Petition for Exemption 14 CFR § 11.81

Exemption petition under 14 CFR section 21 (§§ 21.171 - 21.199) and SEC 333

Your name and mailing address. You may include other contact information such as a fax 

number, telephone number, or email address:

Name: Donald Lee

Address: 22705 NE Mountain View Ct. Ridgefield, WA 98642

Phone: 360-474-7366

Email: donlee98@yahoo.com

The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an exemption:

1. I petition for exemption from 14 CFR section 21; specifically SUBPART H — Airworthiness 

Certificates (§§ 21.171 - 21.199) as required for UAS operations for Civil Aircraft.

2. I also petition for Exemption under Sec 333

The extent of relief you seek and the reason you seek the relief:

Current FAA rules prohibit the use of a UAS for commercial purposes on private property and 

UAS operations or Civil Aircraft without obtaining an FAA Airworthiness Certificate. I am seeking 

relief of these requirements including obtaining an FAA Airworthiness Certificate. I am an 

experienced UAS pilot and am simply petitioning for an exemption to provide a commercial

service to private land owners and companies who wish to obtain and capture Aerial photos and

videos of said property for purposes including but not limited to real estate listings, insurance

property claims, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. I would like to be able to accept 

payment for these services therefore making this a commercial use of a UAS.
How your request would benefit the public as a whole:

[The Section 333 Exemption process provides operators who wish to pursue safe and legal entry 

into the NAS a competitive advantage in the UAS marketplace, thus discouraging illegal 

operations and improving safety. It is anticipated that this activity will result in significant 

economic benefits, and the FAA Administrator has identified this as a high priority project to 

address demand for civil operation of UAS for commercial purposes.]

My request benefits the public as a whole by providing an opportunity for small business 

owners, real estate agents, and others who wish to document their land or property to take 

advantage of the technology that now exists in the form of UAS’s and allows them to do so 

using an experienced UAS Pilot that understands how to safely operate such technology. 
Reasons why the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would 

provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rule:

Being an experienced UAS pilot, former military officer, and former police officer, I have an 

understanding and appreciation for potential risk to the safety of the public, therefore, I would 

be a good candidate for exemption of 14 CFR section 21 (§§ 21.171 - 21.199) and SEC 333

while not putting Air Safety in any accelerated risk.

The specific UAS (including DJI Inspire and Phantom series products) I am seeking exemption for 

have many safety features, including SAFE technology and GPS navigating. When flying for this

commercial purpose I would be flying at a maximum altitude of

40 meters and flying mostly vertically for the purposes of taking photos, decreasing the risk of 

any interference. My general knowledge of the aviation safety systems implemented by the 

FAA would be used to ensure that safety would not be affected by my operations. I would not 

be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or high traffic areas including airports, and I 

would pay attention to NOTAMS.

I intend to fly in primarily GPS Safe Flight:

Flight Mode – GPS Attitude Mode (Default) I

This mode allows the UAS to lock on a home GPS position as a failsafe to prevent loss of radio 

control of the UAS due to unwanted interference or loss of power. Also includes built in no-fly 

zones to restrict flight over airports, and other sensitive locations.

I intend to follow these suggested safety regulations

• Always keep aircraft in sight and under control.

• Always keep people and pets at least 35 feet (10 meters) away when the battery is connected.

• Keep children out of the vicinity of this product at all times.

• Always use fully charged batteries.

• Always keep transmitter powered on while aircraft is powered.

• Always remove batteries before disassembly.

• Always keep moving parts clean.

• Always keep parts dry.

• Always let parts cool after use before touching.

• Always remove batteries after use.

• Always have a first aid kit with you.

• Always have an appropriate fire extinguisher with you.

• Never operate aircraft with damaged wiring.

• Never touch moving parts.

The Blade 350 QX has many more features than other Blade quad copters.
A summary we can publish in the Federal Register Federal Register —

I, Donald Lee am seeking an exemption of 14 CFR section 21 (§§ 21.171 - 21.199) and

the FAA’s Sec 333 rules that does not allow the use of an Unmanned Aircraft to be used for

Commercial purposes in regards to National Airspace Safety. I am simply petitioning for an 

exemption to provide a commercial service to private land owners and companies who wish to

obtain and capture Aerial photos and videos of said property for purposes including real estate

listings, insurance property claims, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. Being an 

experienced UAS pilot, former military officer, and former police officer, I have an 

understanding and appreciation for potential risk to the safety of the public, Therefore, I would 

be a good candidate for exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air Safety in any accelerated 

risk.

The specific UAS (including DJI Inspire and Phantom series products) I am seeking exemption for 

have many safety features, including SAFE technology and GPS navigating. When flying for this

commercial purpose I would be flying at a maximum altitude of 40 meters and flying mostly 

vertically for the purposes of taking photos, decreasing the risk of any interference. My general

knowledge of the aviation safety systems implemented by the FAA would be used to ensure

that safety would not be affected by my operations. I would not be flying near disaster areas, 

sporting events, or high traffic areas including airports, and I would pay attention to NOTAMS.

I appreciate the FAA’s consideration of this petition for exemption.
Any additional information, views, or arguments available to support your request:

I am fully aware of the preflight safety checks and procedures implicated in the operation 

manual for the above mentioned UAS and intend to implement preflight safety checks and

utilize the safety technology provided with this unit. I intend to only fly in non-populated,

residential or rural areas and stay clear of all utility lines etc. I intend to be fully aware of my 

surroundings at all times and to only fly the unmanned aircraft within a visual line of sight and

only in Visual Flight Conditions.

UAS Specifications:

DJI Inspire 1: http://store.dji.com/product/inspire-1?from=buy_now#/spec

DJI Phantom 2 Series: http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2/spec
General Safety Precautions and Warnings I intend to Follow

• Always keep a safe distance in all directions around your model to avoid collisions

or injury. This model is controlled by a radio signal subject to interference 

from many sources outside your control. Interference can cause momentary 

loss of control.

• Always operate your model in open spaces away from full-size vehicles, traffic

and people.

• Always carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional

support equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery packs, etc.).

• Always keep all chemicals, small parts and anything electrical out of the reach

of children.

• Always avoid water exposure to all equipment not specifically designed and 

protected for this purpose. Moisture causes damage to electronics.

• Never place any portion of the model in your mouth as it could cause serious

injury or even death.

• Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries.

• Always keep aircraft in sight and under control.

• Always move the throttle fully down at rotor strike.

• Always use fully charged batteries.

• Always keep transmitter powered on while aircraft is powered.

• Always remove batteries before disassembly

• Always keep moving parts clean.

• Always keep parts dry.

• Always let parts cool after use before touching.

• Always remove batteries after use.

• Never operate aircraft with damaged wiring.

• Never touch moving parts.

If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, you must 

state the reason.

I have no intention on using this exemption outside the United States