August 03 , 2015

Exemption No. 12284 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

–20 15

–2127

Mr. Robert Zarracina President Flight Ventures Ltd 4827 McDonald Drive Circle N orth Stillwater, MN 55082

Dear Mr. Zarracina : This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. By letter dated May 29, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Flight Ventures Ltd (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial film making, photography, videography, surveying, data acquisition, site, structural and patrolling inspections, search and rescue, remote sensing, community awareness, education, training and research operations

. 1 See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.

1 T he petitioner also requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the other conditions and limitations in th is e xemption.2

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner

. Airworthiness Certification The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 3, Sensefly Exom, Sensefly eBee, Ag Eagle and Precision Hawk

. The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

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

− 95 in reference to 49 U

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. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the aircraf t and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested 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. The Basis for Our Decision You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 2

. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No s . 11062 to Astraeus Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA

− 2014

−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest. Having reviewed your reasons f or requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;  The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 also apply to the situation you present; and
 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

2 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the UA.3

Our Decision In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, Flight Ventures Ltd is granted an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 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), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection

. This exemption i s subject to the conditions and limitations listed below. Conditions and Limitations In this grant of exemption, Flight Ventures Ltd is hereafter referred to as the operator. 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 DJI Phantom 3, Sensefly Exom, Sensefly eBee, Ag Eagle and Precision Hawk when weighing less than 5 5 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption

. 2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are not permitted. 3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. 4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL. 5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver’s license. 6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maint ains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ;4

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation fo r the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO. 7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in thi s grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present up dated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents. 8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS op eration or flight characteristics, e.g. , replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and mu st remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property. 9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it i s in a condition for safe operation. 10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g. , inoperable comp onents, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components.5

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins. 13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certifi cate. 14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations m ay only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distan ce from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119. 15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized. 16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbo l as denoted on the current FAA

- published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS sign al, the UA must return to a pre - determined location within the private or controlled

- access property. 19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.6

20. The PIC is prohibited fro m beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater. 21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA

. 22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable. 23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times. 25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, v ehicles, and structures unless: a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensurin g the safety of nonparticipating persons ; and b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard. The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption. 27. All operations shall be conducted over private or control led

- access property w ith permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative.7

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted. 28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that tran sgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTS B) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

. If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional conditi ons and limitations apply. 29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption. 30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities must include at least the f ollowing: a. Dates and times for all flights; b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption; c. Name and phone number of th e person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS; d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used; e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming; f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list o f those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request; g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and h. 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 altitudes essential to accomplish the operation. 31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the exemption holder’s MPTOM. Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.8

This exemption termin ates on August 31 , 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Sincerely, / s/ John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service EnclosuresMay 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 1 Flight Ventures Ltd 4827 McDonald Drive Cir N Stillwater, MN 55082 651

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- 2929 Robert Zarracina

– President Robertz@FlightVenturesLtd.com May 29 , 2015 U

. S

. De p artm e nt of T ra n spo rta ti on D o c ke t M a n a g e m e nt S ys t em 1200 Ne w J ers e y Ave ., S E W a sh i n g t on, D C 20590 R e : E x e m p ti on R e qu e st P u rs u a nt t o S ecti on 333 of t he FAA Mo d er n iz a ti on a n d Refo r m Act of 2012, 49 U

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. § 44701 (f) , a nd P art 11 of t he Fe d e ra l Av i a ti on R e g u l a ti ons Dea r Si r or Madam : Flight Ventures Ltd, pu rsu a nt t o S ecti on 333 o f t he F AA Mod er n iz a ti on a nd R efo rm Act of 2012 ( R efo r m Act ), S ubs ecti on ( f) of 49 U

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. § 44701, a nd 14 C

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. P art 11, re qu e sts a n e x e m p ti on from t he Fe d era l Av i a ti on R e g u l a ti ons (FA R s) li s t e d b e l ow a nd d i s c uss e d i n App e ndix A to a llow Flight Ventures Ltd to c ondu ct comm e rc i a l op era tions w ith s m a l l U n m a nn e d A i rc raf t S ys t e m ( sUAS ) t o p rov i de a erial film making, photography, videography, surveying, data acquisitio n , site, structural and patrolling inspections for pipeline, energy, utility, construction , real estate, precision agriculture and other industries, search a nd rescue, remote sensing, community awareness, education, training and research operations. P erfo r m i n g th e se s er

vi ce s w ith a sUAS i s i n t he pub li c i n t ere st f or s e ve ra l rea sons, w h i c h a re d e ta il e d fu rt h e r h e re i n a nd i n c l ud e : ( 1 ) dramatically reducing s afe t y r i sks i nh ere nt i n m a nn e d op era ti ons, bo t h i n t he a i r a nd on t h e g round; ( 2) i nsp ecti ng l o c a ti ons w h e re hu m a ns are not able visit without incurring substantial risk ; ( 3) e nh a n c i n g ca p a b iliti e s t o u t i l i z e t he sUAS t o a ss i st f i rst re s p ond ers on s afe t y or e nv i ron m e n t a l i n c i d e n ts; (4) and im p rov i ng ac c e ss to and c on t ro l of various sites and operations. The use of t he sUAS f

or t h e se s er

v ic e s w il l re du c e t he n e e d t o either o p era te m a nn e d a i rc raf t i n a d i ff i c u l t e nv i ron m e nt a nd re d u c e t he e nv i ron m e n ta l im p act of conve n ti on a l a i rc raf t o p e ra ti ons or add to the safety when other non

- aircraft related methods prove hazardous or risky

. I n a dd iti on, t he s m a ll , li g h twe i g h t , a nd ea s i l y c on t ro ll a b l e op era ti n g c h a racte r i s ti cs of t he sUAS s’ p rov i de for s afe op e ra ti ons ove r site l o ca ti o n s.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 2 **E x**  **e m**  **p t**  **i o**  **n s**  **Re qu**  **e s**  **t ed**  Flight Ventures Ltd re q u e s ts e x e m p ti ons from t he fo ll o w i ng re g u l a ti ons: 14 C

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t 21; 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) ; 14 C

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. 61.113 (a ) a nd ( b ) ; 14 C

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. 91.7 (a) ; 14 C

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. 91.119 (c) ; 14 C

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. 91.121; 14 C

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. 91.151 (a) ; 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) and (b); 14 C

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. 91.405 (a) ; 14 C

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. 91.407 (a)( 1 ) ; 14 C

. F

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. 91.409 (a) (1) and ( 2 ) ; 14 C

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. 91.417 (a ) and (b)

. **Op er** **a t**  **in g**  **C o**  **nd i**  **t i**  **o ns**  Flight Ventures Ltd re q u e s ts a n e x e m p ti on subj ect t o t he c ond iti ons li s t e d i n App e ndix B , w h i c h are substa nti a l l y simil a r to t he op era ti n g c ond iti ons re qu i re d f or t he F AA’ s p re v i ous g ra n ts of e x e m p ti ons und e r S ecti on 333. I n a c c o rd a n ce w it h t he c ond iti ons a pp rove d i n p re v i ous e x e m p ti on g ra n ts, Flight Ventures Ltd i s re qu e s ti n g a u t ho r i t y t o op era t e t he sUAS w it h i n v i su a l li ne of s i g ht a nd b e l ow 400 fe e t A G L e x ce pt a s p rov i d e d b y FA A A i r T raff i c C on t rol v i a C OA

