Raptor Aerial Drones

1680 South We st B ay shore blvd Port St Lucie, FL

34984 john@raptoraerialdrones.com Date 1

- 23

- 2016 U. S. Department of T

ransportation Docket Management Sy stem 1200 New Jersey

Av e., SE Wa shington, DC 20590 Petition of Raptor Aerial Dr ones for Exemption Pursuant to Section 33 3 o f the F AA Reform Act

Pursuant to Section 333 of the F AA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act) and 14 C.F

. R. Part 1 1 Raptor Aerial Drones operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft S ys tems (“sUASs”) equipped to conduct To wer site inspections, aerial photograph y and videograph y, News gathering, Aerial Surveying, training, hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Av iation Regulations (“F ARs”) to allow commercial operation of its sUASs, s o long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by

the F AA as required b y Section 333.1 As described more full y below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned and relativel y inexpensive sUAS under controlled con ditions in airspace that is 1) limited 2) predetermined and 3) controlled. The proposed exemption, if granted, would allow Raptor Aerial Drones to conduct commercial operations of s mall unmanned aircraft s ys tems (“UAS”) meeting or exceeding all of the operational and safety requirements Congress has set forth in Section 333. Page 2. Raptor Aerial Drones asks that if an y part of this request is deemed not in compliance, that part be removed and process the r emaining of this request as applicable. Raptor Aerial Drones is a UAS specialt y services company that believes the use of sUAS will significantl y ben efit their customers. Mr. Bu quoi , the owner, ha s extensive e xperience as a UA V Operator and is tower serv ices specialist

. His dedicat ion to safet y and unique initiative for potential uses of sUAS will significantly af fect the tower services industry

. Wi th increased productivity

and decreased cost being a significant gain, his intent is to significantly reduce risk to human life

.Raptor Aerial Drones plans to exploit the capabilities of Unmanned Aerial Sy stems to of fer a multitude of services, including:

- To wer inspections and engineering information gathering

- Aerial surveying

- Event Photograph y/ Vi de ograph y

- Agriculture purposes

- Real Estate Photography /V ideography

- Aerial filmmaking and photography

- Construction site inspections and monitoring

- News Gathering Statutory Authority

Section 333, titled “Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Sy stems”, provides a mechanism for seeking expedited F AA authorization of safe civil UAS operations in the NAS. Section 333(a) states that the F AA “shall determine if certain unmanned aircraft sy stems may

operate safely

in the national airspace sy stem bef ore completion of the (comprehensive) plan and rulemaking required by section 332(b)(1) of this Act or the guidance required b y section 334 of this Act.” In Section 332(b)(1), Congress made it clear that Section 333 provides a mechanism for “expedited oper ation authorization” if several factors are met. Petiti oner meets all requirements to permit F AA approval of commercial UAS operations. The Petitioner Requests Relief from the Following: Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 14 C.F .R. Part 21 14 C.F .R. 45.23 (b) 14 C.F .R. 61.1 13(a) and (b) 14 C.F .R. 91.7 (a) 14 C.F .R. 91.9 (b) (2) 14 C.F .R. 91.109 14 C.F .R. 91.1 19 14 C.F .R. 91.121Page 3 14 C.F .R. 91.151(a) 14 C.F .R. 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 C.F .R. 91.205 (b) 14 C.F .R. 91.215 14 C.F .R. (91.401

- 91. 417) Unmanned Aircraft Sy stem sUASs are oftentimes seen as superior to helicopters due to the smaller devices cheaper equipment and personnel cost, reduced noise and as such, a much smaller environmental impact which promotes public safety

.We are petit ioning for exemption to enable Raptor Aerial Drones to op erate the DJ I Inspire , DJI

Phantom 3 , Hawk Aerial HawkEy e M5, Hawk Aerial HawkEy e M3, Hawk Aerial ThermalHawk M3, Hawk Aerial HawkEy e Air6, Hawk Aerial SurveyHawk Air6 and Hawk Aerial Field Hawk equipped with a three

- axis camera gimbal and using a High

- Def camera. This sUAS has the failsafe function of the autopilot sy stem which means when the communication between the Main Controller and the transmitter is disconnected; the outputs of all command sticks from controller will go to the center position. If the GPS signal is good enough, the sy stem will automatically

trig ger Return to Home

.
Aircraft Gr oss weights are less than 55 pounds with battery and the 3 Axis Camera Gimbal and Camera A Pre

- f light inspection will be performed b y the PIC in accordance with the factory instruction manual. An added step will be the inspection of the propellers. A propeller will be replaced if it has an y nicks and cracks with a manufacturers authorized propeller

. The sUAS will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer ’s instruction manual and only authorized replacement parts will be used.

