July 6th, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Sir or Madam,

Attached please find Perspective Horizons Media’s (“PERSPECTIVE HORIZONS”) request for 

an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations to allow commercial operation of 

its Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, hereby referred to as “UAS” for aerial imaging for the 

purpose of aerial photography and videography of both commercial and residential 

construction and real estate, as well as inspections, landmark photography and media/news 

gathering. This exemption request is exclusively for the use of the DJI F450 UAS 

manufactured by DJI, Inc., A Shenzhen based company in China.

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

unmanned and relatively inexpensive sUAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) 

limited 2) predetermined 3) controlled as to access and 4) would provide safety 

enhancements to the already safe operations in the aerial photography industry presently 

using conventional aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and 

fulfill 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 system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and please let me know if you have any 

questions.

Sincerely,

Derek A. Cartozzo

Founder

Perspective Horizons Media
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: THE PETITIONER

Perspective Horizons Media is a sole proprietorship currently based in Johnson City, 

Tennessee. Perspective Horizons aims to provide quality photography and videography 

services to all of our potential clients. Derek Cartozzo, the proposed PIC, has approx. 10 years 

of fixed wing RC flying experience and has been flying UAS multirotors for several years as 

well.

PROPOSED UAS OPERATIONS: THE EXEMPTION REQUEST

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (“FMRA”), 

PERSPECTIVE HORIZONS requests that the FAA grant PERSPECTIVE HORIZONS an exemption 

from certain sections of the FAR (detailed below) so that PERSPECTIVE HORIZONS may 

commercially operate its small DJI F450 drone for aerial photography and videography for 

its' customers, PERSPECTIVE HORIZONS' proposed UAS operations, as conditioned and 

limited herein, will not adversely affect safety, but rather will provide an equivalent or greater 

level of safety than that provided by the current rules and large manned aircraft operations.

They will operate only in line of sight and will operate in accordance with the manufacturer's 

User Manual (version 2.2) and Naza-M Quick Start Guide (ver 1.28), and the Perspective 

Horizons FOPM attached (hereinafter referred collectively as “the Manuals”). 

Our Remote and Video equipment consists of a Turnigy TGY 9x 2.4ghz Transmitter and a 

5.8ghz video transmitter and receiver. The only type of cameras proposing to be used are 

Gopro Hero3+ or Hero4. All equipment is fully FCC compliant.

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property

owner’s, or their duly appointed representative, prior consent and knowledge.

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

exemption;

 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, Airworthiness Certificates & 14 C.F.R. §91.203(a)(1).

 14 C.F.R. Part 27: Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft.

 Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements: 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 

45.27(a).

 14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction.
 14 C.F.R. § 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.121 Altimeter Settings.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions.

 14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) & (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration.

 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417 (a) & (b): Maintenance 

Inspections.

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

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, Airworthiness Certificates & 14 C.F.R. § 

91.20 (a)(1).

This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, which establishes the 

procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by 14 C.F.R. 

§91.203(a)(1). Given the size and limited operating area associated with the sUAS to be 

utilized by the Petitioner, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an 

equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act.

The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§ 44701(f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both 

authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, 

upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to 

airports and populated areas of the particular UAS.

In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the sUAS operated without an 

airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed 

will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional rotorcraft operating with an 

airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions of the proposed sUAS 

operations.

Equivalent Level of Safety

The sUAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor 

passenger, and carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels. Unlike other civil 

aircraft, the proposed operations in this petition for exemption will be controlled and 

monitored by the operator, in accordance with the Manuals’ requirements.

These safety enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with 

existing inspection operations, provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property 

owners than conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there 

is no credible threat to national security posed by the sUAS, due to its size, speed of 
operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and 

inability to 

carry a substantial external load.

14 C.F.R. Part 27: Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft.

14 C.F.R. Part 27 sets forth the procedural requirements for airworthiness certification of 

normal category rotorcraft. To the extent the Petitioner's sUAS would otherwise require 

certification under Part 27, as a rotorcraft, Petitioner requests an exemption from Part 27's 

airworthiness standards for the same reasons identified in the exemption request from 14 

C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H.

Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements: 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c),

45.23(b) and 45.27(a).

This petition seeks an exemption from the aircraft marking and identification requirements of 

14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a).

14 C.F.R. § 91.9(c), Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements, provides 

that:

No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in 

accordance with part 45 of this chapter.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b), Markings of the Aircraft, states:

When 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 each 

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.

14 C.F.R. § 45.27(a), Rotorcraft, states:

Each operator of a rotorcraft must display on that rotorcraft horizontally on both surfaces of 

the cabin, fuselage, boom, or tail the marks required by §45.23.

Exemption from § 45.23(b) is warranted because the sUAS has no entrance to the cabin, 

cockpit, or pilot station on which the word "Experimental" can be placed. Moreover, given 

the size of the sUAS, two-inch lettering would be impossible. The word "Experimental" will be 

placed on the fuselage in compliance with § 45.29(f).
Given the nature of the specific relief sought by this exemption request, Petitioner requires 

relief from the associated marking and identification requirements of § 45.27(a) and § 91.9(c), 

which would require compliance with § 45.23(b).

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety for exemptions to the aircraft marking and identification 

requirements of §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a), will be provided by having the sUAS 

marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29(f) where the pilot, observer, and others working 

with the sUAS will see the identification of the UAS as "Experimental." The FAA has issued the 

following

exemptions to this regulation: Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738,10167 and 10167A. Additionally, 

Petitioner will ensure compliance with any requests of sUAS marking by the FAA.

14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot 

in

Command.

This petition seeks an exemption from the private pilot privileges and limitations of § 61.113 

(a) & (b), which states:

Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person who holds a 

private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers 

or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as 

pilot in command of an aircraft.

(b) A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft in 

connection with any business or employment if:

(1) The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and

(2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.

Section 61.113(a) limits private pilots to being in command of non-commercial flights. 

Section 61.113(b)(1) provides an exception that allows a private pilot to command an aircraft 

without passengers or property, in connection with business or employment if "[t]the flight is 

only incidental to that business or employment." That exception likely does not apply to the 

proposed operations under this petition for exemption, as the flights are not incidental to the 

proposed aerial surveys and inspections but rather essential to it. Accordingly, this petition 

seeks an exemption to § 61.113(a)'s commercial limitation and/or § 61.113(b)(1)'s 

requirement that the flight be incidental to the business to benefit from the exception.
Equivalent Level of Safety

Because the sUAS will not carry a pilot or passengers and is inherently stable, with 

sophisticated computer and GPS controls, the proposed operations can achieve the 

equivalent level of safety to § 61.113 (a) and (b), by requiring the PIC operating the sUAS to 

have significant training.

Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the sUAS is remotely 

controlled with no living thing on board. Moreover, the area of operation is controlled and 

restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance in accordance with the 

Manual, and flights are limited in duration and altitude.

The sole operator of the sUAS has extensive experience operating the sUAS in a 

non-commercial environment with extensive experience in the safe control of rotary and 

fixed wing aircraft.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft.

This petition seeks an exemption from the flight manual requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 

91.9(b)(2), which states:

(b) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft

(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, 

unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight 

Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

Given its size, configuration, and load capacity, the sUAS has no ability to carry such a manual 

on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is simply no 

room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft.

Equivalent Level of Safety

The safety related purpose of this manual requirement can be equally satisfied by 

maintaining the sUAS flight manual at the ground control point where the pilot flying the 

sUAS will have immediate access to it. Accordingly, Petitioner requests an exemption from § 

91.9(b)(2)'s flight manual requirements, on the condition that the sUAS flight manual be 

available at the control point during each operation. The FAA has issued the following 

exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738,9299,9299A, 9565,9565B, 

10167,10167A, 10602,32827, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness.
This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a), which requires that a civil aircraft 

be in an airworthy condition to be operated. In as much there will be no airworthiness 

certificate issued for the sUAS, should this exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory 

standard will exist for determining airworthiness.

