unmanned aircraft systems “the basics”

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministration

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

“The Basics”

ASPRS Conference

San Diego, CA

Cherlynn Jones, Air Traffic Control Specialist, FAA

April 28, 2010

Federal AviationAdministration

2UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

What is an UAS

• Unmanned Aircraft: A device used or intended to be used for flight in the air that has no onboard pilot

• System Includes:– Unmanned Aircraft (UA)– Aircraft Control Station– Command & Control Link/s

• Model Remote Control (hobby only)

Federal AviationAdministration

3UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

Who’s Flying UAS

Public Use Aircraft • Department of Agriculture

• Department of Commerce

• Department of Defense

• Department of Energy

• Department of Homeland Security

• Department of Interior

• Department of Justice

• NASA

• NOAA

• State Universities

• State Law Enforcement

Civil Aircraft – Special Airworthiness Certificates – Experimental

• AAI Corporation• General Atomics

Federal AviationAdministration

4UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

What are they doing?

• Operational Military Missions• Research: scientific and academic• Sensor Development and Testing• Border Patrol• Firefighting• Disaster Relief• Law Enforcement• Search and Rescue• Note: no commercial operations authorized

Federal AviationAdministration

5UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

How: Authorization to Fly

• Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA)– Public Entities (government)– Public Agency determines air worthiness– Year long flight plan

• Special Airworthiness Certificate– Non-public– FAA issues air worthiness certificate

• Hobby RC: FAA AC 91-57, June 1981• Special Use Airspace

Federal AviationAdministration

6UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

Populated Areas - UAS Not Authorized

Federal AviationAdministration

7UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

See and Avoid

• 14 CFR 91.113, Right-of-Way Rules• Unless specifically authorized, UAS operations

shall require visual observers, either airborne or ground based

Federal AviationAdministration

8UAS “The Basics”April 28, 2010

Questions