August 25, 2015

Exemption No. 12586

Regulatory Docket No.FAA

- 2015

- 0323

Mr. Adam Thorngate

- Gottlund

Counsel for AGERpoint, Inc.

The Royse Law Firm

1717 Embarcadero Road

Palo Alto CA 94303

Dear Mr. Thorngate

- Gottlund :

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.

By letter dated February 5, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

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

petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to conduct data collection

operations which will be used for early stage disease detection, crop inventory, and mapping.

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 R egister because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any

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

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the FOV Skyhunter 1.8 and AGERpoint Pe nguin B

.2

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products

and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates . In accordance with the statutory criteria

provided in Section 333 of P ublic 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 requested 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.

Th e Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1

. 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 s

. 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 Lab s , Inc. ( see Docket No.

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced s afety 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 th e 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 pre sent; 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, AGERpoint, 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

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA.

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, R F

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA.3

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

This exemption is subject to the conditio ns and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, AGERpoint, 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 fo r the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the FPV Skyhunter 1.8

and AGERPoint Penguin B 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 operat ing 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 observe r (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 ver bally at all times ;

e lectronic 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 pe rform 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 operating4

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 limitati ons herein take precedence and must be followed.

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 revi sions 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 FA A’s

UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if que stions 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 functio nal 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 mann er 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 an d 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, an d 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 Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal5

governm ent. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew 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 saf

ely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and

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

qualification flight hou rs 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

(traini ng, 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

traini ng, proficiency, and experienc e

- 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 duri ng 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 symbo l as denoted on the current

FAA

- published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with tha t 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 sign al, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the pr ivate 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 (C OA). All

operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The6

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

(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 do cuments 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 a nd/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

th e 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 o ver private or control led

- 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 incide nt, 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 FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be7

reported to th e 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 p roduction, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

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 a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The p lan 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 th e person responsible for the on

- sce ne 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 con duct 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 91.8

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures{00052557;10} U N I TED S TA T ES O F A ME R I CA

DEPARTMENT O F T R A N SP ORTA T I ON

F ED E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S TRA T I O N

W AS H I N G T O N , DC

R e g ulato r y Do c k e t No.

_

IN T H E M AT T ER OF THE P ETI T ION F OR EXE M P TION O F :

AGERPOINT , INC.

F OR A N EXE M P TION S EE K ING RE L I E F FROM THE REQUIR E M ENTS OF

TI T LE 14 OF THE C O DE OF F EDER A L R E G ULATIONS

S ECTI O NS 21.185, 45.23(b), 61.113 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b),

91.103, 91.121, 91.119, 91.203(a) & (b), 405(a), 407(a)(1),

409(a)(2), AND 417(a) & (b)

CON C ER N I N G O P E R ATI O N OF AN U N M A N N ED A IR C R A F T S Y S TEM

IN THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE

P U RSUANT TO S EC T ION 333 OF THE

F A A M ODER N I Z AT I ON A N D R E F ORM A CT OF 2012

S ubm i t t e d on February 5

, 2 0 1 5

Adam Thorngate

- Gottlund

The Royse Law Firm

1717 Embarcadero Road

Palo Alto CA 94303

T e l: ( 650 ) 813

- 9700

Fa x : ( 650 ) 813

- 9777

Atto r n ey for P e t i t i on e r{00052557;10} 2 TAB L E OF CONT E N T S

P a g e

G L OS S ARY O F A BB R E V I A T I O NS

................................................................................ . 3

S UMMARY

............................... . ........................................................................................ . 4

B ACK G RO U N D

............................... . ................................................................................ . 5

B A S I S F OR P E T I T I ON

............................... . ..................................................................... . 6

N A ME A N D A D D RESS OF P E T I T I O NE R

............................................................... . . 8

REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS

... ... ... ... ... ... . .............................................................8

GRANTING AGERPOINT’S REQUEST WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC

INTEREST.

........................ ........................ ............................................ ...... ................ . 24

S UMMARY T H AT CA N B E P U BL I S HED I N T HE F ED E R A L RE G I S T E R

....... . .. . 27

CO N C L U S I O N

............................... . ......................................................................... . ....... . 28{00052557;10} 3 G LO SS A R Y OF AB B R EVI A TIONS

A G L A bove G r ound L e v e l

ATC Air T r a f fic Control

COA C e rtifi ca te of Autho r i z a t i on

F AA F e d e r a l Aviation Adm i nis t r a t i on

F AR Fe d e r a l Aviation Re g ula t i o n N A S

N a t i on a l Airsp ac e S y stem

PIC Pilot In Command

S ec t i on 333 F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333

S MS S a f e t y M a n a g e ment S y s t e m

U A S Unm a nn e d Aircraft System

V F R Visu a l F l i g ht R ules

VMC Visu a l Meteo r ol o g ic a l C ondi t ions{00052557;10} 4 S U MM A R Y

AGERpoint

, I nc. s ee ks e xe mp t ion f r om t he re quir e ments of 14 C. F .R. §§ 45.23(b), 61.113

(a) and (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103, 91.121, 91.119, 91.203(a) and (b), 405(a), 407(a)(1),

409(a)(2), 417(a) and (b)

, as well as the restricted category airworthiness certification standards

specified in 14 C.F.R. § 21.185, including the requirement to have a certificate of airworthiness as

co ntemplated by 14 C.F.R. Part 21

. AGERpoint

, I n c

. (h e r e ina f t e r r e f e r r e d to as “ AGERpoint ”) is

an agricultural consulting company th at provides crop inventory and analysis to growers of

permanent crops ( e.g. tree, bush and vine cro ps). AGERpoint is in the process of acquiring a UAV

Factory Penguin B U nmanned Aerial Vehicle Platform (h e r e i n a ft e r r e f e r r e d to a s the “ Penguin B

UAV Platform ”)

, functionally identical to U nmanned Aerial Vehicles (“UAVs”) used by the

United States Defense Department

, as well as various research institutions, in order to provide

these services. This ex e m pt i on wi l l p e rmit AGERpoint to ope r a te this Unm a nn e d A i r c r a ft S y s tem

( “ U A S ” ) safely o v e r c e r t a in ru ra l a r e a s o f the national airspace (the “NAS”), in order to collect

data which will be used for early stage disease detection, crop inventory and mapping using

instruments including LiDAR, Multispectral

, hyperspectral, photographic and thermal sensors

which require low altitude and low speed collect ion of data

– something the UAS is uniquely

qualified to do

– without complying with FAA regulations which would be impossible for a UAS

or preclude the operat ions AGERpoint contemplates

.{00052557;10} 5 BA C K G ROU N D

A. Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft S y st e m: Penguin B UAV Platform

AGERpoint s ee ks an e x e mp t ion t o op e r a te a Penguin B UAV Platform for c ompen s a t i on or

hire with i n the N A S . T h e Penguin B UAV Platform is compris e d of a n unmann e d a ir c r a ft a nd a

tr a nspor t a ble g rou n d st a t i on. The Penguin B UAV Platform h a s a ma x i m um takeoff w e i g ht of

a ppro x i m a te l y 47 po u nd s , a win g span o f 1 30 inch e s

, a nd a le n g th of 89 inch e s. The Penguin B

UAV Platform unmann e d a ir c r a ft is e quipped w i t h a sin g le p r o p e l l e r d r iven b y a small gasoline

pow e r e d internal combustion engine

.

F ig u r e 1 : The Penguin B UAV Platform unmanned aircraft

.{00052557;10} 6 B. Safe Op e r a t i on a l His t o r y o f the Penguin B UAV Platform unmanned aircraft

in the NAS

T he Penguin B UAV has operated s a f e l y wit h in t he N A S as a research platform for

a variety of organizations, including (but not limited to) Virginia Tech, California State

University, Texas A&M, Kansas State University, the United States Naval Research Labs

,

an d the United States Air Force . The Air Force alone has logged over 100 hours of flight

time with the Penguin B UAV over three years in service, representing 66 total sorties, of

which 38 took place during 2014.

