Municipal Drone Operations Ben Roper City of College Station

Municipal Drone Operations Ben Roper City of College Station

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) aka Drone You are establishing an aviation unit for your entity What could possible go wrong?

What is Needed Register UAS Policy Aircraft System Lost Communications Emergency Procedures Lost Link Launch and Recovery Obtain COA

Registration Required by the FAA as of December 21, 2015 Anyone who owns a small unmanned aircraft that weighs more than 0.55 lbs. (250g) and less than 55 lbs. (25kg) must register with the Federal Aviation Administration's UAS registry before they fly outdoors. People who do not register could face civil penalties up to $27,500l and criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

Registration Required Not required Wt. 5 oz. Wt. 2.8 lbs. Wt. 0.1 lbs.

Regulations On February 15, 2015, the FAA proposed a framework of regulations that would allow routine use of certain small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in today's aviation system, known as the Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) The 60-day public comment period for the small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking closed on April 24, 2015.

Registration Categories Model aircraft - flown for hobby or recreational purposes, online registration, $5 fee, unique registration number, not an N-number, registration number must be marked on the aircraft. Civil (includes commercial use) Section 333 Exemption, and civil Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Special Airworthiness Certificate (SAC) Experimental A UAS type and airworthiness certificate in the Restricted Category Public Operations (Governmental) However,

Registration certificate does not provide authorization to operate. All owners of small UAS used for purposes other than as model aircraft must currently obtain a 333 exemption, a public certificate of authorization or other FAA authorization to legally operate, in addition to registering their aircraft.

Recent Changes March 29- The FAA raised the unmanned aircraft (UAS) blanket altitude authorization for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet (except restricted airspace and other areas). Previously, the agency had put in place a nationwide Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for such flights up to 200 feet. March 31 Owners of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used for commercial, public and other non-model aircraft operations able to use the FAA s new, web-based registration process to register their aircraft.

UAS Operating Options Section 333 Available to individuals, private organizations, and some government entities Anticipated 120 day turnaround time from FAA Applicants can fly nationwide, 5 miles from an airport Person operating the drone must have FAA pilot license ( PIC ) Public Certificate of Authorization Available to public agencies conducting governmental functions Anticipated 60 day turnaround from FAA PIC may not need a pilot s license

Public Aircraft Operations Public Declaration Letter from City Attorney

Public Aircraft Operations Registration AC Form 8050-88 (Affidavit for ownership of amateur build and other non-type certified aircraft AC Form 8050-1 (Aircraft registration application) Now available online: https://registermyuas.faa.gov/

Public Aircraft Operations Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Phase I Initial application (Phase I). The initial COA is generally restricted to training and evaluation activities at a specific training site that is confined to Class G airspace, remaining well clear of housing areas, roads, any persons, and watercraft. Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Phase II Second Operational (Jurisdictional). Permits public agencies and organizations to operate a particular aircraft, for a particular purpose, in a particular area. The COA allows an operator to use a defined block of airspace and includes special safety provisions unique to the proposed operation. Usually are issued for a specific period up to two years in many cases. AC No: 00-1.1A

Let s Talk Airspace Airspace Categories Regulatory Nonregulatory Airspace Types Controlled Uncontrolled Special Use Other

Definitions AGL Above Ground Level - altitude expressed in the actual number of feet measured above the ground MSL- Mean Sea Level - The average height of the surface of the sea for all states of tide; used as a reference for aeronautical elevations throughout the U.S. VFR Visual Flight Rules - set of rules created by the FAA for flight in VMC, or visual meteorological conditions (ceiling greater than or equal to 3,000 feet AGL and visibility greater than or equal to 5 miles) IFR Instrument Flight Rules

Airspace

Airspace Class A Airspace - Generally that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska Class B Airspace - Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation's busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers Class C Airspace is generally that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower

Airspace Class D airspace is generally that airspace from the surface to 2,500 above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designated to contain the procedures Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, B, C, or D, and is controlled airspace it is Class E airspace. Class E airspace begins at 14,500 MSL over the United States Class G Airspace Only U.S. Airspace that is uncontrolled. Exists where wherever Class A, B, C, D or E airspace doesn't. Practically, it starts at the surface and extends up until it hits Class E airspace. On a map, Class G's ceiling is the floor of Class E airspace. And, it's always exclusive. For example, if Class E starts at 700 feet AGL, Class G goes up to, but doesn't include, 700 feet AGL.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/ http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/ Resources

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