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1 October	2,	2015

Hon.	Michael	Huerta Administrator Federal	Aviation	Administration U.	S.	Department	of	Transportation Docket	Management	System 1200	New	Jersey	Ave.,	SE Washington,	DC	20590

Re: Exemption Request under Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from certain parts of the FARs.

Dear Administrator Huerta,

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Ac t) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Great Lakes Media, operators of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“sUASs”) hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of its sUASs, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.

The requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned sUAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) li mited 2) predetermined and 3) operated with a level of safety and professiona lism deserving of traditional aircraft . Approval of this exemption would enhance safety and promote growth in the developing industry of aerial photography and cinematography, the reby fulfilling the FAA Administrator’s responsibilities to “...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

The name and address of the applicant is:

Great Lake s Media Attn: Brendan Walsh Ph: (815) 351

- 5007

Email: brendan@greatlakesmedia.net Address: 615 Mack St., Joliet, IL 60435

The Specific Sections Of 14 C.F.R. From Which Great Lakes Media Seeks Exemption:Great	Lakes	Media

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2 14 C.F.R. Part 21 14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b) 14 C.F.R. § 61.3

14 C.F.R. § 91.7 (a) 14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2) 14 C.F.R. § 91.103 (b) 14 C.F.R. § 91.109 14 C.F.R. § 91.119 14 C.F.R. § 91.121 14 C.F.R. § 91.151 (a) 14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 CFR § 91.205(b) 14 C.F.R. § 91.215 14 C.F.R. § 91.405 (a) 14 C.F.R. § 91.407 (a) (1) 14 C.F.R. § 91.409 (a) (2) 14 C.F.R. § 91.417 (a) & (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion of the rule making required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to deter mine which types of UASs do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following:

- The UAS’s size, weight, speed and operational capability;

- Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airport s and populated areas; and

- Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator.

Reform Act § 333 (a).

If the Adminstrator determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requ irements for the safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system.” Id. § 333(c) (emphasis added).

The Secretary has delegated his aviation authority to the Administrator of the FAA.Great	Lakes	Media

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3 The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to grant exemptions from its regulatory requirements for civil aircraft, a term defined under §40101 of the Act, which includes sUASs. The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requireme nt of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702

- 44716 of the Federal Aviation Act if Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f) See also 49 USC § 44711(a); 49 USC § 44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1).

Summary:

Great Lakes Media is a production company that has been serving the Chicago area with its service s for the past decade. F ounded by husband and wife team Brendan and Jessica Walsh, Great Lakes Media specializes in educatio nal videos for broadcast and Internet distribution. Great Lakes Media has always strived to be at the forefront of advances in technology in the video and photography industry, and owner, Brendan Walsh, believes that the use of sUASs, when operated safely and responsibly, can add great value, offering unique perspectives and images normally unseen. Brendan has been operating sUASs as a hobbyist for the past 18 months, gaining over 30 hours of flight time with the DJI Phantom 2 over remote locations and at hobby fields. At the request of existing clients, Great Lakes Media would like to offer the ability to operate sUASs commercially as a service to clients to take video and photos. The sUASs will be used to take video and photos of landscapes and buildin gs for real estate. Brendan will be the primary operator, with Jessica serving as Spotter and as an alternate operator.

Additional Great Lakes Media staff will only be allowed to operate the sUAS if they demonstrate the ability to safely 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. Qualification flight hours and currency must be l ogged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (training, 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 training, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all per sons 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.

Flight Vehicle:Great	Lakes	Media

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4 Great Lakes Media seeks to use two sUASs; 1) DJI Inspire 1 & 2) DJI PHANTOM 3 Professional. Each of these aircraft has four rotors and four motors in a quadcopter configuration, and the above sUASs weigh less than 55 lbs. including payload. They operate at a speed of no more than 50 knots. They have the capability to limit their height above the ground, to limit the distance of the radius in which they can fly from the operator, and to exclude flight in class B,C, and D airspace. Both sUASs are equipped with GPS and auto

- return function to the p redetermined safe landing area, which can be changed for safety, as well as allowing reading of magnetic interference that can cause loss off GPS signal. Such safety features will insure that the sUASs will “not create a hazard to users of the national ai rspace system or the public.” (Reform Act Section 333 (b)).