. Flight Ventures Ltd w il l use t he e l e va ti on of t he h i g h e st p re do mi n a nt t e rra i n w it h i n 1 m i l e of t he l a un c h po i nt a nd w it h i n t he v i su a l li ne of s i ght (VLOS) a s a g round re fe re n c e po i nt to e st a blish the 400 fee t ce ili n g
. I n o t h e r wo rds, Flight Ventures Ltd w il l n o t op era t e t he sUAS a n y h i g h e r t h a n 400 fee t a bove t he h i g h e st p o i nt w it h i n 1 mil e from t h e l a un c h po i n t , a nd w il l on l y do so p rov i d e d the sUAS is w ithin the l i ne of s i g h t

. Th e se op e ra ti ng c ond iti ons, a l ong w it h t hose li s t e d i n A pp e nd i x B , wou l d p rov i de a n e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y for t h e re a sons d e s cr i b e d b e l o w
. T h e sUAS is v i s i b le u p to 2,00 0 m ete rs (1.2 4 m il e s ) in a c lear s ky , m a k i n g t h e s electi o n of t h e pre do m i n a n t te rrain w it h in 1 m ile of t h e la u n ch po i n t a s a g rou n d re f e re n c e a l o g ical a n d ea s i l y m a n a g e a b le re f e re n ce. **Op er** **a t**  **or Re**  **qu i**  **r e**  **me n**  **t s**  As a c ond iti on t o t he g ra nt of t he e x e m p ti ons, Flight Ventures Ltd w il l re qu i re t h a t t he P I C ho l d a t least a p r iva te pilot cer ti f i ca te a nd a va lid thi rd
- c l a ss m e d i ca l certi f i ca te
. The P I C w il l h a ve acc u m u l a t e d a nd l o g g e d a mi n im um n u m b e r of f li g ht c yc l e s a n d hou rs f o r d a y tim e op e ra ti ons, a s re qu i red b y t he FAA

. T h e P I C w ill a lso be subj ect to the F AA fli g ht re vi e w re qui re m e nts. The P I C a nd a l l obs er v ers w il l be re qu i re d t o h a ve co m p l e t e d a Flight Ventures Ltd t ra i n i ng p ro g ra m
. Flight Ventures Ltd re sp ectf u l l y su b mit s t h a t t he op era t or q u a li f i ca ti ons ta ke s i n t o a c c ount t he op era ti n g cond iti ons a nd c h a racter i s ti cs of t he p arti c u l a r sUAS in use

.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 3 **P ubli**  **c I**  **n t**  **ere s**  **t** Flight Ventures Ltd re sp e ctful l y su b mits th a t its use of the sUAS in li e u of m a nn e d o p era ti ons, w h i c h are c u rre n t l y c ond u cte d w it h c onve n ti on a l f i x e d a nd ro ta ry winged a i rc raf t , offers increased s afe t y b e n ef i t a nd w il l ac h i e v e a n e nh a n ce d l e ve l of s a fe ty , a s m a nd a t e d und e r Se cti on 333 (c ) of t he R efo rm Act

. A pp ro v a l of t h i s a pp li ca ti on a l so w ill b e n efit the public intere st b y a llo w ing b e tter , s a fer , a nd m o re c o st eff i c i e nt i n f o r m a ti on g a t h er i n g for various i ndus t r ies

. C onve n ti on a l aer i a l su rve y a nd i nsp e cti on op e ra ti ons us i ng m a nn e d a i rcraf t i nvo l ve v e ry h ea vy aer i a l ve h i c l e s t h a t must t ra nsit t o t he op e ra ti on a l l o ca ti on a nd ca r ry s i g ni f i c a nt qu a n titi e s of c o m bus ti b l e fu e l s a nd a m u lti
- p erson cre w i n p il o ti ng a nd obs er va ti on ro l e s. Th e se op e ra ti ons b ec o m e e ve n m o re d i ff i c u l t if the t erra i n is mountainous

. B y c on t ra s t , t he sUAS light weight, i n c l ud i ng it s p a y l o a d and us e of batteries for po we r , allows it to be carr i e d t o a nd from t h e are a of acti v i t y , re m o v ing t he n e e d fo r a i r b o rne p i l o ts a nd obs er v ers, a nd pos e s l e ss r i sk to p e o p l e a nd i n fra s t ru ct u re on t he g rou n d, a s we l l a s o t h e r a i rcra f t

. Add iti on a l l y , no n a ti on a l s ec u r i t y i ssue s are or will be raised b y t h e g ra nt of t he re qu e s t e d e x e m p ti ons due t o t he sUAS s m a l l s iz e a n d extremely limited l o a d
- car ry i n g c a p ac i ty , a s w e ll a s its op e ra tion a l limita tions a nd a bs e n c e of f l a mma b l e f u e l

. O n t he o t h e r h a nd, t he sUAS i s li k e l y t o e n h a n c e n a ti on a l s ec u r i ty t h rou g h b e tt e r a nd m o re acc u ra t e m on it o r i n g of c r iti ca l n a tion a l i n fra s t ru ct u re
. The g ra nt of t he re qu e s t e d e x e m p ti on i s i n t he p ub li c i n t ere st b a s e d on t he c l ea r d i re cti on i n S ecti on 333 a nd 49 U

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. § 44701 (f) , t he e qu i va l e nt a nd e nh a n ce d l e ve l of s afe t y of t he p ropos e d op e ra ti ons, the si g ni f i ca nt public b e n e f it, a nd cost s a v i n g s t o be rea liz e d a s a re su l t of t he use of sUAS for a er i a l i nsp ecti on a nd su r v e y s er v ic e s. M o re ove r , t he F AA h a s already g ra n t e d simil a r e x e mptions for sUAS us e d t o c ondu ct h i g h
- resolution aer i a l im a g i n g a nd su r ve y i n g op era ti ons
. Acco rd i n g l y , t he a pp li ca nt re sp ectfu l l y re qu e s ts t h a t t he FAA g ra nt t h e re qu e s te d e x e m p ti on w i t hout d e la y
. **P r**  **i v** **a c**  **y C**  **o n**  **c e**  **r n**  **s** The p ropos e d op era ti ons w il l t a ke p l ac e on l y i n l arg e l y unpopu l a t e d, rem o t e area s t h a t are o w n e d or l ea s e d, c on t ro ll e d b y Flight Ventures Ltd or the owner of record

. Acce ss t o t h e se a rea s i s re s t r i ct e d t o e m p l o ye e s a nd a u t h o r iz e d p ersonn e l on l y
. N o p r i va c y i ssu e s a re ra i s e d b y t h i s a pp li ca ti on. **F e**  **de r** **al Re**  **g i**  **s t**  **e r**  **S u**  **mm a**  **ry** P u rsu a nt t o 14 C

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. § 11.81 (f) , t he fo ll o w i n g su mm a ry i s p rov i d e d f o r pub li ca ti on i n t he Fe d e ra l Re g i s t er , shou l d t he FAA d e t ermi ne t h a t p ub li ca ti on i s n ee d e d: D o c ke t N o.: N o. FAA
- 2 0 15

