BALTIMORERichardW.CassPresidentTheHonorableMichaelP.HuertaOfficeoftheAdministratorFederalAviationAdministration800IndependenceAvenueSWWashington,DC20591September23,2015R A V ENSRE:BaltimoreRavensLimitedPartnershipsUASPetitionforExemptionPursuanttoFMRASec333and14CFRPart11DearAdministratorHuerta:TheBaltimoreRavensLimitedPartnership('Ravens')herebypetitiontheFAAforregulatoryreliefpursuanttoSection333ofP.L.112-95and14C.F.R.Sec.11.81toconductcommercialflightsusingtheDJIPhantom2sUAS,DJIPhantom3sUAS,andatetheredsUAS(modeltobedetermined)forthefollowingapplications:•AerialDataCollectionTheRavens,therefore,seekarequestforexemptionfromairworthinessandthefollowingspecificTitle14C.F.R.provisions:•14C.F.R.Part21•14C.F.R.45.23·14C.F.R.61.113(a)(b)•14C.F.R.61.133(a)·14C.F.R.91.7(a)•14C.F.R.91.9•14C.F.R.91.109(a)•14C.F.R.91.1191WinningDrive•OwingsMills,Maryland2!117•phone410.701.40002•14C.F.R.91.121•14C.F.R.91.151(a)•14C.F.R.91.203•14CFR91.405(a);407(a)(1);409(a)(2);417(a)(b)TheFAAhasissuedgrantsofexemptionincircumstancessimilarinallmaterialrespectstothosepresentedinthispetition,specificExemptionsNo.11062toAstraeusAerial,11109toClayco,Inc.,and11213toAeryonLabs,Inc.:andwethereforerequestthatourpetitionbegrantedwithoutdelay.Additionalsimilarexemptionsinclude(videography)No.11842,11843,11845, 11848,11850,11820,11822,11825,11826,11829,and11833,and(aerialdatacollection)No.12803,12792,12790,and12696.TheHavenshavealsoprovidedsupportingdocumentationtoinclude;aGeneralOperationsManual(RavensManual')whichiscomposedof(1)anoperationsmanual,(2)flightmanualsforeachoftheRavensmodels:(3)anOperatorTrainingManual,and(4)aMaintenanceandInspectionManual.PleasenotethatalltheRavensManual(includingalloftheabovelistedcomponents)areclearlymarked"Confidential''oneachpageandcontainconfidentialcommercialandproprietaryinformationthatRavenshasnotandwillnotsharewithotherswhoarenotsubjecttoa"NondisclosureAgreement"(NDA).Therefore,theRavensManual(includingallcomponents)arenotavailabletothepublicandcontainoperatingconditions,proceduresandotherinformationthatareprotectedfrompublicreleaseordisclosureundertheFreedomofinformationAct5USCSec.552etseq.1CompanyDescriptionThissectionrespondstothespecificrequirementsof14CFRSec11.81.TheBaltimoreRavensLimitedPartnershipisaprofessionalsportsteamoperatinginanenvironmentwhereseekingacompetitiveadvantageoveryouropponentsisthekeytosuccess.TheBaltimoreRavensVideoDepartmentseekstoutilizeUAStogainsuperiorvideoperspectivesofpracticestoassistcoachesandplayersinevaluationandstrategysessionsaswellasproducingpromotionalmaterialeffectivelyandsafely.Mailingaddressandothercontactinformation.ATTN:MarkBienvenuBaltimoreRavensLimitedPartnership1WinningDriveOwingsMills,MD21117Email:Mark.Bienvenu@ravens.nfl2RelevantStatutoryAuthorityThisexemptionapplicationisexpresslysubmittedtofulfillCongress'goalinpassingSection333(a)through(c)oftheP.L.112-95,theFAAModernizationandReformAct('ReformAct').ThislawdirectstheSecretaryofTransportationtoconsiderwhethercertainunmannedaircraftsystemsmay3operatesafelyinthenationalairspacesystem(NAS)beforecompletionoftherulemakingrequiredunderSection332oftheReformAct.Inmakingthisdetermination,theSecretaryisrequiredtodeterminewhichtypesofUASsdonotcreateahazardtousersoftheNASorthepublicorposeathreattonationalsecurityinlightofthefollowing:•TheUAS'ssize,weight,speed,andoperationalcapability;•OperationoftheUASincloseproximitytoairportsandpopulatedareas;and•OperationoftheUASwithinvisuallineofsightoftheoperator.1Lastly,iftheSecretarydeterminesthatsuchvehicles"mayoperatesafelyinthenationalairspacesystem,theSecretaryshallestablishrequirementsforthesafeoperationofsuchaircraftinthenationalairspacesystem."2TheFederalAviationActexpresslygrantstheFAAtheauthoritytoissueexemptions.Thisstatutoryauthoritybyitstermsincludesexemptingcivilaircraft,asthetermisdefinedunder§40101oftheAct,thatincludessUASs,fromtherequirementthatallcivilaircraftmusthaveacurrentairworthinesscertificate3QualificationforApprovalUnderSection333oftheReformActTheproposedoperationsinthispetitionforexemptionqualifyforexpeditedapprovalunderSec·tion333oftheReformAct.Eachofthestatutorycriteriaandotherpotentiallyrelevantfactorsaresatisfied.TherequestedexemptionwouldpermitRavenstoperformcommercialoperationsundercontrolledconditionsinairspacethatis1)limited2)predetermined3)restricted,limited,orcontrolledastoaccessand4)wouldprovidesafetyenhancementstothealreadysafeoperationsintheseindustriespresentlyusingconventionalaircraft.ApprovalofthisexemptionwouldtherebyenhancesafetyandfulfilltheSecretaryofTransportation's(theFAAAdministrator's)responsibilitiesto"estabhshrequirementsforthesafeoperationofsuchaircraftsystemsinthenationalairspacesystem."Section333(c)oftheReformAct.EachRavenssUASweighs55lb.orlessincludingpayload.EachRavenssUASoperatesundernormalconditionsataspeedofnomorethan87knots.EachRavenssUAShasthecapabilitytooperateineitherAutomatic'orManual'modeasdescribedintheRavensManual.GenerallyRavenssUASoperationswillbebelowanaltitudeof400ft.AGL,withinspecificaccessrestrictedareas,eitherwithinClassGairspaceorwiththepermissionoftheATC,usingsUASoperatedbyRavens·qualifiedsUASpilots,andwithinthevisuallineofsightoftheoperatorandobserver.SuchoperationswillinsurethatthesUASwill"notcreateahazardtousersoftheNationalAirspaceSystemorthepublic"aspertheFMRA2012Section333.GiventhesizeofthesUASandtheoperatingenvironment,thispetitionforexemptionmeetsanequivalentlevelofsafety,inwhichCongressenvisionedthattheFAAmust,byexemptionallowcommercialoperationsofUASstocommenceinnnediately.Alsoduetothesizeandenviromnent,approvaloftheapplicationpresentsnonationalsecurityissue.1PublicLaw112-95,'FAAModernizationandReformAct'Section333(a)2!d.§333(c).4ConsideringthecleardirectioninSection333oftheReformAct,theauthoritycontainedintheFederalAviationAct,asamended,theequivalentlevelofsafetysurroundingtheproposedoperations,andthesignificantpublicbenefitdescribedherein,thegrantoftherequestedexemptionsisalsointhepublicinterest.4RavensDescriptionofProposedOperationsRavensoperationswillprovidealevelofsafetythatisequivalenttocurrentaviationstandards.Ravenssafetyprocedures,riskassessments,andflightoperationsstandardsaredescribedindetailintheaccompanyingRavensManual.Inbrief,thefollowingproceduresthatapplyduringoperationsconductedunderthisexemptionrequest,establishanequivalentlevelofsafety(ELOS)asfollows:1.ThesUASwillweighlessthan55lb.2.Flightswillbeoperatedwithinlineofsightofapilotand/orobserver.3.Flightswilloccurduringdaylighthours.4.FlightswilloccurduringVisualFlightRulesMeteorologicalConditions(VMC).5.Flightswillgenerallybeoperatedatanaltitudeofnomorethan400feetAGLandwithinClassGairspace.OperationsincontrolledB,C,orDairspacewillbeconductedincoordinationwiththeproperFSDOandATCwithpriorpermission.6.Flightswillbeterminatedat25%batterypowerreserveshouldthatoccurduringtheoperation.7.AllRavenssUASwillbeU.S.registeredanddisplaymarkseitherinaccordancewith14C.F.R.Part45,SubpartCorapprovedalternativemarkings.8.Operationswillbeconductedindefinedregionsandoverpropertyauthorizedforthisusebythelandowner.Alloperationswillremainwithinthegeographicboundariesoftheoperatingarea.MostoperationsmaybeconductedwithinthelimitationsoftheblanketCOAauthorizationprovidedwith333grantsasof3/23/2015.9.Allrequiredpermissionsandpermitswillbeobtainedfromterritorial,state,countyorcityjurisdictions,includinglocallawenforcement,fire,orotherappropriategovernmentalagencies.10.Theoperatorwillobtainthepermissionofthesiteownerpriortoconductingoperations.Ravensstafforteammemberswillbenotifiedpriortotheoperation.Non-participantsincludingspectatorswillbenotifiedpriortoanyactualflightoperations.RavenssUASwillremainasafedistanceawayfromnonparticipantsincludingspectators.SpecificseparationrequirementswillbestatedintheRavenssUASOperatingManual.11.AbriefingwillbeconductedinregardtotheplannedsUASoperationspriortoeachday'sactivities.Itwillbemandatorythatallpersonnelwhowillbeperformingdutieswithintheboundariesofthesafetyperimeterbepresentforthisbriefing.12.MinimumcrewforeachoperationwillconsistofthesUASPilot,theVisualObserver,and/ortheCameraOperator.513.OperationswithoutaVisualObserver(sUASPilotonly)mayoccasionallybeconductedsubjecttoadditionalandspecifiaircraftequipment,operatorcompetency,andflightrestrictions(maximumdistancefromthesUASPilot,maximumaltitude,andmaximumspeed)asdefinedintheRavenssUASOperationsManual.14.sUASoperationsunderthisexemptionwillbeconductedunderthesupervisionofadesignatedpilotincommand(PIC)whohasfinalresponsibilityfortheoperationandinaccordancewith14C.F.R.91.3.AllsUASoperatorsmusthavecompletedtrainingonthenormal,abnormal,andemergencyproceduresintheRavensManualanddemonstratedproficiencywiththesUASbeingoperated.ThePICwillmeetatleast theminimumFAAsUASregulationsforlicensure.Currently,therefore,RavensPICsmustpossessatleastasportpilotcertificateandholdavalidU.S.driver'slicense,unlessalternativeproposedinRavensmanualisapprovedbytheFAA.15.sUASPilotwillbePilotinCommand(PIC).IfapilotcertificateholderotherthanthesUASPilot,whopossessthenecessaryPICqualifications,isalsopresent(i.e.theVisualObserver),thatpersoncanalsobedesignatedasthePIC.16.Observerandpilotwillatalltimesbeabletomaintainverbalcommunication,eitherdirectlyorthroughelectronicmeans.17.OperatorsandengineerswillmaintainthesUASsysteminaconditionforsafeoperationac·cordingtotheRavensManualandassociatedmanufacturer'smaintenancemanuals,includingpre-flightandpost-flightinspections.18.ThePICandobserverswillmaintainsituationalawarenessandperceive,process,andperformriskmanagementpriortoandduringeachoperationasdescribedintheRavensManual.ThePICwillterminatetheoperationinaccordancewiththeRavensManualifhazardsthatcannotbeacceptablymitigatedareobserved.19.sUASwillsafelystopoperatingandeitherreturnhomeorauto-landatasafelocationalongtheflightpathifthecontrollinkislost.20.ForeachsUAS,thePICwillhavetheabilitytoforceacontrolledlandingatanytime.Inaddition totheabove,theRavenshaveimplementedaSafetyManagementSystem.TheRavensSafetyManagerisresponsibleforconductingsafetyaudits,investigations,andinspectionsandisauthorizedtostoporprohibitanyactivityoroperationswhichisconsideredunsafe.FulldetailsareavailableintheRavensManual.5RegulationsFromWhichExemptionisRequested5.1Part61,Certification:Pilots,FlightInstructors,andGroundInstructorsExtentofReliefPart61,allsections.6ReasonforReliefBecausetheUASwillnotcarryapilotorpassengers,theproposedoperationscanachievetheequivalentlevelofsafetyofcurrentoperationsbyrequiringthePICoperatingtheaircrafttohaveatleastasportpilot'slicenseratherthanacommercialpilot'slicensetooperatethesesUAS.EquivalentLevelofSafetyUnlikeaconventionalaircraftthatcarriesthepilotandpassengers,thesUASisremotelycontrolledwithnolivingthingonboard.Theareaofoperationiscontrolledandrestricted,andallflightsareplannedandcoordinatedinadvanceassetforthintheGeneralOperationsManual(GOM).ThelevelofsafetyprovidedbytherequirementsincludedintheGOMexceedsthatprovidedbyasingleindividualholdingacommercialpilot'scertificateoperatingaconventionalaircraft.TherisksassociatedwiththeoperationofthesUASaresodiminishedfromthelevelofriskassociatedwithcommercialoperationscontemplatedbyPart61whendrafted,thatallowingoperationsofthesUASasrequestedwithasportpilotcertificateasthePICexceedsthepresentlevelofsafetyachievedby14C.F.R.