BASIS F OR P ETI T ION

P e t i t i on e r, AGERpoint

, I n c

. , b y a nd t h ro u g h und e rs i g n e d c ouns e l, purs u a nt t o the

p r ovis i ons of the Fe d e r a l Avi a t i on Re g ulations ( 14 C. F .R. § 11.61) a nd the F AA

Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333, Sp ec ial Rul e s for C e rta i n Un m ann e d

Aircraft S y ste m s (hereafter “Section 333”) , h e r e b y p e t i t i ons the Ad m in i str a tor f or a n

e x e mp t ion f r om t he re qui r e ments of 14 C. F .R. §§ 45.23(b), 61.113 (a) and (b), 91.7(a),

91.9(b), 91.103, 91.121, 91.119, 91.203(a) and (b), 405(a), 407(a)(1), 409(a)(2), and 417(a)

and (b)

, a s w e ll a s the re strict e d ca t e g o r y a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on stand a rds s p ec ified in

14 C. F .R. § 21

. 185, including the r e qui r e ment to h a ve a ce rtifi c a te of a i r wo r th i n e ss as

c ontemplat e d b y 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21. I n acc o r d a n c e with Fe d e r a l Aviation R e g ulation

( “ F AR”) S ec t i on 21.16, Sp ec ial Condi t ions (14 C. F .R. § 21.16 )

, AGERpoint further

r e q u e sts that, to the extent necessary, the Admin i str a tor p re s c ri b e such spe c ial c ondi t ions for

the i ntend e d op e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform a s the Admin i str a tor finds n ec e ssa r y

to establish a lev e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt to t h a t est a bl i shed b y the re strict e d c a t e g o r y

a irw o rthin e ss c e rti f i c a t i on stand a rds sp ec i fi e d in 14 C. F .R. § 21.18 5 , including the

requirement to have a certificate of airworthiness as contemplated by 14 C.F.R. Part 21

.

The F AA Mod er ni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333 dir ec t s t h e S ec r e t a r y{00052557;10} 7 of T r a ns p o r tation t o d e te r m i ne if c e rt a in UAS m a y op e r a te s a f e l y in t he N AS

.

AGERpoint ’s r e qu e st for e x e mp t ion m a y be g ra nted p u rsu a nt to t he a uthori t y of S e ct i on

333 a nd 14 C. F .R. P a rt 11. S ection 333 s e ts fo r th t he re quir e ments for c onsid e r i ng w h e ther a

UAS will c r e a te a h a z a rd to use r s of the NAS or t h e publ i c or p o se a th r ea t t o n a t i on a l

se c u r i t y ; and f u r the r , pro v ides the a uthori t y f o r su c h U A S t o op e r a te w i t hout ai r wo r t hiness

ce rtifi c a t i on. S e c t i on 333 st a tes t he followin g :

( a ) I n G e n e ral

. -- Not w i t hstanding any oth e r requir e m e nt of th i s sub t i t le, a n d not

l ater than 180 days aft e r the date of ena c tm e nt of th i s A c t, t he S ec r e ta r y of

T

ransporta t ion shall det e rmine if ce rta i n unmann e d aircraft syst e ms m ay op e rate

sa

f

e l

y in t he nat i onal air s pa c e syst e m b e fo r e c ompl e t i on of t he plan and ru l e ma k ing

required by se c t i on 332 of th i s A c t or t he guidance req u ired by s e c t i on 334 of t his

Act.

( b ) A ssessm e nt of Un m a n n e d Aircraft S y ste m s

. - - In ma k ing t he d e ter m ina t i o n

und e r subse c t i on ( a ) , the S e c r e t ary shall det e rmin e , at a min i mu m

--

( 1 ) which t y

p e s of unm a nn e d aircraft syst e ms, if an y , as a result of t h e ir s ize, w e igh t

,

spe e d, op e rat i onal capabil i ty, pro x imi t y to a i rpor t s and populated areas, and

op e rat i on w i th i n v i s ual l ine o f s i ght do not c r e ate a hazard to us e rs of the nat i onal

a i rspace syst e m or the p ubl i c or pose a thr e at t o nat i onal s ec uri t y ; and

( 2 ) wh e ther a c e rt i f

i c ate of waiv e r, c e rt i f

i c ate of author i zat i on, or ai r wort h iness

ce rt i f

i c at i on und e r se c t i on 44704 of t i t l e 49, United States Code, is requir e d for the

op e rat i on of unmann e d aircraft syst e ms id e nt i f

i e d und e r paragraph ( 1 )

.

(c) R e qui r e m e nts f or Safe Op e rat i on

. -- If the S ec r e tary d e ter m ines un d e r th i s se c t i on

that ce rta i n unmann e d aircr a

ft syst e ms m ay op e rate s a fely in the national air s p a c e

syst e m, the S ec r e tary shall e stab l ish r e quire me nts f or the safe op e rat i on of su c h

aircraft syst e ms in t he nat i onal a i rspace syst e m.

As discuss e d in det a il below

, under AGERpoint’s program the Penguin B UAV

Platform will ope r a te s a f e l y in t he NAS without c r e a t i n g a h a z a rd to us e r s of the NA S , or

the publ i c , or othe r wise pose a thr ea t t o n a t i on a l s e c u r i t y

.

Pursuant to 14 C

. F .R. § 11.81, AGERpoint p r ovides the f ol l owing i n f o r mation i n

support of i t s petition for e x e mp t io n :{00052557;10} 8 A. N a m e A n d Ad d re ss Of Th e P e t i tione r

.

The n a me a nd a dd r e ss of the Peti t ioner is:

AGERpoint

, I n c

. P.O. Box 1810

Daytona Beach , FL 32115

The point of c onta c t f o r t his P e t i t i on a nd sp ec ific c onta c t i n f o r mation i s

as follows:

Adam Thorngate

- Gottlund , Esq.

The Royse L a w F irm

1717 Embarcadero Road

Palo Alto CA 94303

T e l: ( 650 ) 813

- 9700

Fa x : ( 650) 813

- 9777

Em a i l : adamtg@rroyselaw. c om

B

. Se c tions O f 14 C. F .R. F r o m W h ich AGERpoint Se e k s E x em p tion , And The

Extent Of The Exemption

.

1

. T h e C er ti f ica t ion S tan d a r d s Sp ec i f ied I n Section 21.185 and Part 21.

I n acc o rd a n c e with t he F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 33 3

, a nd

14 C. F .R. § 21.16 e nt i t l e d Sp ec ial Condi t ion s

, AGERpoint s ee ks to e x e mpt the Penguin B

UAV Platform f r om t he re str i c ted ca t e g o r y a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t i on sp ec ified i n 14 C. F

. R.

§ 2 1.185

, or the re quir e m e nt t o h a ve a ce rtifi c a te of a i r wo r th i n e ss is s u e d, a s co n templat e d b y

14 C

. F

. R. P a r t 21

. S ec t i on 21.185 e nt i t l e d Issue of a i r w orth i n e ss c e rt i f

i c ates for r e st r ict e d

c ategory aircraf t , stat e s in p a rt:

( a ) Ai r c raft m a nufa c tur e d und e r a pro d u c t i on ce r t ific a te or t y

pe ce rtifi c a te. An

a

ppl i ca nt for the o r i g inal issue o f a re strict e d c a t e g o r y a irw o rthin e ss c e rtifi c a te f or

a n a ir c r a ft t y

p e ce rtifi c a ted in the re str i c ted ca t e g o r y

, that w a s not p re vious l y t y

pe

ce r t if i ca t e d in a n y other ca t e g o r y

, must comp l y with t he a ppro p ri a te p r ovis i ons of §

21.183.

AGERpoint s ee ks r e l i e f f r o m t he a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca te r e quir e ments a nd p r opos e s

to comm e r c i a l l y op e r a te the Penguin B UAV Platform without a n a irwo r thiness c e rtifi ca t e

for the sp ec i a l purpose of provid ing crop inventory and analysis . AGERpoint se e k s r e l i e f{00052557;10} 9 f rom the a irwo r t h iness ce rtifi c a te re qui r e m e nts of 14 C. F .R. § 21.185 to the e x tent that the

Penguin B UAV Platform , whi c h h a s not y e t b ee n t y pe ce rtifi c a t e d b y the F A A , m a y b e

op e r a t e d a s if it w e re a r e str i c ted ca t e g o r y a ir c r a ft f o r a s i n g le, d e fin e d, sp e c ial purp o se

op e r a t i on ( i.e.

, a gricultural surv e y i n g ). Op e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform will not

c re a te a h a z a rd to us e rs o f the NA S , or the public, or othe r wise pose a thr ea t t o n a t i on a l

se c u r i t y

.

S ec t i on 333 s e ts fo r th t he re quir e m e nts f o r c onsid e ring w h e ther a U A S will c r e a t e

a h a z a rd to us e rs of the N AS or the public or po s e a thr ea t t o n a t i on a l s e c u r it y

. F u rth e r

,

Se c t i on 333 p r ovides the a uthori t y f o r su c h U A S to ope r a t e without a i r w o r th i n e ss

c e rtifi ca t i on. S p ec ific a l l y

, S ec t i on 333 stat e s the f ol l owin g , in p a rt:

( b ) A ssessm e nt of Un m a nn e d Aircraft S y ste m s

. - - I n ma k ing t he d e ter m ina t i on

und e r subse c t i on ( a ) , the S e c r e t ary shall det e rmin e , at a min i mum

--

( 1 ) which t y

p e s of unm a nn e d aircraft syst e ms, if an y , as a result of t h e ir s ize, weight,

spe e d, op e rat i onal capa b i l i t y

, pro x imi t y to a i rpor t s and populated ar e as, and

op e rat i on wi t hin visual l i ne of s ight do not cr e ate a hazard t o us e rs of the national

a i rspace syst e m or the publ i c or pose a thr e at t o nat i onal s ec uri t y ; and

( 2 ) wh e ther a c e rt i f

i c ate of waiv e r, c e rt i f

i c ate of author i zat i on, or

ai r wort h iness ce rt i f

i c at i on und e r se c t i on 44704 of t i t le 49, U ni t e d Sta t e s C od e

, is r e quired for t he op e rat i on of unmann e d aircraft syst e ms id e nt i f

i e d und e r paragraph ( 1 ).

