August 4, 2015

Exemption No. 12311 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

– 20 15

– 1616

Mr. Adam Paul
157 Bolin Hill R oa d Liberty ME 04949

Dear Mr. Paul :

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 posted to the docket May 12 , 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned
ai rcraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial photography

.

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

.

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 2 Vision+

.

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in
reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secret ary of Transportation
has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA
finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21

, C ertification procedures for products and parts,2

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 1

. 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 s ignificantly 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 for requesting an exemption, I find th at

—

• 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 yo u present; and

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

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, Mr. Adam Paul 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 is subject to the conditions and limitations listed belo w.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Mr. Adam Paul is hereafter referred to as the operator.

1 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 (part iculate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by
instruments aboard the UA.3

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 2
Vision+ when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petiti on 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 de vice 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 maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ;

e lectronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight op erations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for 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 opera te the UAS and conduct its operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating
documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made av ailable 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. The4

operator must also present updated 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 FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to t he operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g.

, replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further oper ations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must 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 is 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 f light. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g.

, inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating u ntil 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

a ircraft components.

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 Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirem ents specified in
14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

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 w ith
14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs5

(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

u nder this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During
traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for fligh t operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance 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 m ust 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/F acility 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 pr ivate or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC mu st abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from 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 cond ucted 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 seria l 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.6

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 e nforcement 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, vehicles, 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 ens ure 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 ensuring the safety of nonpa rticipating 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 with permission from t he property owner/controller or authorized representative. 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 transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported
to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

c ontained 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 conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption.7

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 a rea 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 following:

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 of 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 terminates on August 3 1, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/ s/
John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

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333 Exemption Request

Adam Paul
157 Bolin Hill Rd Liberty ME 04949
207-561-0139 contact@ravenlandandhome.com

Scope: Utilize the Phantom 2 Vision+ UAS to conduct aerial photography of land, environmental issues and agriculture in Central Maine

Request: An exemption from 91.7(a), 91.119, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2) and 91.417(a) and (b) of Title 1 4, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)

Petition: I request an exemption from 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2) and 91.417(a) and (b) Maintenance Inspections since they only apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. I will, however, perform a preflight inspection of my UAS before each flight as outlined in the operating documents as provided by DJI, the manufacturer.

UAS Pilot in Command (PIC):

The Pilot in Command of my UAS will hold at least a Private Pilot's license, a medical certificate, and will have at least 20hrs of PIC on the Phantom platform prior to operating for pay. The time shall include the following operations.

50 TOLs 5hr Navigation via FPV.
10hr Basic Maneuvers 2hr Tree Height Operation and Obstacle Avoidance. 2hr Ground level operation and Obstacle Avoidance 1hr Advanced training in GPS modes of operation.

In addition to Flight ops the PIC shall receive not less than 10 hrs ground school subjects to include:

Basic UAV operation Advanced GPS modes specific to the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ VFR/IFR and operations of manned aircraft. Aeronautical Charts interpretation, including airport approaches and information. Emergency operations and response.

Additional flight time will be gained with a smaller UAS having similar controls, but less range and power.

Flight time, operations and maintenace shall be recorded in a written log for viewing

UAS Operating Parameters I request exemption from 91.151. The Pilot in Command will abide by the following personal protocols
and controls

1. Pilot in Command will only operate in reasonably safe environments that are strictly controlled, are away from power lines, elevated lights and airports. Pilot Comment Now!

ID: FAA-2015-1616-0001

Document Information

Date Posted: May 12, 2015

Show More Details

Submitter Information

Submitter Name:

Adam Paul

Mailing Address:

157 Bolin Hill

City: Liberty

Country:

United States

State or Province:

ME

ZIP/Postal Code:

04949

Comments



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in Command will conduct extensive preflight inspections and protocols, during which safety carries primary importance

2. Operate the UAS below 400 feet and within a radius distance of 1300 feet from the controller while maintaining direct line of sight visual observation (VLOS)

3. Land the UAS prior to the manufacturer's recommended minimum level of battery power

4. Use the UAS' GPS flight safety feature whereby the aircraft hovers and then slowly lands if communication with the remote control pilot is lost;

5. Pilot in Command will conduct all operations under my own personal and flight safety protocols contained in the operating documents and will actively analyze flight data and other sources of information to constantly update and enhance the safety protocols;

6. PIC shall contact respective active operation airports and/or Flight Standard District Offices if operations will be within 5 miles to advise them of the estimated flight time, flight duration, elevation of flight and other pertinent information

7. PIC will always obtain all necessary permissions prior to operation; and have procedures in place to abort flights in the event of safety breaches or potential danger.

91.7(a) prohibits the operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness certificate. The petitioner assert that since there is currently no certificate applicable to my operation, this regulation is inapplicable.

91.119 prescribes safe altitudes for the operation of civil aircraft, but it allows helicopters to be operated at lower altitudes in certain conditions. Pilot In Command will not operate theUAS above the altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL)and will also only operate in safe areas away from the public and traffic, thus "providing a level of safety at least equivalent to or below those in relation to minimum safe altitudes." Given the size, weight, maneuverability and speed of my UAS, an equivalent or higher level of safety will be achieved.

91.121 Altimeter Settings is inapplicable since my UAS utilizes electronic GPS with a
barometer sensor.

Public Interest Statement:

Aerial photography for geographical awareness, environmental monitoring and for real estate has been around since 1858 in France. Since then people have attached cameras from Pigeons to Space Shuttles. The first commercial aerial flight was in Boston in 1860. We are now in the era of UAS and the times have come to regulate these as well. Granting this exemption to me would allow me to provide this service in a safe, legal, and controlled manner. Our UAS will pose no threat to the public given its small size and lack of combustible fuel when compared to manned aircraft. The operation of the UAS will minimize ecological damage and limit the amount of disturbance to the people and wildlife of Maine. or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document.

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