Covering Long Island News Since 2002

Stringer News Service

516-315-1111 WWW.STRINGERNEWS.COM

January 16, 2015

U. S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11

of the Federal Aviation Regulations from:

Part 45.23(b) Display of Markings

Part 21 SubH Certification procedures for products and parts, Airworthiness Certificates

Part 61 Certification: Pilots, Light Instructors, and Ground Instructors

Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules

91.103(b)(2) Preflight action

91.105 Flight crewmembers at stations

91.109 Flight instruction

91.119 Minimum safe altitudes

91.121 Altimeter settings

91.151 Fuel requirements for flights in VFR conditions

91.405 Maintenance required

91.407 Operation after maintenance

91.409 Inspections

91.417 Maintenance records

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and 14 C.F.R., Stringer News 

Service(SNS), an operator of an Unmanned Aircraft System for aerial photography/videography for the 

television, print and online news industry, hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation 

Regulations to allow commercial operation of it’s UAS. SNS is in possession of a DJI Phantom Vision 2 Plus.

The UAS operated by SNS weighs less than 10 pounds, including the payload (i.e. camera, lens, and gimbal). It 

has a maximum speed of 34MPH, can hover, and can simultaneously move vertically and horizontally. SNS 

will only operate its UAS in line of sight only and will operate only with permission of the municipality in 

which it is being operated. SNS is credentialed by Suffolk County Police Department which is cross recognized 

by all Long Island based police departments. Operations of the UAS will be utilized for electronic gathering of 

news events and weather only on Long Island, which is comprised of Suffolk and Nassau Counties. The 

overwhelming majority of Long Island is comprised of 2 story structures and wooded areas which would not 
Covering Long Island News Since 2002

usually necessitate the altitude of the UAS to go above 100 feet. Such operations will insure that the UAS will 

“not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public.”

The Aircraft and it’s operation:

DJI-Phantom 2 Vision Plus

 This UAS has flight control using a remote control operating the 5.728-5.85Ghz frequency in 

compliance with FCC regulations. The range extender operates within a frequency of 2412-2462MHz 

in accordance with FCC regulations. 

 At any time that communication is lost the UAS will return to it’s take off location at a height of 

approximately 60 feet.

 The UAS locks onto multiple GPS satellites to establish a “home” position prior to flight.

 All flights will be operated within line of sight by the pilot and observer.

 Maximum flight time of each event will be limited to 15 minutes or less, this will leave approximately

50% of reserve time on the UAS.

 Flights will be well below the 400 feet AGL requirement, SNS will never operate a UAS above 100 feet 

AGL.

 Flights will always have a UAS operator and a camera operator who will control the recording via the 

DJI application on either a smart phone.

 UAS operation will not be commenced if within 5 miles of an airport which will ensure no danger to 

manned aircraft traffic.

 Preflight procedure will be as follows:

o Power supply test of UAS, Controller, Range Extender and DJI application device(smartphone)

o Calibration of compass

o Weather considerations

o Flight obstructions

o GPS lock of no less than 6 satellites

o Link between controller and UAS

o Link between application and UAS

 All maintenance will be conducted in accordance with all manufacturer’s specifications

 All maintenance and repair/modifications will be logged in a permanent file for future reference.

 All of the latest firmware will be updated as needed via the DJI software as well as controller 

calibrations.

As with any news gathering equipment used properly and safely, the use of the UAS would benefit the public 

greatly in the collection and dissemination of news and weather related occurrences. With 26 years in television 

news experience the use of this new equipment would be a great addition to existing equipment and my opinion 

could revolutionize my industry. In addition I, Anthony Ryan, personally will be the only operator of the UAS 

mentioned above. If granted an exemption it will be filed with my press credentials with the Suffolk County

Police’s Public Information Office in Yaphank, NY. 

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the undersigned at 516-315-1111 or email to 

stringertv@aol.com.
Covering Long Island News Since 2002

Thank You for your consideration,

Anthony J Ryan

Owner

Stringer News Service

516-315-1111

stringertv@aol.com