# Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operations Manual

~ MPTOM

~



# Aerial Media Pros, LLC

3175 Airway Ave

. Costa Mesa, CA 92626

T: 985

- 235

- 9669



### patrick@aerialmediapros.com

www. aerialmediapros .com

## MPTOM

- Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

I NTRODUCTION

This manua l has been prepared in accordance of FAR, Part 91

. The intent of this Manua l is to

set fort h the definitive operationa l guidelines to be complied wit h by pilots

, assigned

coordinators, and other personnel while engaged in filming operations

.



## DOCUMENT REVISIONS

REVISION# PAGE# DATE ENTERED REVISION NAME

001 0000 18 Dec 2015 Start

## Table of Contents

CONTACT

- GENERAL 1

MANUAL APPLICABILITY 1

DISTRIBUTION AND REVISIONS 1

AVAILABILITY OF THIS MANUAL 2

AREA OF OPERATION ·GEOGRAPHICAL 2

SPECIFIC AREAS

- LOCATION SITES 2

FLIGHTS OTHER THAN LOCATION SITES 2

PERMISSION FOR OPERATIONS 2

PERSONS AUTHOR IZED 3

GUIDE 4

SECURITY 5

COMMUNICATIONS 5

HALTING ACTMTIES 9

ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 9

PILOT I PRODUCTION CREW BRIEFING 9

AIR OPERATIONS ·CREW NOTIFICATION 10

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

- PILOTS 10

APPROVED PILOTS 11

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION and AIRWORTHINESS 12

AIRCRAFT INSPECTIONS 12

APPROVED AIRCRAFT 13

NOTIFICATION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT 14

RECORD OF REVISIONS 15

APPENDIX 1

- Statement of Verification 16

APPENDIX 2

- Production Definitions 17

APPENDIX 3

- Accident Reporting Procedures 18

APPENDIX 4

- Consent To Be Involved 19

APPENDIX 5

- Standard Crew Briefing 20

SPECIAL PROVISIONS 20

## CONTACT

- GENERAL

The administration, filing and record

- keeping for operations covered by this manual are maintained and on

file at this m ailing address and further, all notices and correspondence at:

Aerial Media Pros , LLC

Patrick Smith

3175 Airway Ave

Costa Mesa,

, CA, 92626

985

- 235

- 9669

patrick@aerialmediapros.com



## MANUAL APPLICABILITY

This Manual prescribes rules

, policies and procedures for the guidance of pilots and studio or productio n

personnel

. The Manual will be incorporated as part of a specia l provisions and become the standard by

which AMP conducts all operations, pursuant to the FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

The controls, procedures and conditions set fort h in this operations manua l are the primary assurance that

nonparticipating persons

, propert y and aircraft will not be jeopardized

. This is the basis fo r issuance of

the waiver

. Therefore compliance wit h the provisions of this manua l is mandatory when operating under the

FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, just as is compliance with all non

- waived FAA regulations and

other applicable government regulations.



## DISTRIBUTION AND REVISINOS

AMP will be responsible for distributing a copy of this manua l to all pilots and coordinators before any

flight activit y covered by this manual shall take place

. Pilots and coordinators will be required to sign a

statement affirming that the y have read this manual as well as the Certificate of Waiver or Authorizatio n

attached to it and will comply wit h all provisions contained therein

. The statements are the responsibility

of AMP and will be kept on file in digita l and /or paper form at at the AMP office. These statements must

be available fo r inspectio n when required by the Administrator. Appendi x 1 provides an example of the

Statement of Verification.

The FAA shall receive all revisions to this manual15 days before the effective date of those revisions

.

Revision numbers and dates will appear in the upper right hand comer of each page of the manual.

1.

## AVA IL AB I LI TY OF THIS MANUAL

The FAA approved origina l manual will be kept on file in the office of AMP True copies will be made

available at each film locatio n site for the use of pilots, coordinators and any other persons requiring them.



## AREA OF OPERATIONS

- GEOGRAPHICAL

Al l pilots and coordinators withi n the Continenta l United States including Alaska, Hawaii and all US

territories and its possessions must use this Manual.



