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. D ep a r t m en t o f T r a n spo rt a t i on O c t ob e r 2 6

, 201 5

D oc k e t M ana g e m en t S y s t e m

1200 N e w Je r se y A v e

., SE

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## I n f o p ipe I n f or m a t io n Ser v i c e s

, I n c

.

P e t i t i on f o r E x e m p t i on u nde r S e c t i on 333 o f t h e FAA R e f o r m A c t an d P a r t 1 1 o f t h e FAA

R e g u l a t i ons an d c e rt a i n pa rt s o f t h e FA R s

.

P r epa r ed an d S u b m i tt e d b y :

D a rr e ll C onne ll y , O pe r a t o r an d P r es i den t

, I n f op i p e I n f o r m a t i on S e r v i ces

, I nc

. 10687 W O tt a w a A v e

L i tt l e t on

, CO 8012 7

303

- 973

- 745 9

da rr e ll@i n f op i p e

. comP e ti t i on S u mm a r y :

P u r suan t t o S ec t i on 33 3 o f t he FAA M ode r n i z a t i on and R e f o r m A c t o f 20 1 2

, P ub

. L

. N o

. 112

- 9 5

( 2012 )

, 12 6 S t a t

. 11 (“ S e c t i on 333 ” ) an d t he F ed e r a l A v i a t i on A d m i n i s tr a t i on ’ s (“ FAA ” ) gene r a l

e x e m p t i on au t h o r i t y un d e r 4 9 U

. S

. C

. se c t i on 44 7 01 ( f)

, G r i f f i n A e r i a l

, LL C ( “ P e t i t i one r ” ) he r eb y

pe t i t i ons f o r e x e m p t i ons f r o m 14 C

. F

. R P a r t 21

, S ubpa r t H ( Ai r w o rt h i nes s C e rt i f i ca t e s )

, 1 4

C

. F

. R. P a r t 2 7 ( Ai r w o rt h i ness S t and a r d s : N o r m a l C a t e g o r y R o t o r c r a f t )

, 14 C

. F

. R s e c t i on s

61

. 113 ( a )

- ( b )

, 9 1

. 103 ( b ) ( 1 )

, 91

. 11 9 ( c )

, 9 1

. 121

, 9 1

. 151

, 91

. 40 5 ( a )

, 9 1

. 407 ( a )( 1 ), 91

. 40 9 ( a ) ( 2 )

, and 91

. 41 7 ( a ) -( b )

.

T h e p r opose d e x e m p t i o n

, i f g r a n t ed

, w ou l d a ll o w P e t i t i one r t o c o nduc t c o mm e r c i a l ope r a t i ons o f

s m a ll un m anne d a i r c r a ft s y s t e m s (“ UAS ” ) m ee t i n g o r e x ceed i n g a ll o f t he ope r a t i ona l and s a f e t y

r e q u i r e m e n t s C ong r es s has se t f o r t h i n S e c t i on 3 33

.

P e t i t i one r i s an a e r i a l se r v i ce and t echno l o g y c o m pan y t ha t p l an s t o e x p l o i t t h e capab ili t i es o f

U n m anned A e r i a l S y s t e m s t o o ff e r a m u l t i t ud e o f se r v i ces

, i nc l ud i n g :

A e r i a l su r v e y i n g

R e m o t e sens i n g

T e l eco m m un i ca t i on s

A g r i cu l t u r e

A e r i a l f il mm a k i n g and p h o t o g r aph y

E ne r g y s y s t e m s i nspe c t i ons and a s se t m an a g e m en t

C ons tr u c t i on s i t e i nspec t i ons and m on i t o r i ng

W i l d l i f e an d f o r es t r y m o n i t o r i ng

E duca t i ona l and r e sea r c h ope r a t i ons

Pi pe li ne i nspec t i on and p a tr o lli ng

S t a t u t o r y A u t ho r it y

S ec t i on 333

, t i t l ed “ S pec i a l R u l es f o r C e r t a i n U n m anned Ai r c r a f t S y s t e m s ”

, p r o v i des a

m echan i s m f o r se e k i ng ex ped i t ed FAA au t ho r i z a t i on o f s a f e c i v il UAS ope r a t i ons i n t he NAS.

