1

Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Flatwater Studios

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

a. Purpose 3

b. Pilot/Operator Organization 3

c. Persons Authorized 3

d. Area of Operations 3

e. Plan of Activities 3

f. Permission to Operate 4

g. Security 4

h. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 5

i. Certification/Airworthiness 5

j. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 5

k. Communications 6

l. Accident Notification 6

m. Recall/Stop Procedures 6

n. Special Provisions 6

II. Company Organization

a. Chief Pilot 7

b. Pilot in Command 7

Appendix A

1. List of Approved Pilots 8

2. List of Approved Aircraft 9

3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 10

4. Revision Request (sample) 11

5. Application for Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (Link) 

http://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/form/faa7711-2.pdf
2

Flatwater Studios

Flight Operations Manual Revision Control Page

Complete a new page for each revision. The Chief Pilot must approve all revisions.

Revision No. 

Date 

Name of Reviser 

Chief Pilot Approval: 

Initials 

Date 

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
3

I. Introduction

a. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Flatwater Studios”, hereby referred to as 

“FWS”, in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver and

Authorization (“COA”) of the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations 

(“FAR”) parts 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming. FWS pilots and other company personnel will, when 

applicable, comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual 

whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require 

a COA as mentioned above.

b. Pilot/Operator Organization.

FWS will provide pilot information on an “as need” basis per project/flight. We 

employ various pilots due to differentiating geographical locations. See appendix 

A-1 

c. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) shall be waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the 

area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. 

For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an Aviation 

Safety Inspector’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain 

features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating 

persons (e.g. observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of 

an accident.

d. Area of Operations

Sclera’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States

e. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming FWS will submit a written 

plan of activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (“FSDO”) having 

jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should include the following:

1. Dates and times for all flights.

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming 

production event.

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

4. Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and 

type of airworthiness certificate, including category.

5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming 

production event, including any notation of external load 

endorsements or aerobatic competency, if required.
4

6. A statement that the waiver holder 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 upon request to the FAA Administrator by Sclera.

7. Signature of an authorized FWS representative.

8. 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 minimum altitudes essential to accomplish 

the operations.

The three (3) day notification requirement may be waived with the consent of the 

FSDO. However, the operator should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with 

any waiver request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day

notification is not practical.

f. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials 

as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required are

listed below:

1. Property owners

2. Law enforcement officials

3. Fire department officials

4. Local, State and Federal government

5. Air traffic control

Although verbal permission is acceptable, the FWS personnel obtaining such 

permission should attempt to obtain permission in writing whenever practical. If 

permission is obtained verbally, the FWS personnel obtaining verbal permission 

shall record the details of the verbal grant of permission. A standard permission 

form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written 

permission or recording grants of verbal permission. FWS personnel will assure a 

sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission 

forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and 

then turned into the Chief Pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) 

months. The FAA, or other official personnel, upon request, shall have access to 

all available forms for inspection.

g. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all

unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other

reason in the interest of safety.
5

h. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in

command (“PIC”) will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating FWS

personnel of the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be 

followed during the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on 

additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic 

responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or 

time limits. The briefing shall cover:

1. Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of 

waiver and the attached special provisions

2. Operations manual

3. Plan of activities

4. Aircraft parking and starting

5. Taxi procedures

6. Radio Communications

7. Takeoff procedures

8. Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production 

event

9. Approach and landing procedures

10. Recall procedures

11. Emergency procedures

12. Risks to participating personnel

13. How to control nonparticipating persons

i. Certification/Airworthiness

All FWS aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) 

for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness 

certificates.

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance

and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for

discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The PIC will assure the aircraft to be 

flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has 

been completed before each flight.

j. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

1. Successful completion of an FAA-approved ground school that 

meets the requirements of Part 61 of the FAR and passage of the 

an attendant knowledge test as specified by that part. 

2. At least 400 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as 

the PIC in the aircraft type.

3. A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be 

used.

4. A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used 

under the waiver.
6

5. In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an

external-load operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, 

pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification 

may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral 

and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot 

approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified 

to carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to 

part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects:

i. Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a 

survey of the Flight area.

ii. Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external 

load.

iii. Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture 

operating procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

iv. Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

v. Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a 

rotorcraft-load combination flight manual and limitations, 

if appropriate.

k. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the PIC will formulate a 

plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual 

operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long 

as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised 

of the current status of the operation.

l. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

m. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

n. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the FWS Motion Picture and 

Television Operations Manual is the primary assurance that persons on the 

surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be

those specified in the FWS MPTOM and/or associated plans of activities. Each 

pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All 

civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA 

inspection.

Each PIC conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the 

conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c). 

Takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 
7

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. FWS will 

ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly

briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the 

provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No 

person may participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on 

the provisions of the waiver.

II. Company Organization

a. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this

manual.

2. Act as liaison between FWS and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

3. Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a

signed statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.

4. Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

Sclera.

5. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and

processed properly.

6. Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

FWS under the provisions of this manual.

7. Assume the responsibilities of PIC when acting as such.

8. The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains

responsibility.

b. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections 

and required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

2. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the

provisions of this manual.

3. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

4. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes,

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

5. Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at 

any job or operation requiring the waiver.

6. The PIC may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains

responsibility.
8

Appendix A-1

List of Approved Pilots

TITLE NAME FAA REGISTRATION NO. DATE ADDED

Chief Pilot TBD TBD

Pilot TBD TBD
9

Appendix A-2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make Model Description Date Added Registration 

#

1. DJI Inspire Quad-Copter UAS <55 lbs April 7, 2015 TBD

2. Gryphon Dynamics FZX 1400 Octo-Copter UAS <55 lbs April 7, 2015 TBD

3.

4.

5.

6.
10

Appendix A-3

Permission Acquisition Form

By signing this form, I agree that I have given the pilots of FWS permission to operate their 

aircraft at less than 300 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for 

or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production for the date(s) referenced 

below.

Name: 

Entity (if applicable): 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location: 

Date(s) of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________

Date __________________________

FWS Representative Receiving Permission

Name: 

Signature: 

Date: 

Appendix A-4
11

Revision Request

Revision # Section Page Action Summary

If requested revision involves modified or additional language, add language below. Attach 

additional sheets if necessary. Reference the revision number, date, and requestor on each 

additional sheet.

Proposed text:

Or:

 Remove Section # 

Manual Serial Version # 

Revision Requestor 

Signature of Requestor 

Date 

Chief Pilot receipt acknowledgement:

Chief Pilot

Date