UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 

WASHINGTON, DC 20591 

In the matter of the petition of 

Robert Serino, for an exemption from part 

21; §§ 45.23(b ); 61.113(a)&(b ); 9l.407(a)(l ); 

91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a)&(b ); 91.7(a); 

91.9(b)(2); 91.103(b); 91.109; 91. 119; 9 1.1 21; 

91.151(a); 91.203(a)&(b); 91.405(a) of 

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 

Exemption No. 11543A 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-0407 

DENIAL OF EXEMPTION 

By letter dated July 6, 2016, Mr. Robert M. Serino, 8953 Chapel Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 

21043, petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption from part 21: 

§§ 45.23(b); 61.113(a)&(b); 91.407(a)(l); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a)&(b); 91.7(a); 91.9(b)(2); 

91.1 03(b); 91.1 09; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151 (a); 91.203(a)&(b ); 91.405(a) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The petitioner requested to renew Exemption No. 11543, 

which expires May 31,2017, to operate UASs to conduct aerial photography. 

The petitioner supports its request with the following information: 

The original petition for exemption describing the proposed operation and the regulations 

from which the petitioner seeks exemption is posted to the docket. To view the petition, visit 

http://www.reuulations.gov, enter the regulatory docket number found on the first page of this 

document into the search box and click "Search," then click on the "Open Docket Folder" link 

next to a result associated with the docket number. 

The FAA's analysis is as follows: 

The FAA has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small 

unmanned aircraft systems ( 14 CFR, part 1 07). The new rule is now in effect and offers 

safety regulations for unmanned aircraft drones weighing less than 55 pounds. The FAA has 

reviewed your request and detennined that your requested operation may be conducted 

entirely under part 107, Operation and Certification ofSma/1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 

without exemption or need for waiver under the provisions of 14 CFR § 107.200. 

Section 333 of Public Law 112-95, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

(UAS), provided the FAA authority to authorize certain UAS operations. This incremental 

step provided a pathway for safe and legal civil operations in the National Airspace System 
2 

(NAS) and was considered a bridge mechanism until the implementation of part 107. Now 

that part I 07 is in effect, the vast majority of operations authorized under previously issued 

exemptions under Section 333, including the operations proposed in this petition for 

exemption, can be conducted under part 107. These operations no longer necessitate an 

exemption. 

The FAA's decision: 

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is not in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(t), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, the petition of Robert Serino is hereby denied. The 

petitioner may begin operations in accordance with 14 CFR, part 107: Operation and 

Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems at their discretion. 

Issued in Washington, DC on FEB 2 3 2017 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service