§61.113(a)&(b).5.261.113Privatepilotprivilegesandlimitations:Pilotincommand.ExtentofReliefRelieffromrequirementtopossessaprivateorcommercialpilot'slicenseforaerialworksuchasaerialsurveyandmapping.ReasonforRelief§61.113(a)stipulatesthataholderofaprivatepilotcertificatemaynotactasapilotincommandofanaircraftforcompensationorhire:(b)statesthataprivatepilotmayactasPICiftheflightisincidentaltobusinessanddoesnotcarrypassengersorproperty.Furthermore,N-8900.227"UnmannedAircraftSystems(UAS)OperationalApproval''paragraph16(c)(2)(c)"Operationswithoutapilotcertificate"statesthataoperationswhichconformtosaidparagraphmaybeperformedbyaPICthatdoesnotpossessaprivatepilotslicensebutthathascompletedFAAprivatepilotgroundinstructionandpassedtheFAAPrivatePilotwrittentest.Inaddition,thereisnomeanscurrentlyofobtainingacommercialratingforUAS.Thus,werequirereliefinordertoperformaerialwork.PublicBenefitAsdescribedabove,thepublicbenefitincludesexponentialeconomicgrowth,enhancedsafety,andimprovedprecisionagriculturecapabilities.Ingeneral,commercialsmallUASoperationsprovideaerialserviceswhichareaffordabletosmallbusinesses,somethingthatwouldnotbepossiblewithoutUAStechnology.EquivalentLevelofSafetyOuroperationsfulfillalltherequirementsinN-8900.22716(c)(2)(c)foroperationswithoutaprivatepilotslicense.75.391.7Civilaircraftairworthiness.ExtentofRelief91.7,allprovisions.ReasonforReliefShouldtheexemptionbegrantedallowingcommercialoperationofthesUASwithoutanairworthinesscertificatenostandardwillexistforairworthinessofthesUAS.EquivalentLevelofSafetyGiventhesizeandweightoftheseaircraftandtherequirementscontainedintheGOM,anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbyinsuringcompliancewiththesUASusermanualspriortoeachflight.5.491.119,Minimumsafealtitudes:General.ExtentofReliefSection91.119establishessafealtitudesforoperationofcivilaircraft.91.119(c)limitsaircraftflyingoverareasotherthancongestedareastoanaltitudeof500feetabovethesurface,exceptoveropenwaterorsparselypopulatedareas,andtheaircraftmaynotbeoperatedcloserthan500feettoanyperson,vessel,vehicle,orstructure.ReasonforReliefToprovidefortheseoperations,thesUASarenormallyoperatedatorbelow400feetAGL.Inaddition,duetothenatureoftheproposedoperations,thePICandtheobservermayattimesbelessthan500feetawayfromstructuresduringtheoperation.EquivalentLevelofSafetyTheequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedgiventhesize,weight,andspeedoftheUASaswellasthelocationwhereitisoperated.Noflightwillbetakenwithouttherequiredpermissionofthepropertyownerandlocalofficials,andadvancednoticetoparticipantsandspectators.Becauseoftheadvancenoticeallaffectedindividualswillbeawareoftheplannedflight.Comparedtoflightoperationswithaircraftorrotorcraftweighingfarmorethanthemaximum55lbs.describedaboveandthelackofflammablefuel,anyriskassociatedwiththeseoperationsisfarlessthanthosepresentlyconductedwithconventionalaircraftoperatingatorbelow500AGLinotherindustries.Inaddition,thelow·altitudeoperationsofthesUASwillensureseparationbetweenthesesUASoperationsandtheoperationsofconventionalaircraftthatmustcomplywithSection91.119.5.591.121AltimeterSettingsExtentofRelief§91.1218ReasonforReliefAsthesUASmaynothaveabarometricaltimeter,butinsteadaGPSaltitudereadout,anexemp·tionmaybeneeded.EquivalentLevelofSafetyAnequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbytheoperator,pursuanttotheGOMandtheSafetyChecklist,confirmingthealtitudeofthelaunchsiteshownontheGPSaltitudeindicatorbeforeflight.5.691.151,FuelrequirementsforflightinVFRconditions.ExtentofRelief§91.151,allprovisions.ReasonforReliefTheprovisionrequiresfuelsufficientforonehalfhourflightbeyondthedestination.ThesesUAS,includingtoday'slongestenduranceplatforms,areunabletomeetthisrequirementbecauseoflimitedmaxflighttimes.EquivalentLevelofSafetyAnequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbylimitingflightsforthesUASaccordingtothesafetylimitationsdescribedintheGOM.ThisrestrictionwouldbemorethanadequatetoreturnthesUAStoitsplannedlandingzonefromanywhereinitslimitedoperatingarea.5.791.405,91.407,91.409,91.417InspectionandMaintenanceProgramsExtentofRelief§§91.405,Maintenancerequired;91.407,Operationaftermaintenance,preventivemaintenance,rebuilding,oralteration;91.409,Inspections;and91.417,Maintenancerecords.ReasonforReliefThepart91provisionsarenotapplicabletoa