Given the small size of the sUASs involved and the restricted sterile environment within which they will operate, the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of s afety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UASs. Also due to the size of the UASs and the restricted areas in which the relevant sUASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, incl uding enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including reduced emissions associated with allowing UASs for movie and television operations, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, the applicant respectful ly requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

Flight Profile:

Great Lakes Media will program the Phantom and Inspire to limit their flight below 400 feet above ground level, and to a distance of no more than 1500 feet away. Befor e each flight, the aircraft will be given a through a preflight check to ensure that it is mechanically sound and to assure that its compass and GPS system are properly calibrated and that the return

- to

- home feature, altitude, and radius limitations are se t.

Great Lakes Media strongly believes in responsible flying for the safety of the public and the public view of this emerging industry. They will fly primarily in the early morning hours and will operate largely over unpopulated areas where the potentia l injury or damage in the event of an unplanned landing is minimal.

They will not operate it in controlled airspace, and will also use an additional spotter to assist in maintaining constant visual contact with the sUAS and inGreat	Lakes	Media

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5 alerting the operator to pot ential obstacles in the unlikely event that a manned aircraft flies below 400 feet AGL.

Additional limitations and conditions which Great Lakes Media agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include:

- The sUA S will always weigh less than 55 lbs.

- Flights will be operated within line of sight of the operator and/or observer.

- Flights will be of a 30

- minute duration or less.

- Great Lakes Media Flight Operations Manual (Appendix B) will be followed before e ach flight.

- Flights will only take place over private property with written or oral permission from the property owner.

- Permissions and permits will be obtained from local, state or appropriate governmental agencies if required.

C. The Extent Of Re lief Great Lakes Media Seeks And The Reason Great Lakes Media Seeks The Relief.

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1)

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular UAS. In all cases, an analysis of thes e criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe,Great	Lakes	Media

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6 or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with a n airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft

The regulation requires: When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited , restricted or light

- sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more tha n 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light

- sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. Even though the sUAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the sUAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cock pit or pilot station on which the word “experimental” can be placed. Given the size of the sUAS, two inch lettering will be impossible.

14 C.F.R. §91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness.

The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft and the requi rements contained in the Manual for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to each flight, as set forth in Sections J, L and Q, an equivalent level of safety will be provided.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

.
Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft ... The sUAS , given its size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft. The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to it. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299 A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700. (2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, appro ved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight action This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions beforeGreat	Lakes	Media

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7 flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft fl ight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption will be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be set forth by the pre

- flight checklist as set forth in the Great Lakes Media Flight Operations Manual. The PIC will take all actions includ ing reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances, aircraft performance data and setting the pre

- determined safe landing area in case of loss of GPS communication before initiation of flight.

14 C.F.R. §91.109: Flight instr uction:

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls. sUASs and remotely piloted aircraft, by their d esign do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dua l controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See Exemption Nos.5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot no r passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the siz e and speed of the aircraft.

14 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum safe altitudes

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the pers on operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption is for a sUAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to 400 AGL, or not more than 200 ab ove an elevated platform from which filming is planned, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. The sUAS will never operate at higher than 400 AGL.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the UAS as we ll as the location where it is operated. Conducting aerial acquisitions with the sUAS, instead of manned aircraft, will greatly greatly reduce air and noise pollution that would be produced by the internal combustion engine aircraft typically utilized for aerial video and photography, which can burn approximately 20

- 30 gallons per hour of leaded aviation fuel. The DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire UAS are propelled by battery powered electric motors, rather than an internal combustion engine.

Furthermore, the subs tantial risk to life and property in the air and on the ground, which is usually associated with traditional manned aircraft flight operations, will be substantially reduced or completely eliminated. The DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 UASs (weighing approxima tely 2.8 and 6.5 pounds at their maximumGreat	Lakes	Media

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8 gross weight with diagonal dimension of 23 inches, and with no fuel on board), have less potential energy for collateral damage to life and property on the ground, and in the air, compared to the manned aircraft tha t typically conduct similar operations. In addition, the low

- altitude operations of the sUAS will ensure separation between these sUAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimete r Settings

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.” As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Pre Flight Check list, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed

– (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minute s.”