## SPECIFIC AREAS

– LOCATION SITES

This Manua l is required to be used at all specific locatio n sites

. Prior to any flight activity required by

proposed filming AMP will submit at least three days before scheduled filming, a writte n plan of activities

to the FSDO having jurisdictio n over the area of proposed filming. The three

- da y notificatio n may be

waived if AMP was contacted fo r a last minute event. AMP should contact the FSDO as soon as possible

to request waiver of the three

- da y requirement A writte n justificatio n of the exceptio n to the three

- da y

requirement is required

. No flight activities will commence unti l notificatio n and a "received and accepted"

or "examined and accepted" acknowledgment from the applicable FSDO has been accomplished.



## FLIGHTS OTHER THAN LOCATION SITES

Personne l are to be aware that only those approved operations conducted at 

### the location sites are

waived relative to compliance wit h FAR 91.119 (b) and (c)

. Al l other flights 

### to, from, and in the vicinity

of the approved locatio n site (s) must be conducted in compliance wit h existing regulations.



## PERMISSION FOR OPERATIONS

It is the responsibilit y of AMP to coordinate 

### wit h the film studio involved to assure that the following

entities have given thei r permission prior to the commencement of filming operations:

A) Propert y owners

B) Politica l subdivisions

, as required

C) Law enforcement agencies

, as required

D) Fire protectio n agencies

, as required

E) State and Federa l government or both

F) FAA Flight Service Station, or Air Traffic Control, as required

G ) Loca l FAA Flight Standards District Office

2.

## PERSONS

- AUTHORIZED

Pursuant to FAA Orde r 8900.1

, Flight Standards Informatio n Management System (FSIMS) CHG 0,

Volume 3

, Chapter 8 dated 9/13/2007 and FAR 91.119 "Persons Authorized", the following will outline

in detai l the procedures that AMP will follow prior to any flight operations that require flight below 500

feet AGL (above ground level) and withi n a 500 foot distance of occupied structures, vehicles

, etc.

These procedures ensure that no persons

, except those persons consenting to be involved and

necessary for the filming production, are allowed withi n 500 feet of the filming productio n area

. This

provision may be reduced to no less tha n 200 feet in the event that a suitable

, equivalent leve l of

safet y can be achieved

. A n equivalent leve l of safet y may be determined by evaluatio n of the filming

productio n area and the degree of terrai n features, buildings etc. that will provide a safet y barrier to

observers

Prior to any flight operations

, AMP along wit h authorized productio n personnel will ensure that no

person or persons withi n occupied structures and vehicles will be allowed withi n 500 feet of the

shooting area that involves the aircraft exercising AMP 's Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

Those individuals withi n the 500 foot area of operations who do not consent to be involved will be

required to relocate outside the designate d "safet y zone"

. For buildings that have non

- participating

individuals

, productio n will make arrangements to have those persons removed from the building or

buildings during flight operations. A AMP representative will confirm wit h productio n that the above

has been accomplished prior to any flight activity.

Those individuals other tha n productio n staff who "consent to be involved" will be required to sign a

writte n statement acknowledging and agreeing to the proposed filming activity

. Before the beginning

of flight operations

, a AMP representative will review all signed statements

. Upon request these

signed documents will be made available for review to loca l FAA FSDO representatives overseeing

the filming activities.

NOTE: (A detailed "consent to be involved

, form can be found in Appendi x 4)

3.

## GUIDE

The following guide shall be used by AMP to inform the applicable FSDO at least three days

prior to the proposed filming. This form shall also include maps and diagrams of specific sites

of operations as necessar y

.



### Plan of Activities

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under the

Exemption.

(3) Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used. Name and certificate number of

UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming.

(5) A statement that the operator 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;

(6) Signature of exemption holder or representative.

(7) A description of the flight activity in cluding maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county,

and/or s tate over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitu des essential to

accomplish the operations.