S ec t i on 333 ( a ) s t a t es t h a t t he FAA “ sha ll de t e r m i ne i f c e rt a i n un m anne d a i r c r a ft s y s t e m s m a y

ope r a t e s a f e l y i n t h e na t i ona l a i r space s y s t e m b e f o r e c o m p l e t i on o f t he ( c o m p r ehens i v e ) p l an

and r u l e m a k i n g r e q u i r e d b y sec t i on 332 ( b )( 1 ) o f t h i s A c t o r t h e g u i dance r e q u i r e d b y sec t i on 3 34

o f t h i s A c t

. ” I n S ec t i on 3 32 ( b )( 1 )

, C o n g r e ss m a d e i t c l e a r t ha t S ec t i on 3 3 3 p r o v i des a

m echan i s m f o r “ e x ped i t ed ope r a t i on au t h o r i z a t i on ” i f se v e r a l f a c t o r s a r e m e t

. P e t i t i one r m e e t s

a ll r e q u i r e m e n t s t o p e r m i t FAA ap p r o v a l o f c o mm e r c i a l UAS ope r a t i ons

.

T h e P e t i t i one r R e q ues t s R e li e f F r o m t h e F o ll o w i n g :

S ec t i on 61

. 11 3 ( a ) and ( b ) p r esc r i be s t h a t

— ( a ) no p e r son w ho ho l ds a p r i v a t e p il o t c e rt i f i c a t e m a y ac t as a p il o t i n co m m and o f a n a i r c r a f t

t ha t i s c a rr y i n g p a sse n g e r s o r p r ope r t y f o r c o m p e nsa t i on o r h i r e ; n o r m a y t ha t p e r son

, f o r

co m pens a t i on o r h i r e

, a c t a s p il o t i n c o m m and o f an a i r c r a f t.

( b ) a p r i v a t e p il o t m a y

, f o r c o m pens a t i on o r h i r e

, a c t a s p il o t i n co m m and o f an a i r c r a ft i n

connec t i on w i t h an y bus i ness o r e m p l o y m en t i f : ( 1 ) T he f l i g h t i s on l y i nc i den t a l t o t h a t b u s i ness o r e m p l o y m en t ; an d

( 2 ) T he a i r c r a ft do e s n o t ca rr y passe n g e r s o r p r o p e rt y f o r c o m pens a t i on o r h i r e

.S ec t i on 91

. 10 3 p r e sc r i b e s

, i n p e rt i ne n t p a r t

, t ha t e ach p il o t i n c o m m and s h a ll

, b e f o r e b e g i nn i ng

a f li g h t

, bec o m e f a m ili a r wi t h a ll a v a il a b l e i n f o rm a t i on conc e r n i ng t h a t f li g h t

, t o i nc l ude

— ( a ) F o r a f l i g h t unde r I F R o r a f l i g h t n o t i n t he v i c i n i t y o f an a i r po r t

, w ea t he r r epo r t s an d

f o r eca s t s

, f ue l r e q u i r e m e n t s

, a l t e r n a t i v es a v a il ab l e i f t he p l anne d f li g h t ca n no t b e co m p l e t ed

, and an y k no w n t r a ff i c de l a y s o f w h i ch t he p il o t i n c o mm an d ha s been ad v i sed b y A T C;

( b ) F o r an y f li g h t

, r un w ay l eng t hs a t a i r po r t s o f i n t ended use

, and t h e f o ll o wi n g t a k e o ff an d

l and i n g d i s t anc e i n f o rm a ti on : ( 1 ) F o r c i v il a i r c r a f t f o r w h i ch an app r o v ed Ai r p l a n e o r R o t o r c r a f t F li g h t M anua l con t a i n i ng

t a k e o ff an d l and i ng d i s t a nce da t a i s r e q u i r ed

, t h e t a k e o ff an d l and i ng d i s t a nce da t a co n t a i ned

t he r e i n ; ( 2 ) F o r c i v il a i r c r a f t o t h e r t han t hose spec i f i ed i n p a r a g r ap h ( b )( 1 ) o f t h i s s e c t i on

, o t he r r e li ab l e

i n f o rm a t i on ap p r op r i a t e t o t h e a i r c r a f t, r e l a t i n g t o a i r c r a ft p e r f o r m ance un d e r e x pec t ed v a l ues o f

a i r po r t e l e v a t i on and r u n w a y s l ope

, a i r c r a f t g r o s s w e i g h t

, an d w i nd and t e m pe r a t u r e

.

