Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual

Soaring Cinema LLC 

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

N. Special Provisions 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

List of Approved Pilots 

Appendix B 

List of Approved Aircraft 

Appendix C 

Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

Appendix D 

Revision Letter (sample) 
1. Introduction

A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "Soaring Cinema LLC", hereafter referred to as "Soaring 

Cinema," in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the 

provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. Soaring Cinema pilots and 

other company personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and 

conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed 

that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

West Chambless - Owner/Operator

Soaring Cinema LLC

1045 Kentucky Avenue NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30306

404.219.7843

C. Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly 

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and 

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, 

an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production 

area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

Soaring Cinema's approved area of operations will be the United States of America and its 

territories. 

E. Plan of Activities 

Prior to any scheduled filming, Soaring Cinema will submit a written plan of activities to the 

local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should include the 

following: 

(1) Dates and times for all flights. 

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event. 

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used.

(5) Name and contact information of pilots involved in the filming production event. 

(6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners and/or

local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave permission 

must be made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder. 

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagramss of any area, city, town 

county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum/maximum 

altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 
F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from 

whom permission may be required are listed below: 

(1) Property owners 

(2) Law enforcement officials 

(3) Fire department officials 

(4) Local, State and Federal government 

(5) Air traffic control 

The Soaring Cinema personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever 

practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is 

provided in Appendix C and may be used when obtaining written permission. Soaring Cinema

personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written 

permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and 

then turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms 

will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation, Soaring Cinema will coordinate with appropriate production 

personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons 

and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the 

area(s) become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command will 

conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency 

procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. Personnel will 

also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic 

responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached special

provisions 

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons
I. Certification/Airworthiness 

All sUAS aircraft operated by Soaring Cinema and used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c) for the purpose of filming, will not be required to hold airworthiness 

certificates per our petition for exemption from 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H (issuance of 

Airworthiness Certificates required by 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1)). All sUAS aircraft will have 

their make/model/serial information registered with the FAA, and when the FAA issues 

registration numbers for the sUAS aircraft they will be displayed as large as practically possible 

to be viewed from both above and below. 

Each sUAS aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and 

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also 

found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy 

condition, and all required inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

(1) A minimum of 40 hours of flight time with the specific sUAS equipment Soaring Cinema

operates. 

(2) The experience of the pilot will be certified by Soaring Cinema through background checks 

and, if necessary, testing. 

(3) Have passed the FAA Airman Knowledge Test for Private Pilots (Test Code: PAR or 

PRH). (4) Have at least a Class 2 medical certificate. 

(5) Maintains up-to-date flight logs, and provides Soaring Cinema with copies of all logs that 

pertain to operation for Soaring Cinema. 

(6) At least 21 years old. 

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate a 

plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and 

filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 

L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 
N. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Soaring Cinema motion picture and 

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be 

jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified 

in the Soaring Cinema motion picture and television operations manual (see Appendixes A and 

B) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name shall appear on each daily plan of activity. 

All sUAS and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before 

the scheduled event. 

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the 

conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c). Takeoff and 

landing areas for sUAS equipment will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized 

persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. Soaring Cinema will ensure that the 

participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, 

communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver 

before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that person has 

received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between Soaring Cinema and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement

from each that they have read and understand its contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Soaring Cinema.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed

properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Soaring Cinema under the

provisions of this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition, and all inspections and required

maintenance have been performed as per the requirements of Soaring Cinema and any appropriate FAR's. 

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this

manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies and

conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with

safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition, and have it on site at any job or

operation requiring the waiver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility.
Appendix A 

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name : West Chambless

Owner/Operator Soaring Cinema

Contact Number: 404.219.7843

Appendix B 

List of Approved Aircraft 

Make and Model Registration Number 

1. Cinestar 8 HL, MikroKopter Flight Control TBD by FAA 

2. Cinestar 8 HL, MikroKopter Flight Control TBD by FAA 

Appendix C 

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Soaring Cinema LLC permission to operate their 

aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for 

or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________ 

SOARING CINEMA LLC Representative Receiving Permission: 

_______________________________________________________________ 

Appendix D 

Revision Letter 

Rev#: 

Section: 

Action: 

Remarks:______________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

Remove and Replace Delete and Destroy Insert New Page 

Manual Version# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________ 

Revised By _________________________________ 

Soaring Cinema LLC approval by: _________________________________ 

Signature: _________________________________ 

Date _______________________ 

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than two days after signature date.