Annex I: Model aircraft activity

Transcription

1 Annex I: Model aircraft activity 1 - Principle of model aircraft traffic 1.1) Category A model aircraft shall be exempt from the requirement regarding provision of an airworthiness document and shall be authorised to fly with no other conditions relating to their ability to fly or to the capabilities required of their users. 1.2) Category B model aircraft shall be authorised to fly providing that a flight authorisation is issued by the Minister responsible for civil aviation to attest to the model aircraft's airworthiness and the capabilities required of its users. 2 - Flight authorisation application for Category B model aircraft 2.1) The conditions of the flight authorisation application, the components of the technical file to be compiled by the applicant, and the standard programme for flight demonstrations are defined in Appendix I. 2.2) If the model aircraft's design or operating characteristics are unusual or complex, however, the Minister responsible for civil aviation may notify specific technical conditions. 3 - Flight authorisation for Category B model aircraft 3.1) For Category B model aircraft which are not covered for airworthiness purposes by European regulations, the flight authorisation shall be issued if the model aircraft corresponds to the technical file established by the applicant and accepted by the Minister responsible for civil aviation, and if the remote pilot(s) using the model aircraft have proved their competence by means of one or more flight demonstrations conducted in line with a programme compliant with one of the standard programmes described in Appendix I. 3.2) For Category B model aircraft with a valid airworthiness document issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, the flight authorisation shall be issued once the remote pilot(s) using the model aircraft have proved their competence by means of one or more flight demonstrations conducted in line with a programme compliant with one of the standard programmes described in Appendix I. 3.3) In order to prepare the above-mentioned demonstration flights, a provisional flight authorisation shall be issued. It shall not allow the model aircraft to be flown at air shows or in the presence of third parties not essential to the preparation of these flights. 3.4) Where applicable, the limitations associated with the model aircraft's flight shall be stated in the flight authorisation. 4 - Remote pilots of category B model aircraft The identity of each remote pilot of a Category B model aircraft who has proved his/her competence in accordance with Appendix I shall be stated in the flight authorisation for the model aircraft in question. Only a remote pilot authorised in this way may fly this model aircraft while the flight authorisation remains valid. The Minister responsible for civil aviation can suspend or terminate any flight authorisation on which French Decree 11 April 2012 remote piloted aircraft design operations - pilots / annex 1 page 1 / 6

2 the identity of a remote pilot is stated if he has knowledge of a safety problem for third parties in relation to the competence of this remote pilot. 5 - Category B model aircraft flight authorisation validity 5.1) The flight authorisation shall be issued for an unlimited duration. It shall remain valid providing that the conditions pertaining to its issue remain valid and that the certificate provided for below has been drawn up. 5.2) The holder of the flight authorisation shall send the Minister responsible for civil aviation a certificate every year, establishing that the model aircraft remains compliant with its technical file or the airworthiness document issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, and that its operating conditions remain unchanged. 5.3) The first certificate shall be provided no later than the last day of the twelfth month following the issuing of the authorisation, and then every year thereafter on the last day of the twelfth month following the date of the previous certificate. 5.4) The certificate shall be compliant with a model laid down by the Minister in charge of civil aviation. 5.5) The holder must be able to provide the authorisation whenever so requested by the authorities. 6 - Conditions invalidating the flight authorisation of category B model aircraft Any modification to or reconstruction of a model aircraft resulting in its becoming non-compliant with one of the components of its technical file, or any change in the level of that aircraft's operating conditions, shall oblige its owner, or where applicable the holder of the flight authorisation, to declare this modification, reconstruction or change so that a new flight authorisation can be issued. 7 - Flight authorisations issued previously Holders of a flight authorisation for aircraft meeting the characteristics of the present Decree and issued: either under the conditions laid down in the Decree of 25 August 1986 regarding the conditions for the use of civil aircraft not carrying anyone on board, or under the conditions laid down in the Decree of 21 March 2007 relating to unmanned aircraft which fly within direct sight of their operators, shall be deemed to hold a flight authorisation compliant with the provisions of the present Decree. 8 - Training in model-aircraft flying This annex I to this decree applies also to model aircraft flight training activity, which therefore does not need any additional authorisation. 9 - Use of model aircraft Model aircraft shall not be used for the special activities defined in Annex II to the present decree. French Decree 11 April 2012 remote piloted aircraft design operations - pilots / annex 1 page 2 / 6

