AI Larson 

3334 NW 23rd St 

Cape Coral, Fl. 33993 

allarsonphoto@mac.com, www.allarsonphoto.com 

U.S Department Of Transportation, Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-1401200 

New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 

.: .. i_; 

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

Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b), 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b), 14 CFR 91.7(a), 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2), 14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109, 14 CFR 91.119(c), 14 CFR 91.121, 14 CFR 91.151(a), 14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a), 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1), 14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2), 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the "Reform Act") and 14 

CFR Part 11, AI Larson, operator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an 

exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations ("F ARs") to allow commercial operation of 

designated U AS, provided such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined 

herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. 

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) 

and sensors, would provide professional services in the following areas: 

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, 

architecture, land surveying, engineering and other related professional activities. 

2. Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public 

events, cinematography and newsgathering. 

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the 

owners or local government authority. 

4. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but 

not limited to electrical power lines, wind turbines and cell towers. 

5. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or 

government has requested it by contract or donation. 

6. Training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public organizations to 

increase awareness and improve safety for current and future U AS operations within the NAS. 

As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated 

UAS as set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) 

limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) safe. Approval of this exemption would increase 

public awareness ofUAS operations and enhance safety to aid in fulfilling the Secretary of 

Transportation's(the FAA Administrator's) responsibilities to "establish requirements for the 

safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace." 
I plan to operate a UAS, The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 which is comprised of an unmanned aircraft (UA or 

Typhoon Q500} and a transportable ground station. The Typhoon Q500 is referred to as a quad-copter 

with a maximum gross weight of about 60 Ounces. It is equipped with four rotors that are driven by 

electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 8 m/s. 

Also, given the small size of the UAS' s involved and the restricted controlled environment within which 

they will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) 

in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of 

UASs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UASs and the controlled areas in 

which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security 

issue. Given the following, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest: Al Larson 

proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics and that 

operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for an exceptional level of safety to 

operations. These limitations and conditions to which Al Larson agrees to be bound when conducting 

commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption including: 

1. The UAS will weigh less than 55lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be less than 30 minutes. 

4. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve. 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude ofless than 300 feet AGL 

5. UAS operator will be trained in the proper safety and operations of the UAS. 

6. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defmed in the Procedures. 

7. The operator will post advisor notice around the controlled area. 

8. The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up-to-date 

information on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 

9. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to return to a 

pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 

10. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case ofunpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 

Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption and 

I am prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent 

level of safety. I appreciate your time and consideration and I look forward to working with your 

office. Please contact me at any time if additional information or clarifications are needed. Thank 

You 

~\--- Al Larson