Jam es Wi lliam s Jonas Musson

Manager, Flight Standards Service 2472 Myrtle Ave Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Office Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Wa shington, DC 20591 U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operation We st Building Ground Floor, Room w12

- 140 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Re: Request for exemption from multiple regulatory provisions to allow the use of small unm anned aerial systems on land controlled by clients of Jonas Musson ( JM ) to assist in aerial photography and the safe evaluation of infrastructure and operations for our clients. Dear Mr. W illiam s: Jonas Musson respectfully requests an exemption from several provisions of Tit le 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) to permit the use of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assist in the evaluation of infrastructure and operations for our clients. This request is motivated primarily by the desire to maximize safety in infrastructure and operations. W hile an exemption would not eliminate the current need for in

- person visual inspection required by various federal regulatory departments, it would allow JM to broadly evaluate assets and operations with UAS resulting in a safer and more efficient infrastructure network. Accordingly, the grant of an exemption is consistent with Congress’ intent, reflected in Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Modernization Act), 1 that safe systems be permitted in t he national airspace prior to the issuance of final regulations governing general use of these systems.2 A summary

of this request suitable for publication in the Federal Register is provided as Appendix A. Appendix B provides the manufacturers informatio n regarding the design, aircraft performance, and fail

- safe features. Wehave provided manufacturer information related to operating lim itations, normal and emergency procedures, and maintenance and inspection procedures. As we add aircraft designs, we wil l update this appendix appropriately. Appendix C provides the Drone Fleet & Aerospace Management Operations Manual for flights covered under this Exemption Request. 1 P.L. 112

- 95, 126 Stat 11, February 14, 2012. 2 Section 333(b) (2) specifically contempl ates that the FAA may issue a certificate of waiver upon a finding that a type of UAS, as a result of its size, weight, speed, operational capacity, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operations within visual line of sight do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security. Background Information JM is in the business of providing aerial photography services and consulting UAS for our clients. JM ’s Clients look to us for Safe Operations of UAS. Weha ve developed specific JM Safe UAV Operational Procedures. Increasingly, we have clients looking to operate UAS for Aerial Photography and Infrastructure Inspections. Areial Photography and Infrastructure Safety Inspection Operations:Movi e Production

Aer ial Photography Construction Site Inspection As part of this JM is requesting FAA Exemption for UAS operations for safety, inspection and video capture usage. Regulatory Basis for Exemption Request In addition to the waiver authority provided in §333 of the Modernization Act, the FAA may grant an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §44701(f) if it has determined that such an exemption is in the public interest. The FAA has imposed a separate requirement in its procedural regulations, providing that the petitioner s hall explain why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety or how the exemption would provide at least an equivalent level of safety as compliance with the underlying regulation. In this case, approval of this exemption would advance the pub lic interest by significantly enhancing the safety and efficiency of infrastructure operations and by providing the FAA with valuable user experience on UAS in a context with appreciable economic and societal benefits. As described more fully below, the re quested exemption would permit the operation of UAS under tightly controlled conditions, thus ensuring that operations will not have an adverse impact on safety. To the contrary, as explained below, JM anticipates that use of UAS will enhance safety in inf rastructure operations. Granting an Exemption is in the Public Interest. The safety

and efficiency of infrastructure operations is heavily dependent upon constant analysis of assets, right

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-wa y, infrastructure and other assets/facilities. There are a wid e variety of factors that can affect conditions and cause problems for infrastructure. Even relatively small objects or minor failures can lead to accidents or other incidents causing downtime of infrastructure. Extreme weather events can lead to flooding or overheating infrastructure. For example earthquakes, landslides, and abandoned vehicles at grade crossings can block infrastructure. The potential for sabotage and terrorism

– or even just trespassing

– are also am ong the many risks that modern infrastr ucture faces. As a result, pursuant to federal regulations and company policy, our client’s maintenance em ployees routinely inspect the infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, support structures and signals. At present, this work is done primarily by co mp any personnel in motor vehicles, on foot, in specialized equipment. This is often a labor

- intensive and sometimes arduous job. W hile our clients do all they can to make these inspections as safe as possible, there is an irreducible elem ent of risk involv ed whenever employees are required to go out on structures. Employees ma y need to climb over or onto structures, which can be slippery, rough, and/or exposed to the elem ents. Some structures, such as bridges, are high above the ground. Equipment moving through inspection zones can increase risk as well, especially in high