**FCC Information** This transmitters used for controlling the sUAS complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation i s subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this devi ce must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. The radio transmitters used for controlling the sUAS is wireless technology which has been tested and found to be compliant with the applicable regulations governing radio transmitters in the 2.400GHz to 2.4835GHz frequency range. Antenna Separation Distance When operating our transmitters, the PI C will maintain a separation distance of at least 5 cm between his bod y (excluding fingers, hands, wrists, ankles and f eet) and the antenna to meet RF exposure safety

requirements as determined by FCC regulations. **Pilot in Command and Observer Qualificatio**  **ns and Duties** The PI C will maintain at least a Sport Pilot Certificate and a current Class III medical certificate or driver ’s license, plus at least 1 hour flying time and 3 takeoffs and landings within the previous 90 day s in the ty pe of UAS utilized in operations. The PI C will have at least 20 hours total time and at least 10 hours fl yi ng Radio Controlled Model Aircraft of wh ich will be 5 hours flying sUAS s. Tr aining will be conducted at a local Controlled Access flying field. Raptor Aerial Drones has the ability

to safely train new s UAS Pilots. The PIC instructor will be at all times be able assume control of the sUAS.The PI C is responsible for the safe and ef ficient operation of the aircraft. Specific duties include all preflight preparation, in flight operation, post flight requirements, all procedures including but not limited to: Safe in flight operations Risk Mitigation to Persons and propert y Airfield Suitability The Observer must have the visual acuity to observe the sUA

V and be able to communicate clearl y with the PIC. The Observers duties are; W arning the PIC of an y i mpending obstacles in the flight path of the sUAS. W arning the PIC of an y deviations in the planned flight path of the sUAS. W arning the PIC should any unauthorized per sonnel appear in the area of the planned flight. The Observer will have the authority to order the PI C to terminate the flight should he feel the flight cannot be conducted safely

.

**General Operating S tandards**  Raptor Aerial Drones will only operate its sUAS in line of sight of a pilot and/or observer and will operate at sites that are a 'suf ficient distance' from hazard areas. Such operations will insure that the sUAS will "not create a hazard to users of the national airspace s ys tem or the public."
• B efore an operation of a sUA V within 5NM of an airport with a control tower, the control tower will be called to gain permission to operate the sUAS. The PI C will give the position, altitude and the times the sUAS will be operated. The sUAS will not be oper ated at an altitude of over 400 feet AGL. W

eather minimums will be 3 miles visibility and a 1000 foot ceiling. Before an operation of a sUAS within 5NM of a non

- tower controlled, airport operators will be notified and the PI C will give the right of way t o avoid flying in the proximity of full

- scale aircraft. At no time will the sUAS be operated within the final approach course and the takeoff course of an y runway

. The sUAS will not be operated at an altitude of over 400 feet AGL. We ather minimums will be 3 miles visibility and a 1000 foot ceiling. • Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. • Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute limit. • The sUA

V will be programmed so that it will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL. • Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS Pilot, and V isual Observer

.• The sUA V operated b y the petitioner weighs less than 55 pounds, including the payload (i.e. camera, lens, and gimbals). • The sUA

V will ope rate at speeds of no more than 50 knots. The listed quad copter st yl e of sUAS can hover, and can simultaneously move vertically

and horizontally

. • Given the small size of the sUA V and the restricted sterile e nvironment within which they will operate, our sUA

V operations adhere to the Reform Act's safety requirements. The UAS, powered b y batteries, is smaller, lighter and more maneuverable than larger aircraft running on combustible fuel, it operates at lower altitudes with no people on board and will thereb y reduce current risk levels and thereb y enhance safet y and diminish the likelihood of death or serious bodil y injury . With a small payload and maximum flight time of only 20 minutes, this of

fers little or n o risk to national security

. Low level oblique photos and video from several angles are far more ef fective than ground based imagery for displaying the characteristics of large, complex properties with several buildings and large trees. The applicants in the past have chartered 2

