Airborne Works Mark Langley 434 Wall St Hebron, Connecticut 06248 Mark@advanceservicellc.com January 15, 2016 U. S
. Department ofTransportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Exemption Request Section 333 ofthe FAA Reform Act and Part 11 ofthe Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b);14 CFR Part 21 ;14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7 (a);91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b); 91.109;91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) 

### &(b);91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2);91.417 (a) 

### &(b). Dear Sir or Madam: Pursuantto Section 333 ofthe FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the Reform Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 , Airborne Works, developer and operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems ("sUASs") equipped to conduct aerial electronic data collection c and aerial photographyforthe commercial video industry, hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") to allow commercial operation of its sUASs, so long as such operations are conducted within and underthe conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. As described more fully below, the requested exemption would permitthe 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 filming and monitoring industry presently using conventional aircraft. Approval ofthis exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary ofTransportation's (the FAAAdministrator's) responsibilities to "
.. .establish requirements forthe safe operation ofsuch aircraft systems in the national airspace system." Section 333(c) ofthe Reform Act.

cAerial Data Collection" which 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 (particulate measurement, etc
.), or any other gathering ofdata by instruments aboard the UA 

### 1The name and address ofthe applicant is: Airborne Works Mark Langley Ph: 860-374-8510 Email: Mark@advanceservicellc.com Address: 434 Wall St, Hebron, Connecticut, 06248 Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 14 CFR Part 21 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 14 CFR 61
.113 (a) & (b) 14 C
.F.R. 91.7 (a) 14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 14 C.F.R. 91.103 14 C.F.R. 91.109 14 C
.F. R. 91.119 14 C.F.R. 91.121 14CFR91
.151 (a) 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 CFR 91.405 (a) 14 CFR 407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 409 (a) (2) 14 CFR 417 (a) & (b) This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) ofthe Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary ofTransportation to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion ofthe rulemaking required under Section 332 ofthe Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of sUASs do not create a hazard to users ofthe NAS orthe public or pose a threat to national security in light ofthe following:
• The sUAS's size, weight, speed , and operational capability; • Operation ofthe sUAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas • Operation ofthe sUAS within visual line of sight ofthe operator. Reform Act§ 333 (a). Lastly, ifthe Secretary determines that such vehicles "may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements forthe safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system." ld. §333(c) (emphasis added) A

AApplicant interprets this provision to place the duty on the Administratorto not only process applications for exemptions under section 333, but for the Administrator to craft conditions for the safe operation ofthe sUAS, if it should be determined that the conditions set forth herein do not fulfill the statutory requirements for approval. 

### 2The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions
.This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 ofthe Act,that includes sUASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) ofthis section or any sections 44702-44716 ofthis title ifthe Administratorfinds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C
. §44701 (f) See also 49 USC §44711 (a);49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1 ).

Airborne Works's sUASs are rotorcraft,weighting 55 orfewer lbs. including payload
.They operate, under normal conditions at a speed of no more than 50 knots and have the capability to hover, and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously
.They will operate only in line of sight and will operate only within the sterile area described in the Flight Safety Manual, attached as Exhibit B (hereinafter "the Manual"). Such operations will insure that the sUAS will "not create a hazard to users ofthe national airspace system orthe public." 8

Given the small size ofthe sUASs involved and the restricted sterile environment within wh ich they will operate,the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UASs to commence immediately
.Also due to the size ofthe sUASs and the restricted areas in which the relevant sUASs will operate, approval ofthe application presents no national security issue
. Given the clear direction in Section 333 ofthe Reform Act,the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including reduced emissions associated with allowing sUASs for commercial video operations, the grant ofthe requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly,the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grantthe requested exemption without delay.
AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level ofsafety to operations underthe current regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the already safe commercial video filming operations conducted with conventional aircraft
.

8 Reform Act Section 333 (b).
3These limitations and conditions to which Airborne Works agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include:

1. The slJAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer. 3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 20 minute limit.

4
. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL or, not more than 200 feet above an elevated platform from which filming is planned.

5. Minimum crew for each operation will consist ofthe sUAS Pilot and the Visual Observer
. 6. sUAS pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a sport or recreational certificate (or the minimum required certification at the time ofthe flight) and a valid driver's license. The observer will also hold a valid driver's license.

7
. sUAS Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC)
. If a pilot certificate holder other than the sUAS Pilot, who possess the necessary PIC qualifications, is also present on set (i.e. the Aerial Coordinator),that person can also be designated as PIC
.

8. The sUAS will only operate within a confined "Sterile Area" as defined in the Manual. Section C ofthe Manual requires the establishment of a "Safety Perimeter" for the flight operations area.

9. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each day's production activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties within the boundaries ofthe safety perimeter be present for this briefing.

10. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711-1 , or its equivalent, as modified in light ofthe requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office.

11. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the filming and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet ofthe flight operation, and this radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level ofsafety determination, as required by Section F ofthe Manual. With the advanced permission ofthe relevant FSDO, operations at closer range can be approved. (See Section Bin the Manual Appendix B)

12
. The operator will submit a written Plan ofActivities to the local FSDO with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The three-day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO.

13
. Pilot and observer will have been trained in operation of sUAS generally and received upto-date information on the particular sUAS to be operated as required
.

14. Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice. 15. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained
. 16. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement,fire, or other appropriate governmental agencies
.

17. Ifthe sUAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal ,the sUAS will have capability to return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land.

18. The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies
.



### 414 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 limited 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 ofsafety under Part 11 and Section 333 ofthe Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and Section 333 ofthe Reform Act both authorize the FAAto exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration ofthe size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas ofthe particular sUAS. In all cases, an analysis ofthese criteria demonstrates that the sUAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and underthe conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed.

The sUAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured area as set out in the Manual. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations underthis exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator, pursuant to the Manual's requirements, and underthe requirements and in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security forthe area of operation as is now done with conventional filming
.The FAA will have advance notice ofall operations
.These safety enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with motion picture and television production, 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 ofthese 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. § 45.23 (b). Marking ofthe Aircraft The regulation requires: 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. Even though the sUAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the sUAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the word "Experimental" can be placed
. Given the size ofthe sUAV, two-inch lettering will be 5impossible. 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 sUAV marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the sUAV will see the identification ofthe sUAS as "Experimental." The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167 

### A. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command. Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the sUAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a private pilot's license rather than a commercial pilot's license to operate this small sUAS. Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the sUAS is remotely controlled with no living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance as setforth in the Manual. The level of safety provided by the requirements included in the Manual exceeds that provided by a single individual holding a commercial pilot's certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the operation ofthe sUAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 when drafted, that allowing operations ofthe sUAS as requested with a private pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level ofsafety achieved by 14 C.F.R. §61
.113 (a) & (b)
.

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 for determining airworthiness. Given the size ofthe aircraft and the requirements contained in the Manual for maintenance and use ofsafety check lists prior to each flight, as set forth in Sections C & D, 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 or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21
.5 ofthis 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.

6The sUAS, given 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 board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft.

The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to it. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 95658, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700
.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103(b): Preflight action This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety offlight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption will be needed
.An equivalent level of safety will be provided as set forth in the Manual. 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: Flight instruction: Section 91
.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used forflight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls
.

sUASs and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See Exemption Nos.5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed ofthe aircraft. Safe simulation and practice flight will be carried out in controlled environments
. All simulations will be carried out on a computer using the drone controls. Any practice flying will take place in a safe environment,with no risk to human life below
.

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 operated 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 sUAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at 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 sUAS will never operate at higherthan 400 AGL. It will however be operated in a 

### 7restricted area with safety perimeter,where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre-obtained consent. The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size,weight, speed ofthe sUAS as well as the location where it is operated
. No flight will be taken without the permission ofthe property owner or local officials
. Because ofthe advance notice to the property owner and participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware ofthe planned flight operations as set forth in the Manual. Compared to flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than the maximum 551bs
. proposed herein and the lack offlammable fuel , any risk associated with these operations is far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL in the movie industry. In addition ,the lowaltitude operations ofthe sUAS will ensure separation between these smaii-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 ofthe departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure
."As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed
.An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Manual and Safety Checklist, confirming the altitude ofthe launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning "aflight 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 afterthat 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 25 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91
.151 , sUAS flights would be limited to approximately 20 minutes in length
. Given the limitations on the sUAS's proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longertime frame for flight in daylight or night VFR conditions is reasonable
.

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151 (a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate without compliance with FAR 91
.151 (a))
. Operating the small sUAS, 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 engenderthe type of risks that Section 91.151 (a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed ofthe small sUAS
. Additionally, limiting sUAS flights to 20 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption will be granted. 

### 8Applicant believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 20 minutes or25% of battery power whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area.

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.

14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration 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) ofthis 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. The sUAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents orto display them on the sUAS
. 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, to the extent they are applicable to the sUAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation
. A representative sample of other exceptions includes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700
.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections These regulations require that an aircraft operator orowner "shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E ofthis part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 ofthis chapter
...," and others shall inspect or maintain the 3ircraft 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 as referenced in the Manuai.(See Sections B, D and G) An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because these small sUASs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for limited periods oftime. If mechanical issues arise the sUAS can land 9immediately and will be operating from no higherthan 400 feet AGL. As provided in the Manual, the operator will ensure that the sUAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log ofany maintenance performed
. Moreover, the operator is the person mostfamiliar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety.

Pursuantto 14 C.F.R. Part 11 , the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed: Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 C
.F.R. §21 , subpart H; 14 C
.F
.R 45
.23(b);14 C
.F
.R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b);91
.7 (a); 91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b);91
.109; 91
.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91
.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (551bs or less) in motion picture and television operations. Approval ofexemptions allowing commercial operations ofsUASs in the film industry will enhance safety by reducing risk
. Conventional film operations, using jet or piston power aircraft, operate at extremely low altitudesjustfeet from the subject being filmed and in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of4,0001bs., carrying large amounts ofjet A or otherfuel. Such aircraft must fly to and from the film location. In contrast, a sUAS weighing fewer than 55 lbs. and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all ofthat risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The sUAS is carried to the film set and notflown
. The sUAS will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operation ofsmall sUASs, weighting less than 55 lbs. , conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level ofsafety supporting the grant ofthe exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a sterile environment and, as a result, are far saferthan conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and people
. sUASs Details: See Appendix C Safety Features: • Emergency "Return-To-Home" o At the beginning of each flight a home point is set. This home point is set in accordance with the manual to allowfor a safe takeoff and return
. Should the pilot's control lose signal with the sUAS 10Privacy or manually request a return, the sUAS will return to the starting point.

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property owner's prior consent and knowledge
. Filming will be of people who have also consented to being filmed or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take place.

Satisfaction ofthe criteria provided in Section 333 ofthe Reform Act of2012--size, weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation within visual line of sight and national security - provides more than adequatejustification for the grant ofthe requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicant's sUAS in the commercial video production industry pursuant to the Manual appended hereto
.

Mark Langley

11