sUASofthedescribedweightclass.Furthermore,FAAcertifiedmechanicsforsUASdonotatthispresenttimeexist,sofullcomplianceisnotpossible.ThesUASflownaremodularandassuchentirecomponentsincludingenginesandpropellersareminorreplacementsratherthanmajorrepairs.Finally,continuousminoralterationsandpayloadreconfigurationsofsUASaredesignedandrequiredfortheoperationofsUASanddonotnegativelyimpactairworthiness.9EquivalentLevelofSafetyInspectionandmaintenancemanualsareusedtomaintainthesUASinairworthycondition.EachsUASismaintainedaccordingtothemanufacturerstandardorhigherbytechniciansproficientinthebuilding,repair,andmaintenanceofthesUAS.InspectionandMaintenancemanualsutilizedcontainallaircraft-relevantitemsasdescribedin(43AppendixD(ScopeandDetailofItems).Finally,maintenancerecordsaremaintainedintheOperationsDatabase;eitheronlineontheSkywardPlatformandarethereforeimmediatelyauditablebyregulatorsondemand,orasotherwisedeterminedbyRavens.6PublicInterestTheRavensbelievethattheenhancedsafetyachievedusingasUASwiththespecificationsdescribedinthispetitionandsupportingdocumentsandbycarryingnopassengersorcrew,ratherthanamannedaircraftofsignificantlygreaterproportionscarryingcrewinadditiontoflammablefuel,givestheFAAgoodcausetofindthattheUASoperationsenabledbythisexemptionareinthepublicinterest.Theoutputsofsafe,reliable,andregulatorycompliantoperationsofsUASprovideeconomicbenefitshistoricallyunparalleledsincetheinventionofflight,benefitingstakeholdersateverylevel,bothpublicandprivate.Lawful,safeaerialroboticsoperationswillcreatenewhigh-techemploymentthatwillstimulatecityandstategovernments;improveindustries,createnewsmallandlargebusinesses;infusenewinterestinSTEMforchildren;andincreasethesafetyofcitizensthroughenhancedfirst-respondercapabilities.7PrivacyAllflightswilloccuroverprivate,limited,orrestricted-accessareaswiththepropertyowner'spriorconsentandknowledge.Operationswillbeconductedbytrainedcrewandallotherindividualswilleitherbeapartoftheoperationorconsenttobepresentatthetimeofoperations.8FederalRegisterSummaryPursuantto14C.F.R.Part11,thefollowingsummaryisprovidedforpublicationintheFederalRegister,shoulditbedeterminedthatpublicationisneeded:Applicantseeksanexemptionfromthefollowingrules:14C.F.R.§21,subpartH;14C.F.R45.23(b);14C.F.R.§§61.113(a)&(b),61.133(a);91.7(a);91.9(b)(2);91.109;91.119;91.121;91.151(a);91.203(a)and(b);91.405(a);91.407(a)(1);91.409(a)(2);91.409(a)(2)and91.417(a)&(b)tooperatesUASforcommercialuse.9ConclusionTheRavensseekthisexemptiontoconductcommercialoperationsusingsUASwithinrestrictedaccessareasintheNAS.Withoutthisexemption,sUASinnovationwillbesuppressed,thepublic10economicbenefitsderivedfromincreasedsUASdevelopment willbedenied,andtheCongressionaldirectivetoacceleratetheintegrationofUASintotheNASwillbeimpeded.ThesUASphysicalandoperationalcharacteristicsarecompliantwiththosedescribedintheFMRAandFAA'sguidanceforSec333exemptions.TheRavensrespectfullyrequestthattheFAAgmntitspetitionforexemptionfromairworthiness.PleasedonothesitatetocontactAndrewMcCollough,theRegulatoryServicesPOC,viaemailatexemption@skyward.ioifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns.VeryRespectfullyYours,BaltimoreRavensLimitedPartnershipRichardW.CassPresident