- seat full

- sized helicopters for this purpose, which has proven more costly than many

potential clients have been able to afford. The benefits of reduced cost and improved quality of presentation from the s UA S will be valuable to and benefit man y bu ye rs and sellers of real property as well as mitigating risk by not carrying personnel for flight operations. (a) No flight will be made with a Gross weight exceeding 55 pounds; (b) All operations must occur in F AA allowed Class of airs pace at no more than 400 ft AGL, at an airspeed of no more than 5 0 knots and no further than V isual line of sight from the PI C; (c) All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The VO and PIC must be able to communicate b y voice at all times during a flight operation; (d) All required permits will be obtained from state and local government prior to operation;**EXEMPTION REQUESTS AND EQUIV**  **ALENT LEVEL**

**OF SAFETY**  Raptor Aerial Drones requests an exemption from the following regulations a s well as an y additional regulations that may technicall y appl y t o the operation of the sUAs Sy stem: **14 CFR Part 21, Airworthiness Certificates**  This part establishes the procedures for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate. While the FAA continues to work to develop airworthiness standards for Unmanned Aerial Sy stems; we request an experimental certificate be issu ed for the DJ I Inspire, DJ I Phantom 3, Hawk Aerial HawkE ye M5, Hawk Aerial HawkEy e M3, Hawk Aerial ThermalHawk M3, Hawk Aerial HawkE ye A ir 6, Hawk Aerial SurveyHawk Air6 and Hawk Aerial Field Hawk under either or both of the following provisions: 21.191 Experimental certificates. Experimental certificates are issued for the following purposes: **(a) Research and development** 

. Te sting new aircra ft design co ncepts, new aircraft equipment, new aircraft installations, new aircraft operating techniques, or new uses for aircraft. **(b) Showing compliance with regulations** 

. Conducting flight tests and other operations to show compliance with the airworthi ness regulations including flights to show compliance for issuance of ty pe and supplemental ty

pe certificates, flights to substantiate major design changes, and flights to show compliance with the function and reliability requirements of the regulations. S ince the experimental certificate can be used for commercial purposes such as market survey s, sales demonstrations, and customer crew tr aining, we would expect that an experimental certificate would permit our commercial purpose as we ll. The aircraft will not carry persons or property , will not carry

fuel, and will only

fl y under strict operational requirements. Combined with the UA's light weight, being constructed primaril y of carbon fiber and plastic, we propose that the UA

will be at least as safe, if n ot safer, than a conventionally certificated aircraft performing the same mission. I f an experimental airworthiness certificate is n ot appropriate for this application, then we request an exemptio n of 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H, and the requirement for airw orthiness certificate in general, citing the equivalent level of safet y outlined in the previous paragraph. **14 CFR 45.23 Display of marks; general and 45.29 Size of marks.** These regulations provide that each aircraft must display "N" and the aircraft's r egistration number in letters at least 3 inches high. Additionally , the aircraft must display the word "EXPERIMENT

AL" in letters at least 2 inches high near the entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station. The sUA

V does not have an entrance in which the word "EXPERI MENT AL" can be placed, and may

not have a registration number assigned to it by the F AA. We propose to achieve an equivalent level of safet y b y including the word "EXPERI MENT AL" in the placard on the top of the aircraft, as shown above, wher e the PI C (Pilot In Control), VO (V isual Observer) and others in the vicinity of the aircraft while it is preparing for launch will be able to see the designation. Additionally , we feel that the permanent placard discussed in the previous paragraph will pr ovide the aircraft's registration information at the ground station. Finally , we will display

at the ground station a high contrast flag, sign or banner that contains the words "Unmanned Aircraft in Use" in letters a appropriate size to be viewed from a di stance. . Since the aircraft will operate within L ine of Sight of the ground station, the banner should be visible to any one that observes the aircraft and chooses to investigate its point of origin.**14 CFR 61.1 13 Private pilot privileges and limitations**  **: Pilot in Command and 61.133**