S ec t i on 91

. 11 9 p r e sc r i b e s t h a t

, e x cep t w hen nec e ssa r y f o r t a k e o ff o r l and i ng

, n o pe r so n m a y

ope r a t e an a i r c r a f t be l o w t h e f o ll o w i n g a l t i t ude s : ( a ) A n y w he r e

. A n a l t i t u d e a ll o wi n g

, i f a po w e r un i t f a il s

, a n e m e r g enc y l and i n g w i t hou t undu e

ha z a r d t o p e r son s o r p r o pe rt y on t he su r f ace

. ( b ) O v e r co n g es t e d a r e a s

. O v e r an y co n g e s t ed a r ea o f a c i t y

, t o w n

, o r se t t l e m en t

, o r o v e r an y

open a i r a s se m b l y o f pe r sons

, a n a l t i t ud e o f 1

, 0 0 0 f e e t abo v e t h e h i g hes t obs t ac l e w i t h i n a

ho r i z on t a l r ad i us o f 2

, 0 0 0 f e e t o f t he a i r c r a f t.

( c ) O v e r o t h e r t han co n ges t ed a r eas

. A n a l t i t ude o f 50 0 f e e t abo v e t he s u r f ace

, e x cep t o v e r

open w a t e r o r sp a r se l y popu l a t ed a r ea s

. I n t hos e cases

, t h e a i r c r a f t m a y no t b e ope r a t ed c l os e r

t han 50 0 f e e t t o an y p e r s on

, v esse l

, v eh i c l e

, o r s t r uc t u r e

. ( d ) H e li cop t e r s

, po w e r ed pa r ach u t es

, an d w e i g h t

- sh i ft

- con t r o l a i r c r a f t. I f t h e ope r a t i on i s

conduc t ed w i t hou t ha z a r d t o pe r son s o r p r ope r t y on t h e su r f ace — ( 1 ) A he li cop t e r m a y be ope r a t e d a t l ess t han t h e m i n i m u m s p r es c r i bed i n pa r a g r ap h ( b ) o r ( c ) o f

t h i s se c t i on

, p r o v i ded each pe r so n ope r a t i n g t he he li cop t e r c o m p li es w i t h an y r ou t es o r a l t i t ude s

spec i f i ca ll y p r esc r i bed f o r he li cop t e r s b y t h e FAA ; an d

( 2 ) A po w e r ed pa r ach u t e o r w e i g h t- sh i ft

- con t r o l a i r c r a f t m a y b e ope r a t ed a t l es s t ha n t h e

m i n i m u m s p r e sc r i bed i n pa r a g r ap h ( c ) o f t h i s s e c ti on

. S ec t i on 91

. 12 1 r e q u i r es , i n pe rt i nen t pa rt

, eac h p e r son op e r a t i n g a n a i r c r a f t t o m a i n t a i n c r u i s i n g

a l t i t ude b y r e f e r enc e t o a n a l t i m e t e r t h a t i s se t “ t o t he e l e v a t i on o f t h e dep a rt u r e a i r p o r t o r a n

app r op r i a t e a l t i m e t e r se tti n g a v a il ab l e be f o r e d ep a rt u r e .”

S ec t i on 91

. 15 1 ( a ) p r e sc r i bes t ha t n o pe r so n m a y be g i n a f l i g h t i n an a i r p l ane unde r VFR

cond i t i ons un l ess ( cons i de r i ng w i nd and f o r ec a s t w ea t he r cond i t i on s ) t he r e i s eno u g h f ue l t o f l y

t o t he f i r s t po i n t o f i n t en d ed l and i n g an d

, ass u m i ng no r m a l c r u i s i ng speed

, ( 1 ) d u r i ng t h e da y

, t o

f l y a ft e r t h a t f o r a t l ea s t 3 0 m i nu t e s ; o r ( 2 ) A t n i g h t

, t o f l y a ft e r t ha t f o r a t l e a s t 4 5 m i n u t es

. [ e m phas i s added ]

S ec t i on 91

. 40 5 ( a ) r e q u i r es

, i n p e rt i ne n t p a r t

, t ha t an a i r c r a f t ope r a t o r o r o w ne r sha ll ha v e t ha t

a i r c r a ft i nspe c t ed a s p r e sc r i bed i n subp a r t E o f t h e sa m e pa r t a n d sha ll, b e t w een r e q u i r e d

i nspec t i ons

, e x cep t a s p r o v i ded i n pa r ag r aph ( c ) o f t he s a m e sec t i o n

, ha v e d i sc r epanc i es

r epa i r ed a s p r e sc r i bed i n pa r t 4 3 o f t h e cha p t e r.

