warnings, and pre-defined responses to a 

number of flight and system conditions. 

o High winds with system and user defined safety thresholds 

o Low battery with system and user defined safety thresholds 

o High temperature or other system safety thresholds 

o Lost-link communication 

 Pre-defined responses include behavior such as attempting to re-establish radio 

communication, return to home position and hover, return to home position and land, or 

land in current position 

 In the case of lost GPS, a manual user flight mode is enabled which allows the operator 

to provide manual navigation inputs to assist in landing the vehicle.

About the Lockheed Indago

Weight (Including Battery, Payload and Propellers) 4.85 lbs.

Diagonal Size (Including Propellers) 32 x 32 x 7 in.

Max Speed 30 mph

Operating altitude 10-500 ft.

Operating Temperature Rugged All Weather

GPS Mode GPS/Ground Control Station 
Max Flight Time Approximately 50 minutes

Battery Type LiPo w/SMART intelligence on-board

Other specifications that make this specific UAS convenient for our business include:

 Stabilized, simultaneously-streaming dual EO/IR high resolution cameras

 Setup in 60 seconds, airborne in 2.5 minutes

 Whisper quiet, rugged, all-weather capability

 Cockpit Ground Control Station

 Hot-Swappable payload options

 High wind tolerance 

 Payload, battery, arms and legs are easily replaced in the field without tools

The Indago has three emergency failsafe procedures:

Loss of Communication: In the event the communication link with the operators ground 

control station is lost, the lndago enters a hover mode for 10 seconds. It then returns home at 

the current altitude, arrives at the home waypoint and hovers for an additional 10 seconds. If 

link is not reestablished, the aircraft conducts a controlled landing then shuts off the motors.

Low Battery: The ground control station will alert the operator of a low battery onboard the 

aircraft. Upon reaching 14.7 volts the aircraft will fly to a user defined waypoint, upon reaching 

14.2 volts the aircraft will land immediately at its current location.

Loss of GPS: A loss of GPS while in guidance mode will cause the aircraft to hover using 

onboard pitch, roll, and yaw gyro's. After 10 seconds the aircraft will land immediately at its 

current location.
SECTION IV – ABOUT SAUNTER RAVEN, LLC

UAS is an additional tool to the aerial imagery industry which supplements the current 

capabilities offered by manned aircraft, to enhance and evaluate the landscape of 

properties in the Upper Midwest (South Dakota (primary operating area), North Dakota, 

Iowa and Minnesota). Saunter Raven, LLC provides aerial digital imagery and mapping to 

clients on a contracted case by case basis in the following areas:

 Precision agriculture

 Energy Grid and tower inspection

 Surveying

 Real estate

 Emergency Response

 Cinematography

Acceptance of these contracts is based on the mutual ability to conduct the operation in a safe 

and responsible manner.

Additionally, Saunter Raven, LLC requests that it be allowed to use its UAS to service first 

responders nearby when assistance is required, including fire fighters, the police, the sheriff, etc., 

while remaining subject to all limitations cited in this application as we do so.

Saunter Raven, LLC is prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the

need for an equivalent level of safety. Please contact us at any time if you require additional 

information or clarification. We look forward to working with your office.

Best Regards,

Danny Frisby-Griffin

Chief Executive Officer

(402) 332-7423