UAS 101Unmanned Aircraft Systems

What is a UAS?

What is a DRONE?

What is a MODEL AIRCRAFT?MODEL AIRCRAFT DEFINED BY FAA:

In this section, the term ‘‘model aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft that is—

(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; (2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating

the aircraft; and (3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes

FAA also says…….A “model aircraft operation” is determined with reference to

section 336 of Public Law 112-95:

 (1) The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;

(2) The aircraft operates in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization (CBO);

(3) The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds, unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a CBO;

FAA also says…….

(4) The aircraft operates in a manner that does not interfere with, and gives way to, any manned aircraft; and

(5) When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the model aircraft provides the airport operator or the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation.

Model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport).

FAA Releases Updated Model Aircraft Guidance September 2, 2015

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published updated guidance on model aircraft operations that reflects current law governing hobby or recreational use of unmanned aircraft. Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57A replaces the previous

guidance that, as written in 1981, did not reflect the rules Congress wrote into Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.

  The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational

use;The aircraft operates in accordance with a

community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization (CBO);

Updated Model Aircraft Guidance continued….

The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds, unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a CBO;

The aircraft operates in a manner that does not interfere with, and gives way to, any manned aircraft; and

Updated Model Aircraft Guidance continued….

When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the model aircraft provides the airport operator or the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation. Model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport).

Updated Model Aircraft Guidance continued….

The guidance stresses model aircraft operators must comply with all Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), that they may not fly in any type of restricted airspace without prior authorization, and that they should be aware of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) that address flights near federal facilities, stadiums, and other public and industrial areas.

 

Updated Model Aircraft Guidance continued….

The guidance also makes it clear that model unmanned aircraft operations that endanger the safety of the nation’s airspace, particularly careless or reckless operations and interference with manned aircraft, may be subject to FAA enforcement action.

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