S ec t i on 91

. 40 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) p r o h i b i t s

, i n p e rt i nen t p a r t

, a n y pe r son fr o m op e r a t i n g an a i r c r a ft t h a t ha s

unde r g one m a i n t enanc e

, p r e v en t i v e m a i n t enanc e

, r ebu il d i n g

, o r a l t e r a t i on un l ess i t ha s bee n

app r o v ed f o r

r e t u r n t o s e r v i ce b y a pe r son a u t h o r i z ed unde r § 4 3

. 7 o f t h e s a m e cha p t e r.

S ec t i on 91

. 40 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) p r e sc r i bes

, i n pe r t i nen t pa r t

, t h a t n o pe r so n m a y ope r a t e a n a i r c r a f t un l es s

, wi t h i n t he p r eced i n g 1 2 c a l enda r m o n t h s

, it ha s h ad an i nspe c t i on f o r t he i ssuance o f a na i r w o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e i n acco r da n ce w i t h pa r t 2 1 o f t h i s chap t e r

.

S ec t i on 91

. 41 7 ( a ) and ( b ) p r esc r i be s

, i n p e rt i ne n t pa r t

, t ha t

— ( a ) E a ch r e g i s t e r e d o w ne r o r op e r a t o r sha ll k ee p t he f o ll o wi n g r e co r d s f o r t he p e r i ods spec i f i e d

i n pa r a g r ap h ( b ) o f t h i s s ec t i on : ( 1 ) R ec o r d s o f t h e m a i n t enance

, p r e v en t i v e m a i n t enance

, and a l t e r a t i on a nd r ec o r ds o f t h e 100

-

hou r

, annua l

, p r o g r e ss i ve

, an d o t h e r r e q u i r ed o r app r o v ed i nspec t i ons

, a s app r o p r i a t e

, f o r e a c h

a i r c r a ft ( i nc l ud i ng t h e a i r fr a m e ) an d each e n g i n e

, p r ope ll e r, r o t o r

, and app li ance o f an a i r c r a f t.

T h e r ec o r ds m u s t i nc l u d e—

( i ) A desc r i p t i o n ( o r r e f e r ence t o da t a acce p t ab l e t o t he A d m i n i s tr a t o r ) o f t he w o r k pe r f o r m ed ;

and

( ii ) T he d a t e o f co m p l e t i o n o f t h e w o r k pe r f o r m ed ; and

( iii ) T h e s i g na t u r e

, and c e rt i f i c a t e n u m be r o f t h e p e r son ap p r o v i n g t he a i r c r a f t f o r r e t u r n t o

se r v i ce

. ( 2 ) R ec o r d s con t a i n i n g t he f o ll o w i n g i n f o r m a t i on : ( i ) T h e t o t a l t i m e i n se r v i ce o f t h e a i r fr a m e

, each en g i ne

, eac h p r ope ll e r

, a nd each r o t o r

. ( ii ) T he c u rr e n t s t a t us o f l i f e

- li m i t ed p a rt s o f eac h a i r f r a m e

, e n g i ne

, p r ope ll e r

, r o t o r

, an d

app li ance

. ( iii ) T h e t i m e s i nc e l as t ov e r hau l o f a ll i t e m s i n s t a ll ed on t h e a i r c r a ft w h i ch a r e r e q u i r ed t o b e

o v e r hau l ed on a spec i f i e d t i m e bas i s

. ( i v ) T h e cu r r e n t i nspe c t i on s t a t us o f t h e a i r c r a f t, i nc l ud i n g t he t i m e s i nce t h e l as t i nspe c t i o n

r e q u i r ed b y t h e i nspe c t i on p r o g r a m unde r w h i ch t he a i r c r a f t and i t s app li a nces a r e m a i n t a i ned

. ( v ) T he c u rr e n t s t a t us o f app li cab l e a i r w o rt h i ness d i r ec t i v es ( AD ) a n d s a f e t y d i r ec t i v es i nc l ud i n g