As set forth further below, n um e rous fac tors, particularly the physical characteristics

of the Penguin B UAV, t h e op e r a t i on a l his t o r y of the Penguin B UAV Platform in t he NA S

,

a s w e ll a s the s p ec ific p a r a met e rs of AGERpoint ’s in t e nd e d op e r a t i on pu r suant to this

e x e mp t ion, demonstr a te th a t t he Penguin B UAV Platform will operate sa f e l y in the NAS

without c r e a t i n g a h a z a rd to other a ir c r a ft or p e op l e on the g roun d

. A cc o rdin g l y , t h e F AA

m a y a ppro v e op e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform

, without a n a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t e

,

b y s e t t ing f o rth sp ec if i c op e r a t i n g l i m i tations to ensu r e a lev e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt t o wh a t

would be p r ovid e d b y a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on.{00052557;10} 10 AGERpoint sub m i t s that the Penguin B UAV Platform ca n op e r a te s a f e l y in t he NAS,

and will not create a h a z a rd to oth e r air c r a ft or p e ople on the g rou n d. A c c o r di n g l y

, the F AA

m a y a ppro v e i t s use w i t h o ut an a irwo r t h iness c e rtifi c a te a s d e monstr a ted b y : (i) the s a fe

op e r a t i on a l h i sto r y a n d c u r r e nt use of the Penguin B UAV Platform in the NA S ; (ii) the

c h a r ac t e rist i c s of the Penguin B UAV Platform; (iii) the l i m i ted a r e a o f AGERpoint’s

in t e nd e d op e r a t i on (i.e. only over private land in rural areas with the prior consent and

coordinated planning of the landowner); (iv) t he licensed p i lot re quir e m e nt ; ( v) the spe c ific

op e r a t i n g l i m i tation s ; a nd ( v i ) a n y other c ondi t i o ns that the Admin i str a tor m a y p r e s c ri b e

.

i. Th e Penguin B UAV Platform Has A H i sto r y O f Safe O p er a t ion In

T h e NAS

.

The Penguin B UAV has operated s a f e l y wit h in t he N A S as a research platform for

a variety of organizations, including (but not limited to) Virginia Tech, California State

University, Texas A&M, Kansas State University, the United States Naval Research Labs,

and the United States Air Force . The Air Force al one has logged over 100 hours of flight

time with the Penguin B UAV over three years in service, representing 66 total sorties, of

which 38 took place during 2014.

ii. T h e Sp ec i f ica t io n s Of T h e Penguin B UAV Platform D e m o n st r a t e

Its Sa f e Chara c te r istics.

The Penguin B UAV Platform do e s not c re a te a h a z a rd to use r s of the N A S or

t h e publ i c , or othe r wise pose a thr ea t t o n a t i on a l se c u r i t y c onsid e ring i t s si z e , w e i g ht,

s p e e d, or op e r a t i on a l ca p a bi l i t y . T h e sp e c ificat i ons of the Penguin B UAV Platform a r e

a s follows:{00052557;10} 11 Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft

S y stem The Penguin B UAV is an Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft S y st e m t h a t i s

c omprised of a n unmann e d a ir c r a ft a n d a tr a nsport a ble g round

station.

Unm a nn e d Ai r c raft

Dimensions W in g span: 13 0 in. L e n g th: 89 in.

En g ine

(Propulsive

Unit) En g ine (Propulsive Unit)

Manufacturer: 3W

- modellmotoren

http://www.3w

- modellmotoren.com/katalog/motoren

einzylinder

- 28/3w

- 28i.html

28cc gas 2

- stroke engine

Muffler system

3.35 HP

electronic spark

APC 16x15 propeller

Unleaded gasoline with 2

- stroke oil mixture

Reverse rotation to utilize tractor propellers

Generator

Man u f a c tu r e r: UAV Factory

150W max

Belt driven.

F u e l Unleaded gasoline with 2

- stroke oil mixture

En g ine (Propulsive Unit)

L i m i t s Ma x i m um P ow e r O utpu t : 3.35 HP

Ma x i m um R P M: 8

, 5 00 R P M

Ma x i m um M o tor T e m p e r a tur e : 25 0 ° F ( 121 °C)

N O TE: The mo t or temp e r a ture is not d i spl a y e d to the

op e r a tor.

P rop e l l e r a nd

P rop e l l e r L i m i t s Manufacturer: APC

Fixed pitch tractor 16x15 or 17x10 (Diameter x Pitch)

Max RPM: 9,000

Backup B a t t e r y

Com m a nd &

Control Manufacturer: various

Lipo 3S 3,000 mah{00052557;10} 12 Airsp ee d L i m i t s Vne ( N e v e r E x cee d S p e e d) 6 8 knot (3 5 m/ s )

Vno ( Ma x i m um S tru c tu r a l Cruising S p ee d) 4 3 k n ots (2 2 m / s)

Va ( Ma n e uv e ri n g S p e e d) 4 3 knots ( 2 2 m / s)

L a ndi n g S p e e d: 2 5 kno t s (1 3 m/s)

C .G.

R a n g e .25 inch e s fore or aft from d a tum

D a tum Marked on aircraft

Me a n A e ro d y n a m i c

Chord (M A C) 13 in. long with l ea di n g e d g e 21.2 in. f r om nose

L e v e l i ng M ea ns Not Appl i ca ble.

Ma x i m um W e i g hts R a mp 47 l b s

. T a k e o f f 47 lbs.

L a ndi n g 47 lb s

.

Emp t y W e i g ht 22 lbs.

N O TE: Emp t y W e i g ht Ex c ludes we i g ht of b a t te r y a nd

p a y l o a d modu l e s

.

F r e q u e n c ies 9 02

- 928 MHz ( I S M B a n d)

420

- 450 M Hz ( I S M B a nd)

N O TE: Telemetry uplink and d ownlink a r e on the 9 00 M hz

b a nd. C2 upl i nk and downlink a re on the 400 M h z band

.

Compu t e r Softw a re APM Mission Planner{00052557;10} 13 Mini m um C r e w (1) The Penguin B UAV Platform ca n be o p e r a t e d b y a sin g le

o p e r a tor.

Numb e r of S ea ts (0) Not Applic a ble.

F u e l C a p a c i t y 7.5 gallons maximum

Oil C a p ac i t y Not Applic a ble.

Ma x . Op e r a t i ng Alt i tude 10,000 f t. A G L ( 3040 M)

Con t rol Sur fac e

Movem e nts W ing F laps Down 45

Aile r on Up 30° Do w n 30°

“ V” tail el e v a tor a c t i on Up 60° Do w n 6 0 °

“ V” tail rudd e r act i on Up 60° D own 6 0 °

“ V” tail m a x

. c omb i n a t i on

Rudd e r e lev a tor ac t i on Up 60° D own 60°

Nominal Endu ra n c e 10 hours

Ambient Outside Air

T e mpe ra tu r e ( O AT) Ma x i m um OA T : 120 °F ( 49 ° C)

Mini m um OAT At Alt i t u d e :

- 20 °F (

- 29 ° C )

W ind L i m i t a t i on 1 5 knots steady, 5 knots gusts

Mainten a n c e This Penguin B UAV Platform must be maintain e d in a cc o r d a n c e

with the Penguin B UAV Main t e n a n c e Op e r a t i on Manual, or lat e r

FAA ac c e pted re vis i on.{00052557;10} 14 iii. F l i g h t Op er a t io n s P u r s u a n t T o Th e E x e m p tion S o u g h t

Wo u l d Be L i m it e d T o Rural A r e as over Private Land.

AGERpoint p r opos e s to on l y c ond u c t ae ri a l survey fli g ht op e r a t i ons o v e r privately

held land in ru r a l a r e a s , and to undertake certain procedures if a flight near to a irpo r ts,

h e l i p a ds, or state ro a ds is planned. S p ec ific a l l y

, AGERpoint ’s p r opos e d fl i g ht o p e r a t i ons

are by their nature limited to ru ra l a r e a s t h a t a r e :

1 . Private land with consent having been received from the landowner and plans

implemented as to any persons or structures on the ground within the flight area ;

2. Not wi t hin five ( 5) m i les of a n y a irpo r t o r h e l i p a d, except with the prior approval of

the relevant FAA and/or ATC offices ;

Furthermore, all flight operations will be conducted such that the energy of the UAS as defined

by a 2:1 glide slope is never directed outside the boundaries of the consenting landholder’s

land, and never directed o ver any state road.