- P e tition er : Flight Ventures Ltd

. S ecti on of 14 C F R : P a rt 21, § 4 5

. 23(b) , § 61.113 (a ) a nd ( b ) , § 91.7 (a) , § 91.119 ( c ) , § 91.121, § 91.151 (a) , § 91.405 ( a) , § 91.407 (a)( 1 ) , § 91.409 ( a)( 2 ) , § 91.41 7 (a ) a nd ( b )

. De s cr i p ti on of R e li e f S ou g h t : Flight Ventures Ltd i s s e e k i ng a n e x e m p ti on t o c o n du ct c omm erc i a l op era ti ons us i ng a s m a l l
- unmanned a i rcra f t ( 55 pounds or l e ss) i n re m o t e a rea s of t he U n it e d St a t e s.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 4 U n d er 4 9 U

. S

. C

. § 4 47 0 1( f) , t h e “Ad m i n i s t rato r m a y g ra n t an e xe m p ti o n fro m a re q u i re m e n t of a re g u lati o n pre s c r i b ed un d er su b s ecti o n ( a ) o r ( b ) o f t h is s ecti o n o r a n y o f s ecti o n s 44702

- 447 1 6 of [ T i t le 49 ] if t h e Ad m i n i s t rat o r fi n d s t h e e xe m p ti o n is i n t h e p u b lic i n te re s t

. ” S ee E xe m p ti o n N o s
. 11109 , 1 1110 , 1 1 136 , 1 1 166 , 1 1 167 , 1 1170 , 1 1 172

. Flight Ventures Ltd re q u e s ts t h at t h e F AA n ot re q u e s t p u b lic c o mm e n t o n i t s a pp licati o n b eca us e it wo u ld n o t s et a prece d e n t a n d b eca u s e t h e relief re q u e s ted is i d e n tic a l to e xe m p ti o n s g ra n ted pre v i o us l y
. 1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 11.87. Si n cere l y ,

Robert A Zarracina Flight Ventures LtdMay 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 5 **AP P**  **E N**  **DIX A**  **E X**  **E M**  **P T**  **ION R**  **E QU**  **ES T**  **AND E**  **QUIVA LE**  **NT LE**  **V EL**  **OF S**  **A F**  **ETY S**  **HOWIN G**  **S UND**  **E R** 

**AP P**  **L ICA**  **BL E**  **RU LE**  **S S**  **U B**  **J E**  **CT T**  **O E**  **X E**  **M P**  **T ION**  Flight Ventures Ltd re qu e s ts a n e x e m p ti on from t he fo ll o w i ng re g u l a ti ons a s we l l a s a n y a dd iti on a l re g u l a ti ons t h a t m a y t ec h n i ca l l y a pp l y t o t he o p erati on of t he sUAS : **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. P**  **a r** **t 21,**  **Subp a**  **r t**  **H :**  **A i**  **r w**  **o rt**  **hin e**  **ss C**  **ert i**  **f i**  **c a**  **te s**  P art 21, S ubp ar

t H , e ntitl e d A i rwo rthin e ss C er ti f i ca te s, e sta bli s h e s the p ro ce d u ra l re qu i re m e n t s fo r t he i s s u a n c e o f a i rwo rt h i n e ss certi f ic a t e s a s re qu i re d b y § 91.203 ( a)( 1 )

. G i ve n t he s iz e a nd we i ght of t he a i rc raf

t , t he o p e ra ti ng c ond iti ons, d e s i g n s afe t y fea t u re s, a nd t he p ropos e d c ond iti ons a nd limit a ti ons, i t i s u nn ece ss a ry t o g o t h ro u gh t he certi f ic a t e of a i rwo rt h i n e ss p ro ce ss u n d e r P art 21 S ubp art H t o ac h i e ve o r e x cee d c u r re n t s afe t y l e ve l s. S u c h a n e x e m p ti on m ee ts t he re qu i re m e n ts of a n e qu i va l e nt l e v e l of s a fe ty und e r P art 11 a n d S ecti on 333. S ecti on 3 3 3 a nd 49 U

. S

. C

. § 4470 1 (f) bo t h a u t ho r iz e t he FAA t o e x e m pt a i rcraf t from t he re qu i re m e nt f

or a n a i rwo rt h i n e ss certi f ic a t e , upon cons i d e ra ti on of t he s iz e , we i g h t , sp ee d, op era ti on a l ca p a b ili t y , a nd p ro x imi ty t o a i r po rts a nd popu l a t e d area s of t he sUAS i nvo l ve d. I n t h i s ca s e , a n a n a l ys i s of t h e se cr it er i a d e m o n s t ra t e s t h a t t he sUAS o p era te d w it hout a n a i rwo rt h i n e ss certi f ic a te , und e r t h e cond iti ons p ropos e d h e re i n, w il l be a t l ea st a s s afe , or s afer , t h a n a c onve ntion a l a i rcra f t (f i x e d w ing or roto rcra f t) w ith a n a i rwo rthin e ss certi f i c a te . The sUAS we i g hs less than 10 pounds fu l l y l o a d e d. I t w ill not ca r ry a p il o t , p a s s e ng e r o r f l a mm a b l e fu e l

. The sUAS o p era te s e x c l us i ve l y w it h i n a c on t ro ll e d a re a p re - d i s c l os e d a nd i n c o m p li a n ce w it h cond iti ons s e t fo rt h h ere i n. U nlike oth e r c ivil a i rcra f t, op era ti ons und e r t h i s e x e m p ti on w il l be t i g h tl y c on t ro ll e d a nd m on it o re d b y t he P I C a nd obs e r ver( s ) , pu rsu a nt t o t he c ond iti ons s e t fo rt h i n App e ndix B , t he O p era to r’ s M a nu a l , a nd l o ca l pub li c s a fe t y re qu i re m e n ts. The FAA w il l h a ve a dva n c e n o ti c e of a l l op era ti ons t h rou g h t he f ili ng of NOTAMs. The l ac k o f f l a mm a b l e fu e l a nd the fa ct th a t the a i rcra f t is c ar r i e d to the l o ca tion a nd not f l o w n t h ere a l l e s t a b li sh t he e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y
. The sUAS p rov i d e s a t l ea st an e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe ty t o t h a t of su c h op e ra ti ons b e i ng condu ct e d w it h c onve n ti on a l a i rc raf

t t h a t wou l d be o rd ers - of

- ma g n it ude l a rg e r a nd wou l d be car ry i n g p a ss e n g ers, c a rg o, a nd f l a mm a b l e fu e l

. **14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the A**  **ircraft** The regulation requires that marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light
- sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near e ach entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light
- sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. Even though the UAS will have no airwort hiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the UAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the word “Experimental” can be placed. Given the size of the sUAV, two

- inch lettering will be impossible. The word “Experimental ” will be placed on the fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f)

