Recreational Drone Flyers Must Follow The Safety Guidelines Of A FAA-Recognized CBO

The FAA has issued guidance on how to become an FAA-recognized community-based organization for recreational drone flying.

Under federal law, recreational drone flyers must follow the safety guidelines of a FAA-recognized community-based organization. The organization is required to develop its safety guidelines in coordination with the FAA and an applicant may wish to tailor them to a particular type of unmanned aviation.

The FAA’s guidance, Advisory Circular 91-57C, provides a comprehensive list of recommended safety guidelines that applicants may consider using in their application. Organizations that meet the legal definition of a community-based organization may apply for FAA recognition through the FAA’s DroneZone website.

The guidance provided in AC 91-57C supports the limited recreational operation of unmanned aircraft (UA) by explaining how a recreational flyer of UA may comply with the statutory requirements of Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) This AC provides guidance for operating UA under the exception, including operations for certain educational and research purposes; FAA recognition of community-based organizations (CBO); and application for fixed sites and CBO-sanctioned UA flying events. UA (sometimes referred to as “drones”) are aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

The updated guidance also provides information on applying for recreational flying fixed sites, hosting sponsored events and educational use requirements.

FMI: www.faa.gov