I n summ a r y

, AGERpoint se e ks to op e r a te its Penguin B UAV Platform on l y ov e r r u ra l

a r ea s, while m a in t a in i ng s a fe dis t a n c e s f r om a n y p opulat e d a re a s, ai rp o rts, h e l i p a ds, or major

r o a d w a y s.

iv. F l i g h t O p er atio n s Of T h e Penguin B UAV Platform A r e L i m it e d

To T h e Li n e Of S ig h t O f A C e r ti f ica te d P i l ot in C o m m a n d.

AGERpoint wi l l on l y ut i l iz e P i l o t s in Command (PIC) who have successfully taken and

passed the FAA written private pilot knowledge test, who also have a v a l i d driver’s license or

third class medical certificate, in order to certify their health. The pilot must have 200 takeoffs

and landings, and 25 hours of flight time on the Penguin B. The PIC must m ee t the

re quir e m e nts as s e t f o rth b y the S ta n d a rd O p e r a t i n g P ro c e d u r e s ad o pted b y AGERpoint f or

f l i g ht op e rat i ons of the Penguin B UAV Platform.{00052557;10} 15 v. F l i g h ts Wi l l B e Con du c t e d P u r s u a n t To S p ec i f i c O p er a t i n g

L i m ita t io n s.

In seeking this exemption, AGERpoint p r opos e s to op e r a te the Penguin B UAV

Platform, for the sp ec ial pu rpose o f c o ndu c t i ng a e ri a l surveys for early stage disease

detection, crop inventory

, and mapping

, pursu a nt t o the following sp e c ific o p e r a t ing

l i m i tations:

1. F l i g ht op e r a t i ons a r e p e r m i t t e d on l y over d e fin e d a r e a s of private land.

2. The Penguin B UAV Platform will be op e r a ted a t or b e l ow 400 ft. a bove g round

lev e l ( A G L )

.

3. The Penguin B UAV Platform shall be op e r a t e d with i n two mil es

, a nd with i n l i ne

o f si g ht, of the pilot in command.

4. The Penguin B UAV Platform shall be op e r a t e d pu r su a nt t o D a y Vis u a l F l i ght

Rules ( VF R) in visual m e teo r o l o g i c a l condit i ons ( V M C) . The Penguin B UAV

Platform shall be op e r a ted on l y duri n g d a y l i g ht hours ( i.e. b e t w ee n t he e nd of

morni n g c iv i l t wil i g ht a nd the b e g inn i n g of e v e ning c iv i l t wil i g ht, as p u bl i shed in

t he Am e ri ca n Air Alman ac

, c on v e rt e d to l o ca l t i m e ).

5. The dur a t i on of e ac h flight shall not e x cee d 8 hou r s, or 80% of the Penguin B

UAV Platform’s nominal endurance

.

6. The Penguin B UAV Platform shall op e r a te f rom on

- si t e tak e o f f/lan d ing l o ca t i ons

dir e c t l y n e x t t o the pi l ot in com m a nd.

7. Op e r a t i ons shall be c on d u c ted b y c e rtifi ca ted PICs who h a ve comp l e ted t ra in i n g

,

c h ec kin g

, c u r r e n c y

, a nd r ece n c y o f e x p e ri e n c e re qu i rements a s a ppro ve d b y the

F AA A d m i nis t r a tor.

8. Op e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform with a n y inope ra t i ve ins t rum e nts or

e quip m e nt shall be p r ohib i ted.

9. The Penguin B UAV Platform shall be maintain e d in a c c o r d a n c e with the

M a nu f ac tur e r ’ s Mainten a n c e M a nu a l.

10. P rior to fli g ht ope r a t i ons, AGERpoint shall c oordin a te a nd e stablish two w a y

c om m unic a t i ons with the n ea r e st Air T r a f f ic Cont r ol f ac i l i t y, if located within five

miles of the survey area

.

11. A ll flight operations will be conducted such that the energy of the UA V as defined{00052557;10} 16 by a 2:1 glide slope is never directed outside the boundaries of the consenting

landholder’s land, and never directed over any state road.

vi. Additional Operating Limitations May Be Prescribed By Th e F AA.

I n acc o rd a n c e with S e c t i on 333 of the F A A Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012 14

C. F .R. § 21.16, the Administrator may p r e s c ri b e spe c ial c ondi t ions for the intend e d op e r a t i on

of t h e Penguin B UAV Platform in order t o e stablish a l e v e l of s a fe t y e quiva l e nt t o that

e stablished b y Se c t i on 21.1 8 5. L ike w i s e , the A dm i nis t rator m a y p r e s c ribe spe c i a l c ondi t ions

if the a irw o rthin e ss r e g u l a t i ons of 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21 do not cont a in ad e qu a te o r a ppro p ri a te

s a f e t y stan d a rd s due to t he nov e l or unusu a l desi g n f e a tu r e s o f the a ir c r a f t.

Se c t i on 21.16, e nt i t l e d Sp ec ial Condi t ion s , stat e s the followin g :

I f the FAA f inds t h a t t he a irwo r th i n e ss r e g ulations of this sub c h a pter do not

c ontain a d e qu a te o r a ppro p ri a te s a f

e t

y stand a rds f or a n a i r c r a ft, a ir c r a ft e n g ine,

o r p rop e l l e r b eca use o f a no v e l or u n usual d e si g n f e a tu r e of t h e a ir c r a ft, a i r c r a

ft

e n g ine or pro pe l l e r, he pr e s c rib e s spe c i a l co n di t ions and a mendm e nts t h e r e to for

the p rodu c t. T he spe c ial c ondi t ions a r e is s u e d in a cc o r d

a n c e with P a rt 11 o f this

ch a pter a nd c ontain such sa fe t y st a nd a rds f or t h e a ir c r a ft, a ir c r a

ft e n g ine o r

p r op e l l e r a s the F AA finds n ec e ssa r y to e stablish a l e v e l of s a f

e t

y e quival e nt t o that

e stablished in t he r e g ulations.

S e e 14 C. F .R. § 21.16.

AGERpoint requests that, to the extent necessary, the F AA p r e s c ri b e such spe c ial

c ondi t ions for AGERpoint ’s in t e nd e d op e r a t ion of the Penguin B UAV Platform as will

establish a l e v e l of s a f e t y e quival e nt t o that e stablished b y Se c t i on 21.1 8 5, and 14 C.F.R. Part

21, whi c h will p e rmit s a fe op e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform for the sp ec ial pu r pose

o f c o ndu c t i ng a e ri a l surveys without an airworthiness certificate.

2

. T h e Display R e qu ir e me n ts Of S ec tion 45.23 ( b ).

AGERpoint s ee ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 4 5.23 ( b )

. S ec t i on 45.23 e nt i t l e d

Display of mar k

s; g e n e ra l , subs e c t i on ( b ), stat e s the f ol l o win g :

(b) W h e n ma r ks in c lude on l y the Rom a n c a pi t a l l e t t e r " N " a nd the re g is t rat i on{00052557;10} 17 number is disp la y e d on l i m i ted, re s t ri c ted or l i g h t

- sport ca t e go r y a ir c r a

ft or

e x

p e rime n tal or p r ovis i on a l l y c e rtifi ca ted a ir c r a

ft, the op e r a tor m u st also d i spl a y on

that a i r c r a ft n ea r eac h e ntr a n c e to t he ca bin, c o c kpi t , or p i l ot s t a t i on, in l e t t e rs not

less than 2 in c h e s nor mo r e than 6 in c h e s hi g h, t h e w o r ds " l i m i ted," " r e strict e d,"

" l i g h t

- sp o rt," " e x p e r i ment a l," or " p r ovis i on a l

, " a s ap p l ica ble.

AGERpoint r e qu e sts re l i e f f r om t he re qui r e ment of S ec t i on 45.23 ( b ) , if a ppl i ca ble,

that the wo r d “ R e strict e d ” be di s pl a y e d on the Penguin B UAV Platform n e a r e ac h e nt r a n c e

to t he ca bin, c o c kpi t , or p i l ot s t a t i o n . As the Penguin B UAV Platform i s unm a nn e d, it h a s no

ca bin, co c kpi t , pi l ot station, or e ntr a n c e s the r e to. Th e refo re

, AGERpoint pro p oses th a t, i f

re qui r e d by the Administrator, the w o r d “ R e strict e d” b e disp l a y e d in l e t t e rs two ( 2) inch e s

hi g h, hori z ontal l y on bo t h sid e s of the f usel a ge b e tw ee n the l ea di n g e d ge of the wi n g a nd the

nose s ec t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform

.

