West Coast Aerials 12/18/2015

To: FAA UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) 

From: West Coast Aerials LLC

2827 N. San Fernando Blvd. 

Burbank, CA 91504

818-557-1400

 

Brian Philbrook 818-462-6755

Randy Gomez 310-463-5062

West Coast Aerials, a division of Camera Support ACS located in Burbank, California has 

successfully used UAS as camera platforms for the sole purpose of professional television and 

film applications. 

West Coast Aerials is petitioning for an exemption to conduct aerial filming operations which fall 

within the 5 nautical mile circle of Burbank airport at two specific television production lots 

1.Warner Brothers Studios and 2.Universal Studios. These facilities provide cordoned off safe 

and secure filming areas to fly, under our limitations of 200 ft AGL, operating our registered 

aircraft that weigh less than 55lbs. during daytime Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, within 

visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilots.

Our current FAA COA, # FAA-2014-0937-333E 

effective 4/25/2015 - 4/30/2017 exemption #11449, prevents us from filming with our UAS at 

Warner Brothers Studios and Universal Studios.

According to the Van Nuys FSDO, Universal studios is 4.1 miles from Burbank Airport. Burbank 

is located in the east side of the San Fernando Valley. The filming locations are along the rim of 

the valley tucked against a nearby mountain on the S, SE, also a 30 story Union Bank office 

tower is in-between both locations. which planes must detect, sense and avoid.

Camera Support ACS has been providing the cameras and equipment for film and television 

productions at these private Burbank and Hollywood studio lots for over 25 years. We often get 

requests to use our West Coast Aerials UAS for filming on-site, but are limited to capture aerial 

shots outside of these facilities.

Proposed Filming Locations

——-

1. Warner Brothers Studios

4000 Warner Blvd., 

Burbank, CA 91522

 34° 8’56.71"N 118°20’12.01"W

———

2. Universal Studios

100 Universal City Plaza

Universal City, CA 91608

 34° 8’24.73”N 118°21’1.32”W
West Coast Aerials 12/18/2015

Other locations which we propose to operate

3. Walt Disney Studios (Burbank airport zone)

 34° 9’23.30"N 118°19'26.58"W

4. NBC Studios (Burbank airport zone)

 34° 9’15.04"N 118°19’59.90"W

———

5. ABC/Disney - Golden Oak Ranch

 34°22’36.07"N 118°28'45.65"W

6. Paramount Pictures Hollywood

 34° 5’6.07"N 118°19'11.82"W

7. Sony Pictures Culver City

 34° 1’5.27"N 118°24'3.45"W

Our petition for a second COA to operate UAS for filming purposes at these defined locations 

continues our primary assurance that nonparticipating persons will not be jeopardized.

1. Warner Brothers and 2.Universal studios production facilities have defined boundaries 

consisting of walls and large trees. Security operations and communications throughout will 

inform the personnel working at the location of the operations planned. These areas of 

operation will be cordoned off to all nonparticipants at 500 ft but some situations 200 ft near 

property perimeter walls. The other proposed locations 3-7 all have similar defined boundaries. 

All flights will be within the boundaries of these proposed locations operating below 200 ft AGL, 

operating our registered aircraft that weigh less than 55lbs. during daytime Visual Flight Rules 

(VFR) conditions, within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilots.

All flights will comply with West Coast Aerials Motion Picture Television Operation Manual 

FAA Certificate of Authorization # FAA-2014-0937-333E

effective 4/25/2015 - 4/30/2017 Exemption # 11449

Persons authorized in the operation of West Coast Aerials

Pilots: Dave Canning Cert#1012494 Sport Pilot DL. CC242304C Idaho exp 9/10/2018 

17253 Escalon Dr. Encino, CA 91436 USA 818-720-8934

Warren Chong Cert# 3724638 Private Pilot WP Med Class 3 exp 03/2017

2776 Texas Ave. Simi Valley, CA 93063 USA 805-857-8002

Visual Observer/tech: Brian Philbrook 818-462-6755, Taylor Fickle 818-632-1990

Technician: Armen Allen Camera operator/gimbal: Randy Gomez 310-463-5062, Randy 

Gomez Jr. Marc Hunter, Ben Ellingson

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West Coast Aerials 12/18/2015

All UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems/Drone) operations prior to commencement will have 

necessary permits with permission to operate, safety briefings and a pre-defined area of 

operation including a plan of activities as listed below:

1) Dates and times for all flights.

2) Production Company name and phone number of person responsible for the filming event.

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

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

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 operation.

Prior to any scheduled filming event, a mandatory safety meeting with all production personnel 

before operations is required acknowledging the risks involved, communications, emergency 

procedures, and all safeguards to be followed.
West Coast Aerials 12/18/2015