(8) General outline of daily production schedule as follows:

a. Description of flight activity including maps, diagrams of flight area identifying cities,

towns, counties and the state over where filming will be conducted.

b. Include the minimum and maximum altitudes the flight will be conducted.

c. Identify security for the production area; police, guards or oth er specifically place

personnel.

d. Control methods of non

- participating personnel; police, guards or other specifically place

personnel. NON

- PARTICIPATING PROPERTY AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

SHALL NOT BE CLOSER THAN 500 FEET FOR ANY REASON

e. All city, town, county, state and local filming permits have been have

f. All necessary written approvals have been obtained from the property owner(s).

g. If necessary, a list of all permissions and waivers must be made available to the F SDO

officer, local authorities or safety representative.

4.

## SECURITY

- ON SET

A plan for securing the productions area(s) against unauthorized persons

, vehicles and outside air

traffic shall be created and coordinated betwee n AMP and one or more of the following studio

representatives:

(1) Unit Productio n Manager

(2) Director*

(3) First or Second Assistant Director*

(4) Unit Securit y Chief

(5) Loca l Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Agenc y Personne l Who May Be Assigned to the

Production

*NOTE: A detailed descriptio n of the Director

, First Assistant Director, UPM and Producer can be

found in Appendix 2

At a minimum

, UAS landing site ( s ) will be cordoned off and a ground safet y person will be posted to

ensure the landing area is clear and secure during take

- off and landing evolutions along wit h the

appropriate fire suppression equipment ( ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher s

, water truck and other

equipment to suppress and stop a Lithium

- ion polymer battery fire ).

This comprehensive plan will include a communicatio n and response syste m between pilot(s)

assigned p ersonnel that would facilitate an immediate halt to air activities should unauthorized

persons

, vehicles or other aircraft inadvertentl y enter the area.



## COMMUNICATIONS

AMP personne l and respective production coordinators will design and implement a plan for

communicatio n betwee n principle participants in the air and on the ground

.

The plan will incorporate the following:

1. All UAS operations crew will be equipped with a least one 10 watt VHF radio, with hands free

head gear.

2. Ground personne l will be provided wit h "Hand

- Communication Talkies " to be programmed to

frequencies utilized in the UAS crew.

3. A "sterile emergency backup channel" will be selected before air operations begin.

4. AMP designated ground coordinator will be assigned to the First Assistant Director in order to

communicate directly pilot (s) action cues, requests, etc. This coordinated effort will allow direct

communication fro m productio n to the UAS pilot(s)

.

5. Pilot or lead pilot will talk directly to the ground coordinator who will communicate instructions

to members of the film crew on a separate channel so as to avoid the possibility of air/ground

confusion or miscommunication

.

5.

## STOPPING FLIGHT ACTIVITIES

AMP will coordinate wit h appropriate studio personnel the implementatio n of a method to ensure a

halt to activities should unauthorized persons or vehicles enter the area or if an emergency exists

. This

method will incorporate a chain of communicatio n and signals betwee n involved personnel

. Pilots will

be thoroughl y briefed on proper frequencies, responsible ground coordinators and/or the exact

locations and operations of signaling devices.



## ROADS, LANES AND HIGHWAYS

Should operations require flights over or on roads or highways, AMP will coordinate studio personnel

to assure that proper actio n has been take n to sterilize the roads or highways from vehicular or

pedestria n traffic. Securit y personnel such as sheriff, police or fire department representatives should

establis h this assurance and be knowledgeable to the time frames involved.



## PILOT, FLIGHT AND PRODUCTION CREW PREOPERATIONS BRIEFING

Prior to any activities covered by this manual

, AMP will meet and plan the aerial sequences wit h the

responsible studio personnel assigned to the specific event At this meeting the following infor m atio n

will be discussed wit h studio representative(s ):

1. Authorization for motion picture and television Certificate of Waiver or Authorization and

any attached provisions

2. Operations manual

3. Plan of Activities

4. Aircraft parking and starting

5. Taxi procedures (as applicable)

6. Radio communications

7. Takeoff procedures

8. Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

9. Approach and landing procedures

10. Recall procedures

11. Emergency procedures

12. Risks to participating personnel

13. Procedures to control non

- participating personnel

14. Additiona l provisions issued by the FSDO including the location of the physical

boundaries and usage time limits if applicable

.

6.