This e x e mp t ion would ma in t a in t he lev e l o f s a f e t y e stablished b y Se c t i on 45.23 ( b)

b eca use i f re qui r e d, dis p l a y i n g the wo r d “ R e str i c ted” with two ( 2) inch h i gh lette r s,

hori z ontal l y on both sides of the f use l a ge b e t w ee n the l e a di n g e dge of the wi n g a nd the nose

s ec t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform, will info r m all pa r t i e s of the unmann e d a ir c r a f t ’s

ov e r a ll op e r a t i n g status in c omp l ian c e with si z e re q uir e ment of S ec t i on 45. 2 3 ( b) ( i.e.

,

“ l e t t e rs not less than 2 in c h e s

. . . h i g h ” ). B y pl a c ing t h e lette r s hori z ontal l y on both sid e s of

the f usel a ge b e tw ee n the l ea di n g e d ge of the wi n g a nd the nose s ec t i on of the Penguin B

UAV Platform , will e nsure that the w o rd “ R e strict e d” is t he in most vis i ble lo ca t i o n , so th a t

all pa r t i e s will be info r med of the unm a n n e d a ir c r a f t ’s ov e r a ll op e r a t i ng status.

The F A A h a s p r e vious l y g r a nted e x e mp t io n s in ci rc ums t a n ce s s i m i lar, in all

m a te r ial r e spe c t s , to those p r e s e n t e d h e r e in ( e .g ., E x e mp t ion Nos. 8737, 10167, 10167A,

10700, 10810 )

.

3

. The Private Pilot Privilege and Limitations of Section 61.113 (a) and (b).

Section 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non

- commercial operations. Because the{00052557;10} 18 Penguin B UAV will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations will achieve the

same level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have

passed the FAA written private pilot knowledge test . Unlike a conventional commercial

aircraft, the Penguin B UAV is remotely controlled without the ability to carry humans or cargo

apart from its instruments and fuel. By definition, AGERpoint’s operation of the UAV will be

in a controlled, restricted area and subject to flight plan restrictions as set forth in this

application, supplemented by such Special Conditions as the Administrator may require . This

level of safety is greater than that provided by a single individual holding either a commercial

or a private pilot’s certificate operating a conventional airc raft. The risks associated with the

operation of the Penguin B UAV Platform are so much smaller than the level of risk associated

with conventional aircraft in general, and specifically with commercial operations

contemplated by Part 61 when it was drafted

, that allowing operations of the Penguin B UAV

with a private pilot as PIC exceeds the present safety achieved by Section 61.113 (a) & (b).

4

. The Civil Aircraft Airworthiness Requirement of Section 91.7(a).

Section 91.7(a) requires that no person may op erate a civil aircraft unless it is in

airworthy condition. As there will be no airworthiness certifica te issued for the Penguin B

UAV if this exemption is granted

, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining

airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft and the limitations on operations set out in this

application and in any Special Conditions required by the FAA, an equivalent level of safety

will be achieved as under the regulation.

5

. Th e Manual R e qu ir e me n t Of S ec tion 91.9(b).

AGERpoint s ee ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 9 1. 9 (b). S ec t i on 91.9 e nt i t l e d

Civil aircraft f l ight manual, m arking, and placard r e q u ire me nt s , subse c t i on ( b ) s tates the

followin g :{00052557;10} 19 (b) No p e rson m a y op e ra te a U.S

. - re g is te r e d c iv i l a ir c r a

f

t

--

(1) F o r w hich a n Airpl a n e or Rotor c r a

ft F l i g ht M a nu a l i s r e quir e d b y § 21.5 of this

c h a pter unless th e re is a v a i l a ble in the a ir c r a ft a c u r re nt, app r o v e d Ai r pla n e or

Rotor c r a

ft F l i g ht Man u a l or the ma n u a l provided f or in § 121

. 141( b ); a nd

(2) F o r w hich a n Airpl a n e or Rotor c r a

ft F l i g ht M a nu a l i s not re quir e d b y § 21.5 of th i s

c h a pte r , unless th e re is a v a i l a ble in the a ir c r a ft a c u r r e nt app r o v e d Ai r pla n e or

Rotor c r a ft F l i g ht Man u a l, app r o v e d manu a l m a te r ial, ma r ki n g s, and p l ac a rds, or a n y

c omb i n a t i on the re o f

.

R e l i e f is r e qu e sted b eca u se the Penguin B UAV Platform w e i g hs a ppro x i m a tely

forty seven (47) pounds a t i ts m a x i mum g ross w e i g ht a nd c a nnot c a r r y the a ppro ve d

Airpl a ne F l i g ht Manu a l onbo a rd. F u rth e rmo r e , since the Penguin B UAV Platform is

un m a nn e d, the a ir c r e w m e mb e r is loc a ted a t a g r ound c ont r ol s t a t i on. As su c h,

AGERpoint propos e s the f ol l o w ing c ondi t ions and l i m i tations to i t s r e qu e st for e x e mp t ion

f r om S ec t i on 91.9 ( b ) :

The a ppro v e d Ai rplane F l i g ht Manu a l m ust be k e p t at the g round c ontrol s t a t i on,

wh e re it is i m m e diat e l y a v a i l a b l e for r e f e r e n c e b y t h e a i r c r e w m e mber (pilot in

command) of the Penguin B UAV Platform a n y t i me the unmann e d a ir cr a ft is

ope ra t i n g

.

The a ppro v e d Ai rplane F l i g ht Manu a l m ust be m a de a v a i l a ble with i n 10 d a y s to a n y F A A , U.S.

D e p a rtme n t o f De f e nse, o r l a w e n f o r c e ment o f fi c ial upon re q u e st.

This e x e mp t ion would ma in t a in t he lev e l of s a f e t y e stablished b y Se c t i on 91.9 ( b)

b e c a use AGERpoint wi l l ke e p the a ppro ve d Ai rpla n e F l i g ht Man ua l at the g round c o ntrol

s t a t i on wh e re the pi l ot i n c om m a nd f l y

i n g t he Penguin B UAV Platform will h a ve i m medi a te

a c c e ss t o the do c umen t

.

P r e vious e x e mp t ions g ranted b y the F AA c on c e r n ing S ec t i on 91.9 ( b) e sta b l i sh th a t

sa fe t y is not a dv e rs e l y a f f

e c t e d wh e n the a pp r ov e d Ai r c r a ft F l i g ht Manu a l i s ke p t a t t he

g round c ontrol station of a U A S , wh e r e i t c a n be i m medi a te l y a c c e ssed b y the pilot in

command. S ec t i on 91.9 ( b) “ r e quir e s a ir c r a ft to c a rr y the fli g ht m a n u a l so t he pi l ot would{00052557;10} 20 have r ea d y a cce ss t o the a ir c r a ft lim i tations while in f l i g ht

. ” E x e mp t ion No. 8607. Ho we v e r,

the F AA h a s also f ound that U A S will a lw a y s b e op e r a ted w i t hout a n y p a s s e ng e rs or c rew

onbo a rd, a nd that “r e qu i ring these spe c ial

- u s e a i r c raft [ U A S ] to c a rr y sup e r flu o us p a p e r

do c u m e nts ma y p re s e nt a s a f e t y h a z a rd to the integ r i t y o f the [ U AS] .” I d

.

The F A A h a s p r e vious l y g r a n t e d e x e mp t io n s in ci rc ums t a n ce s s i m i lar, in all

m a te r ial r e sp ec t s , to t hose p r e s e n t e d h e r e in ( e .g. , E x e mp t ion Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299,

9430, 9554, 9564, 9565, 10167, 10602, 10673, 10835, 10869, 1096 8 ).

6

. The Preflight Action Requirement of Section 91.103.

Section 91.103 requires each PIC to take certain actions before flight to ensure the

safety of the flight. As FAA approved flight manuals will not be provided for the Penguin B

UAV Platform, an exemption will be necessary. A n equivalent level of safety will be provided

by following the preflight procedures set forth at Exhibit A hereto.

7

. The Altimeter Settings Requirement of Section 91.121.

Section 91.121 requires each person operating an aircra f t to maintain cruising al titude

by reference to an altimeter which is set “... to the elevation of the departure airport or an

appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.” The Penguin B UAV will not be

equipped with a barometric altimeter, but with a D GPS system nominally accurate to within 0.2

degrees of its programmed heading and about one centimeter of its programmed horizontal

position which will be integrated into the Penguin B UAV Platform; therefore an exemption

will be necessary. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator pursuant to the

preflight procedures set forth at Exhibit A hereto.

8

. The Minimum Safe Altitude Requirements of Section 91.119.