- traffic areas. Wh ile the use of UAS for supplemental infrastructure and general asset evaluation would not eliminate these risks entirely (as it is an additive safety measure), it would re duce the risks to employees by allowing for remote aerial review. Additionally, the sheer amount of assets and the widely dispersed locations

– in many instances far from sizeable population centers

– me ans that visual inspection in all instances by compa ny personnel can be inefficient. Aerial analysis by traditional fixed wing aircraft is impractical because the required altitudes for safe flight reduce visibility below meaningful levels

– it is simply not possible to see all asset anomalies from such hei ghts. Helicopters present better vantage points; however manned helicopters are much more costly, subject to human safety and carry highly explosive jet fuel making them impractical for deploy me nt. By using UAS for supplemental asset evaluation, JM will be able to substantially upgrade its capacity to detect and address issues with the right

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- way and other assets before they become a problem for safe operations. Thus, the use of UAS has the potential to improve efficienc y, resulting in faster and safer d elivery of goods, energy & natural resources vital to the U.S. econom y.Granting an Exemption will not Adversely Affect Safety

JM notes that there is no applicable standard for an equivalenc y determination. Some have argued that the appropriate standard is that for model aircraft, noting that their operations, if conducted for recreational purposes, would fall completely within the allowable operations for mo del aircraft. Webelieve it is difficult to argue that there is sufficient correlation between mod el operations controlled by the Academ y of Model Aeronautics and the ones contemplated by JM . At the same time, it is clear that equivalenc y cannot be established for traditional, manned civil aircraft because the design and use profiles between traditiona l aircraft and UAS are simply too different. As such, we believe it makes more sense to focus on why the contemplated operations would not adversely affect safety, which is all that §11.81(e) requires. Granting an exemption will not adversely affect safety. JM contemplates conducting UAS operations over client owned or controlled land, solely during daylight hours, at altitudes well below that which would pose a risk to other aircraft. In general, UAS operations are intended to be conducted in areas distan t from both congested areas and airports. Moreover, because of the inherent risks presented by standard infrastructure operations, our clients have already taken steps to secure property against unauthorized public access. For example, substantial stretche s of pipeline, utilities, railroad track and oil production sites are fenced, elevated, or otherwise secured to prevent access. Other long stretches of infrastructure are, as noted above, in very remote wilderness areas. The nature of operations anticipate d by JM requires that the UAS be flown at relatively low altitudes and relatively low speeds. JM expects that in most instances, the UAS will be flown less than 75 feet from the highest structure along the path of the UAS. Accordingly, the risk of interference with another aircraft is minimal. JM also plans to conduct UAS operations at least three miles from any public airports (including heliports). In the event an operation needs to be conducted closer to an airport, JM will inform the airport operator an d airport air traffic control tower of the contemplated operation and will comply with any directions issued by air traffic control at that airport. Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of UASs in the infrastructure aerial inspection indu stry

will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional operations, using jet or piston power aircraft, operate at extremely low altitudes just feet from the subject being inspected and in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks a ssociated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 4,000lbs., carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel (140 gallons for jet helicopters). Such aircraft must fly to and from the inspection site. In contrast, a UAS weighing fewer than 55 lbs. and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The UAS is carried to the inspection site. The UAS will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to th e risks associated with manned aircraft flights. The operation of small UASs, weighing 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 333 Aircraft Exemption Status exempting the applicant from conventional aircraft requirements and allowing commercial Operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a controlled environment and, as a result, are far safer than conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and people. The safety

of those on the ground is protected by the fact that no one will be allowed into the area without the permission of the company. Security will be established for the flight area as part of the pre

- flight control. Each individual within the secure area will be briefed prior to flight and will consent to being in the area. All others will be excluded from th e area.JM initially intends to use a dedicated staff for UAS operations. All operations will be within visual

line

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- sight (i.e., no more than approximately 0.5 miles from the manipulator of the con trols, or pilot in command (PIC ). Each PIC will conduct at least three take

- offs and landings with the UAS on which he or she is trained every 90 days. PIC’s will establish their qualifications thru a com bination of aeronautical knowledge, UAS airmanship skills, and verification through testing of flight ability before infrastructures operations have commenced. Depending on the type of operation, additional ground

