## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

1 “ IowAerial , LLC”

Mr. Brian Plantenberg

2608 S Newton Street Sioux City IA

. 51106

December 16th , 2015

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.7(a); 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.105 ; 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR 91.119(c); 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 91.407 (a ) (1) 14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2); 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b)

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Moderniza tion and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 CFR Part 11, “ IowAerial LLC”

, operator of Unmanned Aircraft System s (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of its UAS, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.

Co mmercial operation of UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors, woul d operate in the following manner:

• Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, architecture, agriculture, land surveying, engineering

, and other related professional activities.

• Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, pu blic events, cinematography and news gathering.

• Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the owners or local government authority.

• Aerial inspection/photo graphy of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but not limited to electrical power lines, wind turbines , bridges, and cell towers.

• Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue operations in case s of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or government has requested it by contract or donation.

• The ability to offer training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public organizations that have

interest s in the use and application of a UAS for the purpose of the safe operation of a UAS to enhance the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) as well as for the protection of the persons and property.

As described fully below, the requested exemption w ould permit the operation of a UAS under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) will provide safety enhancements to the already safe operation s in the 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 operatio n of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system. ”

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

2 The name and address of the applicant is:

" IowAerial LLC" Brian Plantenberg

Brian @ IowAerial .com
2608 S Newton Street Sioux City, IA, 51106

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The operational limitations proposed will provide for an equivalent or higher level of safety because operations will further enhance the safety of the persons and/or property using conventional aircraft.

These limitations and conditions, to which the applicant agrees to adhere to when conducting commercial operations under the FAA issued exemption as set forth in the Flight Operations Manual (FOM), include:

• The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs.

• The UAS will have a maximum op erating speed of no more than 100 mph.

• Flights will be operated within line of sight of the Pilot in Command (PIC) and/or Visual Observer (VO).

• Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve or 20 minutes of flight time whiche ver occurs first.

• Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) or not more than 200 feet above an elevated platform from which filming is planned.

• Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot an d the Visual Observer (VO )

.

• The UAS pilot will be the designated Pilot in Command (PIC) and will take and pass all applicable certifications currently being approved by the FAA.

• A briefing will be performed regarding the planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight consisting of all the days’ production activities.

• All flights will occur under Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC) only.

• If operations will be within a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point (ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport

, the respective airports will be contacted advising them of the estimated flight time, flight duration, elevation of flight and other pertinent information.

• The operator will obtain verbal/written consent of al l persons involved with the planned operation and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation, and the radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination, as required unde r the FOM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, operations at closer range may be approved.

• The PIC and VO will have been trained in operation of UAS and receive up

- to

- date information for the particular UAS to be operated.

• T he PIC and VO will be able to communicate by voice, radio, and/or text at all times.

• Written and/or verbal permission and permits will be obtained , as applicable, from territorial, state, county or city jurisdictions, including law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmenta l agencies.

• If the UAS loses communications with the remote controller or loses GPS signal, the UAS will have the capability to return
to a pre

- determined location within a designated location and land autonomously.

• The UAS will have the capability to abor t a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles, weather, or emergencies.

" IowAerial LLC" , will operate the DJI Inspire 1, DJI Phantom 3, and DJI Phantom 2. The UAVs are vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft (UA) with a Ground Control Station (GCS) utilizing electronic tablet or smart phone systems. The Inspire 1 and
Phantom 2 are electric powered rotary wing UAS that are capable of transmitting live airborne video images and location information to a Ground Control Station (GCS). Both the Phantoms 2 & 3 and the Inspire1 store the photographs and data on board and makes them available for download after completion of the flight. The Inspire is 22 in x 22 in x 8 in and weighs 6.4 pounds

, and the

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

3 Phantom 2 is lighter at 2.2 pounds. 14 in x 14 in x 6 in. All are well under the 55 lbs mandated in
the FMRA. The Inspire has a maximum cruising speed of 42 knots while the Phantom has a maximum cruising speed of 29 knots. All are battery powered, have a flight endurance of 22 minutes and can operate in temperatures ranging from 0° to 40° C. Both the Inspire and the
Phantoms 2 & 3 have omni

- directional antenna with a range of 2.1 km and operating in the 2.420

- 2.483 GHz frequen cy range 

### , The DJI Phantom 3 has a total weight of approximately 1280g or 2lbs 13 oz. The dimensions are 40.36cm x 40.36cm x 19.05cm or 16inch x 16inch x 7.5inch. Under still air the maximum speed is no more than 16m/s or 35mph with a cruising speed of 11m/ s or 25mph. The DJI Phantom 3 has the ability to hover and move along a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The DJI Phantom 3 has four motors, Motor Model DJI 3510, powered by a 4480mAh 4s LiPo Lithium Polymer battery. There are four propellers, Propeller Model DJI 1345, in use. The DJI Phantom 3 will be controlled with the C3 remote controller with an operating frequency of 2.400GHz

– 2.483GHz. The live video feed will have an operating frequency of 2.4GHz ISM with maximum range of 1.2 miles. The applicant will operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off and predetermined area owned and/operated by the property representative.



## DJI Inspire 1 & Phantom 3

GENERAL FEATURES

 Ready to fly

 3

- axis camera stabilization

 Precision flight and stable hovering

 GPS/GLONASS positioning & auto return home

 Onscreen real

- time flight parameters

 High Definition Camera

 Camera tilt control

 Film straight down

 Supports Adobe DNG RAW

 Adobe lens profile support

 Camera parameter settings

 Album synchronization

 FAA no

- fly zones locked out via installed software

TRANSMITTER

 Operating Frequency:2.400 GHz

– 2.483 GHz

 Communication Distance ( open area ) : CE: 2000m; FCC: 2000m

 Receiver Sensitivity ( 1%PER ) :

- 101dBm +/

- 2dBm

 Transmitter Power: CE: 16dBm; FCC: 20dBm

 Working Voltage: 1.2A @ 7.4V

 Battery: 6000 mAh LiPo 2s

CAMERA

 Operating Environment Temperature : 0 °C

- 40 °C

 FOV: 94°/ 85°

 Sensor size: 1/2.3"

 4K Recording

DJI VISION APP

 System Requirement of Mobile Device: iOS version 6.0 or above/ Android system version 4.0 or above

Given the small size of the UAS and the controlled environment provided

, the proposed operations will adhere to the Reform Act’s safety requirements. The approval of this application presents no national security issues. Regarding the level of safety surrounding the proposed operations and the public benefit, reduction in environmental impacts, including but not limited to reduced emissions and noise, the grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest. Accordingly the applicant requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption with minimum delay.

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

4 Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 CFR Part 21 subpart H 14 CFR 45.23 (b) 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.7 (a) 14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2)

14 CFR 91.103

14 CFR 91.105

14 CFR 91.109 14 CFR 91.119 (c)

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)

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

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and l imited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 a nd 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, spe ed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populate d areas of the particular UAS. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a c onventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed.

The UAS to be operated hereunder is less th an 55 lbs, fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, carrie s no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured and designated area. Unlike other civil aircra ft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator and under the requ irements and in compliance with local public safety requirements. These safety enhancements 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. P art 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the UAS, due to its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid f uels, and inability to carry a substantial external load.

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

5 14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft

The regulation requires: When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or li ght

- 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 mo re than 6 inches high, t he words "limited," "restricted," "light

- sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption will be needed as the UAS will have no entrance to t he cabin, cockpit or pilot stati on on which the word “Experimental” can be placed.

Given the size of the UAS, 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 UAS marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAS will see the identification of the UAS as “Experimental.”

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

Pursuant to 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b), no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as a pilot in command of an airc raft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.

An equivalent level of safety can be a chieved by current Regulations because the applicant’s UAS do not carry any pilots or passengers nor property. The risks attendant to the operation of UAS is far less than the risk levels inherent in the commerc ial activities outlined in 14 CFR 61. The ope ration and limitations set forth in the FOM will equate to the safe operation of the UAS.

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

The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist fo r determining airworthiness.

Given the size of the aircraft for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior t o each flight

, an equivalent level of safety will be provided.

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

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft ... (2) For which an Airplane o r Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rot orcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof. The UAS, g iven its size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on bo ard, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft. The equivalent level of safe ty will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate

access to it.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action.

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

6 This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption will be needed. The PIC will take all actions as stated in the manufacturer FOM in the pre

- flight inspection section , including but not limited to reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.

14 C.F.R. §91.105: Flight crew members at stations

Exemption may be required, the PIC may not leave his station nor shall VO leave station . In event that PIC or VO become

i ncapacitated, UAS is to automatically return to designated landing area, as outlined in FOM

.

14 C.F.R. §91.109: Flight Instruction.

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for fli ght instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls. UAS and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do n ot have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the ai rcraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls f or a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that nei ther a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 C.F.R. §91 .119: Minimum Safe Altitudes.

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows helicopters to be operat ed at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption is for a UAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate a t altitudes up to 400 AGL, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform from which filming is planned, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, the UAS will never operate at higher than 400 AGL with the exception th at in circumstances where the UAS is used to survey or photograph a structure whose height exceeds 400 feet AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 200 feet above the highest point on the structure. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pr e

- obtained consent.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, 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 or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operati ons. Compared to flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighting far more than the maximum 55lbs. proposed herein and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations is far less than those presently presented with conventiona l aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low

- altitude operations of the UAS will ensure separation between these UAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings.

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.” As the UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be ne eded. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the safety check list and live flight data monitoring, confirming the altitude of th e launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight.

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

7 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering w ind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first poin t 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 UAS provides approximately 25 minutes of powe red flight. To meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, UAS flights would be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predet ermined area, a longer time frame for flight in daylight or twilight VFR conditions is reasonable.

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. Operating the UAS, in a tightly controlled area where only people and property owners or official representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151(a) was intended t o alleviate given the size and sp eed of the small UAS. Additionally, limiting UAS flights to 10 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption will be granted. Applicant believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting fl ights to

20 minutes or 25% of battery power

— whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area.

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

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.

T he UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs. and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or pla ce to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the UAS.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to them; to the extent they are applicable to the UAS.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspectio ns.

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E o f this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies re paired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter...,” and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43.

Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to the applicant. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the UAS is very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operat e only in restricted areas for a limited period of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and will be usually operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. 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. Moreover, 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.

## IowAerial , LLC Petition for Exemption Filed under Section 333

8 An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in accordance with the U AS Manufacturer's User Manual. As provided in the FOM, the operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initia tin g flight and perform required maintenance needed.

Additional Information

The applicant ’ s primary pilot

, Brian Plantenberg

, Owner of “ IowAerial, LLC” , have been involved in the piloting of remote

cont rolled aircraft for 2 years

. T he applicant also has an in

- depth understanding , and has always adhered to regulations concerning the capabilities and safety concerns involved in using this technology as an asset to the community. Satisfaction of criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 provide more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions allowing the commercial operation of the applicant’s UAS.

Sincerely,

Brian Plantenberg , Owner

“ IowAerial, LLC ”