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Subsectio ns (b)

and (d) are, either by the terms of AGERpoint’s planned operations or by the nature of the{00052557;10} 21 Penguin B UAV, inapplicable here. Subsection (c) allows for operation at less than 500 feet

AGL “over open water or sparsely populated areas” such as those wh ere AGERpoint will

conduct its operations, although “aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any

person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.” In order to successfully collect agricultural data,

AGERpoint may need to operate the Penguin B UAV within 500 feet of people, vessels,

vehicles, or structures. As set forth in this Application, AGERpoint’s operations will only take

place with the prior co nsent and cooperative planning of all people and owners of vessels,

vehicles, or structures permitted onsite during operation. Coordination will be done with

property owner and onsite farm manager.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given th e size, weight, and speed of the

Penguin B UAV, as well as the locations where it will be operated. No flight will be taken

without the prior permission of all parties this Section aims to protect. All affected individuals

will be made aware of the planned flight operation. Compared with the flight operations of

conventional aircraft weighing several orders of magnitude more than the Penguin B UAV, any

risk associated with AGERpoint’s operations is far lower than similar operations with

conventional aircraf t. In addition, this exemption will permit separation between AGERpoint’s

operations and those of conventional aircraft.

9

. T h e Certifications R e qu ir e me n ts Of S ec tions 91.203 ( a) a n d ( b ).

AGERpoint s ee ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 9 1.203 ( a) a n d ( b ). S ec t i on

91.203 e nt i t l e d Civil a i r c raf t : C e rt i f

i c at i ons requir e d , su b s ec t i ons ( a ) a nd ( b ) st a te the

f

ol l owin g :

( a ) E x ce pt as p r ovided in § 91.715, no p e rson m a y op e r a te a c iv i l aircr a ft u nless it

h a s with i n it the f ol l owin g :

(1) An a p

p rop r iate a nd c u r r e nt ai r w o rthin e ss c er t i fi ca te. [....]{00052557;10} 22 (2) An e f f

e c t i ve U.S. r e g i str a t i on ce rtifi ca t e is s u e d to i ts own e r o r

, f

or o p e rat i on

with i n the U ni t e d S tat e s, the s e c ond c o p y o f the Ai r c raft r e g is t r a t i on Applic a t i on a s provid e d for in § 47.31( c ), or a r e g is tr a t i on ce rtifi ca t i on is s u e d und e r the la w s o f a

f

o r e i g n c ount r y

.

(b) No p e rson m a y op e ra te a c iv i l air c r a

ft unless t he a irwo r th i n e ss ce rtifi ca te

re quir e d b y p a ra g r a

ph (a) of th i s se c t i on or a spe c i a l fli g ht aut h o r i z a t i on is s u e d

und e r § 9 1 .715 is disp la y e d a t t he ca bin o r c o c kpit e ntr a n c e so th a t i t i s le g ib l e to

pass e n g e rs or c rew.

T h e Penguin B UAV Platform is unmann e d; it h a s no ca bin, c o c kpi t , pi l ot s t a t i on, or

e ntr a n ce s th e r e to. The a i r c rew m e mber is l o ca ted a t a g round c ontrol s t a t i on a nd no

p a sseng e rs can be carried . As su c h, AGERpoint p r opos e s the following c ondi t ions and

l i m i tations to i t s r e qu e st for e x e mp t ion f r om S ec t i o n s 91.203 (a ) a nd (b ) :

The do c uments r e qu i r e d b y S ec t i ons 91.203 ( a ) a n d (b) must be k e pt at the g round

c ont r ol station, wh e re it is i m m e diat e l y a v a i l a ble to the a i r c rew m e mber (pilot in

command) of the Penguin B UAV Platform a n y t i me the un m a nn e d a ir c r a ft is

op e r a t i n g

.

The do c uments r e qu i r e d b y 91.203 ( a ) a nd (b) mu s t be m a de a v a i l a ble w i t hin 10 d a y s to a n y

F A A

, U. S . D e p a rtm e nt of De f e n s e , or l a w e n f o rce ment o f fi c ial upon re qu e st.

This e x e mp t ion would ma in t a in t he lev e l of s a f e t y e stablished b y Se c t i ons 91.203( a )

a nd (b) b e c a use AGERpoint wi l l ke e p the r e qu i r e d do c u ments a t t he gro u nd c ont r ol s t a t i on

wh e re the pi l ot i n c om m a nd f l y

i n g t he Penguin B UAV Platform will h a ve i m medi a te

a c c e s s

.

P r e vious e x e mp t ions g ranted b y the F AA c on c e r n ing S ec t i ons 91.203( a ) a n d (b)

e stablish that s a f e t y is not adv e r s e ly a f f

e c ted w h e n the A ir w o r th i n e ss C e rtifi ca te a nd U.S.

r e g is t r a t i on ce rtifi c a te a r e k e pt at the g round c ontrol s t a t i on of the U AS, wh e r e it ca n be

i m medi a te l y ac c e ssed b y the pilot in c om m a nd. S p ec ific a l l y , the F AA h a s held that the in t e nt

of S ec t i ons 91.203 (a ) a nd (b) is bett e r s e rved b y h a vi n g the r e quir e d do c uments in the c ontrol

of the U A S op e r a tor (pilot in comm a nd), rea soni n g a s follows in Exemption 8607:{00052557;10} 23 The or i g inal in t e nt of the subj ec t r e g ulation w a s to disp la y the a i r w o r th i n e s s a nd

re g is t r a t i on do c uments s o th e y would b e ea si l y a v a i l a ble to F AA insp e c to r s and

p a sse n g e rs for inspe c t i on a nd v e ri f

i c a t i on of the a i r w o r th i n e ss and re g is t r a t i on of

the a ir c r a

ft . . . I n th i s c a s e , the a ir c r a ft will a lw a y s b e op e r a ted w i t hout a n y

p a sseng e rs or c r e w.

The m i ss i ons for whi c h U A S s a r e in t e nd e d will pr e v e nt t he a i r c r a

ft f rom b e ing

a v a i l a ble for the insp ec t i ons norm a l l y pr e s c rib e d f o r c iv i l ai r c r a ft. F u r th e r, it will

be op e r a ted on strict l y c onfi n e d m i ss i ons f r om a kno w n d e p a rtu r e a nd a r riv a l po i nt,

under the c onst a nt c ontrol of a pi l o t

- in

- c o m mand. W e a l so find that re quiri n g these

sp e c ia l

- u s e a ir c r a ft to ca r r y su p e r f

luous p a p e r do c uments m a y p r e s e nt a s a f

e t

y

h a z a rd to the in te g r i t y of the [ U A S ]

.

F

AA op e r a t i n g l i m i tations a nd sp ec ial a r ra n g e me n ts with Air T ra

f f

ic Cont r ol ( A TC)

f

or surv e i l lan c e of [ U A S ] f l i g hts ad e q u a te l y c ompen s a te f or the r e qui r e ments f or

ca r r y i n g a irwo r th i n e ss and re g is tr a t i on do c uments. W e f ind t he in t e nt of the

r e g ula t ion i s better s e rv e d b y h a vi n g the r e q uir e d do c uments in the c ontrol of the

a ir c r a ft op er a tor a nd a v a i l a ble f o r inspe c t i on u nd e r the sp e c ial c ondi t ions

pr e s c rib e d in t his e x e mp t ion.

The F A A h a s p r e vious l y g r a nted e x e mp t io n s in ci rc ums t a n ce s s i m i lar, in all

m a te r ial r e sp ec t s , to t hose p r e s e n t e d h e r e in ( e .g. , E x e mp t ion Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299,

9564, 9565, 10167, 10602, 10673, 10835, 10869, 1096 8 ).

10. The Maintenance and Inspections Requirements of Sections 405(a),

407(a)(1), 409(a)(2), and 417(a) and (b).

These Sections require than an aircraft operator or owner have the aircraft regularly

inspected and maintained according to established standards, and maintain certain records of

the same. Because they only apply to aircraft with airworthiness certificates , these sections will

not apply to AGERpoint.

Nonetheless, equivalent levels of safety will be obtained through the small physical

characteristics of the Penguin B UAV, as well as maintenance provided by the operator

pursuant to rigorous recordkeeping in an Aircraft Maintenance Logbook (provided as Exhibit

A ) . If mechanical issues arise, the UAV can land immediately. As provided in Exhibit B , the

operator will ensure that the UAV is in working order prior to initiating flight and perform{00052557;10} 24 required maintena nce. This will best achieve the goals of these sections, since the operator will

be most familiar with the UAV and best suited to maintain it in an airworthy condition.

C

. G r a n ting AGERpoint ’ s R e qu e st Wou l d Be In T h e P ub l i c I n t e re s t

.

