elevatedVUE

aerial photography & video

Motion Picture & Television

Operational Manual

Elevated Vue LLC

490 River Crest Dr N

Helena, AL 35080

(205) 703-5928

flyforme@elevatedvue.com

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Company Organization

2

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 4

E. Plan of Activies 5

F. Permission to Operate 6

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 7

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 8

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 8

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Special Provision 9

A. Chief Pilot 10

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 11

2 List of Approved Aircraft 12

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 13

4 Revision Letter (sample) 14
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Revision Control Page

Revision # Date Initials

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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Elevated Vue LLC”, hereafter 

referred to as “EV” for the purposes of closed set motion picture filming. EV 

pilots and other company personnel when applicable will comply with the 

policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or 

television flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization 

as mentioned above.

 B. Pilot/Operation Agreement

_______________________-Pilot

Elevated Vue LLC

490 River Crest Dr N

Helena, AL 35080

(205) 703-5928

 C. Persons Authorized

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

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the 

area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

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

For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an Aviation 

Safety Inspectors’ (ASI) evaluation of the filming production are to note terrain 

features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating 

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

accident.

 D. Area of Operations

EV’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States

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 E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, EV will submit a written 

plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. Than plan 

of activities should include the following:

1. Dates and times for all flights.

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming 

 production event.

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

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

 airworthiness certificate, including category.

5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

 event, including any notation of external load endorsements or 

 aerobatic competency, if required.

6. A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from 

 property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production 

 event. The list of those who gave permission must be made available 

 to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder.

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative.

8. A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any 

 area, city, town, county, and/or State over which filming will be 

 conducted and the minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the 

 operations.

The three (3) day notification requirement may be waived; however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared 

to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

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 F. Permission to Operate

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

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials 

as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required 

are listed below:

1. Property owners

2. Law enforcement officials

3. Fire department officials

4. Local, State and Federal government

5. Air traffic control

The EV personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever 

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

permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining 

written permission. EV personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms 

are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be maintained at the 

job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the chief pilot to 

be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made 

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

 G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from 

all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of security.

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 H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

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

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also b briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for 

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

briefing shall cover:

- Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and 

 the attached special provisions

- Operations manual

- Plan of activities

- Aircraft parking/starting/staging area

- Takeoff procedures

- Radio communications

- Aviation activities to be conducting during the filming event

- Approach/landing procedures

- Emergency procedures

- Risks to participating personnel

- how to control nonparticipating persons 

 I. Certification/Airworthiness

 All EV aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for 

the purpose of filming will be properly registered and exempted from 

airworthiness requirements according to the operators 333 exemption. The 

aircraft will be inspected according to OEM guidelines. Each aircraft will have a 

flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and the 

dates/times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also found in 

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

airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been 

completed before each flight.

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 J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

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

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

1. A current U.S. airmen certificate with any category, class, or type rating.

2. At least 100 flights logged as PIC and at least 20 flights logged as the 

 PIC in the aircraft.

3. A minimum of 100 flights in the category: airplane, helicopter, or multi-

 rotor; of aircraft to be used.

4. A minimum of 5 flights in the make and model of aircraft to be used 

 under the waiver.

 K. Communications

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

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants 

during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications 

may be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants 

continuously appraised of the current status of operation.

 L. Accident Notification

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

must comply with the notification requirements of NTSB Part 830.

 M. Recall/Stop Procedures

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

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

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 N. Special Provisions

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

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the 

surface will not be jeopardized.

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

specified in the EV motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix 

A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate 

number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) 

participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this exemption 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that is constitutes a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c).

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

EV will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency 

procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before 

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

person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

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2. Company Organization

 A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

 - Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this 

 manual

 - Act as liaison between EV and the FAA on matter concerning this 

 manual

- Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and 

 obtain a signed statement from each that they have read and 

 understand its contents.

- Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

 EV.

- Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed 

 and processed properly.

- Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed 

 by EV under the provision of this manual.

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

- The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

 responsibility

 B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

 inspections and required maintenance have been performed as per 

 appropriate FAR’s.

- Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the 

 provisions of this manual.

- Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

 procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

- Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, 

 routes, locations, etc with safety of all persons involved in the primary 

 concern.

- Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site 

 at any job or operation requiring the waiver.

- The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but 

 retains responsibility.

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Appendix A.1

List of Approved Pilots

11

Chief Pilot

Name:

Certificate Number:

Grade:

Medical Class/Date:

Contact Number:

Pilot(1)

Name:

Certificate Number:

Grade:

Medical Class/Date:

Contact Number:

Pilot(2)

Name:

Certificate Number:

Grade:

Medical Class/Date:

Contact Number:
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Print more if needed

Appendix A.2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make Model Registration #/N-number

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Appendix A.3

Elevated Vue, LLC

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Elevated Vue, LLC permission to operate 

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

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

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature_____________________________ Date__________________

Elevated Vue, LLC Representative Receiving Permission ________________________

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Appendix A.4

Revision Letter

R Remove or Replace D Delete or Destroy N Insert New Page

Manual Serial #_____________ Issued to____________________ 

Revised By_______________________________ Date______________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than __________________

Revision # Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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