. The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the sUAV marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the sUAV will see the iden tification of the UAS as “Experimental.” The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 6 **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. §§ 61.113**  **( a)**  **& (**  **b )**  **: C**  **o mme**  **r c**  **i al**  **P ilot**  **P r**  **ivil e**  **g e**  **s** S ecti ons 61.113 (a ) & ( b) limi t p r i va t e p il o ts t o non - c o mm erc i a l op e ra ti ons. U n li ke a conve n ti on a l a i rcra f t t h a t ca r r i e s a p il o t , p a ss e n g e rs, a nd ca rg o, t he sUAS is re m o t e l y c on t ro ll e d w it h no p a s s e ng ers o r p rop erty o f o t h ers on b o ard. The a re a o f op e ra ti on i s c on t ro ll e d a nd re s t r i ct e d, a nd a l l f l i g h ts are p l a n n e d a nd c o o rd i n a te d i n a d va n ce a s s e t f o rt h i n t he O p era t o r ’ s M a nu a l

. I n c onj u n cti on w it h t he re qu i re d t ra i n i n g of t he P I C a nd obs er v ers, the l e ve l o f s afe t y p rov i d e d b y t h e re qu i re m e n ts i n c l ud e d i n t he O p era t o r’ s M a n u a l e x ce e ds th a t p rovid e d b y a sin g le individu a l holding a c omm erc i a l pilot cer

ti f i ca te op e ra ting a conve n ti on a l a i rc raf t

. T he p ropos e d op e ra ti ons w il l ac h i e ve a t le a st a n e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y
. **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. § 91.7**  **( a**  **) :**  **M i**  **n i**  **m u**  **m S**  **a f** **e A**  **l t**  **i t**  **ud e**  **s** S ecti on 91.7 (a ) p roh i b it s a n i nd i v i du a l from op era ti n g a c i v i l a i rc raf t un l e ss i t i s i n a n a i rwo r t h y c ondition. N o FA

A sta n d ard e x ists for d e termini n g a n a i rc raf t ’ s a i rwo rthin e ss w h e n a n a i rwo rt h i n e ss certi f ic a te i s not i ssu e d

. As t he FAA h a s d one w it h p re v i ous e x e m p ti on g ra n ts , a i rwo rt h i n e ss w il l be e nsu re d a nd a n e qu i va l e nt l e v e l of s a fe ty w il l be ac h i e ve d b y c o m p li a n c e w it h t he op era ti n g do c u m e n ts p r i or t o e ve ry f l i g h t

. **14 C. F** 
**. R.**  **§ 91.119 (**  **c )**  **: M**  **i n**  **i m**  **u m**  **S a**  **f e**  **A l**  **t i**  **t ud**  **e s**  S ecti on 91.119 e s ta b li s h e s s a fe a ltit ud e s for o p e ra ti on of c i v i l a i rc raf t

. S p ec i f i ca l l y , Se cti on 91.119 (c ) limit s a i rcraf

t f l y i n g ove r a rea s o t h e r t h a n co n g e s te d a rea s t o a n a ltit ude of 500 fee t a bove t he su r fa ce , e x ce p t ove r o p e n wa te r or s p ars e l y popu l a t e d a re a s. I n t hose ca s e s, t he a i rc raf t m a y not be op e ra te d c l o s e r t h a n 500 fe e t to a n y p erson, ve ss e l , v e h i c l e , o r s t r u ct u re
. B e c a use so m e of t he a e r i a l i nsp ecti on a nd s u r ve y wo r k m ust be a cc o m p li s h e d a t a ltit ud e s l e ss t h a n 500 fee t AG L a nd nonp arti c i p a ti ng em p l o yee s may be wo r k i n g w it h i n 500 fe e t of t he sUAS , a n e x e m p ti on from S ecti on 91.119 (c ) i s n ee d e d. The e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y w il l be ac h i e ve d b eca use t he sUAS , g i v e n it s s i z e , we i g h t , sp ee d, a nd m a t e r i a l s, d o e s not pose a s er i ous r i sk. A l so, e ve ry f l i g ht w i l l be cond u cte d o v e r l a nd c on t ro lle d b y Flight Ventures Ltd

. Flight Ventures Ltd w ill noti fy a l l effect e d i nd i v i du a l s of sUAS operations in advance to ensure they are a wa re of t he planned f li g h ts. C o m p are d to aer i a l insp e ction op e rati ons c ondu cte d w it h a i rc raf

t or ro t o rc raf

t we i g h i n g fa r m o re t h a n 10 pounds a nd car ry i n g f l a mm a ble fu e l, a n y r isk a s so c i a te d w ith th e se op era tions w ill be fa r l e ss t h a n t hose c u r re n t l y a ll o we d w it h c onve n ti on a l a i rcra f

t op e ra ti ng a t or b e l o w 500 fee t AG L

. E xe m p ti o n N o s
. 11156 , 1 1 1 5 8 , 1 1 159. **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. §**  **91. 121:**  **A l**  **t i**  **m e**  **te r**  **S e**  **t t**  **in g**  S ecti on 91. 121 re qu i re s e a c h p erson op e ra ti ng a n a i rcraf t to m a i n ta i n c r u i s i ng a ltit ude b y refe re n c e t o a n a ltim e t e r t h a t i s s e t “ t o t he e l e va ti o n of t he d e p a rt u re a i r po r t or a n a pp ro p r i a t e a ltim e t e r s e tti ng a v a il a b l e b efo re d e p art u re
. ” As t he sUAS m a y not h a ve a b aro m e t r i c a ltim e t er , but i ns t ea d a G P S a ltit ude rea d ou t , a n e x e m p ti on i s re qu i re d. A n e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y w il l be a c h i e ve d b y t he o p era t o r , p u rsu a nt t o t he O p era to r’ s M a n u a l , c on f i rmi n g t he a ltit ude of t he l a un c h s it e sho w n on t he G P S a ltit u de indi ca tor b e fo re f li g h t

.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 7 **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. § 91.151**  **( a**  **) :**  **F u**  **e l**  **Re qui**  **r e**  **m e**  **n t** **s f** **or F**  **li g**  **h t**  **i n**  **V F**  **R C**  **o ndi**  **t i**  **o n**  **s** Th i s re g u l a ti on p roh i b it s a n i nd i v i du a l f rom b e g i nn i ng “ a f l i g ht i n a n a i r p l a ne un d e r VF R c ond iti ons un l e ss (cons i d er i ng w i nd a nd f o re c a st wea t h e r c ond iti ons) t h e re i s e nou g h fu e l t o f l y t o t he f i rst po i nt of i n t e nd e d l a nd i n g a nd, a ssu mi ng no r m a l cru i s i n g s p ee d

– ( 1) D u r i n g t h e d a y , to f l y a f te r th a t for a t l ea st 30 minute s; or ( 2) At ni g ht, to f l y a f te r th a t f or a t l ea st 4 5 minute s.” The sUAS b a tter i e s p rov i de a pp ro x im a t e l y 50 mi nu t e s of po were d f li g h t

. Wi t hout a n e x e m p ti on from 14 C

. F

. R

. § 91.151, t he sUAS ’ s f l i g h ts would b e limit e d to a pp ro x im a te l y 10 minut e s in l e n g th b eca use t he P I C wou l d re qu i re t he l a st 30 m i nu t e s t o s a ti s fy s ecti on 91.151 (a)

. G i ve n t h e limit a ti ons on it s p ropos e d op era ti ons, a l o n g e r tim e fra m e for f li g ht i n VF R c ond iti ons i s rea so n a b l e. Flight Ventures Ltd b e li e v e s t h a t a n e x e m p ti on from 14 C