Equivalent Level of Safety

Perspective Horizons' Pilot in Command who will be flying the sUAS has over 50 flight hours 

and an excellent safety record. Given the size of the sUAS and the requirements contained in 

the Manual for maintenance and use of safety checklists prior to each flight, an equivalent 

level of safety will be provided.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action.

This petition seeks an exemption from § 91.103, which requires a PIC to become familiar with 

specific information before each flight, including information contained in the FAA approved 

Flight Manual on board the aircraft. In as much as an FAA approved flight manual will not be 

provided for the sUAS, an exemption will be needed.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be provided by following the Aircraft Operations Manual 

comprehensive preflight checklist. The PIC will take all actions, including reviewing weather, 

flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances, and aircraft performance data, 

before initiation of flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction.

This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a), which provides that "no person 

may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight 

instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." sUAS and remotely piloted 

aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Instead, flight control is 

accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the sUAS via radio 

communications.

Equivalent Level of Safety

Given the size and speed of the sUAS, an equivalent level of safe training can still be 

performed without dual controls because no pilot or passengers are aboard the sUAS, and all 

persons will be a safe distance away should the sUAS experience any difficulties during flight 

instruction.
14 C.F.R. § 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes.

This petition seeks an exemption from the minimum safe altitude requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 

91.119. Section 91.119 prescribes the minimum safe altitudes under which aircraft may not 

operate, including 500 feet above the surface and away from any person, vessel, vehicle, or 

structure in non-congested areas. C.F.R. § 91.119(c). Section § 91.119(d)(1) allows for a 

helicopter to operate at less than those altitudes when it can be operated "without hazard to 

persons or property on the surface," provided that "each person operating the helicopter 

complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.

To provide the intended inspections, the sUAS will normally need to be operated within a 

range of between 50 and 200 feet from the property being filmed or photographed. 

Accordingly, due to the nature of the proposed operations, the PIC may at times be less than 

500 feet away from structures during the operation, and an exemption is therefore required.

Equivalent Level of Safety

Compared to flight operations with rotorcraft weighting far more than the maximum 55 lbs. 

proposed herein, and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations is 

far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft. An equivalent level of 

safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of the UAS as well as the location 

where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the property owner 

and/or local

officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants, all affected 

individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. Furthermore, by operating at such 

lower altitudes, the sUAS will not interfere with other aircraft that are subject to the minimum 

safe altitude regulations.

14 C.F.R. § 91.121 Altimeter Settings.

This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.121, which requires a person operating 

an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude or flight level by reference to an altimeter that is set 

to the elevation of the departure airport or barometric pressure. An exemption is required 

because the sUAS does not have a barometric altimeter, but rather a GPS altitude read out. 

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by following the procedures set forth in the 

Manual. As prescribed in the Manual, the operator will confirm the altitude of the launch site 

shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. Moreover, the PIC will use the GPS altitude 

indicator to constantly monitor the sUAS height, thus ensuring operation at safe altitudes. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in V FR Conditions.
This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a)'s fuel requirements for flight in 

VFR conditions. Section 91.151 states:

(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering 

wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of 

intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed 

(1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or

(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.

The battery powering the sUAS provides approximately 16 minutes of powered flight. An 

exemption from the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151 is therefore required.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 12 minutes or 25% of 

battery power, whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to 

return the sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere within its limited operating area. 

Operation of the sUAS with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel does not engender the type 

of risks that Section 91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed of the small 

UAS. Moreover, operation will be limited to controlled areas where only people and property

owners, or official representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) & (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and

Registration.

This petition seeks an exemption from civil aircraft certification and registration requirements 

of 14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) and (b). The regulation provides in pertinent part:

(a) Except as provided in §91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it 

the following:

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by 

paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is 

displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

In addition to the fact that Petitioner is seeking an exemption from the airworthiness 

certificate requirements, an exemption to this regulation is necessary because: 

(1) the sUAS's load capacity and size does not allow it to carry certification and registration 
documents; 

(2) the sUAS does not have a cabin or cockpit entrance at which the documents could be 

displayed; and 

(3)there are no passengers or crew for whom the certificates need be displayed.