G ra nt i ng t h e pr e s e nt P e t i t i on will f u r ther the public inte re st b y a l l owi n g AGERpoint

s a f e l y

, e f fi c ient l y

, a nd e c onom i ca l l y to p e r f orm a e ri a l crop inventory and analysis in suppo r t

of any organization which might require it, including g o v e r nment e n t i t i e s, a g r icultu r e

producers and other businesses , s c ientific researchers , wi l dl i fe conservationists

, a nd fo re st r y

professionals

. Addit i on a l l y

, use o f the Penguin B UAV Platform wi l l de c re a se c o n g e st i on of

the N A S , r e du c e pol l ut i on, a nd p r o vide si g nifi c a nt ben e fits t o the ec ono m y

. These benefits

w i l l be rea l iz e d without i m plic a ting a n y p riv a c y is s u e s.

1. T h e P ub l i c Wi l l B e n e f it F r o m T h e A e r ial Surveys A n d R e s e a rc h

P e r f o r m e d

.

AGERpoint sub m i t s t h is P e t i t i on to pe r fo r m a e ri a l crop inventory and analysis in

suppo r t of any organization which might require it, including g o v e r nment e n t i t i e s,

a g r icultu r e producers and other businesses , s c ientific researchers, wi l dl i fe conservationists,

a nd fo re st r y professionals

. The data gathered will be used for early stage disease detection, crop

inventory and mapping . According to the USDA Economic Research Service, a griculture and

agriculture

- related industries accounted for 4.8% of the U.S. GDP in 2012, totaling $775.8

billion

. The Penguin B UAV Platform wi l l provide s a f e

, e f f ici e nt, a nd ec onom ic a l means for

gathering data which can help improve food production efficiency, yield, and safety

, all of

which are cr i t ic a l t o the we ll

- b e i n g of the g e n e r a l pub l ic.

2. AGERpoint’s Operations Will D e c r e as e Cong e stion Of T h e N A S

.

The Penguin B UAV Platform s e rv e s as a s a f e

, e f fi c ient, a nd ec onom i ca l alt e rn a t i ve

to the m a nn e d a i r c raft which would otherwise be necessary to gather this data. B y r e du c i n g{00052557;10} 25 the a m ount of mann e d a ir c r a ft n ee d e d t o p e r f o r m a e ri a l s urveys

, a n e x e mp t ion a l l owing the

use o f a Penguin B UAV Platform would r e du c e t h e a mount of m a nn e d a ir c r a ft in the N A S

,

re du c e noise a nd a i r pollution, as we ll a s inc rea se t h e sa f e t y o f life a n d pr o p e r t y in t he a ir

a nd on the g roun d

.

F u r the r m o r e

, b y r e du c i n g the numb e r of man n e d a ir c r a ft op e r a t i n g in t he N A S

,

c ong e st i on a round a irp o r ts c a used b y a r r iv i ng a nd d e p a rti n g a i r c raft will be re du ce d. The

Penguin B UAV Platform do e s not r e quire a n a irpo r t t o tak e o ff or l a nd. L ik e wise, a

re du c t i on of mann e d a ir c r a ft c ondu c t i n g a e ri a l surv e y m i ss i ons would r e sult in a lower

burden on a ir tr a f fic c ontrol duri n g t he gro u nd, tak e o f f , d e p a r tur e

, a r r i v a l, and l a ndi n g

ph a s e s of f l i g ht op e r a t i ons.

3. T h e Environment Wi l l B e n e f it F r o m T h e S a f e ty A n d Ef f ici e n c y Of T h e Penguin B UAV Platform

.

Condu c t i ng a e ri a l surveys with the Penguin B UAV Platform ins t ea d o f m a nn e d

a ir c r a f t will b e n e fit the p ubl i c b y re d u c ing the l e v e ls of a ir a nd n oise pollut i on g e n e r a ted

during t r a di t ional f l i g ht ope ra t i ons. B y using a small gasoline engine burning around one

gallon per hour , the Penguin B UAV Platform pr o du ce s substantially less a ir pollut i on than

the s i x c y l i nd e r int e rn a l c ombust i on twin e n g ine a ir c r a ft th a t a r e t y pic a l l y ut i l iz e d for a e ri a l

surveys , while bur n ing a pp r o x i m a te l y 2 0

- 3 0 g a l l ons p e r ho u r of le a d e d a v i a t i on f ue l . The

Penguin B UAV Platform

, w hi l e re du c i n g the c a rbon footp r int of ae r i a l surveys

, a lso limits

noise pollu t ion as its small engine is no louder than a lawn mower during the t a k e

- o f f ph a s e

,

a nd during normal operations is about as loud as background conversation in an office or a

restaurant

.

B y using t h e Penguin B UAV Platform to pe r fo r m a e ri a l surveys , the subs t a nt i a l

risk t o l i fe a nd p r op e r t y in t he a i r a nd on the g roun d wh i c h is u sual l y a ss o c iat e d with{00052557;10} 26 tr a di t ional mann e d a ir c r a ft f l i g ht ope ra t i on s

, will be subs t a nt i a l l y r e d u ce d or c omp l e t e l y

e l i m i n a ted. W e i g hing in at a ppro x i m a te l y forty seven (47) pounds a t i ts m a x i m u m g ross

w e i g ht

, with a win g span o f 130 inch e s a nd a le n g th of 89 inch e s

, and a maximum fuel

capacity of only 7.5 gallons, the Penguin B UAV Platform h a s l e ss p h y si c a l po t e nt i a l for

da m a g e to l i fe a nd p r op e r t y than t he mann e d a i r c r a ft th a t t y pic a l l y c ondu c t a e ri a l surveys,

which we i g h a ppro x i m a te l y 6,500 pounds with a win g span o f a ppro x i m a te l y 40 fe e t, a len g th

of 34 f e e t, a nd a f u e l c a p a c i t y o f 180 g a l l o ns.

4. P e r f o r m i n g A er ial Survey O p er a t io n s With Th e Penguin B UAV

Platform Wi l l B e n e f it T h e E c o n o m y.

I n a ddi t ion t o b e ing s a fe a nd e f f i c ient, the Penguin B UAV Platform i s also a n

e c onom i ca l a l t e rn a t i ve to usi n g man n e d a ir c r a ft to c ond u c t ae r ial surveys . As su c h, op e r a t i on

of the Penguin B UAV Platform will a l l ow United S t a tes b a s e d c ompani e s , l i ke AGERpoint

,

to r e main c ompeti t ive a nd c ontrib u te to g r o wth of the U

. S

. e c ono m y

. S p e c ific a l l y

, w i t h the

c ost of a viation fu e l and the En v ironm e ntal P rot ec t i on A g e n c y ( “ EPA ” ) re g ulato r y ac t i ons

ph a sing out le a d e d f u e ls, U. S . own e d a nd op e r a t e d c ompani e s must a dopt new a nd a l t e r n a t i ve

te c hnol o g y in o r d e r to re m a in comp e t i t i v e

.

UAV te c hnol o gy not on l y a l l ows c ompani e s g re a ter op e r a t i on a l fle x ib i l i t y c o mpa re d

to m a nn e d a ir c ra f t, but also drastically mitigates the hi g h op e r a t i on a l cost of a tr a di t ional

mann e d a i r c ra f t. B y op e r a t i ng t h e UAV p latform s

, c ompani e s such a s AGERpoint c a n

re main c ompeti t ive a nd p r o f i t a b l e

, providing job stabil i t y to e m p l o y ee s a nd c ontr ac tors

,

which in c r e a s e s c onsum e r sp e ndi n g ; i m p r o v e s lo c a l, s t a te, a nd f e d e r a l t a x r e v e nu e s; a nd

a l l ows c o mpani e s to i nv e st i n r e s e a r c h a nd d e v e lop m e nt i n o r d e r to re m a in c ompeti t ive both

in t he United S t a tes a nd a b r o a d, ul t i m a te l y contributing to the g r o wth of the national

ec ono m y

.{00052557;10} 27 5. T h er e A r e No P r ivacy I ss u e s

.

L ike the m a nn e d a e ri a l survey fli g ht ope ra t i o n s that h a ve b ee n c ondu c ted f or

d eca d e s, the p r opos e d o p e r a t i on of the Penguin B UAV Platform will not i mp l ic a te a n y

priv a c y is s u e s. By definition, the Penguin B UAV platform will only operat e in rural areas,

and only above land where AGERpoint has been contracted by the owner or occupant to

conduct aerial survey operations

. Even if carrying photographic, hyperspectral, or other

similar payloads, t he UAV will not be operated closer than 5 00’ to any person, vessel,

vehicle or structure without the owner’s permission. P recautionary measures to mitigate risk

to people on the property, including temporary relocation of non

- essential personnel to a

minimum distance of two times the average AGL operation of the aircraft , will be standard

operating procedure . The aircraft will o perate no higher than 400’ AGL, except as necessary

to comply with the requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.119. Unlike manned aerial survey flight

operations, there are no people on board the Penguin B whose observations might impact

privacy, and the LIDAR used to conduct AGERpoint’s surveys creates not an image , but a

data set called a “point cloud.” With these precautions in place, and lacking any natural or

virtual eyes to see, AGERpoint’s operations will have no impact at all upon privacy.

