December 3, 2015

 

Exemption No. 12174B

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–1851

Mr. Mark E. McKinnon 

Counsel for Cable News Network, Inc.

Dentons US LLP

1676 International Drive, Penthouse

McLean, VA 22102

Dear Mr. McKinnon:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition for an amendment. It explains 

the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the revised conditions and limitations.

By letter dated September 3, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of Cable News Network, Inc. (CNN) (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an 

amendment to your current exemption. That exemption from §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 

61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 

91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data 

collection. You requested an amendment to add additional aircraft. In the November 5, 2015 

decision letter, the FAA was unable to approve the Fotokite Pro UAS. The FAA is now 

prepared to act on that request.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested amendment to the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner. The 

unmanned aircraft authorized in the original grant are comparable in type, size, weight, speed 

and operating capabilities to those in this petition.

Airworthiness Certification

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 
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operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 12174 

remains valid and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority contained 

in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, the operator is 

granted an amendment to add new aircraft to its UAS operations.

The operator shall add this amendment to its original exemption.

 

Conditions and Limitations

All conditions and limitations within Grant of Exemption No. 12174A remain in effect except 

as follows. Condition No. 1 has been updated to reflect the additional aircraft. 

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Drone Aviation 

Corporation’s Watt 200 ETAP, CyPhy Works Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and 

Communication System (PARC), 3DR Solo, AirRobot AR180, DJI Inspire 1, DJI 

Phantom 2 Vision, Altus Delta X-8, and Fotokite Pro UAS when weighing less than 

55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a 

new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

This exemption terminates on July 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service