- based visual observers may be employed as well. These observers will be within constant visual line of sight and in constant contact with the PIC. The visual observers will assist the PIC in avoiding objects near the UAS. There are no standards for either Private or Commercial UAS pilot certificates. The safe operation and control of the UAS as described in this application doe s not depend on the type of FAA license held by the PIC. Given the restricted and controlled airspace within which operations will take place, the key factors needed by the PIC are knowledge of the airspace within which the operation will take place and ho w that airspace fits into the National Airspace System (NAS). That knowledge can be and is gained primarily through ground school and not through flight training in fixed wing or rotor aircraft, nor is it dependent on the acquisition of a commercial or pri vate pilot’s certificate. Those certificates demonstrate knowledge of the factors and skills needed for the safe operation of those types of aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft). It cannot be assumed that a commercial pilot, approved to operate a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, has the skill or ability to safely operate a small unmanned aerial vehicle, operating at 400 AGL or lower, within strictly controlled pre

- approved airspace. Besides knowledge of airspace regulations, dexterity in the control and op eration of the UAS acquired from actual operation of the aircraft is the most im portant factor in establishing an equivalent level of safety. If the PIC has acquired the necessary knowledge of airspace requirements, the relevant issues are (1) where the a ircraft will be flown, (2) the size of the aircraft relative to what is being used today to accomplish the same mission, and (3) what precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of those in the area of operation. W e propose that the PIC has at least an FAA Private Pilots Certificate and a Class III medical; the aircraft be operated within a secure environment; and that no one be allowed to enter the secure environment unless they are part of the operation, have been fully briefed of the risks prior to op eration of the UAS, and have consented to the risks associated with being in the operating area. Should there be a mishap, the UAS being flown pose significantly less of a threat than the helicopters and fixed wing aircraft now being employed because they are a fraction of the size, carry no flammable fuel, do not carry crew or passengers, and pose an infinitesimal risk to others. This is in stark contrast to conventional aircraft that are flown to the site, carry explosive fuel, carry passengers and crew, and operate in a much larger area. From a practical standpoint, there are relatively few licensed full

- scale aircraft pilots who are also qualified to fly the type of UAS that are utilized for infrastructure image

- capture operations. There are even fewer commercial pilots that can fly these UAS

– to the point that to do both is considered rare. Assuming that it is unlikely for a company to find a pilot that has both qualifications, that company would either have to source a qualified UAS pilot to train and obtain a commercial certificate, or find a commercial certificated pilot who would be willing to learn to fly a UAS to the competency level required for professional use. Minimum requirements for the PIC include: 1) A minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 hours of total time as a UAS rotorcraft pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot with a similar UAS type (single blade or multirotor); 2) A minimum of 5 hours as UAS pilot with the make and model of UAS to be utilized for operations under the exemption and 3 take offs and landings in the preceding 90 days;3) Have undergone a qualification process as specified in the Flight Operations & Procedures

Manual consisting of a knowledge & skill test of the aircra ft to be used. JM intends to use commercially available UAS Components for UAS. These UAS systems will be tested for quality & safety in our test facility before being deployed to the field. The UAS is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pil ot nor passenger, and operates exclusively within a secured area. Wehave a routine maintenance schedule to verify that the UAS will remain in safe and operational condition. Please see Appendix B, for Specific T yp es of UAS. Notes Regarding: 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of PL 112

--- 95 in reference to 49 USC 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, we request that this aircraft exemption meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, if granted Section 333 relief of 14 CFR part 21, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necessar y. Notes Regarding: 14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft Given the size of the sUAV, two

- inch lettering will be impossible. UA will be identified by serial num ber, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N

