Petition for Exemption 14 CFR § 11.81

Exemption petition under SEC 333

Name: Thomas Cooke

Address: 6920 State Route 98 Shelby, Ohio 44875

Phone: 419-544-4000

Email: cooke6920@yahoo.com

The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an exemption;

Petition for Exemption under Sec 333

The extent of relief you seek and the reason you seek the relief;

Sec 333 prohibits the use of a UAS for commercial purposes on private property. I am a 

member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and am simply petitioning for an exemption to 

provide a commercial service to private land owners and companies who wish to obtain and 

capture Aerial photos and videos of said property for purposes including real estate listings, 

insurance property claims, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. Also by living on a 

farm, I would like to help other farmers with photos to help them with their farming operations. 

I would like to be able to accept payment for these services therefore making this a commercial 

use of a UAS.

How your request would benefit the public as a whole;

My request benefits the public as a whole by providing an opportunity for small business 

owners, real estate agents, farmers, and others who wish to document their land or property to 

take advantage of the technology that now exists in the form of UAS’s and allows them to do so 

using an experienced Pilot in Command that understands how to safely operate such 

technology.

Reasons why the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the 

exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rule;

Being an FAA licensed Private Pilot, and therefore understanding the importance of different 

uses and safety concerns regarding FAA regulated airspace, I would be a good candidate for 

exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air Safety in any accelerated risk. The specific UAS , DJI 

Phantom 3, I am seeking exemption with is one with many safety programs including return 

home, and GPS navigation. When flying for this commercial purpose, I would be flying at a 

maximum altitude of 200 feet, and flying mostly for the purposes of taking photos, decreasing 
the risk of any interference. My general knowledge of the aviation safety systems implemented 

by the FAA would be used to ensure that safety would not be affected by my operations. I 

would not be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or high traffic areas including airports.

A summary we can publish in the Federal Register Federal RegisterI, Thomas Cooke am seeking an exemption of the FAA’s Sec 333 rules that does not allow the 

use of an Unmanned Aircraft to be used for Commercial purposes in regards to National 

Airspace Safety. I am simply petitioning for an exemption to provide a commercial service to 

private land owners and companies who wish to obtain and capture Aerial photos and videos of 

said property for purposes including real estate listings, insurance property claims, farming 

operations, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. Being an FAA licensed Private Pilot, 

therefore understanding the importance of different uses and safety concerns regarding FAA 

regulated airspace, I would be a good candidate for exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air 

Safety in and accelerated risk. The specific UAS, DJI Phantom 3, I am seeking exemption with is 

one with many safety programs, including return home and GPS navigating. While flying for 

this commercial purpose , I would be flying at a maximum altitude of 200 feet and flying for the 

purposes of taking photos, decreasing the risk of any interference. My general knowledge of 

the aviation safety systems implemented by the FAA would be used to ensure that safety would 

not be affected by my operations. I would not be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or 

high traffic areas including airports. 

Any additional information, views, or arguments available to support your 

request;

I am fully aware of the pre flight safety checks and procedures implicated in the operation 

instructions for the DJI Phantoms , and intend to implement them. I intend to follow the 

general safety precautions and warnings.

My FAA Issued Private Pilot License Certificate Number is 3785905

If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, 

you must state the reason.

I have no intention on using this exemption outside the United States.