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4 Appendix I to Annex I relating to model aircraft Flight authorisation for Category B model aircraft An applicant for a flight authorisation for a Category B model aircraft must submit to the French civil aviation authority the technical file describing his/her model aircraft. After the file has been checked and within a maximum period of one month, he/she shall be sent a temporary flight authorisation valid for three months and renewable thereafter, allowing only the applicant to prepare the flight demonstration. The flight authorisation attests the model aircraft's airworthiness and the capabilities required of its users, on the basis of the following arrangements: 1. Technical file to be compiled to prove the ability of a Category B model aircraft to fly The application must be accompanied in this case by a technical file containing at least the following: - description of the model aircraft: main dimensions, weight, main constituent parts and materials used; - expected performance; - engine type; - remote control system, description, power supply, protection; - frequencies and compliance with the rules applicable in terms of telecommunications; - safety measures towards third parties (usage limitations, handling of failures and losses of control, limitation of risks in case of a crash, etc.). The applicant must take account of the period needed to carry out the study for the technical file and prepare the tests necessary for assessment on the ground and in flight with a view to the issuing of the flight authorisation. The Minister responsible for civil aviation shall call upon experts of his/her choice for the examination of the technical file. 2. Programme for the flight demonstration designed to assess the capabilities of Category B aircraft model users The identity of the remote pilot(s) must be stated in the flight authorisation application. The flight demonstration programme shall be adapted to the type of model aircraft presented. The programme for the flight demonstration shall include: - a first part common to all model aircraft types (aerobatic, non-aerobatic, towing, etc.), showing the remote pilot's ability to manoeuvre his/her model aircraft in complete safety, in relation to a fictional audience; - a second part specific to the model aircraft presented, the essential aim of which is to prove the model aircraft's structural resistance qualities and flight qualities, depending on its intended use. Before the model aircraft takes off, the State employees responsible for checking the remote pilots' flying capability, hereinafter referred to as "the assessors", shall define for the remote pilot the areas French Decree 11 April 2012 remote piloted aircraft design operations - pilots / annex 1 page 4 / 6

5 where overflights are strictly forbidden. Any departure from this rule shall be grounds for a refusal to issue the authorisation, except in cases of force majeure. The assessors shall also specify the landing area, which shall allow the precision of the touchdown to be checked. Where necessary, the assessors shall reserve the right to ask the remote pilot for figures other than those required in the programmes defined below. 3. Standard content of flight demonstration programmes Aeroplane programme Common part of the aeroplane programme: - a straight-line take-off into the wind, followed by a rectangular circuit with the first turn opposite - a touch-and-go-landing (if the terrain and weather conditions or the specific characteristics of the model aircraft do not allow this, the model shall be authorised to skim the ground without landing); - a straight-line pass in level flight at a height of less than 10 metres; - a rectangular circuit against the direction of the QFU with the first turn opposite the assessors Specific part of the programme for aeroplanes classed as non-aerobatic: - an outbound left turn at a height of less than 20 metres with a shallow bank (about 30 ), in front of - an outbound right turn at a height of less than 20 metres with a shallow bank (about 30 ), in front of - starting at a height of about 50 metres in front of the assessors, a complete circle executed with the descent at reduced throttle opposite the assessors, and with the throttle increased in front of the assessors at a height of less than 10 metres; - a low-speed pass; - starting in level flight at full throttle, a shallow dive to judge the model's lack of flutter, followed by a sharp recovery from the dive to judge its solidity with a load factor (with the agreement of the assessors, the thrust of the engine(s) may be reduced during the dive); - a demonstration of the model's capabilities, at the discretion of the remote pilot; - a precision landing Specific part of the programme for aeroplanes classed as aerobatic (supplement): - a sequence of very tight turns with a sharp bank (over 60 ); - a dive at full throttle, then a very sharp recovery from the dive (with the agreement of the assessors, the thrust of the engine(s) may be reduced as the speed increases, to take account of the model aircraft's specific characteristics); - the following four basic figures: a tight loop, a split S, a pull-out and a snap roll; - at least three other aerobatic figures, at the remote pilot's discretion; - a precision landing Towing aeroplane qualification: Whether the model is aerobatic or non-aerobatic, if the towing qualification is being applied for, the remote pilot must carry out one glider-towing flight. The exercise must show that the remote pilot French Decree 11 April 2012 remote piloted aircraft design operations - pilots / annex 1 page 5 / 6

6 can fully control the model aircraft's climb rate, perform shallow turns at a steady rate and offer a release into the wind, in perfect consonance with the needs of gliders Glider programme The programme shall include: - a winched or towed climb: the climb must be regular and the release perfectly controlled by the remote pilot; - a more or less sharp acceleration (depending on whether the licence applied for is aerobatic or nonaerobatic) followed by a recovery, also more or less sharp; - for the non-aerobatic qualification, two spiral turns in front of - for the aerobatic qualification, a loop and at least two different aerobatic figures at the remote pilot's discretion; - an L- or U-shaped approach simulation against the direction of the QFU; - an L- or U-shaped approach followed by a precision landing in the area indicated by the assessors Helicopter programme The programme shall include: - a take-off followed by 10 seconds of hovering flight at the assessors' eye level; - a slow forward horizontal flight with heading changes; - a fast horizontal flight with heading changes; - an outbound left turn at a height of less than 20 metres with a shallow bank (about 30 ), in front of - an outbound right turn at a height of less than 20 metres with a shallow bank (about 30 ), in front of - for the aerobatics qualification, three aerobatic figures including at least one loop; - a rectangular circuit in forward horizontal flight against the direction of the QFU, with the first turn opposite - a precision landing in an area indicated by the assessors, preceded by a rectangular circuit in forward horizontal flight, with the first turn opposite the assessors Specific programme If the model aircraft present is not covered by the definitions of aircraft, glider or helicopter, a specific programme shall be defined by the Minister responsible for civil aviation, after an opinion from the applicant. French Decree 11 April 2012 remote piloted aircraft design operations - pilots / annex 1 page 6 / 6