. F

. R

. § 91.151 (a ) p rov i d e s a n e qu i va l e nt l e v e l of s a fe ty a nd i s cons i s t e nt w it h p r i or e x e m p ti ons
. O p e ra ti ng t h e sUAS , w i t hout 30 mi nu t e s of re s er ve f u e l d o e s n o t e n g e nd e r t he t y p e of r i sks t h a t S ecti on 91.1 5 1 (a ) wa s me a nt to p re ve nt g i ve n t he s iz e a nd sp ee d a t w h i c h t he sUAS op e ra te s. I n t he u n li k e l y e ve nt t h a t t h e sUAS ’ b a tte ry r uns l o w , it wou l d s im p l y fo ll ow t he p re - p ro g ra mm e d c o mm a nd t o l a nd a t a d e s i g n a t e d l o ca ti on , usually the departure point

. G i ve n its we i g ht a nd co nst r u ction m a ter i a l, the r isks are l e ss th a n c on te m p l a t e d b y t he c u r re nt re g u l a ti on. Flight Ventures Ltd b e li e ve s t h a t a n e qu i va l e nt or e nh a n ce d l e ve l of s afe t y ca n be ac h i e ve d b y m a inta i n i ng 10 mi nu te s of re s er ve p o we r w h i c h, a ll o w i ng a t l ea st 30 min u te s of f l i g ht tim e , if not m o re , wou l d be m o re t h a n a d e q u a t e t o re t u rn t he sUAS t o it s p l a nn e d l a nd i ng z one from a n y w h e re i n it s limit e d o p era ti n g a rea. E xe m p ti o n 1067 3 ( all o w i n g L o c k h eed M a rtin C orporati o n to op e rate w i t h o u t c o m p lia n ce w i t h 91.151( a ) ) ; s ee a l s o E xe m p ti on s 2689 F, 5 7 45 , 106 7 3 a n d 1 0 80 8

. **14 C** 
**. F** 
**. R** 
**. §§ 91.405**  **( a**  **) ,**  **91.407 (**  **a )(**  **1 )**  **, 91.40 9**  **( a**  **) (1) and**  **( 2**  **) , a**  **n d**  **91.417 (**  **a )**  **and (b) :**  **M a**  **in te**  **n a**  **n c**  **e I**  **n s**  **p ect**  **i o**  **n s**  S ecti on 91.405 (a ) re qu i re s t h a t a n a i rcraf t op e ra t or or o w n e r “ sh a l l h a ve t h a t a i rcraf t i nsp ect ed a s p re s c r i b e d i n subp art E of t h i s p art a nd s h al l b e twee n re qu i re d i n s p ecti ons, e x ce pt a s p rov i d e d i n p ara g ra ph ( c ) of t h i s s ecti on, h a ve d i s cre p a n c i e s re p a i re d a s p re s cri b e d i n p a rt 43 of t h i s c h a p te r .” S ect i on 91.407 s imil ar l y m a k e s re fe re n ce to re qu i rem e n ts i n P art 43. S ecti on 91.409 (a)( 2 ) re qu i re s a n a nn u a l i nsp e cti on for t he i ssu a n ce of a n a i r wo rthiness certi f ic a t e
. S ecti on 91.417 (a ) re qu i re s t he o w n e r or op era tor t o kee p reco rds sho w i ng c e rt a i n m a i n t e n a n c e wo r k t h a t h a s b ee n a c c o m p li sh e d b y c erti fi ca t e d m ec h a n ic s, und e r P art 43, or li ce ns e d p il o ts a nd records of a pp rova l of t h e a i rc raf

t for re t u r n t o s e r

v i ce
. A quali fied person prior to each flight and at predefined intervals as part of the maintenance schedule will perform pre

-flight checks

. The p re - fl i g ht c h e c klist in c lud e s but may not be limited to : 1. Visu a l i nsp ecti on of t he ai rfra m e ; 2. V i su a l i nsp ecti ons of p ro p e ll er ; 3. Ver i fy G P S ac quisition; 4. Pl a n a nd up l o a d mi ss i on; 5. V i d e o a nd p a y l o a d c h e c k ; 6. C on t ro l s c h ec k; 7. G y ro / c on t rol su r

face s c h ec k; 8. Th ro ttl e c h ec k 9. Altimeter check ; 10. C h ec k s e nso rs; a nd 11. Ver i fy fa il s afe ’s are s e t c o rrect l y
.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 8 A n e qu i va l e nt l e ve l o f s afe t y w il l be a c h i e ve d b eca u s e t he sUAS w il l car ry no e xt er n al p a y l o a d, w il l o p era t e on l y i n re s t r i cte d p re d e t er mi n e d a rea s, a nd i s not a c o m p l e x m ec h a n i cal d e v i ce
. I n a dd iti on, t he op era tor w il l e nsu re t h a t t he sUAS i s i n wo r k i ng o rd e r p r i or t o initi a ting f li g ht, p erfo r m re qui re d m a inte n a n ce , a nd k ee p a l o g of a n y m a int e n a n c e th a t is p erfo r m e d. Mo re over , t he op era t or i s t he p ers o n m ost fa mili a r w it h t he a i rcra f t a nd i s b e st su it e d to m a i n t a i n t he a i rcra f t i n a n a i rwo rt h y c o nd iti on a nd t o e nsu re a n e qu i va l e nt l e ve l of s afe t y
. L a s t , t he O p e ra t o r’ s M a nu a l w il l h a v e i ns t r u cti ons t o d e ve l op a nd do c u m e nt m a i n t e n a n ce , overh a u l , re p l ace m e n t , a nd i nsp e cti on re qu i re m e n ts i n t he a bs e n c e of Flight Ventures Ltd re qu i re m e n ts, a nd p ro c e d u re s t o do c u m e nt a nd mai n t a i n m a i n t e n a n c e rec o rds for t he sUAS

. The sUAS m a i n t e n a n ce g u i d e li n e s p rov i d e a n e q u i va l e nt l e ve l of s a fe ty t o t he m a i n t e n a n ce re qu i re m e n ts i n P art 91.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 9 **AP P**  **E N**  **DIX B**  **FLIGHT VENTURES LTD O**  **P E**  **R A** **T ING**  **L I**  **M I**  **T A** **T I**  **O NS**  1. O p era ti ons a u t h o r iz e d b y the g ra nt of e x e mption are limite d to the sUAS that we i g h l e ss t h a n 5 5 lbs

. 2. The sUAS will not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour) based on either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the sUAS be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum sUAS operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. 3. The sUAS w ill not be op era te d a t a n a ltit ude m o re t h a n 400 fee t a bo v e t he h i g h e st p re do mi n a nt t e r ra i n e x c e pt a s m a y b e p rov i d e d b y F AA A i r T ra f fi c C on t rol (AT C ) v i a C OA

. The h i g h e st p re do mi n a nt t er ra i n i s t he d ef i n e d a s t er ra i n w ithin 1 mile of t he l a un c h po i nt a nd w it h i n t he v i su a l li ne of s i g ht of t he P I C

. A ll a ltitud e s re po rte d t o ATC sh a l l be i n fee t A G L

. 4. The sUAS must be op e ra t e d w ithin visu a l line of si g ht (VLOS) of t h e P I C a t a ll tim e s. This re qu i re s t he P I C t o be a b l e t o use hu m a n v i s i on un a i d e d b y a n y d e v ic e o t h e r t h a n co rre cti ve l e ns e s, a s sp e c i f i e d on t he P I C ’ s FA A
- i ssu e d a i r m a n m e di c a l c e rti f i ca te
. 5. A l l op era ti ons m ust use a visual observer (VO)