--- Number) ma rk ings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings will be as large as practicable. Notes Regarding: 14 CFR § 91.7(a) Civil Aircraft Airworthiness JM ’s request is based on the fact that no airworthiness certificate will be issued for the UAS. JM ’s UAS will not require an airworthiness certificate in accordance with 14 CFR part 21, Subpart H. Based on the fact that an airworthiness certificate will not be issued, exemption from § 91.7(a) is not necessary. Notes Regarding: 14 CFR § 91.9(b)(2) Civil aircraft flight manual, m arking & placard Certifications required, the original intent of these regulations was to display an aircraft’s airworthiness, certification, and registration documents so they would be easily available to inspectors and passengers. Based on the FAA Memora ndum subject “Interpretation regarding whether certain required documents may be kept at an unmanned aircraft’s control station,” dated August 8, 2014, the requested relief from 14 CFR §§ 91.9(b)(2) and 91.203(a) and (b) is not necessary. Notes Regarding: §91.109 Flight instruction; Simulated instrument & certain flight tests Small UASs, 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. Aircraft being considered for use by JM allow the UAS Instructor to place the aircraft into ‘loiter’ mo de (fixed altitude stationary hold). In the event of the student losing control, the UAS Instructor can quickly

and via alternate equipme nt (equipment not in the hands of the student) place the aircraft into a mode that then allows the instructor to bring the aircraft back into control and back to the pre

- determined and/or safe landing location. JM does not describe training scenarios in which a dual set of controls would be utilized or required, i.e. dual flight instruction, provided by a flight instructor or other company

- designated individual, that would require that individual to have fully functioning dual controls. Rather, JM evaluat es the qualification of its PICs based on their experience with the UAS to be operated and verifies through testing, in lieu of formalized training. As such, JM does not seek relief from 14 CFR § 91.109. Notes Regarding § 14 CFR 91.119(b) Relief from § 14 CFR 91.119(b), operation over congested areas, is not applicable, because the JM ’s operations will only be conducted within the secured area described herein.JM Safety Operations & Procedures Overview:

Technology Considerations: Best

- in

- class, tried a nd proven technologies that are in advanced iterations. Software from highly

reputable industry partners will include features

- 1. Auto descent (landing) if communication signal were to be severed. If the UAS loses communications, the UAS will have capab ility to return to a pre

- determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 2. Auto descent (landing) if battery were to drop lower than nominal level. 3. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve. 4. Live video for operator gives real

- tim e positioning feedback. In other words, we can monitor the scene from our perspective for collision avoidance, and to maintain spatial orientation. 5. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or em ergenc ies. 6. On

- Screen

- Display (OSD) contains operating information to ascertain vehicle health at all tim es: speed, altitude, number of GPS satellites (when available), heading and voltage. 7. GPS lock supplies for return

- to
- hom e (RTH). Should Command and Co ntrol (C2) link failures occur (highly improbable), vehicle returns automatically to the point of launch. 8. Altitude information will be provided to the UAS pilot via a digitally encoded telemetric data feed, which downlinks from the aircraft to a ground

- based on

- screen display. This altitude information will be generated by equipment installed on board the aircraft, using GPS triangulation, or digitally encoded barometric altimeter, or radio altimeter, or any combination thereof. Prior to each flight, a zero altitude initiation point will be established and confirmed for accuracy by the pilot. Mechanical/Physical: 1. W e will fly line

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- sight (LOS) only. The vehicle will always remain in direct LOS to the pilot, thus eliminating the concern of signal se verance (flying behind objects/walls). 2. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs and travel at less than 50 knots. 3. Batteries should far exceed the capacity required for actual flight time. 4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 fee t AGL. 5. Fireproof bags for storage and charging of high capacity Lipo batteries on

- site. 6. UA operated under this exemption will be marked in accordance with 14 CFR part 45 or as otherwise authorized by the FAA. Personnel: 1. Spotters ensure safe ope ration and act as a redundant set of eyes for operators (pilot, gimbal op, director)2. Radio spectrum analysis for interference on the frequencies utilized for vehicle

control/communication. 3. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned UAS o perations prior to each day’s activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing. 4. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the UAS operations and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operations.
5. Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice. 6. Wr itten and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained. 7. Pilot and observer will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up

