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Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Global Photography Services LLC

1944 Williams Glen, Zionsville, IN 46077

Date: 06.14.2015
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Table Of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose - 4 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization - 4 

C. Persons Authorized - 4 

D. Area of Operations - 4 

E. Plan of Activities - 5 

F. Permission to Operate - 5 

G. Security - 6 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel - 6 

I. Certification/Airworthiness - 7 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements - 7 

K. Communications - 8 

L. Accident Notification – 8 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures - 8

N. Aerobatic Competency - 8 

O. Aerobatic Competency - 9

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot - 9 

B. Pilot in Command – 10

Appendix A

1. List of Approved Pilots - 11 

2. List of Approved Aircraft - 12 

3. Permission Acquisition Form (Sample) 

4. Revision Letter (Sample)

Appendix B

1. Form 7711-2 (certificate of waiver) 

Date: 06.14.2015
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Revision Control Page

Revision # Date Initials 

_________________________________

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Date: 06.14.2015
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1. Introduction 

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Global Photography Services llc”

hereafter referred to as "GPS Co.", in conjunction with an application for a 

Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) 

and (c) for the purposes of filming. GPS CO. pilots and other company 

personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and 

conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight 

operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as 

mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Justin M. June – Pilot 

Global Photography Services llc. 

1944 Williams Glen, Zionsville, IN 46077 

Justin M. June – President

(317) 354-7758 - cell

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and 

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of 

the area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has 

approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined 

by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain 

features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from 

debris in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

GPS Co. approved area of operations will be the continental United States, 

excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

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E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, GPS Co. will submit a 

written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that 

area. The plan of activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights. 

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming 

production event. 

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

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

airworthiness certificate, including category. 

(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 operations.

The three (3) day notification of equipment may be waived, however, the 

operator should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and 

be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not 

practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the 

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will 

obtain permission to conduct these operations from property owners and 

local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission 

may be required are listed below:

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(1) Property owners 

(2) Law enforcement officials 

(3) Fire department officials 

(4) Local, State and Federal government 

(5) Air traffic control

The GPS Co. personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing 

whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A 

standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when 

obtaining written permission. GPS Co. personnel will assure a sufficient 

number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms 

will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and 

then turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) 

months. These documents will be made available for inspection by the FAA 

or other official personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation 

from all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to 

immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or 

for any other reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Team

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for 

the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions

• Operations manual 

• Plan of activities 

• Aircraft parking and starting 

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• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications 

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

• Approach and landing procedures 

• Recall procedures 

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel 

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All GPS Co. aircrafts used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) 

and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness 

certificates. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming 

"vehicle" in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the 

experimental category must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the 

purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and television filming. 

The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and 

inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when 

necessary. Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled 

maintenance and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A 

section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will 

assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required 

inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. Commercial pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, 

class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver. 

(2) At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the 

aircraft type. 

(3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver. 

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 CFR 91.303(e) 

is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers must hold FAA Form 8710-7, 

Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to perform the operations.

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(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an externalload operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the 

operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a 

knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or 

another company pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is 

qualified to carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 

requirements and cover the following subjects:

. (a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight 

area.

. (b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

. (c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures 

and the aircraft flight manual.

. (d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

. (e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command 

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants 

during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants 

continuously appraised of the current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the 

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

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N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the GPS Co. motion picture 

and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the 

surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be 

those specified in the GPS Co. motion picture and television operations manual 

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and 

certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and 

pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

GPS Co. will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency 

procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before 

beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that 

person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this 

manual. 

• Act as liaison between GPS Co. and the FAA on matter concerning this 

manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain 

a signed statement from each that they have read and understand its 

contents.

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• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

GPS Co.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

GPS Co. under the provisions of this manual.

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and responsibilities

. Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

inspections and required maintenance have been performed as per 

appropriate FAR's.

. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation 

under the provisions of this manual.

. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide 

by the procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate 

plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the 

primary concern.

. Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it 

on site at any job or operation requiring the waiver.

. The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, 

but retains responsibility.

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Appendix A. 1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name Justin M. June

Certificate Number TBA

Grade Commercial

Contact Number (317) 354-7758

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Appendix A. 2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Phantom 3 Professional TBA

2. DJI Inspire TBA

3.

4.

5.

6. 

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Appendix A. 3 

Global Photography Services llc.

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Global Photography 

Services llc Permission to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet 

from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or 

affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production.

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature: ____________________________ 

Date: _______________ 

GPS Co. Representative receiving permission _________________

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Appendix A. 4

Revision Letter 

Rev # Section Page Action Remarks Initials

_________________________________ 

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R. Remove and Replace D. Delete and destroy N. Insert New Page

Manual Serial Number __________________ 

Issued to _________________________

Revised by _________________________ 

Date __________________ 

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than 

________________________

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Appendix B. 1

(See attached form 7711-2)

Date:!06.14.2015