**Commer cial pilot privileges and limitations.**  The regulation provides that no person that holds a Private Pilot certificate may act as pilot in c ommand of an aircraft for compensation or hire. Subparagraph (b ) allows a private pilot to act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any bus iness or employ

ment if: (1) The flight is only

incidental to that business or employment; and (2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property

for compensation or hire. Our pro posed operations require that the PIC must hold at least a Sport Pilot Certificate with a Driver ’s Li cense and since the aircraft cannot carry passengers or property , we feel we meet the intent of 61.1 13 Subparagraph (b) even though the intent of this appl ication is to conduct a business. **14 CFR 91.7 Pr ohibits the Operation of an air**  **craft without an airworthiness certificate**

. As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by the F ARs, this Regulation is inapplicable. **14 CFR 91.9 Civil air**  **craft flight manual, marking, and placard r equir**  **ements**

. This regulation provides that no person may operate an aircraft unless a current, approved flight manual is in the aircraft. W e assume that the intent of this requirement is to ensure that flight manual information is available to the aircrew while operating the aircraft. W e request an exemption to this requirement since the aircraft is not only too sm all to carry documentation; the documentation would not be available to the crew during flight ope rations. T o obtain an equivalent level of safet y and meet the intent of 91.9, we propose that a current, approved sUAS Flight Manual must be available to the crew at the ground station any time the aircraft is in, or preparing for, flight. **14 CFR 91.109 Fl ight Instruction; Simulated instrument flight and certain flight tests**  The regulation states that "No person may operate a civil aircraft that is being u sed for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." T raining will be conducted at a local Limited Access flyingfield. Raptor Aerial Drones has the ability to provide " Safe Dual Tr aining". The PIC instructor will be at all times be able assume control of the sUA V. **91.1 19 Minimum safe altitudes**  : General. The regulation st ates that over sparsel y populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. Since the typical mission of the sUAS would be photography or survey of persons, vessels, vehicles or structures it w ould be necessary to operate closer than 500 feet to the items listed. Operations will only be flown over propert y or persons where permission has been obtained and careful pre

- planned flight path has been performed. The aircraft will be operated at a low altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or propert y on the surface. Therefore we maintain that due to the small size of the UAS, the hazard to persons, vehicles and structures is minimal compared to manned aircraft, which should be considered in granting the exemption.**CFR 91.121 Altimeter**  **settings**

. The regulation requires that aircraft shall maintain cruising altitudes by reference to an altimeter setting available within 100 NM of the aircraft. T he sUAS will alway s fl y below 400 feet AGL and will not need to maintain cruising altitudes in order to prevent conflict with other aircraft. An Above Ground Level altimeter measurement above the takeof f point is transmitted via radio from the sUAS on

- boar d computer to the display screen held by

the PIC, providing a constantly updated AGL

readout. **14 CFR 91.151 Fuel r equir**  **ements for flight in**  **VFR conditions**

. The regulation provides that no person may begin a f light in an airplane under day

- V FR conditions unless there is enough fuel to fl y to the first point of intended landing and to fl y after that for at least 30 minutes. W e feel the intention of this paragraph is to provide an energy reserve as a safet y buf

fer for delay s to landing. The sUAS is b attery op erated and the maximum duration of flight from a single battery charge is 20 minute s with a 25% reserve. Since the aircraft will never fly

more than line of sight from the point of intended landing, a full battery charge at launch will ensure that we meet the reserve energy re quirement of this paragraph. W e request an exemption to the word "fuel" and ask for an equivale nt interpretation with the word

“ energy". **14 CFR 91.203(a) & (b) Civil air craft: Certifications r**  **equir ed** 

. The regulation provides that an a irworthiness certificate, with the registration number assigned to the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. Additionally , subparagraph (b) provides that the airworthiness certificate be "di splay ed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew." At a maxi mum gross weight of 6.1 pounds, the sUAS is too small to carry

documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not capable of carrying passengers or crew. T

o obtain an equivalent level of safet y and meet the intent of 91.203, we propose that documents deemed appropriate for this aircraft by the F AA will be with the crew at the ground control station and available for inspection upon request. In order to identify the aircraft, we propose that the information found on airworthiness and registration certificates be permanently af fixed to the aircraft via p lacard containing the following information plus the word "EXPERIMENT AL" to satisfy

the requirement of 14 CFR 45.23. **14 CFR 91.205(a), (b), (c) In**  **strument and Equipment Requir ements**  This regulation provides a minimum set of instruments and equipment required for day and night VFR flight. Due to the small size of the sUAS it would be impossible to carry man y of these instruments. 91.205 (b) 4,5,6,7,8 ,13,14,16,17 are not applicable as the sUAS has no Reciprocating engines or seats. 91.205 (b) 2,3,9 are provided on the hand held controller