, f o r each

, t h e m e t ho d o f c o m p li ance

, t he AD o r s a f e t y d i r ec t i v e nu m b e r an d r e v i s i on da t e

. I f t h e

AD o r s a f e t y d i r e c t i v e i nvo l v es r ecu rr i n g a c t i on

, t h e t i m e and d a t e w hen t he ne x t a c t i on i s

r e q u i r ed

. ( v i ) C op i es o f t h e f o rm s p r esc r i be d b y § 43

. 9 ( d ) o f t h i s cha p t e r f o r eac h m a j o r a l t e r a t i on t o t h e

a i r f r a m e an d c u rr e n t l y i ns t a ll ed e n g i nes

, r o t o r s

, p r ope ll e r s

, and app li ance s

. ( b ) T he o w ne r o r ope r a t o r sha ll r e t a i n t he f o ll o w i n g r ec o r ds f o r t h e p e r i ods p r esc r i be d : ( 1 ) T he r eco r d s spec i f i e d i n pa r a g r aph ( a ) ( 1 ) o f t h i s se c t i on sha ll be r e t a i n e d un t il t h e w o r k i s

r epea t e d o r supe r s eded b y o t he r w o r k o r f o r 1 ye a r a ft e r t he w o r k i s pe r f o r m ed

. ( 2 ) T he r eco r d s spec i f i e d i n pa r a g r aph ( a ) ( 2 ) o f t h i s se c t i on sha ll be r e t a i n e d and tr an s f e r r ed

wi t h t h e a i r c r a f t a t t he t i m e t he a i r c r a f t i s so l d

. ( 3 ) A li s t o f d e f e c t s f u r n i s hed t o a r e g i s t e r ed o w ne r o r op e r a t o r und e r § 43

. 11 o f t h i s chap t e r

sha ll be r e t a i ned un t il t h e d e f e c t s a r e r epa i r e d an d t h e a i r c r a f t i s ap p r o v ed f o r r e t u r n t o s e r v i ce

.U n m a nn e d A i r c r a ft S y s t e m s r e qu es t e d t o op e r a t e und e r t h i s r e qu es t:

D J I S 90 0

D J I S 100 0

3 D R obo t i cs Ir i s +

3 D R obo t i cs X 8

- M

3 D R obo t i cs A e r o

- M

T h e pe t i t i one r s t a t e s t h a t t h e s m a ll u n m anne d a i r c r a ft ( UA ) t o b e op e r a t e d unde r t h i s r e q ue s t

a r e l es s t ha n 55 l b s

. f u ll y l oaded

, f l y a t a spee d o f no m o r e t ha n 50 kno t s

, ca rr y ne i t h e r a p il o t

no r passe n g e r

, c a rr y no e x p l os i v e m a t e r i a l s o r f l a mm ab l e l i q u i d f u e l s

, an d ope r a t e e x c l us i v e l y

wi t h i n a sec u r ed a r ea a s se t o u t i n t h e P O H s

.

T h e S 900 i s a s i x -r o t o r m an u f a c t u r e d b y D J I

. T h e VT O L he x a r o t o r -t y pe d es i g n h a s s i x m o t o r s

, G PS

, f u ll au t on o m ou s a u t op il o t capab ili t i es

, t e l e m e tr y and m anua l g r ound con tr o l. I n add i t i on

, t he c r a ft h a s i n t e g r a t e d sa f e t y f e a t u r e s bu il t i n t o t he des i g n o f t he UAS, a s desc r i be d i n t h e

P O H

, t o e nsu r e t h e s a f e t y o f pe r so n s an d p r op e r t y w i t h i n and su r r ound i ng t he li m i t e d ope r a t i ng

a r ea

. T he p e t i t i one r f u rt h e r des c r i bes t ha t

, i n t h e e v en t t he UAS l ose s c o mm un i c a t i ons o r i t s

G PS s i g na l

, t h e UA w i l l ha v e t he capab ili t y t o r e t u r n t o a p r e

- de t e rm i ne d l oca t i on w i t h i n t he

S ecu r i t y P e r i m e t e r and l and

. I t w i l l a l so ha v e t he capab ili t y t o abo r t a f li g h t i n t h e e v en t o f

unp r ed i c t ed o b s t ac l e s o r e m e r g enc i es

.

T h e S 1000 i s a n e i g h t -r o t o r m an u f ac t u r e d b y D J I

. T he V T O L o c t a r o t o r -t yp e des i g n ha s e i g h t

m o t o r s

, G PS

, f u ll au t on o m ous a u t op il o t ca p ab ili t i es

, t e l e m e tr y and m anu a l g r ound co n tr o l

. I n

add i t i on , t h e c r a ft ha s i n t eg r a t e d s a f e t y f e a t u r e s b u il t i n t o t he des i g n o f t h e U AS

, as de s c r i bed i n

t he P O H

, t o ensu r e t h e sa f e t y o f pe r sons an d p r o pe rt y w i t h i n and su r r ou n d i n g t he li m i t e d

ope r a t i n g a r ea

. T he p e t i t i one r f u r t he r desc r i be s t h a t

, i n t h e e v en t t he UAS l oses

co mm un i c a t i ons o r it s G PS s i g na l, t h e UA w ill h a v e t he capab ili t y t o r e t u r n t o a p r e

- d e t e r m i ned

l oca t i on w i t h i n t he S ecu r i t y P e r i m e t e r an d l and

. I t will a l so ha v e t he capab ili t y t o abo rt a f l i g h t i n

t he e v en t o f un p r ed i c t e d obs t ac l es o r e m e r g e n c i es

.

