Agency Moves to Refine UAV Regulations in Bid to Future-Proof Industry

The FAA has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding maintenance inspections for crewed and uncrewed aircraft flying under Part 91 rules.

The changes don't affect drones under 55 pounds, public aircraft, or those operating under Part 107. The aim seems to be the imposition of more rigorous, standardized maintenance for this new market of commercial operations - while a small niche right now, the future is shaping up to be pretty drone-heavy across the board, and slipshod maintenance always manages to creep into cost-focused operations wherever legal.

“For unmanned aircraft," the NPRM reads, "including unmanned aircraft operating under 14 CFR part 135 that are authorized to use the inspection rules in part 91, this proposal would enable the selection of either an inspection program recommended by the manufacturer or a program established by the registered owner or operator and approved by the Administrator. The FAA believes this change would enhance safety and would provide unmanned and single-engine turbine-powered aircraft owners and operators with greater flexibility with aircraft maintenance."

The Part 21 uncrewed aircraft type certification process requires the submission of an aircraft inspection program, which lays out the requirements for life-limited parts, maintenance, and the like. As such, it's a good place to find manufacturer-recommended intervals for products and articles, detailing what aspects of the airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, appliances, emergency equipment and such require operator attention. The NPRM isn't entirely inflexible on exactly how operators check the box for their inspection program, however. 

"Regarding unmanned aircraft inspection program selection, excluding those operated under part 107, it is necessary for owners and operators to have the ability to select a program that is most appropriate for the design and configuration of their specific aircraft because of the wide variety in aircraft, which cannot be done in the existing regulations. Currently, part 135 unmanned aircraft applicants and approved operators can only use a CAMP, under § 135.411(a)(2), or an approved aircraft inspection program, under §§ 135.411(a)(1) and 135.419, because other inspection program options cannot be selected, as these aircraft are not incorporated in the regulations. The FAA has not approved part 135 unmanned aircraft operators to use an annual or a 100-hour inspection because the FAA has determined the scope and detail criteria [5] contained in these two options do not adequately cover the component characteristics that are typically installed on these aircraft ( e.g., multiple electric motors, circuit boards, batteries, etc.). Additionally, a manufacturer-recommended inspection program—that traditional aircraft may currently select—is not available to unmanned aircraft, despite CAMPs and AAIPs being primarily based on a manufacturer-recommended inspection program. Because of these issues, a CAMP or an AAIP has been the only option for part 135 unmanned aircraft operators to select."

FMI: www.federalregister.gov