. The V O a nd P I C m ust be a b l e t o c o mm un i ca t e verb a l l y a t a ll tim e s. T he P I C m ust be d e s i g n a t e d b efo re t he f l i g h t

. The P I C m ust e nsu re t h a t t he V O ca n p erfo r m t he fun cti ons p re s cr i b e d i n t he op e ra ti n g d o c u m e n ts. 6. The op era ti n g do c u m e n t s a nd t h i s g ra nt of e x e m p ti on m ust be acce ss i b l e du r i ng s UA S op era ti ons a nd m a de a vail a b l e t o t he Ad mi n i s t ra t or upon re q u e s t

. I f a co n f li ct e x i s ts b e twee n t h e c onditions a nd limita tions in the e x e m p ti on a nd t he p ro ce du re s ou tli n e d i n t he op e ra ti ng d o c u m e n t s, t he cond iti ons a nd limit a ti ons i n t he e x e m p ti on t a ke p rece d e n c e a nd m ust be fo ll o we d. O t h e r w i s e , Flight Ventures Ltd m ust fo ll ow t he p ro ce du re s a s ou tli n e d i n it s op era ti ng do c u m e n ts. Flight Ventures Ltd ma y up d a t e or re v i se i ts op era ti ng do c u m e n ts. I t is Flight Ventures Ltd ’ s re spons i b ili t y t o t rac k su c h re v i s i ons a nd p re s e nt upd a te d a nd re v i s e d do c u m e n ts t o t he Ad mi n i s t ra t or up o n re qu e s t

. Flight Ventures Ltd m ust a l so p re s e nt upd a te d a nd re v i s e d do c u m e n ts i f i t p e titi ons f or e xt e ns i on or a m e nd m e nt t o t h i s g ra nt of e x e m p ti on. 7. P r ior to e ac h fli g ht t h e P I C must insp ect the sUAS to e nsu re th a t it is in a c ondition for s afe f l i g h t

. The P I C sh a l l not op era t e t he a i rcra f t i f t he i nsp ecti on re vea l s a c ond iti on t h a t affects t he s afe op e ra ti on of t he sUAS un t i l t he n ece ss a ry m a i n t e n a n ce h a s b een p erfo r m e d a nd t he sUAS i s found t o be i n a c o nd iti on for s afe f li g h t

. The Ground C ont rol S ta tion, if u t il i z e d, m ust be i n c l ud e d i n t he p ref li g ht i nsp ecti on. A l l m a i n t e n a n ce a nd a lt ern a t i ons m ust be p rop er l y d o c u m e n te d i n t he a i rcra f t reco rds. 8. A n y t h a t h a s u n d e rg one m a i n t e n a n c e or a lt era ti ons t h a t a f fect t he sUAS op era tion or fl i g ht c h a racter isti cs ( e
. g ., re pl a c e m e nt of a f li g ht cr iti ca l c ompon e nt) m ust und erg o a fun cti o n a l t e st f li g ht i n acc o rd a n ce w it h t he O p era t o r’ s M a nu a l

. The P I C w ho c ond u cts t he fu n cti on a l t e st f li g ht m ust m a ke a n e n t ry i n t he a i rc raf t re c o rds of t he f li g h t

. The re qu i re m e n t s a nd p ro ce d u re s for a fun cti on a l t e st f li g ht a nd a i rc raf t rec o rd e n t ry sh a l l be i n c l ud e d i n t he O p e ra to r’ s M a nu a l

.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 10

9. The p re -f li g ht insp e cti on m ust account for a l l d i s cre p a n c i e s, e
. g. i nop era b l e c o m pon e n ts, it e m s, or e qu i p m e n t , not a l rea d y c o vere d i n t h e re l e va nt s e cti ons of t he op era ti n g do c u m e n ts. 10. The operator must follow sUAS manufacturers co m pon e n t , m a i n te n a n c e , over h a u l , re p l a c e m e n t , i nsp ection, a nd li fe limit re qui re m e n ts. 11. Flight Ventures Ltd m ust ca r ry out it s m a i n te n a n ce , i nsp e cti ons, a nd re c o rd k e e p i ng re qu i re m e n ts, i n acc o rd a n c e w it h t he o p era ti n g do c u m e n ts. M a i n te n a n ce , i nsp ecti on, a lte ra ti ons, a nd s t a t us of re p l a ce m e n t/over h a ul c o m pon e nt p a rts m ust be no te d i n t h e a i rc raf t reco rds, i n c l ud i ng t o t a l tim e i n s e r v i ce , d e s cr i p ti on of wo r k acc o m p li sh e d, a nd t h e s i g n a t u re of t he p erson a u t ho r iz e d t o re t u rn t he sUAS t o s er v ic e. 12. E ac h sUAS op e ra te d u n d e r t h i s e x e m p ti on m ust co m p l y w it h a l l m a n u fa ct u re r S a fe t y B ull e tins or Airworthiness Directives if applicable

. 13. The P I C must poss e ss a t l ea st a p r iva te pilot ce rti f i ca te a nd a t l ea st a c u rre nt thi rd c l a ss m e di ca l c e r

ti f i ca te
. The P I C must a lso m ee t the f li g ht re vi e w re qui re m e nts sp ec i f i e d i n 14 C

. F

. R

. § 61.56 i n a n a i rc raf t i n w h i c h t he P I C i s ra t e d o n h i s or h e r pilot certi f i ca te
. 14. Flight Ventures Ltd m a y not p er m i t a n y P I C t o op era t e , un l e ss t he P I C m ee ts t h e op era to r ’ s qu a li f i ca ti on cr it er i a a n d d e m ons t ra t e s t he a b ili ty t o s a fe l y o p era t e , t he sUAS i n a m a nn e r c ons i s t e nt w it h how t he sUAS w i l l be op era te d und e r this e x e mptio n , i n c l ud i ng e va s i ve a nd em erg e n c y m a n e uvers a n d m a i n t a i n i ng a pp rop r iat e d i s t a n ce s from p ersons, ve ss e l s, ve h i c l e s a nd s t r u ct u re s
. P I C qu a li f i ca ti on f li g ht hou rs a nd c u rre n c y m ust be l og g e d i n a m a nn e r c ons i s t e nt w it h 14 C

. F

. R

. § 61.51 ( b )