- to
- date information on the particular UAS to be operated. Operations: 1. The u nm anned aircraft (UA) must weigh less than 55 pounds (25 Kg), including energy source(s) and equipment. Operations authorized by this petition of exemption are limited to the following aircraft described in Appendix B. Proposed operations of any other ai rcraft will require a new petition or a petition amendment to this request. 2. The UA may

not be flown at a ground speed exceeding 50 knots. 3. Flights must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL), as indicated by the pro cedures specified in the operator’s manual. All altitudes reported to ATC must be in feet AGL. 4. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any devic e other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued medical certificate. 5. The operator’s manual included as Appendix C and this petition of exemption must be ma intained and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepa ncy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operator’s manual, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outl ined in its operator’s manual. The operator may update or revise its operator’s manual. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or am endm ent. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis for which the FAA grants this petition for exemption, then the operator must petition for amendment to their exemption. The FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operator’s manual. 7. Prior to each flight the PIC must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a condition for safe flight. I f the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and theUAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The Ground Control Stat ion, if utilized, must be

included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in the aircraft records. 8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight character istics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight in accordance with the operator’s manual. The PIC who conducts the functional test flight mu st m ak e an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The requi rements and procedures for a functional test flight and aircraft record entry must be added to the operator’s manual. 9. The operator must follow the manufacturer’s UAS aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit req uirements. Wh en unavailable, aircraft ma intenance/component/overhaul, replacement, and inspection/maintenance requirements must be established and identified in the operator’s manual. At a minimum, requirements for the following must be included in the ope rator’s manual: a. Actuators/Servos; b. Transmission (single rotor); c. Powerplant (motors); d. Propellers; e. Electronic speed controller; f. Batteries; g. Mechanical dynamic components (single rotor); h. Remote command and control; i. Ground control sta tion (ifused);and j. Any other components as determined by the operator; 12. Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of infrastructure inspection, a flight dem onstration, administered by an operator

- approved and

- qualified pilot must be successfully com pleted and documented. This documentation must be available for review upon request by the Administrator. Because the knowledge and airmanship test qual ifications have been developed by the operator, and there are no established practical test standards that support a jurisdictional FAA FSDO evaluation and approval of company designated examiners, the petitioner will conduct these tests in accordance with the operator’s manual. 13. The UA may not be operated directly over any person, except authorized and consenting personnel, below an altitude that is hazardous to persons or property on the surface in the event of a UAS failure or emergency. 14. Regardi ng the distance from participating persons, t he operator’s ma nual has safety mi tigations for authorized and consenting personnel. At all times, those persons must be essential to the operations. 15. Regarding distance from nonparticipating persons, the op erator mu st ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the infrastructure inspection operations. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if it would not adversely a ffect safety and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an aviation safety inspector’s evaluation of the infrastructure inspection area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, safety ba rriers, etc. Such barriers may

protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident.18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a pre

determined location within the security perimeter and land or be recovered in accordance with the operator’s manual. 19. The UAS must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in accordance with the operator’s manual. 20. Each UAS operation must be completed with 25% battery power remaining. 21. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N

- Number) markings in accordance with 1 4 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable. 22. The operator must develop procedures to document and maintain a record of the UAS ma intenance, preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement/overhaul component parts, a nd the total time in service of the UAS. These procedures must be added to the operator’s ma nual. 23. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer Safety Bulletins. 24. The operator must develop UAS technician qualification criteria. These criteria must be added to the operator’s manual. 25. The preflight inspection section in the operator’s manual must be amended to include the following requirement: The preflight i nspection must account for all discrepancies, i.e. inoperable com ponents, items, or equipment, not covered in the relevant preflight inspection sections of the operator’s manual. 26. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements. 29. The documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground C ontrol Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 30. The UA must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultralight vehicles, parachute activities, parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.). 31. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be co nducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized. 32. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 33. The UA may

not be operated less than 500 feet bel ow or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 34. The UA may

not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace without written approval from the FAA. The UA may

not operate within 5 nautical mile s of the geographic center of a non

- towered airport as denoted on a current FAA

- published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAMas required by t he operator’s COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be

ma de available to the Administrator upon request. 35. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area a s defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB W eb site: www.ntsb.gov . Further flight operations may not be conducted until the incident, accident, or transgression is reviewed by AFS

- 80 and authorization to resume operations is provided. Support for Petition for Exemption In accordance with the procedural requirements of 14 C.F.R. §11.81, JM provides the following information: Contact Information: Jonas Musson 2472 My rtle Ave Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 ( 310 ) 600

- 1182 jonasmusson@gmail.com Regulatory Provisions from which JM seeks an Exemption JM believes it may need an exemption from the following provisions to conduct the contemplated operations. In some instances, relief is needed because relief from another provision renders com pliance with the regulation at hand infeasible. 333 Aircraft E xemption Status 14 C.F.R. §61.113(a) and (b) 14 C.F.R. §91.119(c) 14 C.F.R. §91.121 14 C.F.R. §91.151 14 C.F.R. §91.405(a) 14 C.F.R. §91.407(a) 14 C.F.R. §91.409(a)(1)&(2) 14 C.F.R. §91.417(a)&(b) JM believes an exemption is only needed from the above