T h e I r i s + i s a f o u r

- r o t o r m an u f a c t u r e d b y 3 D R o b o t i cs

. T he V T O L q ua d r o t o r-t y pe des i g n ha s

f ou r m o t o r s

, G PS

, f u ll a u t ono m ou s au t op il o t cap a b ili t i es , t e l e m e tr y and m a nua l g r ound co n tr o l

. I n add i t i on

, t he c r a ft h a s i n t eg r a t e d s a f e t y f e a t u r e s bu il t i n t o t h e des i g n o f t he UAS

, a s des c r i bed

i n t he P O H, t o ensu r e t h e s a f e t y o f pe r son s an d p r ope r t y w i t h i n and su rr o und i n g t he li m i t e d

ope r a t i n g a r ea

. T he p e t i t i one r f u r t he r desc r i be s t h a t

, i n t h e e v en t t he UAS l oses

co mm un i c a t i ons o r it s G PS s i g na l, t h e UA w ill h a v e t he capab ili t y t o r e t u r n t o a p r e

- d e t e r m i ned

l oca t i on w i t h i n t he S ecu r i t y P e r i m e t e r an d l and

. I t will a l so ha v e t he capab ili t y t o abo rt a f l i g h t i n

t he e v en t o f un p r ed i c t e d obs t ac l es o r e m e r g e n c i es

.

T h e X 8

- M i s a f o u r

- r o t o r m an u f a c t u r e d b y 3 D R o b o t i cs

. T he V T O L q ua d r o t o r-t y pe des i g n ha s

e i g h t m o t o r s

, G P S

, f u ll au t ono m ou s a u t op il o t ca p ab ili t i es , t e l e m e tr y and m anua l g r ound co n t r o l.

I n add i t i on

, t he c r a ft h a s i n t eg r a t e d s a f e t y f e a t u r e s bu il t i n t o t h e des i g n o f t he UAS

, a s des c r i bed

i n t he P O H, t o ensu r e t h e s a f e t y o f pe r son s an d p r ope r t y w i t h i n and su rr o und i n g t he li m i t e d

ope r a t i n g a r ea

. T he p e t i t i one r f u r t he r desc r i be s t h a t

, i n t h e e v en t t he UAS l oses

co mm un i c a t i ons o r it s G PS s i g na l, t h e UA w ill h a v e t he capab ili t y t o r e t u r n t o a p r e

- d e t e r m i ned

l oca t i on w i t h i n t he S ecu r i t y P e r i m e t e r an d l and

. I t will a l so ha v e t he capab ili t y t o abo rt a f l i g h t i n

t he e v en t o f un p r ed i c t e d obs t ac l es o r e m e r g e n c i es

.

T h e A e r o

- M i s a s i n g l e m o t o r f i x ed w i n g m an u f ac t u r ed b y 3 D R obo t i c s

. T h e f i x ed w i n g has on e

m o t o r

, G P S

, f u ll au t on o m ous a u t op il o t ca p ab ili t i es

, t e l e m e tr y and m anu a l g r ound co n tr o l

. I nadd i t i on , t h e c r a ft ha s i n t eg r a t e d s a f e t y f e a t u r e s b u il t i n t o t he des i g n o f t h e U AS

, as de s c r i bed i n

t he P O H

, t o ensu r e t h e sa f e t y o f pe r sons an d p r o pe rt y w i t h i n and su r r ou n d i n g t he li m i t e d

ope r a t i n g a r ea

. T he p e t i t i one r f u r t he r desc r i be s t h a t

, i n t h e e v en t t he UAS l oses

co mm un i c a t i ons o r it s G PS s i g na l, t h e UA w ill h a v e t he capab ili t y t o r e t u r n t o a p r e

- d e t e r m i ned

l oca t i on w i t h i n t he S ecu r i t y P e r i m e t e r an d l and

. I t will a l so ha v e t he capab ili t y t o abo rt a f l i g h t i n

t he e v en t o f un p r ed i c t e d obs t ac l es o r e m e r g e n c i es

.