## AIR OPERATIONS

– CREW NOTIFICATION

AMP will coordinate wit h the studio to request that the front of the studio call sheet, which outlines the

daily shooting schedule

, crew and required personnel and equipment and will have the following statement

informatio n on it:

 Number of UAS will be used in today's filming activities.

 The UAS will be in the close proximity to cre w and equipment.

 Anyone need further explanation notify the Production Manager or the first Assistant Director

prior to filming.

 Anyone objecting notify the Production Manager or the first Assistant Director prior to filming.



## PILOT AND FLIGHT PERSONEL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

AMP will be responsible for checking the documents and certificates of pilots who are engaged in flying

activities covered by this manual

. Pilots must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Hold a current US commercial certificate wit h ratings appropriate to the category, class

and type (if applicable) of the aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver.

2. Have logged a minimum of 500 hours PIC and logged at least 20 hours as the PIC in the aircraft

type.

3. Have logged a minimum of 1 00 hours in the categor y and class of the aircraft to be flown.

4. Have logged a minimum of 50 hours in the make and model of the aircraft to be flown under the

waiver.

5. Hold a current Class I or Class II medical certificate.

6. In the event the operatio n to be conducted contains elements of an external

- load operation, whethe r

fixed or rotar y wing operations

, pilots used in the operatio n shall be qualified. This qualificatio n

may be obtained throug h a knowledge test (which may be oral and/or written) and/or skill. The

inspector or another company pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is

qualified to carry loads externall y will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements

and cover the following subjects:

a) Steps to be take n before starting operations

, including a survey of the flight.

b) Prope r method of loading

, rigging

, or att a ching the external

- load.

c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motio n picture operating procedures and the

Aircraft Flight Manual {AFM).

d) Prope r instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

e) AFM, pilot's operations handbook ( POH )

, or a rotorcraft

- load combinatio n flight manua l

and limitations

, if appropriate.

NOTE: I n the event that the 1500 foot minimum standard contained in FA R Part 91.303 (e) is to be waived

, the pilot performing the acrobatic maneuvers must hold an FAA form 8710

- 7 "Statement of Acrobatic

Competency" for the operations to be performed.

7.

## APPROVED PILOT ROSTER

NAME and ADDRESS UAS EQUIPMENT MEDICAL GRADE CLASS PILOT#

Sample: Patrick Smith

3175 Airway Ave

Costa Mesa, CA, 92626 Dji

- AMP

- 2743112 CURRENT Private Pilot

UAS Pilot Fixed Wing D2

8.

## COMPANY ORGANIZATION

A. Chief Pilot Duties and Responsibilities:

(1) Final word in the formulation of p olicy and procedures concerning this manual.

(2) Act as liaison between AMP and the FAA on matters concerning this manual.

(3) Assure that each approved pilot is i ssued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed

statement fr om each that they have read and understand its contents.

(4) Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Fovea Aero

Systems LLC.

(5) Responsible for assuring that a ll revisions to this manual are distribute d and processed

properly.

(6) Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by AMP under the

provisions of this manual.

(7) Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

(8) The chief pilot may delegate functions to other pe rsonnel but retains responsibility.



### B. Pilot in Command Duties and Responsibilities:

(1) Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required

maintenance have been performed a s per the Exemption.

(2) Acquire permission from the chief p ilot before any operation under the provisions of this

manual.

(3) Be very knowledgeable of the conte nts of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies

and conditions contained herein.

(4) Coordinate with movie and televisio n personnel to formulat e plans, routes, locations, etc.

with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. Page 11 of 15

(5) Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or

operation requiring the waiver.

(6) The pilot in command may de legate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility.

9.

## INVENTORY OF UAS

UAS MAKE UAS MODEL ( S )

Dji S 1000 Plus Octocopter

10.

## ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION

AMP will be required to notify the National Transportation Safety Board if an accident or incident occurs

that is serious enough to come under 

### the provisions of 49 CFR part 830. 

### In the event that 

### the pilot

becomes incapacitated 

### the designated Ground Safety Coordinator on set shall be tasked with notifying

the appropriate agencies, please refer to Accident Reporting Procedures, 49 CFR Part 830 contained

in Appendix 3.