- lis ted regulatory provisions. To the extent that the FAA believes that additional relief is required for JM to conduct the operations described here, we request an exemption from any such regulatory provisions as well. 3 3 For example, 14 C.F.R. §91.417(a) imp oses certain maintenance record keeping requirements “as applicable”. Since none of the underlying requirements (e.g., inspection intervals) can be met and will require an exemption, JM believes a separate exemption should not be required for §91.417(a). The Extent of Requested Relief and the Reasons Relief is Needed Section 333 Aircraft Exemption Status: Section 333 of the Modernization Act authorizes the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate based on a considerati on of the size, weight, speed, operational capability of the particular UAS, as well as its proximity to airports and populated areas. An analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate in the areas and un der the conditions contemplated by JM will be at least as safe, or safer, than aconventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without

the conditions proposed in this request. The UAS is less than 55 lbs. ful ly loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, and operates exclusively within a secured area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by the operator and observer. Operations will be conduct ed in com pliance with the FAA and with local public safety requirements to provide security for the area of operation as is now done with conventional equipment, infrastructure, bridge and out building evaluation. These safety enhancements provide an expan ded degree of safety to the inspectors over conventional operations. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the UAS, due to its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials and inability to carry a substantial external load. Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, this 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 dem onstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and und er the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, 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. §61.113(a) and (b) §61.113 Priv ate pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or propert y for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft. (b) A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employ me nt if: (1) The flight is only incidental to that business or employ me nt; and JM anticipates initially using a cadre of specially trained staff to conduct the UAS operations. W hile these individuals will not hold commercial pilot licenses. The UAS will not carry p roperty for compensation or hire since they will be used solely to assist in evaluation of the infrastructure, equipment, right

- of

-way, assets, bridges, tunnels and out

- buildings in furtherance of JM ’s client’s primary business, the successful operation of a infrastructure; however, the employees’ operation of the UAS will not be incidental to their employ me nt with JM , and they will be compensated for such work. Wi thout an exemption, the pilot would be required to hold a commercial pilot certificate under § 61.133. However, the risk associated with the contemplated operations is less than the risk posed by a traditional aircraft. The UAS will fly at altitudes well below the permissible limits for other civil aircraft, eliminating the risk to other aircraft, a nd within a geographical envelope under the sole control of JM clients. Accordingly, the risk would be limited to JM personnel, who will be appropriately outfitted in safety gear, and JM client’s property on the ground. Requiring a commercial pilot certifi cate would provide no appreciable safety benefit and would needlessly im pose additional cost on JM . Because the contemplated operations would not comply with §61.113(b)(1) and none of the other exceptions to paragraph (a) apply, relief is needed from both paragraphs (a) and (b). 14 C.F.R. 91.119 ©§91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: *** © Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

***** JM s ubm its that the only relief it requires from §91.119 is from the minimum altitudes listed in paragraph © . Relief is required from paragraph © for fixed wing operations because asset evaluation conducted at 500 feet or higher is insufficiently distinct to b e meaningful. Since operations at this altitude also pose a heightened risk of collision with another aircraft, safety can only be assured through the grant of an exemption. The anticipated rotorcraft operations should be adequately addressed by paragraph (d) (1). Additionally, relief should not be needed from paragraph (a) because an emergency landing of the aircraft due to a power failure will not create an undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. As noted in the explanation of why an exemption will not adversely affect safety , JM clients has exclusive use of the land over which the UAS will be operated, and public access is restricted. It also has exclusive use of significant portions of land adjacent to the infrastructure and structures that w ill be the objects of evaluation and analysis. JM ’s Clients tightly control access to land and have the ability to assure that no individuals unassociated with the planned operations are on the affected land. As such, the risk of injury is minimal. JM does not contemplate conducting operations over congested areas, so relief is not requested from paragraph (b). 14 C.F.R. 91.121 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 “Éto the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.” ***** As the UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption ma y be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. Altitude information will be provided t o the UAS pilot via a digitally encoded telemetric data feed, which downlinks from the aircraft to a ground

- based on

- screen display. This altitude information will be generated by equipment installed on board the aircraft, using GPS triangulation, or digit ally encoded barometric altimeter, or radio altimeter, or any combination thereof. Prior to each flight, a zero altitude initiation point will be established and confirmed for accuracy by the pilot. 14 C.F.R. 91.151 §91.151 Fuel requirements for flight i n VFR conditions. (a) No person may

begin 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) D uring the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes.(b) No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft 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, to fly after that for at least 20 minutes.