The battery powering the sUAS can provide up to 40 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, sUAS flights would be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time frame for flight in daylight or night VFR conditions is reasonable.

Great Lakes Media believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the sc ope of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate without compliance with FAR 91.151 (a)). Operating the small UAS, limiting sUAS flights to 10 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption wil l be granted.

Great Lakes Media maintains that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 30 minutes or 25% of battery power whichever occurs first. This restriction would be provide adequate opportunity to return the sUAS to its planned landing zone

. Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.Great	Lakes	Media

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9 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

The regulation provides in pertinen t part: (a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has

within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. . . .

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew. The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs and is o perated without an onboard pilot.As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the sUAS.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to them, to the extent they are applicable to the sUAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation , including Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections

Regulations requiring that an owner “shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter...,” and others s hall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43. Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to the applicant. Great Lakes Media will use trained technicians to perform maintenance, alterations, or preventive maintenance on the sUAS using the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the operating documents (i.e., Great Lakes Media Operations Manual, and DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 Instruction Manuals). Furthermore, Great Lakes Media will document and maintain all maintenance records for the DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 sUAS.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register, should it be determined t hat publication is needed:

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H ; 14 C.F.R 45.23(b);14 C.F.R. § 61 .3; 91.7 (a); 91.9 (b)Great	Lakes	Media

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10 (2);91.103(b);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) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55lbs or less) in aerial photography and cinematography for landscape aerials, residential and commercial real estate and construction site aerial phot os

. Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUASs for aerial photography and cinematography will e nhance safety by the reducing the risk when using traditional aerial video and photo techniques. sUASs carry no combustible fuel, weigh onl y 55 lbs. or less compared to the 3,000+ lbs. of a conventional aircraft, are more easily maneuvered . Additionally, flying at or below 400 AGL sUAS will be no factor with fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft.

The operation of small UASs, weighting less than 55 lbs., conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial oper ations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and, as a result, are far safer than conventional operations conducted with traditional aircraft which pose a safety risk. There are no personnel on board the sUASs and therefo re the likelihood of death or serious bodily injury is significantly diminished.

As set forth herein, Great Lakes Media seeks an exemption pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.61 and Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA), which will pe rmit safe operation of the sUAS commercially, without an airworthiness certificate, for the limited purpose of conducting aerial video and photography over certain areas of the United States. By granting this Petition, the FAA Administrator will be fulfill ing the Congressional mandate of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, while also advancing the interests of the public, by allowing Great Lakes Media to safely, efficiently, and economically operate the s UAS commercially within the NAS.

Dated: O ctober 02, 2015

Respectfully submitted,

Brendan Walsh

- Owner

Great Lakes Media Ph: (815) 351

- 5007

Email: brendan@greatlakesmedia.net Address: 615 Mack St., Joliet, IL 60435Great	Lakes	Media

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11 Appendices:

A

- Link to DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 Manual s :

Click on link s below :
http://www.dji.com/product/phantom

- 3/download

http://www.dji.com/product/inspire

- 1/download

B

- Abbreviated list of exemptions requested:

FAR	Section Description Justification

14	CFR	§	45.23(b) Requirement	to	display registration	number	on vehicle Insufficient	space	on vehicle

14CFR	Part	21 Aircraft	certification requirements	and procedures Designed	for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

she lf	sUAS

14	CFR	§	61.3 Requirement	for	pilot certificate Requirements designed	for	manned

aircraft	not	sUAS; further	described above

14	C.F.R.	§	91.7	(a) Airworthiness requirement Designed for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

shelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.9	(b)	(2) Requirement	for	manual to	be	available	in	the cockpit No	one	onboard	to read	manual

14	C.F.R.	§	91.103	(b) Requirement	for	crew members	to	be	onboard Unmanned	vehicle

14	C.F.R.	§	91.109 Requirements	for	dual controls	during	flight
instruction No	one	onboard	to operate	controlsGreat	Lakes	Media