. 91.205(b) 1 is not applicable as the maximum available speed of the sUAS is less than the maximum required by

this exemption and has no ef fect on performance. 91.205 (b) 10 is not applicable as the landing gear position can be verified visually before landing. 91.205 (b) 15 Due to the size it would be impossible for the sUAS to carry any known EL

T. 91.205 (c) Much of this equipment is too heavy

to be carried by

the sUAS. We feel that visual contact with the sUAS and indications provided via the controller that all critical information can be monitored.**14 CFR Subpart E (91.401**
**- 91.417)** 
**- Maintenance, Pr**  **eventive Maint enance,**  **Alterations**

The regulation provides that the operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworth y condition, including compliance with part 39 and 43. Paragraphs 91.407 and 91.409 require that the aircraft be "approved fo r return to service by a person authorized under 43.7" after maintenance and inspection. It is our intention that the PI C perform maintenance and inspection of the aircraft and "be authorized to approve the aircraft for return to service." The PI C will ens ure that the aircraft is in an airworthy condition prior to every

flight and in addition conduct detailed inspections after every two hours of flight. M aintenance performed b y the PI C is limited to repairing small cracks, replacing a propeller , chec king el ectrical connections and updating software and firmware for the on

- board computer

. All other maintenance will be performed b y the manufacturer or their designated repair facility . W e feel that due to the size, construction, and simplicity of the aircraft, the PIC can ensure an equivalent level of safet y. **Safety and Benefits of the UAS** Raptor Aerial Drones will be using the UAS in a variet y of applications that generall y require expensive full

- size manned aircraft to complete. Small, light, unmanned aerial vehicles offer my riad benefits over the use of full

- sized manned aircraft for electric power line inspection, oil/gas pipeline inspection, advanced agriculture, film and still p hotography , just to name a few

. Replacing significantly

larger manned aircraft carrying crew an d flammable fuel with small UAS carryi ng no passengers or crew creates a much greater margin of safet y for the pilots and crew

. By granting Raptor Aerial Drones r equested exemptions, the F AA will help drive development of safe and successfu l commercial UAS operati ons and will advance the public knowledge base for such operations. Raptor Aerial Drones is committed to promoting the UAS research ef forts of policy makers including the F

AA, NASA, DOD and DARP A by sharing data from its commercial UAS operations and serving as a resource for future UAS research operations. Thus, the F AA has good cause to grant this Petition. **Conclusion** As pointed out in this application, all the SUAs whi ch our compan y would use, under authorization by

the US DOT

- FAA , are small, light

- weight devi ces operated within the line of sight of the Pilot

- in

- Command (PI C), less than 400 feet above the ground and outside 5 miles from an y airport, heliport, seaplane base, spaceport, or other loc ation with aviation activities, unl ess the air traf

fic control authorities (A

TC) have been notified and have authorized each flight within a radius of this distance. All our SUAs have proven capability for controlled flight. They are devices of fered for general sale on the market around th e world and have often been used as Model Aircraft in the USA. We are certain that the studies conducted until now by the F AA, about Section 332, Public Law 11 2

- 95, 2014, have already provided y ou with the assuranc es on the airworthiness of SUAs such as ours. For the foregoing reasons, the exemptions requested herein should be granted

. Raptor Aerial Drones s hould be permitted to conduct small UAS op erations in accordance with its manuals and all other operating parameters deemed necessary and appropriate b y the F

AA.The submission of this application and its contents is the best demonstration that indeed it is

possible to pursue the authorization process so that some SUAs may be used for legitimate commercial activities and under reasonabl y safe conditions. If an y individual aspect of this request for exemption be unacceptable we ask that it be struck alone and the remainder of the exemption be allowed as requested. Raptor Aerial Drones Signed John Bu quoi