Seventeen Page Notice In Effect For A Year

The FAA has issued internal guidance on Unmanned Aircraft Operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) in a 17-page document released Tuesday.

The document covers UAS operations in the NAS. The FAA defines a small UA is defined as weighing less than 55 pounds; a UA weighing 55 pounds or more is considered large.

According to the document, FAA policy for UAS operations is that "no person may operate a UAS, including tethered UAS, outside of active restricted, prohibited or warning areas in the NAS without specific authority, with the exception of a model aircraft flown for hobby or recreational purposes or an Optionally Piloted Aircraft that has a pilot on board. The authority given the FAA by Congress to regulate UA operations is dependent upon the use of the UAS; therefore, the Agency’s oversight role is based upon the intended use of the UA, not the type of UA."

The agency differentiates between public and civil UAVs, as well as what constitutes a 'hobbyist'. "Most small UAS are owned by individuals and cannot be used for commercial purposes. Individuals flying for hobby or recreation should follow safety guidelines outlined in AC 91-57A," the notice says.

That Advisory Circular says that hobbyist UAS operators should provide notice to the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) if the operation will take place within 5 miles of an airport.

However, if the airport operator or the air traffic control facility believes the operation could impact safety, the facility may deny the operation and notify the UAS operator of the specific objection. The hobbyist is not required to request permission for the operation.

The notice then goes on to outline general UAS operational information, including right-of-way rules and lost link procedures, a process for FAA employees to report possible violations, and how operators may apply for a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

Definitely worth reading for anyone flying a UAV in the U.S.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications