Scott T Berry

2220

- 2	Venetian	Ct.

Naples,	FL	34109

UAS	Certificate	Number: FA3MFFP7RE

December	22, 2 01 5

U.S. De pa rt m e n t o f T ra n s p o rta t i o n

D o c ke t M a n a g e m e nt S y s t e m 1 20 0

N e w J e r s e y A v e

., SE Wa s h i ng to n D C 20 5 9 0

R e : E xe m p t i o n R e q u e st P u rs u a n t t o	S e c ti o n 3 3 3 o f t h e FAA	R e f o r m A c t a n d P art 1 1 o f the F e d e ral A v i at i o n

R e g u lati on s f r o m : 1 4 CFR 2 1 sub p art H ; 1 4 CFR 45

. 2 3 ( b ); 1 4 CFR 6 1

. 1 13 ( a ); 1 4	C F R 9 1

. 7 ( a ) ; 1 4	CFR 91

. 9 (b) ( 2 ) ; 1 4

CFR 9 1

. 103 ; 1 4 CFR 91

. 10 9 ; 1 4 C F R 91

. 1 1 9 ( c ) ; 1 4 CFR 9 1

. 1 2 1 ; 1 4 CFR 91

. 1 51 ( a ); 1 4	CFR 91

. 2 0 3 (a) and (b); 1 4 CFR

91

. 40 5 (a ) ; 1 4	CFR 9 1

. 40 7 ( a) ( 1 ) 1 4 CFR 91

. 40 9	(a ) ( 1 ) a n d	( 2 ); 1 4 CFR 91

. 4 1 7 ( a ) a n d	( b )

To w h o m i t m a y co n c e rn:

P u rs u a n t t o S ec t i o n 3 3 3 o f the FAA M o d e rn i z a t i o n a n d Re f o r m A ct o f 2 01 2	and 1 4	CFR P art 11

, Scott	T	Berry

,

o p e ra t o r o f s m all U n m a n n e d	A e r i al S y s t e m s (U A S), h e r e by	ap p li e s f o r an ex e m p t i o n	f r o m t h e lis te d F e d e ral

A v ia t i o n Re gul a t i o n s t o al l o w c om m e r cial o p e ra t i o n o f a s m all UAS, s o l o n g as su c h o p e r a t i o n s a r e c o n d u c t e d

w ithin and u n d e r t h e c o n d i ti o n s o u tli n e d h e r e in o r as m y b e e stabli s h e d b y t h e F AA	as r e q u ir e d b y S e c ti o n 3 33

.

C om m e rcial o p e r a ti o n s m a ll UAS, as d e s cri b e d h e r e i n

, w h ich	a r e e q u i p p e d w i th c a m e r a s and s e n s o r s

, wo u ld

o p e ra t e in t h e f o l l ow ing m an n e r:

1

. A e r ial p h o t o gr a p h y a n d / o r v i d e o	f o r p u b l i c an d / o r pri v a t e use i n c l u d i n g r e al e st a t e

, a r c h i te ct u r e

, l a n d

sur v e y in g

, e ng i n ee ri n g and o th e r r e l a te d p r o f e s s i o n al act iv i t i e s.

2

. A e r ial v i d e o an d / o r p h o t o g rap h y f o r p u b l i c an d / o r pr i v a t e u s e i n cl u d i n g t e l e v i s i on

, p u b lic e ve n t s, a n d

ci n e m a to gr a p h y

.

3

. A e r ial i n s p e c t i o n / p h o t o gr a p hy o f r e sid en tia l / c o mm e r cial st r u ctu r e s un d e r c on t r act w i th the o w n e rs o r

l o cal g o v e rn m e nt au t h o ri t y

.

4

. A e r ial v i d e o/ p h o t o gr a p h y o r p r o v i d i n g li v e v i d e o f ee d to	assist w i th s e a r ch an d r e s c u e o p e r a t i o n s in

cas e s o f an e m e rg en c y o r n atural d is a st e r o n l y w h e n th e l o cal au t h o r i t i e s o r g o v e r n m e nt ha s r e q u e s te d

it by c o n tr a ct o r d o n ati on

.

As d e s c ri b e d	ful l y b e l o w

, t h e r e q u e s te d ex e m p t i o n w ou ld	p e r m it t h e o p e ra t i o n o f s m all UAS un d e r c on tr o l l e d

co n d iti on s in	t h e N AS	that wo u ld	be a ) l i m i t e d b) c o n t r o ll e d c ) p r e d et e r m i n e d	a n d	d) w ill p r o v i d e s af et y

e n h a n c e m e n ts t o t h e al r e a d y safe o p e ra ti o n s in the i n d u stry p r e s e nt l y usi n g c o n v e nti o n al a ir craft. Ap p r o v al o f

this e xe m p t i o n w o u ld t h e r e by e n h a n c e sa f et y and	f u l fill the S e cr e t a r y o f T r a n s p o rta t i on ’s ( th e FAA

A d m i n istr a to r ’ s) r e s p o n si b i liti e s t o “

... . e s t ablish r e q u i r e m e nts f o r t h e sa f e o p e ra t i o n o f s u ch	airc r af t s y s te m s in

the na t i on al a i rspa c e s y s t e m .”The n a m e

, p h on e

, e m ail a n d	ad d r e ss o f t h e ap p l i ca n t :

N a m e : Scott	T	Berry

P h o n e : ( 239 ) 450

- 0290

E m ail: scott@sandcastlepros.com

Ad d r e s s : 2220

- 2	Venetian	Ct.,	Nap les,	FL	34109

UAS	Certificate	Number: FA3MFFP7RE

R e g u lati on s f r o m w hich t h e ex e m p ti o n is r e q u e s te d :

1 4 C F R P a r t 2 1 su b p art H

1 4 C F R 45

. 2 3 ( b )

1 4 C F R 61

. 1 1 3 ( a )

1 4 C F R 9 1 .7 (a)

1 4 C F R 91

. 9 ( b ) ( 2 )

1 4 C F R 91

. 1 0 3

1 4 C F R 91

. 1 0 9

1 4 C F R 91

. 1 1 9 ( c )

1 4 C F R 91

. 1 2 1

1 4 C F R 91

. 1 5 1	(a)

1 4 C F R 91

. 2 0 3	(a) & (b)

1 4 C F R 91

. 4 0 5	(a)

1 4 C F R 91

. 4 0 7	(a) ( 1 )

1 4 C F R 91

. 4 0 9	(a) ( 2 )

1 4 C F R 91

. 4 1 7	(a) & (b)

The s m all UA S ’s I w ill b e u s i n g	are mu l t i

- r o t o r cr a ft w e i ghi n g n o m o re than 5 5 l b s. i n clu d i n g pa y l o a d

. Un d e r

n o r m al c o n d i ti o n s th e y o p e rate	at sp e e ds o f n o m o r e t h an 4 5 Mp h o r 3 9 K n o ts a n d	ha v e t h e a b ili t y h o v e r a n d

m o v e al on g	a v e rtical and h o ri z o n tal pla n e s i m u lt a n e ou sl y

. T h e y w ill o p e r a te in l i n e o f sig h t on l y and by t h e

ex e m p te d p e r s o n on l y ob e y i n g	all o t h e r l o cal a n d f e d e ral la w s.

Gi v e n t h e s m all size o f t h e s m all UAS a n d t h e c on t r o l l e d e n v i r o n m e nt p r o v i d e d t h e p r o p o s e d o p e ra t i o n s w i l l

ad h e re t o t h e R e f o r m A c t’s saf e t y r e q u ir e m e nts. T h e ap p r o v al o f this ap p lica t i o n pr e s e n t s no n a ti o n al s ec u ri ty

iss u e s. R e g a rdi n g t h e l eve l o f sa f et y su r r o u n d i n g t h e p r o p o s e d o p e r a t i o n s and t h e pu b lic b e n e fit, r e d u c t i o n i n

e n v ir o n m e n tal i mp acts,	i n c lu d i n g b u t n o t l i m it e d to	r e d u c e d e m i s si o ns a n d n o i s e

, t h e gra n t o f t h e r e q u e s te d

ex e m p t i o n is in t h e pu b l i c i n te r est

. A c c o r d ing l y t h e a p p lica n t r e q u e s t s th a t the F AA	gra n t the r e q u e s te d

ex e m p t i o n w ith m i n i mu m d e la y

.AI R C R A FT AN D EQ U I V A L E N T LE V EL OF S A F E T Y

The o p e r a t i o n	l i m i t a t i o n s p r o p o s e d f o r an e q u i v al e n t o r hig h e r l e v e l o f saf et y b e ca u se o p e ra t i o n s w ill f u r t h e r

e n h a n ce	the saf e ty o f the p e r so n s a n d/ o r p r o p e rty	us i n g c o n ve nti on al airc r aft.

Th e se l i m i t a ti o n s and co n d i ti o n s t o w hich t h e ap p lica n t agr ee s t o ad h e r e t o w h e n co n d u cting c o m m e r c i al

o p e ra t i on s un d e r the FAA i ssu e d e x e m p ti o n a s se t f o r t h	in t h e Fli g ht Op e r a t i o n s M an u al ( FO M ) i n c l u d e :

1

. The s m all UAS w ill w e i g h	l e ss t h an 5 5 lbs.

2

. Fli g hts w ill b e o p e r a te d w i t h in li n e o f sig h t o f a p i l o t a n d / o r o b s e r ve r.

3

. M a xi m u m	flig h t t i m e f o r e a ch o p e r a t i o n al fl i ght w ill be 3 0 m in u t e s. Fli g hts w ill b e te r m i n a te d a t 2 5 %

b att e r y po we r re s e r v e o r 3 0 m in u te s o f fli g ht t i m e w hi c h eve r o ccurs f i r s t.

4

. Fli g hts w ill b e o p e r a te d a t an	a l titu d e o f n o m o r e t h a n 4 0 0 f e e t A b ov e G r o un d L eve l ( A G L ) a n d n o t m o r e

than 2 0 0 f ee t a b o v e an e l e v a te d	pl at f o r m f r o m w hich fil m i n g i s p lan n e d.

5

. M i n i m u m c re w f o r e ac h o p e rat io n w ill c o n sist o f t h e s m all UAS P il o t in C om m a n d	( P IC), t h e Vis u al

Obs e r ve r (V O ) w h e n n ee d e d	a n d m a y incl u d e b u t n o t l i m it e d t o	a C a m e r a Op er a t o r.

6

. The s m all UAS p i l o t w ill b e Scott	T	Berry O N L Y n o t al l o w ing any o th e r p e rs o n t o op e ra t e the s m all U A S

in	a c o m m e r cial c a p a c it y

.

7

. A b r i e fi n g w ill be p e r f o r m e d r e ga r d i n g t h e p la n n e d s m all UAS op e r a ti on s pr i o r t o e a ch d a y ’s flig h t

co n sist i n g o f all the d a y s’ p r o d u c t i o n	a ct i v iti e s.

8

. The P IC w ill ob tain v e r ba l /w ri t t e n co n s e nt o f all p e r s o n s i n v o l v e d w i th	the	p l an n e d o p e r a ti o n	and e ns u r e

that o n l y c o n s e nti n g p e r s on s w ill b e al l owe d w i t h in 10 0 f ee t o f the fl i g ht o p e r a t i o n

, and t h e r a d i u s m a y

be r e d u c e d t o 3 0 f ee t ba s e d	u p o n	an e q u i v al e n t l e v e l o f saf e t y d e te r m i n a t i o n

, as r e q u ir e d un d e r the

F O M

. W ith t h e a d v a n c e d p e r m iss i o n o r d i re ct i o n o f t h e F S D O, o p e r a t i o n s a t cl o se r range m a y b e

ap p r ove d.

9

. The P IC a n d VO w ill h a v e b ee n t r a i n e d in o p e r a t i o n o f s m all U AS	a n d r e c e i v e up

- t o

- d ate i n f o r m a t i o n f o r

the p arti c u l ar s m all UAS t o b e o p e ra te d	and w ill b e a b l e t o s h o w u p o n r e q u e s t t h e ir c o m p ete nt a b ility t o

o p e ra t e the s m all UAS a n d / o r C a m e ra.

10

. The P IC a n d VO w ill b e a b le t o c om m u n i ca t e b y vo ic e

, ra d i o

, an d /o r te x t at all t i m e s.

11

. W ri tte n an d / o r ve r b al p e r m iss i o n	and p e r m its w ill b e o b ta i n e d fr o m t e rri t o r i al, s t a t e

, co u n t y o r c i ty

j u ris d ict i on s, inc l u d i n g l aw e nf o r ce m e nt, f i r e o r o th e r ap p r o p r i ate g o ve rn m e ntal ag e nci e s w h e n n e e d e d.

12

. If the s m all UAS l o s e s c om m u n ic a t i o n s o r l o s e s G P S sig n al, the s m all UAS w ill h a v e the ca p a b il i ty t o

r e turn t o a p r e

- d ete r m i n e d l oc a ti o n w ithin a d e sign ate d	l oc a ti o n a n d	la n d au t o n o m ou s l y

.

13

. The s m all UAS w ill h a v e t h e c a p a b ili t y to	a b o rt a f lig h t i n ca s e o f un p r e di c t e d o b s t ac l e s, we a t h e r, o r

e m e rg e n ci e s.1 4 C

. F

. R

. P ar t 21

, Sub p a r t H: A i r w o r t h i n e s s C e r t i f i c a t es 1 4 C. F

. R

. § 91

. 2 0 3 ( a ) (1 )

S u b p art H, e n titl e d Ai r w o r t h i n e ss C e rti f i c a t e s, e s ta b li s h e s the pr o c e d u ral r e q u ir e m e nts f o r t h e i ss u an c e o f

air w o r t h i n e s s c e rtifi c a te s a s r e q u ir e d b y	FAR § 91

. 2 0 3	(a) ( 1 ). G i ve n t h e si z e a n d	l i m it e d o p e r ati n g ar e a

ass o ci a te d w ith t h e ai r cr a f t t o b e u tili z e d b y t h e Ap p l ic a n t, an e x e m p t i o n f r o m P ar t 2 1 Su b p art H m e et s the

r e q u ir e m e n ts o f an e q u i v a l e nt l e v e l o f s af e t y u n d e r P a rt 1 1 and S e c ti o n 33 3 o f the R e f o r m A c t. T h e F e d e ral

A v ia t i o n A ct ( 4 9 U.S.C

. § 4 47 0 1	(f)) and S ec ti o n 3 3 3 o f t h e R e f o r m A c t b o th au t h o ri z e the FAA t o e x e m p t ai r c r aft

fr o m t h e r e q u ir e m e nt f o r a n	air w o r thi n e ss c e r tifi c a te

, u p o n co n si d e ra t i o n o f t h e s i z e

, we ig h t, sp e e d

, o p e ra t i o n al

ca p a b ili ty

, and p r o x i m i t y t o	air p o r ts and po p u la t e d ar e as o f the pa r tic u lar s m all U AS.	In	all c a s e s, an	a n al ys i s o f

th e se	cri t e ria d e m o n s tra t e s that t h e s m all UAS o p e r a t e d w i t h o u t an ai r w o rt h i n e s s c e rti f i c a te

, in	t h e r e st r i c t e d

e n v ir o n m e n t a n d u n d e r t h e c o n d it i o n s p r o p o s e d w ill b e a t l e a s t a s sa f e

, o r sa fe r, t h an	a c o n v e nti o n al aircr a f t

(fix e d w i n g o r r o t o rcr a f t) op e rating w i th	an ai r w o rth i n e ss c e rtif i c a t e w i th o u t t h e r est ric t i on s and co n d i t i o n s

p r o p o s e d.

The s m all UAS t o	be op e ra t e d	h e r e un d e r is l e s s t h an 5 5 lbs.	f u lly l o a d e d, c arri e s n e ith e r a p i l o t n o r pa s s e n g er

,

car r i e s n o e xpl o si v e m a te r i als o r f la m m a b l e liq u id fu e l s, and o p e r a te s e x cl u si v e l y w ithin a se cur e d a n d

d e sig n a te d	a r e a. U n like o t h e r ci v il airc r aft, o p e ra t i on s un d e r this ex e m p t i o n w ill b e tig h tly c on tr o l l e d	and

mo n i t o r e d	by b o th the o p e ra to r and u n d e r t h e r e q u i r e m e nts a n d in c o m p lia n c e w ith l o cal p u b lic sa f et y

r e q u ir e m e n ts. T h e s e saf e t y e n h a n c e m e nts pr o v i d e a g r e at e r d e g r e e o f saf et y t o t h e pu b lic a n d	p r o p e rt y o w n e rs

than co n v e n t i on al o p e ra t i on s co n d u c t e d w ith air wo r t h i n e ss c e r tifica t e s issu e d u n d e r 1 4	C.F.R. P art 2 1

, Su b p art

H. L ast l y

, ap p lica t i o n o f t h e se s a m e cri t e ria d e m o n s tr a te s t h a t th e r e is n o c r e d i b l e thr e a t t o na t i o n al s e cur i t y

p o s e d	by t h e s m all UAS, d u e t o its siz e

, s p ee d o f o p e r a ti o n

, l o c a t i o n o f o p e r a t i o n

, lack o f e x p l o s i v e m a t e ria l s o r

fl a mm a b l e liq u id fu e ls, and	i n abili t y t o c ar r y a su b st a n tial e xte r n al l o a d

.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 4 5. 2 3 ( b )

. Ma r k i ng o f t h e A i r cr a ft

The r e g u la t i o n	r e q u ir es : W h e n m a r ks i n cl u d e o n l y t h e R o m an	ca p i tal l e t t e r " N " a n d t h e r e g is t r at i o n nu m b e r i s

d is p la ye d o n l i m i te d

, r e s t r i c te d o r l i gh t

- sp o r t c a te g o r y aircraft o r ex p e r i m e n t al o r pr o v i si on al l y c e r tific a t e d

aircraft, t h e o p e ra t o r mu st also dis p lay o n th a t a i r cra f t n e ar e a ch e ntr a n c e t o	t h e ca b i n

, c o c kp i t, o r pi l o t s ta t i o n

,

in	l ette r s n o t l e s s t h an 2 i n c h e s n o r m o r e than 6 inc h e s high, t h e wo r d s "l i m i te d

, " "r est r i c t e d

, " "lig h t

- s p o r t ,"

"e xp e r i m e n t al," o r "p r o v i s i o n al," as ap p lica b l e

.

E ve n th o u gh t h e s m all UAS w ill h a v e n o air w o rt h i n e ss c ert ifi c a te

, an e x e m p t i o n m ay	be n e e d e d a s t h e s m a l l UAS

w ill h a v e n o e n tra n c e t o t h e ca b i n

, c o ckp i t o r pi l o t s t a ti o n o n w h ich the w o rd “ E x p e ri m e n tal”	can be p l ac e d.

Gi v e n t h e s i z e o f t h e s m all UAS, t w o

- i n ch le tte ri n g w ill be i m p o ssi b l e

. T h e w o rd “ E x p e r i m e nt al ” w ill be p l ac e d o n

the fus e l a g e in c o m p lia n c e w ith § 45

. 2 9 (f). T h e e q u i v a l e nt l e v e l o f s af e t y w ill be p r o v i d e d by h a v i n g t h e s m all

UAS m a r ke d o n i ts f u s e l a ge as r e q u ir e d b y § 45

. 2 9	(f) w h e re the pil o t

, o b s e r v e r a n d o th e rs w o rki n g w ith t h e

s m all UAS w ill se e the i d e n tificat io n o f t h e s m all UAS as “ E xp e r i m e n tal

. ”1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 6 1. 1 1 3( a ) : P r iv a te P i l o t P ri vi l e g es an d L i m i t a ti on s : P il o t i n C o m m a n d.

P u rs u a n t t o 1 4 CFR 61

. 1 1 3 (a), n o	p e r s o n w h o h o l d s a p ri v a t e pi l o t c ert if i cate m a y act as a pil o t in

c om m a n d o f an aircraft	th a t is carr yi n g p as s e ng e r s o r p r o p e r t y f o r c o mp e nsa t i o n o r hir e

. O u r s m all UAS

d o n o t ca r ry a n y p il o ts o r p as s e n g e rs n o r p r o p e r t y t h e r e f o re I a m	s e ek i n g an ex e m p t i o n t o 1 4 C F R

61

. 11 3 (a). A l th o ugh h e l p f u l, a p i l o t’s li c e nse w ill n o t e ns u re r e m o t e co n t r o l pi l o t i n g s kil l s. T h e risks

a t t e n d a n t t o t h e op e ra t i o n o f s m all UAS is far l e ss	than t h e r is k le v e ls i n h e r e nt in t h e c omm e rcial

a c t i v i ti e s ou tli n e d in 1 4 C F R 6 1

. I f ee l t h e o p e ra t i o n a n d	li m ita t i on s se t f o rth	in t he FOM w ill e q u a t e t o

t h e sa f e o p e ra t i o n o f t h e s m all U A S.

The safe o p e rat i o n	and c o n tr o l o f t h e UAS	as d e scri b e d	in	this applicat i o n	d o e s n o t d e p e nd o n the t y pe

o f FAA	li c e nse h e ld by t h e P IC. That kn o w l e dge can b e and	is gain e d pr i m arily t h r o ugh	practi c e and

e xp e ri e n c e and n o t th r o u g h flight training	in	fix e d w i n g o r r o t o r airc r aft, n o r is i t d e p e nd e nt o n	the

acquisiti o n o f a c om m e rc i al o r pr i v ate pil o t ’s c e rtifica t e

. Th o s e c e rtific a t e s d e mo nstrate kn o w l e dge o f

the fac t o rs and	skills n ee d e d	f o r t h e s afe o p e r a ti o n o f th o se t y p e s o f aircra f t (f i x e d w ing o r r o t o rc r a ft).	It

cann o t be ass u m e d	th a t a n y t y pe o f pil o t, app r o v e d t o o p e r a te a h e li c o pt e r o r f ix e d w ing	aircra f t, has

the skill o r abili t y to	saf e l y o p e ra t e a s m all un m an n e d a e rial v e hicl e

, o p e r ating	at 4 0 0 AGL o r l o we r,

w ithin stri c tly c o nt r o ll e d	p r e

- appr o v e d	a i rspa c e

. Fr o m	a practical standp o int, th e r e are r e lat i ve l y f e w

lic e ns e d	ful l

- sca l e aircra f t p il o ts w ho	are a l so qualifi e d to f l y t h e t y pe o f UAS that are utiliz e d f o r

infrastructure i m ag e

- capt u re o p e rat i o ns. Th e r e are e v e n	f e w e r pil o ts th a t can	f l y th e se UAS

– to	the

p o int that t o do	b o th is c o n sid e r e d	rare

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1.7 ( a ) : C i vi l A i r cr a ft A ir w o r t h i n e s s

.

The r e g u la t i o n	r e q u ir e s t h a t n o p e r so n m a y o p e ra t e a ci v il ai r cr a f t u n l e ss i t is in	a i r wo r t h y c o n d i t i o n .	As

th e r e w ill b e n o ai r w o rt h i n e ss c e rtif i cate	iss u e d f o r t h e air c r aft, s hou ld th i s e x e mp ti o n b e gra n t e d

, n o FAA

r e g u l at o r y s t a n d ard w ill e x i st f o r d et e r m i n i n g	air w o rt h i n e ss. G i v e n	the si z e o f t h e aircraft f o r m ai n te n a n c e

a n d	use o f saf e t y ch e ckli s t s pri o r t o e a ch	f l ig h t an e q u i v a l e nt l e ve l o f s a f e t y w ill b e pr o v i d e d.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1. 9 ( b ) (2) : Ci v i l A ir cr a ft F l ig h t M an u a l i n t h e A i r cr a ft

.

S e ct io n 91

. 9 ( b ) ( 2 ) p r o v i d e s: No	p e r s o n m a y o p e r a te	a U.S

. - r e gis t er e d	c iv il airc raf t ...	( 2 ) F o r wh ich	an

Air p l a n e o r R o t o rcr af t Fli gh t M an u al is n o t r e q u ir e d b y § 21

. 5 o f t h is ch a p te r

, u n le ss th e re i s a v aila b l e in

the aircraft a cur r e nt ap p r o ve d airpl a n e o r R o t o rcr af t F light M an u al, ap p r ov e d m a n u al m a te r ia l,

m a r ki n gs, and placa r d s, o r a n y c o mb i n a t i o n t h e r eo f. T h e s m all UAS, g i ve n i ts size a n d c on figur a ti o n has

no a b ility o r pla c e t o	ca r r y such a fl i ght m a n u al o n t h e aircr a f t, n o t o n l y b e ca u se t h e re is no p i l o t o n

b o ar d

, bu t b e c a u s e th e r e is n o r oo m o r c a p aci t y t o	ca rr y such an ite m o n t h e a i rc r a f t. T h e e q u i v a l e nt

le ve l o f sa f et y w ill b e m ai n t ai n e d	by k e e pi n g t h e f l ig h t m an u al a t t h e g r o u n d c on t r o l p o i n t w h e re	the

pi l o t f l y i n g t h e s m all UAS w ill h a v e i m m e dia t e a c c e ss t o i t.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1. 1 0 3 : P r e f l ig h t A cti o n

.

This r e g u la ti o n	r e q u ir e s e a ch p il o t in c om m a n d t o t a k e c e r tain a ct i on s b e f o r e fli g h t to	ins u r e t h e s af et y o f

fl i ght.	As FAA	a p p r o ve d r o t o rcraft	fli g ht m a n u als w ill n o t b e p r o v i d e d f o r the ai r c r aft a n ex e m p t i o n w ill b e

n e e d e d. T h e O P E R A TOR w i l l t a ke all a ct i on s inc l u d i n g re v i ew ing w e ath e r, fl i ght b at te r y r e q u ir e m e n t s

,

lan d i n g	and t a ke o ff d ist a n c e s and	ai r craft p e rf o r m a n c e data b e f o r e i n itia t i o n o f f l ight.1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1.1 09 : F l ig h t I n str u cti o n

.

S ect i o n 91

. 10 3 p r o v i d e s t h at n o p e rs o n m a y o p e r a te a c iv il ai r cra f t	( e x c e pt a m a n n e d	fr e e bal l o o n ) t h a t is

b e i n g u s e d	f o r fli g ht inst r u c t i o n u n l e ss that ai r craft	has f u lly fu n c ti o n i n g du al co n t r o ls.	S m all U AS	a n d

r em ote ly p i l ote d	ai r craft, b y t h e ir d e s i gn d o n o t h a v e f u l l y f un c t i on al d u al c on t r o l s.	Flig h t c on t r o l is

a cc o m p lish e d thr o ugh t h e u se o f a c on t r o l b o x that c omm u n ica t e s w ith t h e airc ra ft v i a r a d io

c om m u n ic a t i o n s. T h e FAA h as ap p r o v e d ex e m p t i o n s f o r flight t rai n i n g w i t h o u t f u lly fu n c t i o n al d u al

co n t r o ls f o r a n u mb e r o f a i rcr a f t a n d f o r fli g ht i n s truc t io n	in ex p e r i m e n t al aircraf t

. The e q u i v a l e nt l e v e l o f

sa f e t y pr o v i d e d b y t h e fact t h at n e ith e r a pil o t n o r p a s s e ng e rs w ill b e c arr i e d i n t h e aircr a f t a n d b y t h e

si z e a n d sp ee d o f t h e a ir cr a ft.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. §9 1.1 19 : M i n im u m Sa fe A l t it u d e s

.

S e ct io n 91

. 1 1 9 e s t a b lish e s safe al t i tu d e s f o r o p e r a t i o n o f c i v il ai r craft. S e c t i o n 9 1

. 1 1 9 ( d ) al l o w s

h e li c o p t e rs t o b e o p e ra t e d at l e ss than t h e m i n i m u m s p r e s c ri b e d, p r ov i d e d the p e r s o n o p e r a ti n g t h e

h e li c o p te r c o m p l i e s w i t h a ny r o u t e o r alt i t u d e s pr e sc r ib e d	f o r h e l i c o p t e rs b y t h e FAA.	As t h is ex e mp t i o n i s

f o r a s m all UAS that is a h e l i c op te r a n d t h e ex e m p ti o n r e q u e s t s aut h o ri t y t o o p e r a te a t a l tit u d e s u p t o 40 0

A G L

, o r n o t m o re than 20 0 ab o v e an e l e v a te d pla t f o r m f r o m w h i ch fil m i n g	is p l a n n e d, an e xe m p t i o n m a y

be n ee d e d t o al l o w s u ch o p e ra t i o n s.	As s e t f o rth h e r e i n

, t h e s m all UAS w ill n e ve r o p e r at e a t h igh e r t h an

4 0 0 A G L w ith the e xc e pt i o n that in ci r c u m sta nc e s w h e re	the s m all UAS	is us e d t o su r v e y o r p h o t o gra p h a

s t r u cture w h o se h e i ght e x c ee ds 4 0 0 fe e t A G L

, t h e s m a ll UAS w ill n o t b e o p e r a te d m o r e than 100 ' a b o v e

t h e h i g h e st p o i n t o n the s t r uct u r e .	It w ill h o w e v e r b e o p e r a te d

in	a r est r ic te d	a r e a w ith s e curity p e r i m ete r

, w h e r e b u i l d ings and p eo p l e w ill n o t b e ex p o s e d to

o p e r ati on s w i t ho u t t h e ir p r e

- o b tai n e d c o n s e n t. T h e e q u i v al e n t l e v e l o f saf et y w ill b e a c h i e v e d gi ve n t h e

si z e

, we ig h t, s p ee d o f t h e s m all UAS	as w e ll as the l o c a t i o n w h e r e it is o p e rat e d. No	flight w ill b e t ak e n

w i t h o u t t h e p e r m issi o n o f t he p ro p e r t y ow n e r o r l oc a l o fficials. B e cau s e o f t h e a d v a n ce n o ti c e t o t h e

p r o p e r t y ow n e r and	parti c i p a n ts in	t h e f i l m i n g a ct i v i t y

, all af fec te d	i nd i v id u als w ill b e a w a re o f t h e

p lan n e d f l ig h t o p e rati on s. C o mp ar e d t o flig h t

o p e ra t i on s w i th	aircr a f t o r r o t o rcraft we ig h ti n g f a r m o re than t h e m a x i m u m 5 5 l b s.	pr o p o s e d	h e r e in	and

t h e la c k

o f fl a mm a b le f u e l, any r is k ass o ci a te d w ith t h e se op e r ati o n s is f ar l e ss t h an th o s e pr e s e n t l y pr e s e nt e d

w ith c o n ve nti on al airc r aft o p e r a ti n g at o r b e l o w 50 0	A G L

. I n	ad d i ti o n

, t h e l o w

- a l ti t u d e o p e r a ti o n s o f

the s m all U A S w ill e ns u re s e para t i o n b et w e e n th e s e s m all

- UAS o p er ati o n s and t he o p e r a t i o n s o f

c o n ve nti on al airc r aft t h a t m u st c o mp ly w i th S ect i o n 91

. 11 9

.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1.1 2 1 Al t im e t e r S et ti n gs

.

This r e g u la ti o n	r e q u ir e s e a ch p e r so n o p e r ati n g an	air c raft t o m ai n tain cr u is i n g	a l t i t u d e b y r e f e r e n c e t o

an	alti m e te r that is s e t “

... t o t h e e l e v a t i o n o f t h e d e p a r t u re air p o r t o r an	ap p r o p r i a t e al t i m e t e r s et ti n g

a v aila b l e b e f o re d e p artu r e

. ” As the s m all UAS m a y no t h a v e a ba r o m et ric al t i m et e r, b u t in s t e ad	a G P S

a l titu d e r e ad o u t, an e x e mp t i o n m ay be n e e d e d. An e q u i v al e n t le ve l o f s a f e ty w i l l be achi e ve d b y t h e

o p e ra t o r, p u rs u a n t to	the s af e ty c h e c k list and	l i v e fl i g ht d ata mo n i t o r i ng, c o n fi r m i n g t h e a l ti t u d e o f the

la u n ch	si t e s h ow n o n the G P S	alti t u d e in d ic at o r b e f o re fl i ght.1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 91 .1 5 1( a ) :	F u e l R e q u ir e m e n ts	f o r F lig h t i n V FR C on d iti o n s

S e ct io n 91

. 1 5 1	(a) p r o h i b i t s an	in d i v i d u al fr o m	b e g i n n i n g “ a flig h t in	an	a i rpla n e u n d e r VFR c o n d i ti o n s

un l e s s ( c o n si d e ri n g w ind a nd	f o re c a st we ath e r c o n d i t i o n s) t h e r e is e n o u gh	f u e l t o fly t o	t h e first p o i n t o f

i n t e n d e d	l a n d ing, an d

, a ss u m i n g n o r m al c r u i s i n g s p e e d

– ( 1 ) Du ri n g t h e d a y

, t o f l y a f te r t h a t f o r at l e a s t 3 0

m in u t e s ; o r ( 2 ) At nig h t, t o	fly a f te r t h a t f o r a t l e a st 4 5 m in u t e s

. ”	The b at t e ry p o w e ri n g t h e s m all UAS

p r o v i d e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 0 m in u te s o f p o w e r e d	fl i ght. To m ee t t h e 3 0 m i n u t e r e s e r v e r e q u ir e m e nt in 1 4

CFR § 9 1

. 1 51

, s m all UAS fli g hts w o u ld	be l i m i t e d t o ap p r o x i m a t el y 1 0 m in u t e s in l e ngth. Gi ve n t h e

l i m ita t i o n s o n the s m all U A S’s pr o p o s e d	f l ig h t a r e a a n d t h e l o c a t i o n o f i t s p r o p o s e d o p e r a t i o n s w i thin a

p r e d e t e r m i n e d	ar e a, a l o ng e r t i m e fr a m e f o r flight in d a y light o r tw il i ght V F R c o n d iti o n s is r e a s o n a b l e

. Ap p lica n t b e li e v e s t h at an e xe m pti o n f r o m 1 4 CFR § 9 1

. 1 5 1 ( a) f a lls w i t h in t h e s c op e o f pr i o r ex e m p t i o n s.

O p e rati n g the s m all UAS, in a tig h t l y c o n tr o l l e d ar e a wh e re o n l y p e o p le and p r o p e r t y ow n er s o r o f f icial

r e pr e s e n ta t i v e s w h o h a v e s ign e d w a i v e rs w ill b e a ll o w e d, w i th	l e ss t h an

3 0 m in u t e s o f r e s e r v e f u e l, d oe s n o t e ng e n d e r t h e t y p e o f ri s ks t h at S ect i o n 91

. 1 51 ( a ) w a s in t e n d e d t o

all e v i a te gi ve n t h e size and s p ee d o f t h e s m all UAS.	A d d i t i o n al l y

, l i m i ti n g s m all U A S	f l ig h ts t o 1 0 m in u te s

wo u ld	g r e a t ly r e d u c e t h e u tili t y f o r w h ich t h e ex e mp t i o n w ill b e gra n te d .	Ap p li ca n t b e li e v e s t h a t an

e q u i v a l e nt l e ve l o f saf et y c an be a c h i e ve d by l i m iti n g f lights t o 3 0 m in u te s o r 25 % o f ba t t e r y p o w e r

—

w hi c h e v e r hap p e ns first. T his r est ric t i o n w o u ld	be mo r e t h an ad e q u a te t o r et u rn t h e s m all UAS t o i ts

plan n e d la n d i n g z o n e fr o m	a n yw h e r e in	its li m i te d o p e rating a r e a.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1.2 0 3 ( a ) an d ( b ) : C a r r yi n g C i v i l Ai r c ra ft C e rti f i c a t i o n an d R e g ist ra t i o n

The r e gula t i o n p r o v i d e s in p e rtin e nt p a r t :

(a) E x c e pt a s pr o v i d e d	in § 91

. 71 5

, n o	p e r s o n m ay o p e rate a ci v il a i rcraft u n l e ss it h as

w i t h in	it t h e f o l l o w ing:

( 1 ) An	ap p r o p ri a te	and c u r r e nt ai r w o r thi n e s s ce rtific a t e

.	.	.	. (b) No p er s o n m a y o p e ra t e a ci v il air c ra f t un l e s s the a ir wo rthi n e ss c e r tifi c a te r e q u i r e d	by

p aragra p h (a) o f t h is s e c ti o n o r a sp e cial f lig h t a u th o r i z a t i o n	iss u e d u n d e r § 91

. 71 5 is d i s p la y e d a t the

ca b in o r c o ckpit e nt r a n ce s o t h a t it is l e gi b l e to	pass e n g e rs o r c re w

.