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12 14	C.F.R.	§	91.119 Minumum	altitudes	for safe	flight Safety	requires operation	below	these altitudes

14	C.F.R.	§	91.121 Altimeter	settings No	one	onboard	to read	altimeter

14	C.F.R.	§	91.151	(a) Fuel	requirements Vehicle	doesn't	use fuel

14	C.F.R.	§	91.203 (a)&(b) Requirement	for registration	and airworthiness certificates	to	be onbaord No one	onboard	to read	certificates

14	C.F.R.	§	91.205(b) Cockpit	instruments No	one	aboard	to	read

14	C.F.R.	§	91.215 Transponder requirement Vehicle	has	insufficient useful	load	and	will	be operated	below	ATC radar	coverage

14	C.F.R.	§ 91.405	(a) Inspection	requirements Designed	for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

shelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.407 (a)(1) Inspection	approval requirements Designed	for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

shelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.409 (a)(2) Airworthiness inspection Designed	for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

shelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.417 (a)&(b) Maintenance	records requirements Designed for	manned aircraft	and	not suitable	for	off

- the

shelf	sUAS

C

- Copy of the Great Lakes Media Flight Operations Manual followed prior to each flightGreat	Lakes	Media

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13 

### Great Lakes Media **Flight Operations Manual and Safety Check** 

**Area/Environment**

o Site Selection Check for hazards:

o Wires / cables

o Animals

o People / bystanders

o Property in the vicinity

o Site is away from nonessential participants

o Ability to maintain adequate buffer zones between sUAS and personnel;

o Minimize departures and landings over populated areas

o Ensure a visible line of sight towards the UAV at all times. Ensure the telemetry connection is not obstructed.

o Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take

- off site is obstructed.

o Weather considerations:

o Temperature

o Visibility

o Precipitation

o Wind Speed

o Ground level wind speed

o Upper winds / at altitude

o Notify any bystanders or nearby property owners of your intentions (permission)

o Discuss flight plan with your co

- pilot or spotter

o If flying in controlled airspace, have you notified airspace authority

o NOTAMs

o Can you reach authorities

o Do you need to maintain communication?

Equipment	Check/UAS	Check

o Walk

- around

o Crack in joints and structural members

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14 o Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc.)

o Inspect prop mounts and screws and apply slight counter pressure on arms to check for loosened components

o Inspect and clean FPV (Camera) Lens and ensure it is secured and connects are firmly attached

o Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate)

o Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and Secured

o Fail

- safe equipment functioning RTH (return to home) Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning

o Props are smooth and free of damage / defect (check blade, surface and h ub)

o Props are tight / secure

o Inspect landing gear for damage

o Check RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks

o Perform range test

Mission	Plan

o All actions and contingencies for the mission planned and shared with other crew members

o Contingency planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link, if such a failsafe exists.

o Mission plans and flight plans should be shared with other operators in the vicinity.

Public	Aw areness Be courteous and polite You are an ambassador and your actions will affect other pilots and the industry in general Be professional / appear professional

**Pre**

**- Flight Final Checks** 

o Verifying all transmitter, on

- board aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged;

o Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video and transmitter / receiver

o Check location of GPS equipment

o Check the IMU calibration

o UAV / Drone is in a level location safe for takeoff

o FPV / Power up ground station

o FPV / Power up Video receiver / goggles

o Turn on camera system

o All transmitter controls move freely in all directions

o All transmitter trims in neutral position

o All transmitter switches in correct position( typicall y away)

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15 o Radio transmitter on

o Connect / power on battery to airframe

o Ensure led indicators and audible tones are correct

o Timer on (if applicable)

o FPV, confirm video is in monitor / goggles

o Scan for nearby cars / people / animals

o Say “CLEAR!”

o Arm flight controller

o Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

o Short 20

- 30 second hover at 3

- 5 feet (listen for vibrations / loose items)

o Confirm Voltage levels are correct

o Confirm altitude, GPS and data are correct

o Fly safe ly conforming to FAA regulations and local ordinances

Post

- Flight	Checklist

o Shutting Down: Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries

o Turn off the transmitter

o Turn the power off to the camera

o Visually check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear

o LOG FLIGHT