. The P IC m ust e nsu re t h a t t he V O i s t ra i n e d a pp rop r i a te l y i n o rd e r to ful f ill h is or h e r du ti e s. A reco rd of t ra i n i ng a nd q u a li f i ca tion m ust be do c u m e n te d a nd m a de a va i l a b l e upon p r i o r do c u m e n ted fl i g h t e x p e r ie n ce obtained i n c o m p lia n ce w i th a pp lica b le re gu lati o n s m a y s at i sf y t h is re q u i re m e n t. F li g h ts for t h e pu r pos e s of t ra i n i ng t he o p e ra to r’ s P I C s a nd VO s ( t ra i n i n g , p ro f i c i e n c y , a nd e x p er i e n ce bu il d i n g ) , are p er mitt e d und e r t he terms of this e x e mption. H o we ver , t ra i n i n g op e rati ons ma y on l y b e c ond u ct e d du r i n g d e d i ca te d t ra i n i n g s e ss i ons. D u r i ng t ra i n i n g , p rof i c i e n c y , a nd e x p er ie n ce bu il d i n g f li g h ts, a l l p ersons not e ss e n ti a l f or f li g ht op era t i ons are cons i d ere d no n p ar ti c i p a n ts, a nd t he P I C m ust op era t e t he U A w it h a pp rop r iat e d i s t a n ce from nonp art i c i p a n ts i n acco rd a n c e w it h t h e se o p era ti n g c ond iti ons. 15. O p era ti ons m a y not be condu cte d d u r i n g n i g h t , a s d ef i n e d i n 14 C

. F

. R

. § 1.1. A l l op era ti ons must be conducted und e r v i s u a l flight rules (VFR) c ond iti o ns. F li g h ts und e r sp ec i a l v i s u a l f li g ht r u l e s ( S VF R ) or instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions are not a u t ho r iz e d. 16. The sUAS m a y not op e ra te w ithin 5 n a uti c a l mil e s of a n a i r p o rt re fe re n ce point a s d e no te d on a c u rre nt F AA pub li sh e d aero n a u tic a l c h art un l e ss a l e tt e r of a g ree m e nt w it h t h a t a i r po rt ’ s m a n a g e m e nt i s ob ta i n e d, a nd t he op era ti on i s c o ndu ct e d i n acc o rd a n c e w it h a NO TA M a s re qu i re d b y Flight Ventures Ltd ’ s C OA

. The l e tte r o f a g re e m e nt w ith the a i rpo rt m a n a g e m e nt must be m a d e a va il a ble to the Administ ra tor upon re qu e s t

. 17. The sUAS ma y not be op era te d l e ss t h a n 500 fee t b e l ow or l e ss t h a n 2,000 fee t ho r iz on t a l l y from a c l oud or w h e n visibili t y is l e ss th a n 3 sta tute mil e s from the P I C

.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 11

18. I f t he sUAS l os e s c o m m un i ca ti ons or l os e s it s G P S s i g n a l , t he sUAS m ust re t u rn t o a p re d e t er mi n e d l o ca ti on w it h i n t he s ec u r i ty p e r im e t e r a nd l a nd or be recove re d i n acco rd a n c e w it h t he O p e ra t o r’ s M a n u a l. 19. The P I C m ust a bo rt t he f li g ht i n t he e ve nt of unp re d i cte d obs t ac l e s , other aircraft incursions or e m e rg e n c i e s i n acco rd a n c e w it h t he O p e ra t o r’ s M a n u a l

. 20. sUAS op era tions must be compl e te d w ithin 5 0 minut e s f li g ht tim e
. 21. Flight Ventures Ltd m ust ob ta i n a n AT C i ssu e d C O A p r i or t o c ondu cti ng a n y op e ra ti ons und e r this e x e mption. This C O A w ill a lso re qu i re the filing of the N O TA M n ot mo re th a n 72 hou rs i n a dva n ce , but not l e ss t h a n 48 hou rs p r i or t o t he op era ti on. 22. A l l a i rc raf

t op e ra te d i n a cc o rd a n ce w it h t he re qu e s t e d e x e m p ti on m ust be i d e n ti f i e d b y s er i a l nu m b er , re g i s t ere d i n acc o rd a n c e w it h 14 C

. F

. R

. P art 47, a nd h a ve i d e n ti f i ca ti on (N

- N u m b e r ) m ar k i n g s i n acco rd a n c e w it h 14 C

. F

. R

. P ar t 45, S ubp art C

. M ar k i n g s sh a l l be a s l a rg e a s p ra cti ca b l e. 23. The ra d i o fre q u e n c y s p ect r um us e d f or op e ra ti on a nd c on t rol of t he sUAS m ust c o m p l y w it h Fe d e ra l C o mm un i ca ti on (F CC ) or o t h e r a pp rop r i a t e g over n m e nt overs i g ht a g e n c y re qu i rem e n ts. 24. The do c u m e n ts re qu i re d und e r 14 C

. F

. R

. §§ 91.9 a nd 91.203 m ust be a v a il a b l e t o t he P I C a t t he G round C on t rol St a ti on of t he sUAS a n y time t h e a i rc raf t is op era ti n g . Th e se do c u m e n ts sh a l l b e m a de a va il a b l e t o t he Ad mi n i s t ra t or or a n y l a w e n fo rce m e nt off i c i a l upon re q u e s t

. 25. The sUAS m ust re m a i n c l ea r a nd y i e l d t he r i g ht of wa y t o a l l o t h e r m a nn e d op era ti ons a nd activiti e s a t a ll tim e s. 26. The sUAS m a y not be o p era t e d from a n y m ov i n g d e v i c e or v e h i c l e
. 27. The sUAS m a y not be o p era t e d o v e r c o n g e s te d or d e ns e l y p opu l a t e d a rea s. 28. F li g ht operations must be conducted a t l ea st 500 fee t from a l l non p arti c i p a ti ng p ersons, ve ss e l s, ve h i c l e s , s t r u ct u re s, a nd pub li c a c ce ss ro a ds unless if op era t e d n ea r ve ss e l s, ve h i c le s or s t r u ct u re s w h e re t he o w n er / c on t ro ll e r of su c h ve ss e l s, ve h i c l e s or s t r u ct u re s h a s g ra n t e d p er mi s s i on a nd t he P I C h a s m a d e a s afe t y a s s e ss m e nt of t h e r i sk of op e ra ti n g c l os e r t o t hose obj ects a nd d e te r mi n e d t h a t i t do e s not p re s e nt a n undue h a z ard. 29. O p era ti ons n e are r t h a n 5 00 fee t t o t he P I C , VO , op era tor t ra i n ee s o r e s s e n ti a l p ersons a s d ef i n e d i n t he op e ra ti ng do c u m e n ts a re p e rmitt e d i f t hose op era ti ons do not p re s e nt a n undue h a z ard t o t hose p ersons p e r § 91.11 9 (a ) a s d e ter mi n e d b y t he P I C

. 30. A l l op era ti ons m ust be c ondu ct e d ove r p r i va t e or c on t ro ll e d a cce ss p ro p erty unless an exception is granted

. 31. A n y i n c i d e n t , a cc i d e n t , or f li g ht op era ti on t h a t t ra nsg re ss e s t he l a t e ra l or verti cal bound ar i e s of t he op e ra t i on a l are a a s d ef i n e d b y t he a pp li ca b l e C OA sh a l l be re po rte d to t he F AA ’ s UAS I n te g ra ti on O ff i c e ( A F S

- 8 0 ) w it h i n 24 hou rs. Acc i d e n ts m ust be re po rt e d t o t he Na ti on a l T ra nsp o rta ti on S afe ty B o a rd ( N T S B ) p e r i ns t r u cti ons con t a i n e d on t he N T S B

.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 12 **AP P**  **E N**  **DIX C**  **S M**  **A L**  **L UN**  **M ANN**  **E D**  **A E**  **RI AL**  **S Y** **STE M**  **D E**  **S CRI**  **P T**  **I O**  **N Flight Ventures Ltd**  **C o**  **r p**  **o r** **a t**  **e O**  **v er**  **v i**  **e w**  : Flight Ventures Ltd is a Minnesota c o mpany w ith it s h ea dqu arte rs i n Stillwater , Minnesota