***** Operating the UAS in a pre

- defined area with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel does not raise the t yp e of risk contemplated by §91.151, i.e., that an aircraft could run out of fuel in the event it has to be flown to an alternate airport or circle the planned airport in the event of unanticipated conditions. JM does not intend to use the UAS for point

- to
- point flights and will not operate the UAS beyond visual line of sight. Nor will the UAS require an airport in order to land. Rather, JM will operate the UAS using pre

- planned flight paths (taking into account weather conditions) designed to allow the UAS to fly to the point of intended landing. As such, there is no need for a tim e - based excess fuel requirement. Rather it should be sufficient to require only as much additional excess flight capacity as necessary to safely land the UAS. Webelieve that a 25% battery reserve is more than sufficient to meet this objective. 14 C.F.R. 91.405(a), 91.407(a) (1), 14 C.F.R. 91.409(a) (1)&(2) and 14 C.F.R. 91.417(a) & (b) §91.405 Maintenance required. Each owner or operator of an aircraft Ð (a) 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; ***** §91.407 Operation after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration. (a) No person may

operate any aircraft that has undergone maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration unless Ð (1) It has been approved for return to service by a person authorized under §43.7 of this chapter;
***** §91.409 Inspections. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had __ (1) An annu al inspection in accordance with part 43 of this chapter and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized by §43.7 of this chapter; or (2) An inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of this c hapter.
***** §91.417 (a) & (b) ***** JM believes that an exemption from these three maintenance requirements is appropriate because the FAA has not developed maintenance standards that would allow an operator to meet the part 91 maintenance requirements. In particular, there are no individuals authorized by the FAA to approve a UAS for return to service under §91.407(a) or to conduct the initial airworthiness and annual return to service inspections required by §91.409(a). JM will m aintain the aircraft as instructed in the owner’s manual and ASTM F2909, where applicable, and will not operate the aircraft until it has reasonably determined that any needed repairs have been made. However, because of the technical impossibility of meeting the requirements of §§91.405(a), 407(a), 409(a) and 417(a)&(b), we believe an exemption from these provisions is appropriate.Please do not hesitate to contact me at the phone number or via the e

- ma il address provided

above should you have any questions or concerns. Respe ctfully submitted, Jonas Musson Appendix A Summary

for Federal Register Publication Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register should the FAA determine that publication is needed. Petitioner : Drone Fleet & Aerospace Management, Inc. ( JM ) Sections of 14 C.F.R. Affected: 333 Aircraft Exemption Status 14 C.F.R. §61.113(a) and (b) 14 C.F.R. §91.119(c) 14 C.F.R. §91.121 14 C.F.R. §91.151 14 C.F.R. §91.405(a) 14 C.F.R. §91.407(a) 14 C.F.R. §91.40 9(a) 14 C.F.R. §91.417(a)&(b) Description of Relief Sought: Petitioner seeks relief from the requirements of 333 Aircraft Exemption Status, 14 C.F.R., 61.113(a)&(b)), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151, 91.405(a), 91.407(a), 91.409(a), and 91.417(a)& (b) to conduct UAS operations over JM Client’s owned or controlled land, solely during daylight hours, to assist in the safe evaluation and analysis of infrastructure and operations. In general, UAS operations are intended to be conducted in areas remote f rom both congested areas and airports. The nature of operations anticipated by JM requires that the UAS be flown at relatively low altitudes. JM expects that in most instances, the UAS will be flown less than 75 feet from the highest structure along the pa th of the UAS and in no instances will be flown higher than 400 feet above the ground. Accordingly, the risk of interference with other aircraft is minimal. Appendix B Specific type(s), make, and model

## DJI Phantom 3

See Attached Flight Manuals:

**DJI P hantom 3 User Manual**