The s m all UAS f u l l y l o a d e d we ighs n o m o r e than 5 5 l b s. a n d	is o p e r a te d w i t h o u t an o n b o ard	pi l o t.	As

su c h

, t h e re is no	abili t y o r pla c e t o c ar r y c e r tific a t i o n and	r e gi s t r a t i o n do c u m e n t s o r t o dis p la y t h e m o n

t h e s m all UAS.

An e q u i v al e nt le ve l o f sa f e t y w ill b e a c h ie ve d b y k ee p i n g t h e se d o c u m e n t s at t h e gr o u n d co n t r o l p o i n t

w h e r e the p il o t f l y i n g the s m all UAS w ill h a v e i m m e d i a t e a c c e ss t o th e m ; t o t h e e xte nt t h e y are a p p lica b le

to	the s m all U AS.

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1.4 0 5 ( a ) ; 40 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 4 0 9 ( a ) (2) ; 41 7( a ) & ( b ) : Ma i n te n a n c e In s p e c t i o n s

.

Th e se r e g u l a ti on s r e q u ire t h at an	airc r a ft o p e ra t o r o r ow n e r “ shall ha v e t h at air c raft i n sp e c t e d	as

p r e scr i b e d	in su b p art E o f t h is pa r t a n d s h all b et w e e n r e q u ir e d ins p ect i on s, e x ce p t as p r o v i d e d in

p aragra p h (c) o f t h is s e c ti on

, h a v e d is c r e pa n ci e s r e pa i r e d	as p r e s cr i b e d in p art 4 3 o f t h is cha p t e r...

, ” ando th e r s shall ins p e ct o r m ai n tain t h e aircra f t in c o mp l i a n ce w ith P art 43

. G i ve n that t h e s e s ect i o n and P ar t

4 3 ap p l y on ly t o aircr a f t w it h	an	air w o r thi n e ss c e rtif i c a te

, t h e s e s ect i o n s w ill n o t a pp ly to	the ap p lica n t.

M ai n t e n a n ce w ill b e a c c o mp lish e d b y t h e o p e ra t o r p u r s u a n t t o t h e fl i g h t m a n u al a n d o p e rating h and b o o k.

An e q u i v a l e nt l e v e l o f sa fet y w ill be a c h ie v e d b e cau s e t h e se s m all UASs a r e v e ry	l i m i te d	in si z e and w ill

ca r r y a s m all p a y l o ad a n d o p e ra t e o n ly in r e s t ri c te d a r e as f o r l i m it e d p e ri od s o f t i m e .	If m e cha n ical issu e s

arise the s m all UAS c an	l a n d i mm e d ia t e l y and w ill b e o p e rating f r o m n o hi g h e r t h an 4 0 0 f ee t A G L

. T h e

o p e r a to r w ill e ns u r e that t h e s m all UAS is in w o r ki n g o r d e r

p ri o r t o i n i t iati n g flight, p e r f o rm	r e q u i r e d m ai n t e na n c e

, a n d kee p a l o g o f a n y m a i n te n a n c e p e r f o r m e d.

M o re o v e r

, t h e o p e r a t o r is t h e p e r s o n m o s t f a m iliar w it h	the ai r cra f t and b es t sui t e d	to m ai n tain t h e

aircraft i n	an	ai r wo r thy c o n d i t i o n t o p r o v i d e t h e e q u i v a l e nt l e ve l o f sa f e t y

.

An e q u i v al e nt le ve l o f sa f e t y w ill b e a c h ie ve d b e cause m ai n te n a n c e a n d ins p e c t i on s w ill be p e rf o r m e d	in

ac co r d a n c e w i th the s m all UAS M a n u factu r e r's M a n u al, as r e f e r e n c e d	in t h e Air c raft Op er a t i o n s M a n u al

( A OM ). As p r ov i d e d	in t h e F OM

, t h e o p e ra t o r w ill e n s u re that t h e s m all UAS is in w o rki n g o r d e r pri o r t o

i n itiat i n g fli g h t a n d p e rf o r m r e q u i r e d m ai n te n a n c e n ee d e d.

S m a l l U A S I n f or m a t i o n

S m all UAS’s to	be u s e d	a r e as f o l l o w s bu t n o t l i m i t e d t o pr o v i d i n g t h e y a r e w i thin t h e s c o p e o f t h e

ex e m p t i o n gra n te d by the FAA:

1

. D JI P h a n t o m	3 P r o ( P 3 V P )

* S ee A tt a c h ed U s er M anua l F o r F ul l Sp e c s *

C o nclusi o n

Thank y o u f o r the c o nsid e r ati o n o f t h e se e x e m pt i o ns

Sinc e r e ly

Scott	T	Berry