Whether you call them drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), we appear to be one step closer to rules for small unmanned aircraft in the U.S.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was released on Feburary 15, 2015 at regulations.gov. The FAA press release can be found here.
The FAA intends to add 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as modifications to Part 21, Part 43, Part 45, Part 47, Part 61, Part 91, and Part 101.
Here’s the gist:
- Operators of small UAS will be considered operators
- Aircraft must weight less than 55 lb (25 kg)
- Visual line of sight operations (VLOS) only; must remain within VLOS of the operator or visual observer
- Vision must be unaided except for corrective lenses
- May not operate over people not directly involved in the operation
- Daylight operations only
- Visual observer not required
- First person viewing (FPV) will not be sufficient for traffic deconfliction
- Maximum airspeed: 100 mph (87 knots)
- Maximum altitude: 500 ft (150 m) above ground level (AGL)
- Minimum visibility: 3 miles (Must be 500 ft below and 2000 ft horizontally away from clouds)
- No operations in Class A airspace
- Operations in Class B, C, D, and E with ATC permission
- No operations in restricted or prohibited areas without permission
- Must yield right of way to manned aircraft and cannot pass over, under or in front unless well clear
- One operator per aircraft
- No careless or reckless operation
- Preflights required (must know any local airspace and flight restrictions and ground hazards)
- Operators must be in good physical and mental health at at least 17 years old
- Operators must pass a aeronautical knowledge test (initially and every two years afterwards)
- Operators must be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration
- Accidents with injuries or property damage must be reported to the FAA within 10 days
- Airworthiness certificates for the aircraft will not be required
- The aircraft must be registered like a manned aircraft and markings will be required
The modifications to Part 101 will codify the requirements placed on model aircraft by Section 336 of Public Law 112-95. They are
- Model aircraft are flown strictly for hobby or recreational use
- Model aircraft are operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within programming of a nationwide community-based organization
- Model aircraft must weight less than 55 lb (25 kg) unless otherwise certified by a community-based organization
- Must not interfere and yield right of way to manned aircraft
- When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator must provide the airport operator and the airport traffic control tower prior notice.
Overall, this seems to be a fairly good balance, but there can still be some changes made after the rule making period. So, we are not quite there, but progress is finally being made. I’ll be spending the next several posts on how persons and businesses can implement these rules (once effective) and how AISC can help.