Equivalent Level of Safety

To the extent these regulations are applicable to the proposed sUAS operations, an 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control 

point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to them.

14 C.F.R. §§ 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417 (a) & (b):

Maintenance Inspections.

This petition seeks an exemption from the maintenance inspection requirements of 14 C.F.R. 

§§ 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417 (a) & (b). These regulations specify 

maintenance and inspection standards in reference to 14 C.F.R. Part 43. See, e.g., 14 C.F.R. § 

91.405(a) (stating that each owner or operator of an aircraft "shall have that aircraft 

inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections . . . 

have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter"). An exemption to these 

regulations is needed because Part 43 and these sections apply only to aircraft with an 

airworthiness certificate, which the sUAS will not have. The PIC will be the person most 

familiar with the aircraft.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be 

performed in accordance with the Manuals. As provided in the Manuals, the operator will 

ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required 

maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. The operator is the person most 

familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to 

provide the

equivalent level of safety.

If mechanical issues arise, the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no 

higher than 200 feet AGL. Moreover, the sUAS's small size, carrying capacity, and the fact that 

flight operations will only take place in restricted areas for limited periods of time, create less 

risk than the same factors associated with conventional fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft 

performing the same operation. 

How your request would benefit the public as a whole;
The operation significantly improves safety and reduces risk by alleviating human exposure 

to danger associated with current aerial survey and inspection methods, namely, full size 

helicopters. Manned helicopters performing aerial photography have experienced an 

exceedingly high number of accidents and fatalities. The public's interest is furthered by 

reducing human exposure to death or serious injury associated with manned aircraft 

performing photography, inspections and patrols.

Petitioner's sUAS are battery powered and create no emissions. If Petitioner's sUAS crashes, 

there is no fuel to ignite and explode. Any impact of Petitioner's lightweight sUAS is, 

obviously, far less than a full size helicopter. The public's interest is furthered by minimizing 

ecological impact of an accident and by reducing human exposure to potentially harmful 

emissions associated with manned aircraft.

Aerial surveys are valuable tools for roof, utility-power generation, cell phone towers, bridge 

and tunnel inspections and other elements that comprise the national transportation and 

communication infrastructure. However, problems with safety, cost, statistical integrity, and 

logistics continue to impede aerial surveys and inspections from conventional manned 

aircraft. The use of sUAS addresses these problems and is a powerful tool for performing a 

wide-range of utility-power generation inspection and patrol applications. The public as a 

whole will benefit from the safer and more cost-effective utility aerial services that sUAS 

operations provide.

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;

These reasons are listed individually above for each specific exemption request.

A summary we can publish in the Federal Register stating—

The rules from which you seek the exemption;

Perspective Horizons seeks an exemption from the following rules:

14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H; 14 CFR Part 27; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b); 14 

CFR 91.7(a); 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109(a); 14 CFR 91.119; 14, CFR 

91.121; 14 CFR 91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.405(a); 14 CFR, 91.407(a)(1); 14 

CFR 91.409(a)(2); 14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b).
and

A brief description of the exemption you seek;

Perspective Horizons seeks an exemption from the following rules:

14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H; 14 CFR Part 27; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b); 14 

CFR 91.7(a); 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109(a); 14 CFR 91.119; 14, CFR 

91.121; 14 CFR 91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.405(a); 14 CFR, 91.407(a)(1); 14 

CFR 91.409(a)(2); 14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b).

for the purposes of conducting aerial photography, videography and inspections

for both commercial and residential construction and real estate as well as landmark 

photography and media/news gathering.

Any additional information, views, or arguments available to support 

your

request;

Additional documents attached and submitted in this electronic application, including user 

manuals, sUAS pilot training guide, and sUAS technical specifications.

If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the 

United

States, you must state the reason.

Perspective Horizons does not intend to operate the sUAS outside of the United States.

Thank you for your consideration in our exemption. If there are any questions or I can 

be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Derek Anthony Cartozzo

Founder - Perspective Horizons Media

PH: 423-341-0928
Email: perspectivehorizonsmedia@gmail.com

Address: 1113 Lark St #3 Johnson City, TN 37604