. **sUA S**  **Op er** **a t**  **in g**  **O v** **er v**  **i e** **w** : The sUAS utilized are either a fixed or rotary
-w ing a i rcra f t c ons t r u ct e d of foam or rugged polycarbonate material s . The aircraft are easy to a ss e m b l e or come p re assembled

. The sUAS can be operated manually or in fully autonomous flight modes. Creating pre

planned flig ht paths in autonomous mode is as simple as clicking on refe rence points on a geo
referenced map s . Pre
- missio n waypoints, landing zones , and flight area dimensions can be entered during preflight planning ensuring the sUAS operates only within specified boundaries and pre determined flight parameters

. The DJI Phantom 3 (Phantom ) and Sensefly Exom (Exom) are quad copter drones while the Sensefly eBee (eBee) , Ag Eagle (Eagle) and Precision Hawk (Hawk) are fixed wing drones

.
The Phantom is a battery
- powered dron e allowing flight times up to 23 minutes. Diagonall y i t measures approximate ly 590mm (23.25 inches) including rotor bl ade s. Takeoff weight is 1280 grams

.

The Exom is a battery
- powered drone allowing flight times up to 22 minutes. It measures approximately 7.0 H x 22 L x 32 W inches. Rotor bl ade diamet er measures 13 inches. T akeoff weight is 3.7 pounds.

The eBee is a battery
- powered drone allowing flight times up to 50 min utes. Its wingspan is 38 inches. T akeoff weight is 1.52 pounds.

The Eagle is a battery
- powered drone allowing flight times up to 40 minutes. Its wingspan is 56 inches. Takeoff weight is 3 pounds.

The Hawk is a battery
- powered drone allowing flight times up to 40 minutes. Its wingspan i s 48 inches. Takeoff weight is 3 pounds.May 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 13 M an y advanced safety features makes these drones on of the safest choice s for commercial operations

. Safety features include geo

-fencing, position hold and self

- leveling, return home, emergency landing and stop. The Exom includes rotor blade shrouding. **Op er** **a t**  **o r’**  **s M**  **a nu**  **al**

– The re s pective UAS O p e ra t o r’ s M a nu a l , provided by the respective manufacturer, w il l be followed at all times and available during all appropriate flight operations. **T a**  **k e**  **o f**  **f a**  **n d**  **L a**  **n d**  **in g**  **s t** **y l**  **e /** **t y**  **p e**  – The sUAS i s ground or h a nd l a un c h e d a nd ca n be t ube l a un c h e d w it h a dd iti on a l e qu i p m e n t

. The sUAS l a nds b y re t u r n i ng t o a p re - d e t er m i n e d ra l l y po i nt. O n c e i t re a c h e s a p re - s e l e cte d a ltitud e , it h ea ds t o ward t h e l a nd i ng w a y po i n t , d e s ce n d i ng un ti l i t l a nds a nd / or sk i ds t o a s t op. **N av**  **i ga**  **t i**  **on S**  **ys te**  **m** – S p ec i f i c m a ps ca n b e d o w n l o a d e d t o t he d i sp l a y s cre e n ( su c h a s VFR a i r s ecti on a l a nd g e o g ra ph i c m a ps ) , which are over l a i d w it h GP S pos i ti on a l d a t a
. Wa ypo i n ts ca n be cre a te d b efo re a nd du ri ng f l i g ht op era ti on s creati ng sp ec i f i c l o ca ti ons a n d s e qu e n ce s for t he a i rc raf t in use

. **De f**  **in e**  **d “**  **K ee**  **p Ou**  **t ”**  **A r** **e as**  **–** The n a v i g a ti on sof tware a ll o ws for p re p l a n n i ng K e e p O ut Area s , also know as geo
-fencing, t h a t a ll ow t he op e ra t or to d e s i g n a t e a i rs p a c e he or she do e s not w a nt t he sUAS t o e n ter
. I f d ef i n e d f li g ht p a t hs p a ss t h rou g h a n a re a d e s i g n a t e d a s k e e p - ou t , t he i nd i v i du a l wa y po i n ts a nd wa y po i nt conn ecti on s e g m e n ts t u r n re d a s a warn i n g
. Add it i on a l l y , i f a mi ss i on i s up l o a d e d a nd i n t ers ects w it h a k e e p out area , a wa r n i n g i s p re s e n t e d t o t he us er
. A l so, i f a n a i rc raf t i n f l i ght i s n a v i g a t e d i n t o a d e s i g n a t e d k ee p out are a , a n a ud i b l e warn i n g i s sound e d. **M a**  **in te**  **n a**  **n c**  **e** – T h e sUAS require ve ry l i ttl e m a i n t e n a n c e , a nd o p era t o rs m a y p erfo rm m ost re qu i re d m a i n t e n a n c e in the f i e ld w ith the f i e ld re p a ir kit. **C o**  **m m**  **a n**  **d a**  **n d**  **C o**  **n tr** **ol S**  **ys t**  **e m**  **s** - The sUAS G round C on t rol S ta tion (G CS ) a llo ws the op era t or s im u lt a n e ous c o n t rol ove r a i rc raf t a nd p a y l o a ds. T h e d i sp la y s cre e n p rov i d e s a l l e ss e nti a l fli g ht d a t a to the op era to r
. T e l e m e t ry d a t a is t ra nsmitte d to the c omm a nd sta tion a t l ea st on c e p e r s econd. D i sp l a ye d on G C S : ● C u rre nt pos iti on ● R e g i s t e re d ho m e pos iti on ● A n y a utopilot f li g ht pl a n s ● R e g i s t e re d e me rg e n c y l a nd i ng z one ● A i rcra f

t a ttitude ● A ltitude ● A i rsp eed ● Groundsp ee d ● C o m p a ss rea d i n g / h ea d i n g ● Estim a te d w ind h ea di n g ● C ommuni ca tion st re n g th ● R a n g e from ho m e ● B e a r i n g from ho m e ● D u ra ti on of c u rre nt mi ss i on ● R a te of c limb ● Mode of t he a i rcra f t ● B a tt e ry l e velMay 18, 2015 Flight Ventures Ltd Page: 14 **E m**  **e r** **g e**  **n c**  **y P**  **r o**  **ce du**  **re s**  **a n**  **d S**  **ys te**  **m F**  **a ilu**  **res** L oss of Li nk

– The sUAS do e s not n ee d c ons t a nt s i g n a l f rom t he G C S t o c on ti nue f l y i n g
. C o mm un i ca ti ons ou ta g e s a re d e te cte d b y t he s ys t e m a nd a re re p o rte d t o t he P I C

. D u r i n g t he c o mm un i ca ti on ou ta g e , t he sUAS c on ti nu e s on it s p re - d e t er mi n ed fli g ht p a th until a fa ils a fe is t r ig g e re d. O n c e a fa ils afe is t r i g g e re d, the sUAS w ill p erfo r m i n a cco rd a n c e w it h t he fa il s afe c ond iti ons up l o a d e d b efo re l a u n c h. Th i s i s acc o m p li sh e d w it hout i nput from t he op era to r
.