Great	Lakes	Media	– Brendan	Walsh	– 815-351-5007

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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 Act) 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) limited 2) predetermined and 3) 

operated with a level of safety and professionalism deserving of traditional 

aircraft. Approval of this exemption would enhance safety and promote growth in 

the developing industry of aerial photography and cinematography, thereby 

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 Lakes 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:
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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 determine 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 airports 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 requirements 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. 
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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 requirement 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 services for the past decade. Founded by husband and wife team 

Brendan and Jessica Walsh, Great Lakes Media specializes in educational 

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 buildings 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 

logged 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 experiencebuilding) 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 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. 

Flight Vehicle: 
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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 

predetermined 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 airspace 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 safety) 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, including 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 

respectfully 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. 

Before 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 set. 

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 

potential 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 in 
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alerting the operator to potential 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 sUAS 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 each 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 Relief 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 these 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, 
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or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an 

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 than 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, cockpit 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 requirements 

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, 9299A, 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, approved 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 before 
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flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight 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 including 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 instruction: 

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 

design 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 dual 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 nor passengers will be carried in 

the aircraft and by the size 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 person 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 above 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 well 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 substantial 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 approximately 2.8 and 6.5 pounds at their maximum 
Great	Lakes	Media	– Brendan	Walsh	– 815-351-5007

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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 that 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 Altimeter 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 minutes.” 

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

Registration 

The regulation provides in pertinent 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 operated 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 shall 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 that 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) 
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(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 photos. 

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUASs for aerial 

photography and cinematography will enhance safety by the reducing the risk 

when using traditional aerial video and photo techniques. sUASs carry no 

combustible fuel, weigh only 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 operations. 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 

therefore 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 permit 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 fulfilling 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: October 02, 2015 

Respectfully submitted, 

Brendan Walsh - Owner

Great Lakes Media

Ph: (815) 351-5007

Email: brendan@greatlakesmedia.net

Address: 615 Mack St., Joliet, IL 60435
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Appendices:

A - Link to DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 Manuals: 

Click on links 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-theshelf	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-theshelf	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	controls
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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-theshelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.407	

(a)(1)

Inspection	approval	

requirements

Designed	for	manned	

aircraft	and	not	

suitable	for	off-theshelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.409	

(a)(2)

Airworthiness	

inspection

Designed	for	manned	

aircraft	and	not	

suitable	for	off-theshelf	sUAS

14	C.F.R.	§	91.417	

(a)&(b)

Maintenance	records	

requirements

Designed	for	manned	

aircraft	and	not	

suitable	for	off-theshelf	sUAS

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

each flight
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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

o Loose or damaged screws, ties, fasteners, straps

o Loose or damaged wiring
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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 hub)

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	Awareness

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( typically away)

o Transmitter throttle to zero
Great	Lakes	Media	– Brendan	Walsh	– 815-351-5007

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 safely 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