EMERGENCY 8 00. 847.2111

STATE POLICE 911

FSS 800.992.7433

FAA Regional Office 310.725.3300

NTSB 3 1 0.380.5660

NOTE: A copy of 49 CFR Part 830 will be made available to:

1. Producer

2. Assistant Director

3. Unit Production Manager

4. This may include all of the above or one listed above

11.

## SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Al l pilots and coordinators withi n the 

### Continenta l United States including ; The controls, procedures, and

conditions set forth in the AMP motion picture and television operations manual is the primary

assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and PIC / operators used under this authorization, Exemption and / or waiver will only

be those specified in the AMP motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix A”) or

associated plan of activities.

Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All aircraft and

pilot(s) participating in the acti vity shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot

- in

- command con ducting operations authorized und er this certificate understands the

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

document under “Appendix B”)

UAS takeoff and landing areas will be protecte d in a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons

from entering the takeoff and landing area. AMP will ensure that the participating persons involved

in the operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency

procedures, and on the prov isions 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.

12.

## STATEMENT OF VERIFICATION

APPENDIX 1

I, as an approved

___________________ Motion Picture Pilot and I or Coordinator affirm I have received

training on th e M otion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual as well as the Certificate of Waiver or

Authorization attached to it as applicable and will comply with all provisions contained therein.

Signed:

_________________________ ______ Date:

______________

13.

## PRODUCTION DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX 2

DIRECTOR: Person on set responsible for the creative aspects of the film. Works with the actors and crew

on the day

- to

- day shooting of the production.

FIRST ASSIS T ANT DIRECTOR: Person on set who coordinates with the director and production regarding

the daily shooting schedule and he or she runs the set. Works with the aerial coordinator on conducting the

"safety meeting" as it pertains to flight operations.

UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER I PRODUCER : Person or persons responsible on set in making

production decisions that directly affect the day to day operations of the film. Coordinates with departments

and hires and fires crewmembers.

14.

## AFAA ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURES 49

- CFR PART 830

APPENDIX 3

In the event of an aircraft accident or incident and the preservation of aircraft wreckage the Aerial Coordinator,

and or the Ground Safety Coordinator, First Assistant Director or Producer shall when able and at the earliest

possible time notify the FAA and the NTSB regarding the accident or incident. A copy of the Nationa l

Transportation Safety Board Guidelines follows this appendix

. Contact phone numbers are listed below and

will help guide those tasked with notifying the appropriate agencies.

FSS 800.992. 7 433

FAA REGIONAL OFFICE 310.725.3300

NTSB 310.380.5660

15.

## CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE AND BE INVOLVED

APPENDIX 4

I acknowledge that a AMP representative has fully e x plained to me the flight parameters that will be performed

for the actual filming. I understand the potential risks involved with being within the 500 foot " safety zon e " * and

that the aircraft may fly in close pr o x imity to me an d

/ or my property. By signing this statement I have become

a participant and I am willing to assume any and all risks associated with being within the "safety zone "

.

Participant Name (printed) Date

Participant Signature

Production Title

*NOTE : A safety zone is defined as a 200 to 500 foot radius that surrounds the shooting area in which UAS

multirotor

, helicopters an d / or f i x ed

- wing aircraft may be flown in close proximity to crew and equipment and

is fre e from " no n

- participating members of the publi c ".

16.

## STANDARD CREW BRIEFING

APPENDIX 5

Name of Production

1. Authorizatio n fo r motio n picture and televisio n Certificate of Waiver or Authorization and any

attached provisions

2. Operations manual

3. Pla n of activities

4. Aircraft parking and starting

5. Taxi procedures (as applicable)

6. Radio communications

7. Takeoff procedures

8. Aviatio n activities to be conducted during the filming productio n event

9. Approac h and landing procedures

1 0

. Recall procedures

11

. Emergency procedures

12

. Risks to participating personnel

13

. Procedures to contro l non

- participating personnel

14.Additiona l provisions issued by the FSDO including the locatio n of the physical boundaries and

usage time limits as applicable.

Briefing conducted by:

______________

Signa ture :

____________________________ __ Date:

_____________

17.