P e t i t i one r ’ s UAS w ill be i den t i f i ed b y se r i a l n u m b e r

, r e g i s t e r ed i n acco r da n ce w i t h 14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t

47

, an d ha v e i den t i f i ca t i o n ( N

- N u m be r ) m a r k i n g s i n acco r da n ce w i t h 14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 45

, S ubpa r t

C

. M a r k i n g s w ill be as l a r g e as p r ac t i cab l e

.

P r e

- f li g h t I n s p ec t i on

, M a i n t e n a n c e

B e f o r e e a ch f l i g h t t he P IC w i ll pe r f o r m a se r i e s o f p r e

- f li g h t an d t a k e o ff c h ecks a s d e f i ne d b y t h e

P O H supp li ed

. A ft e r e ac h 60 m i nu t e s o f a i rt i m e

, t he c r a f t w i l l unde r g o a t h o r o u g h i nspe c t i on o f

a ll a i r c r a ft c o m pone n t s

, i nc l ud i n g

, bu t no t li m i t ed t o :

a

. A c t ua t o r s / S e r v os

b

. M o t o r s

, w i r i n g an d c o nnec t o r s

c

. P r ope ll e r s

, s m o o t h

, n o ch i p s

d

. El ec t r on i c spee d co n t r o ll e r, w i r i n g and connec t o r s

e

. B a t t e r i e s

, w i r i n g a n d c onnec t o r s

f

. R e m o t e c o m m and an d con t r o l

g

. Gr oun d co n tr o l s t a t i o n

U A S O p e r a ti n g P a r a m e t e r s

T h e pe t i t i one r s t a t e s t h a t a ll f li g h t s w ill be ope r a t e d w i t h i n v i sua l li ne o f s i gh t ( V L O S ) o f p il o t

, i n

da y t i m e VFR f l i g h t cond iti ons and a ll ope r a t i ons w ill be conduc t ed w i t h t he ass i s t ance o f a

second sp o tt e r/

v i sua l obse r v e r ( V O )

. T h e UAS f l i g h t s w ill be li m i t ed t o a m a x i m u m a l t i t ude o f

400 f e e t A G L

. Al t i t ud e i s accu r a t e l y m e a su r e d b y G PS

. T h e p e t i t i one r f u r t h e r s t a t e s t ha t an

ope r a t o r w ill ensu r e t h a t on l y consen t i n g p r odu c t i on pe r sonne l w ill be a ll o w ed w i t h i n 100 f ee t o f

t he UA op e r a t i o n

, an d UAS w i ll be k e p t a t l ea s t 1 00 ’ f r o m an y i nhab i t e d s t r uc t u r e

. G en e r a ll y t he

pe t i t i one r ’ s UAS w ill be ope r a t e d i n r u r a l o r sub u r ban a r ea s t h a t w ill pe rm it s i g n i f i ca n t l y l a r g e r

s a f e t y z ones

.

P e t i t i one r ’ s UAS w ill r e m a i n c l ea r an d y i e l d t he r i gh t o f w a y t o a ll m anne d o pe r a t i ons an d

ac t i v i t i es a t a ll t i m es ( i nc l ud i n g

, bu t no t li m i t e d t o

, u l tr a li g h t v eh i c l es

, pa r ac hu t e a c t i v i t i es

, pa r asa ili n g a c t i v i t i es

, a n d ha n g li de r s )

. P e t i t i one r will no t conduc t UAS op e r a t i ons w i t h i n 5

nau t i ca l m il es o f t he g e o g r aph i c ce n t e r o f a no n

- t o w e r ed a i r po r t un l ess a l e tt e r o f a g r ee m e n t

wi t h t h a t a i r p o rt ’ s m an a ge m en t i s o b t a i ned and t h e ope r a t i on i s cond u c t e d i n acc o r dance w i t h a

N o t i ce t o Ai rm e n ( “ NO T A M ”).P il o t i n C o m m a nd ( P I C )

T h e p il o t i n c o m m and w i l l possess a v a li d a i r li ne tr anspo r t

, c o mm e r c i a l

, p r i v a t e , r e c r ea t i ona l, o r

spo r t p il o t c e rt i f i c a t e an d a cu r r en t FAA a i r m an m ed i ca l ce rt i f i c a t e o r a v a li d U

. S

. d r i v e r ’ s

li cense i ssued b y a s t a t e

.