D

. A Su m m a r y T h at C an Be P ub l i s h e d In T h e F e d e ral R e gis t e r

T h e Ru l e s F r o m W h ich AGERpoint Se e k s E x e m p tion:

AGERpoint

, In c . s e ek s e x e mption f rom the r e quire me nts of 14 C.F.R. §§ 21.185 and

Part 21, 45.23(b), 61.113 (a) and (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103, 91.121, 91.119,

91.203(a) and (b), 405(a), 407(a)(1), 409(a)(2), and 417(a) and (b)

.

A B r ief D e s cr i p tion O f T h e Na t u r e Of T h e Ex e m p tion AGERpoint S e e k s:

T

his e xe mption w i l l per m it AGERpoint , In c . to o p e r a te an Un m ann e d Aircraft S y stem

o ve r ce rta i n rural agricultural are a s, whi l e ke e ping t he do c um e nts r e qu i r e d by the

r e gula t ions at t he ground c ontrol s t at i on and im m e dia t e ly a c c e ss i ble to the pilot in

c om m and. Further m ore, the ex e mption w i l l relie v e AGERpoint

, I n c . from the

air w orth i n e ss ce rt i f

i c ate standards and the r e quire me nt t o ha v e a ce rt i f

i c ate of{00052557;10} 28 airworth i n e ss f or its Un m ann e d Aircraft S y st e m. T his e xe mption w i l l a l so p e rmit any

req u ired mar k ings c on ce rning the op e rat i o n al s t atus of t he UAS to be d isp l a ye d on

the fus e lage of the unmann e d aircraf t

.

CON C LUSI ON

AGERpoint s ee ks an e x e mp t ion pursu a nt t o 14 C. F .R. § 11.61 a nd S ec t i on 333 of

the F A A Mode r ni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 201 2 , whi c h w i ll p e rmit s a fe op e r a t i on of the

Penguin B UAV Platform c om m e r c i a l l y

, without a n a i r wo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t e , for the spe c ial

pu rpose o f aerial agricultural surveillance, collect ing data which will be used for early stage

disease detection, crop inventory and mapping

. B y g r a nt i ng th i s P e t i t i on, the F AA

Admin i str a tor will be ful f i ll ing the Co n g r e ss i on a l mand a te of the F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd

Re f o r m A c t of 2012, wh i le a lso a dv a n c i n g the int e r e sts of the publ i c

, b y a l l owing

AGERpoint t o s a f e l y

, e f f

ic i e nt l y

, a n d ec on om i ca l l y op e r a te the Penguin B UAV Platform

c om m e r c ial l y wit h in t he NA S

.{00052557;10} 29 WH E RE F OR E , in a cc o rd a n c e with the Fe d e r a l Aviation R e g ulations a nd the F AA

Mode r ni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012, S ec t i on 333, AGERpoint r e spe c tful l y r e qu e sts that

the Admin i str a tor g r a nt th i s P e t i t i on f o r a n e x e mp t ion f r om t he re qui r e ments of 14 C. F .R. §§

45.23(b), 61.113 (a) and (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103, 91.121, 91.119, 91.203(a) and (b),

405(a), 407(a)(1), 409(a)(2), and 417(a) and (b)

, a s w e ll a s the re strict e d ca t e g o r y

a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on st a nd a rds s p ec ified in 14 C

. F .R. § 21

. 18 5 , including the

r e qui r e ment to have a cer t i fi c a te of a i r wo r th i n e ss is s u e d for the Penguin B UAV Platform

, a s

co n tem p lat e d b y 14 C

. F .R. Part 21.

D a ted: February 5 , 201 5

R e spe c tful l y submi t ted,

T h e Royse L a w F i r m

/s/ Adam Thorngate

- Gottlund

Adam Thorngate

- Gottlund

The Royse Law Firm

1717 Embarcadero Road

Palo Alto CA 94303

Tel: (650) 813

- 9700

Fax: (650) 813

- 9777

Attorney for Petitioner

cc : AGERpoint, Inc.

Attn: CEO{00052557;10} 30 Exhibit A{00052557;10} 31 Exhibit B

Penguin B UAV Platform Preflight Checklist

Preflight Equipment Checklist: Page 1 of 1

Ground Control Operator Essentials:

Logbook

Flight Log paperwork

Briefed on mission

Cloudcap Documentation

Ground Station Equipment:

Portable (or desktop) Ground Station

Power Cable

GPS

GPS Cable (if using Novatel DGPS antenna)

External Comms Antenna (350 MHz or 900MHz as appli cable)

Laptop

Laptop Power

USB to Serial Adapter

Serial Cable

Mouse

Reference Data (Mission Maps and DTED)

Ethernet Cable

External Monitor (optional)

Headset

Headset breakout box and power

Futaba Controller (a.k.a. Flight Control Box, FCB)

FCB/Headset cable spool

Appropriate Software Versions for GCO

Aircraft Equipment (ground crew responsibility)

Airframe

Batteries

Fuel

Payload Equipment

Piccolo Autopilot

Launch Aparatus (if applicable)

Starter

Glow plugs

Chargers

Backup RC Radio (Alpha 60 only){00052557;10} 32 Pref light Actions Checklist: Page 1 of 3

Portable Ground Control Station:

Set up GPS Antenna

o Physically mark location for future setups

o Inspect and attach GPS cable

Verify Connections

o GPS

o UHF Comm

o Serial

o Power

Turn on Power

GCO Laptop:

Verify Connections

o Power

o Serial

o Network

o External Monitor

o Input devices

Turn on Power

Verify Network Connection status

o IP should be 192.168.1.100

o Check access to Terrastation NAS Drive

Execute Piccolo Command Center (PCC) Note Software Version

_________________________ Open Ground Station Window: Note GCS Firmware Version

_________________________

o If different from PCC, correct (Flash Firmware or exit PCC and execute correct

version)

Verify ground station voltage readings ______________

Verify Ground Station GPS readings

o Enable DGPS and begin averaging the Ground station location

Open Ground Station Window and request radio settings

o Note Channel/Frequency

Set Power to .1 Watt

Verify GS VSWR (350 MHz only) should be less than 2.0 _____________

Load Ma p Layers

Load DTED Layers

Set Aircraft List to Dynamic{00052557;10} 33 Preflight Actions Checklist: Page 2 of 3

Piccolo Initial Set Up:

Request Piccolo Power On (ground crew)

Verify Piccolo Shows up on list

o If not attach via programming cable and continue

Set new piccolo to Active

Verify Firmware matches GCS and PCC version numbers __________

Run Validate (Preflight page) and reconcile any issues (especially with

Gains/Limits/AC dimensions)

Check radio settings

o Note Frequency/channel

______________________

o Verify VSWR (MHX 320 Radio) less than 2.0

 If not check antenna (

o Set power to .1 Watt

o Check RSSI (GS and Piccolo should be approximately equal and close to

- 50)

Verify Payload operation

At this point the RF Comms should be working, remove programming cable and connect

over RF Link

Verify Aircraft GPS reading

Set Lost Comm Waypoint

o LC waypoint is 99 on mission limits

Clear out all other waypoints (if necessary)

Create Climb out/recovery box

Conduct rage check (100 yards at .1 Watt)

o RSSI should be

- 80 or better

o Link should be 100

Check system voltage

o Replace battery if necessary

Request fast telemetry

Confirm with Ground Crew and set new piccolo to Pilot address

o If flying multiple AC be sure that this is clearly communicated

Run Autopilot Configurati on Validation (and after any changes are made to the

controller configuration.

Verify Surface Trims

o Tethered FCB all trims set to neutral

o Adjust Surface tables with Shift function to set trims

Give External Pilot go for Surfaces Check with Tethered FCB (a nd R/C FCB if

applicable)

Verify Correct Surface actuation using Preflight page

o Ailerons Left/Right

o Elevator Up/Down

o Rudder Left/Right

o Throttle Full/Closed{00052557;10} 34 Preflight Actions Checklist: Page 3 of 3

Check Euler Angle response (observe on HUD /Map or watch Sensor readings)

o Command to EP (“Go for Roll Pitch Yaw)

 (Sensor Readings Positive for Roll Right, Pitch Up and Yaw Right)

o On Sensor Configuration Page

 Penguin PSI = 180 Others 0.

Zero Air Data

o Input Baro Reading from Tower or H andheld unit

o Input Current Airfield Altitude (from DTED or GPS Reading)

o Zero air data with pitot sensor cupped

Climb out

Test lost comm. (turn off ground station)

o Verify Tracking LC waypoint

Confirm all is satisfactory

o Payload

o Test Manager

o Safety observers

Execute Mission