Memorandum Of Agreement Loosens Some Pre-Mission Approval Requirements

The FAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will ease some pre-mission administrative approval requirements on certain DOI UAS operations.

A notice posted on the DOI website indicates that the MOA establishes a framework under which DOI Bureaus must operate to comply with FAA rules and procedures pertaining to small UAS (sUAS) employment. The scope of sUAS operations under this MOA applies only to systems weighing 55 lbs or less engaged in public aircraft operations below 400 ft AGL and is limited to natural resource and scientific applications, as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. All other UAS operations to include wildland fire and law enforcement operations must still comply with the FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) application and approval process before flights can commence.

The notice cautions that "all aviation Departmental Manual and Operational Procedures Memorandum 13-11 (extension) requirements regarding aircraft operations and acquisitions still apply."

There is still not an FAA approved process for UAS contractors to conduct commercial operations in the National Airspace, and DOI Bureaus must still comply with many of the requirements previously mandated under the COA process and the DOI UAS Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) agreement.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.doi.gov