V i s u a l O b s e r v e r ( V O)

A v i sua l obse r v e r w i ll be dep l o y ed t o enhance ab i l i t y t o se e o t h e r a i r t r a ff i c

.

C o m p li a n c e w i t h A pp li ca b l e P r o ce d u r es a n d R e qu i r e m e n t s

R e g a r d i n g P e t i t i one r ’ s r e q ue s t ed r e li e f fr o m 1 4 C. F

. R

. § 91

. 103 ( b ) ( 1 ), P e t iti one r w i l l co m p l y

wi t h t h e o t h e r app li cab l e p r ocedu r e s and r e q u i r e m en t s s t a t e d i n § 9 1

. 10 3 ( a ) and ( b )

. S pec i f i ca ll y , t h e P I C w ill t a k e a ll ac t i on s i nc l ud i n g r e v i e w i n g w ea t he r, f l i g h t ba tt e r y r e q u i r e m en t s

,

a i r c r a ft p e r f o r m ance d a t a

, an d l and i ng and t a k e o ff d i s t ance s b e f o r e i n i t i a t i on o f a f l i g h t

. T he P I C

will a l so accoun t f o r a ll r e l e v an t s i t e

- spec i f i c co n d i t i ons i n t he i r p r e f li g h t p r ocedu r e s

. Ri s k s

p r esen t e d b y sun g l a r e will be m i t i g a t ed b y t he P I C’ s and V O ’ s ab ili t y t o s ee o t h e r a i r t r a f f i c an d

i n i t i a t e a r e t u r n

- t o

- h o m e se q uenc e i f needed

.

R a d i o F r e qu e n c i e s

R ad i o f r e q uenc i e s used will be t hose a ll o tt e d b y t he F CC f o r d a t a tr a n s m i ss i on and v eh i c l e

con tr o l i n un li censed fr e quenc y bands

. All de v i ces used w ill co m p l y w i t h F CC usa g e an d

e m i ss i ons r e g u l a t i ons

.

S a f e t y a nd B e n e fit s o f t h e U A S

T h e pe t i t i one r w ill be us i ng t h e UAS i n a v a r i e t y o f app li ca t i ons t h a t g en e r a l l y r e q u i r e e x pens i v e

f u ll

- s i z e m anned a i r c r a ft t o c o m p l e t e

. S m a ll

, li g h t

, un m anne d ae r i a l v eh i c l es o ff e r a m y r i ad o f

ben e f i t s o v e r

t h e use o f f u ll

- s i z ed m anned a i r c r a f t f o r e l ec t r i c po w e r li ne i n spec t i on

, o il / g as

p i pe li ne i nspec t i on

, ad v anced a g r i cu l t u r e

, f il m a n d s t ill pho t o g r aph y

, j us t t o na m e a f e w

. R ep l ac i n g s i g n i f i can t l y l a r ge r m anne d a i r c r a ft c a r r y i n g c r e w and f l a mm ab l e f ue l w i t h s m a ll UAS

ca rr y i n g n o passe n g e r s o r c r e w c r ea t e s a m uc h g r ea t e r m a r g i n o f s a f e t y f o r t he p il o t s and c r e w

. B y g r a n t i ng P e t i t i on e r ’ s r e q ue s t ed e x e m p t i ons

, t h e FAA w i l l he l p d r i v e deve l op m en t o f s a f e and

succes s f u l co m m e r c i a l UAS ope r a t i on s and w ill a d v ance t he pub li c k no w l ed g e base f o r suc h

ope r a t i ons

. P e t i t i one r i s co mm i tt e d t o p r o m o t i n g t he UAS r ese a r ch e f f o r t s o f po li c y m a k e r s

i nc l ud i n g t h e FAA

, NASA

, D O D and DARPA b y s h a r i ng da t a fr o m i t s c o m m e r c i a l UAS

ope r a t i ons an d s e r v i n g a s a r esou r ce f o r f u t u r e U AS r esea r ch op e r a t i on s

. T hu s

, t he FA A has

g oo d cause t o g r a n t t h i s P e t i t i on

.

C on c l u s i o n

F o r t he f o r e g o i n g r easo n s

, t he e x e m p t i ons r e q u e s t ed h e r e i n shou l d b e g r an t ed an d P e t i t i one r

shou l d be pe r m it t ed t o c onduc t s m a ll UAS ope r a ti ons i n acco r da n ce w i t h i t s m anua l s an d a ll

o t he r ope r a t i ng pa r a m e t e r s de e m ed n e cessa r y a nd app r o p r i a t e b y t he F A A.