Small, commercial drones get federal OK for takeoff

[Ed Beck]

Seriously? I'm the first one to post this? I thought this would be all over the board today.

Small, commercial drones get federal OK for takeoff

The Federal Aviation Administration has created a new category of rules for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. The long-anticipated rules would mean drone operators would be able to fly without special permission.

 

[Rusty Jones]

FAA is looking to phase out the 333s as they expire, as long as part 107 covers what the 333 did.

 

[Ed Beck]

FAA is looking to phase out the 333s as they expire, as long as part 107 covers what the 333 did.

I've heard that the 333 will remain since it does allow for things the Part 107 doesn't, such as night operations.

 

[Ed Beck]

Hi Joe,

I figure some markets will just dry up. I expect the survey market to dry up because people in that industry are already geeks (said in the most respectful way possible, heck I'm a geek) and this is another toy they can play with, plus it just makes sense for them to have their own UAS.

Agriculture is a toss-up. If I were a farmer I'd definitely have a UAS for the wealth of information you can get from it. Part 107 doesn't allow for night operations though and from what I understand some agricultural data is best obtained at night.

I think the rest of the industry is going to go through a growing period and the ultimate winners will be the people who focus on the basics, delivering a high-quality product at a reasonable price.

One thing I noticed is that under Part 107 you won't be required to carry insurance, since I carry insurance on my drone operation I can still use that as a market advantage with some markets.

 

[Ed Beck]

The whole thing is 624 pages.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/RIN_2120-AJ60_Clean_Signed.pdf

Summary of the Major Provisions of part 107

Operational Limitations

• Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg).
• Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. Alternatively, the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the visual observer.
• At all times the small unmanned aircraft must remain close enough to the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS for those people to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses.
• Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons not directly participating in the operation, not under a covered structure, and not inside a covered stationary vehicle.
• Daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting.
• Must yield right of way to other aircraft.
• May use visual observer (VO) but not required.
• First-person view camera cannot satisfy “see-and-avoid” requirement but can be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways.
• Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph (87 knots).
• Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or, if higher than 400 feet AGL, remain within 400 feet of a structure.
• Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from control station.
• Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC permission.
• Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without ATC permission.
• No person may act as a remote pilot in command or VO for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at one time.
• No operations from a moving aircraft.
• No operations from a moving vehicle unless the operation is over a sparsely populated area.
• No careless or reckless operations.
• No carriage of hazardous materials.
• Requires preflight inspection by the remote pilot in command.
• A person may not operate a small unmanned aircraft if he or she knows or has reason to know of any physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small UAS.
• Foreign-registered small unmanned aircraft are allowed to operate under part 107 if they satisfy the requirements of part 375.
• External load operations are allowed if the object being carried by the unmanned aircraft is securely attached and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft.
• Transportation of property for compensation or hire allowed provided that
  • The aircraft, including its attached systems, payload and cargo weigh less than 55 pounds total;
  • The flight is conducted within visual line of sight and not from a moving vehicle or aircraft; and
  • The flight occurs wholly within the bounds of a State and does not involve transport between (1) Hawaii and another place in Hawaii through airspace outside Hawaii; (2) the District of Columbia and another place in the District of Columbia; or (3) a territory or possession of the United States and another place in the same territory or possession.
• Most of the restrictions discussed above are waivable if the applicant demonstrates that his or her operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.

Remote Pilot in Command Certification and Responsibilities

• Establishes a remote pilot in command position.
• A person operating a small UAS must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate (remote pilot in command).
• To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, a person must:
  • Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either:
    • Passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or
    • Hold a part 61 pilot certificate other than student pilot, complete a flight review within the previous 24 months, and complete a small UAS online training course provided by the FAA.
  • Be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration.
  • Be at least 16 years old.
• Part 61 pilot certificate holders may obtain a temporary remote pilot certificate immediately upon submission of their application for a permanent certificate. Other applicants will obtain a temporary remote pilot certificate upon successful completion of TSA security vetting. The FAA anticipates that it will be able to issue a temporary remote pilot certificate within 10 business days after receiving a completed remote pilot certificate application.
• Until international standards are developed, foreign certificated UAS pilots will be required to obtain an FAA issued remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.

A remote pilot in command must:​

• Make available to the FAA, upon request, the small UAS for inspection or testing, and any associated documents/records required to be kept under the rule.
• Report to the FAA within 10 days of any operation that results in at least serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage of at least $500.
• Conduct a preflight inspection, to include specific aircraft and control station systems checks, to ensure the small UAS is in a condition for safe operation.
• Ensure that the small unmanned aircraft complies with the existing registration requirements specified in § 91.203(a)(2).

A remote pilot in command may deviate from the requirements of this rule in response to an in-flight emergency.
​

Aircraft Requirements

• FAA airworthiness certification is not required. However, the remote pilot in command must conduct a preflight check of the small UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.

Model Aircraft

• Part 107 does not apply to model aircraft that satisfy all of the criteria specified in section 336 of Public Law 112-95. The rule codifies the FAA’s enforcement authority in part 101 by prohibiting model aircraft operators from endangering the safety of the NAS.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

Part 107 does say that operations outside it's written rules would require a waiver where you have to show/document why what you want to do is still safe. Not a 333 or anything else specific. It just says a waiver. So I would assume there will be a process by which one can request said waiver.

 

[Ed Beck]

Part 107 does say that operations outside it's written rules would require a waiver where you have to show/document why what you want to do is still safe. Not a 333 or anything else specific. It just says a waiver. So I would assume there will be a process by which one can request said waiver.

Yeah.

 

[RobertT]

Interesting in that it looks very similar to NZ Part 101 requirements with the (welcome) addition of proper training! Also (as a foreigner) that it can be issued to foreigners. That will be a first for a US certificate I think? Plus how is the TSA going to approve us?

 

[Ed Beck]

Plus how is the TSA going to approve us?

<<Rubber glove snap>>
OK, now if you'll just bend over... you may feel a little pressure.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

And here's information on testing and applying. I'm impressed they have their shit together this quickly. The TSA background check is done automatically as part of your application. Nothing we apparently need to actually do. The application is electronic. The tests will be electronic. I like it.
Becoming a Pilot

 

[PdxSteve]

Does the TSA background check also clear you for the quick boarding line/preapproved people getting on a plane? Always wondered how that worked. Think it's called "TSA Pre" or something stupid.

 

[RobertT]

<<Rubber glove snap>>
OK, now if you'll just bend over... you may feel a little pressure.

ah the time honoured method loved by millions then! I can hardly wait

 

[Ed Beck]

Does the TSA background check also clear you for the quick boarding line/preapproved people getting on a plane? Always wondered how that worked. Think it's called "TSA Pre" or something stupid.

I really doubt it. I think that is a separate program that you specifically apply for.

So I could go on speculating or we could pull up some actual data:

TSA Pre✓® FAQ

To receive TSA Pre✓® expedited screening, you can apply for one of four DHS trusted traveler programs (TSA Pre✓®Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI) if you are not already a member of a DHS trusted traveler program or are not a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The $85 application fee (valid for 5 years) covers the administrative cost of the program, including background checks, vetting analysis, associated technology and enrollment center costs. For more detailed information, see the fee development report.

 

[Craig L. Johnson - USMC]

when will the application be available?

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

when will the application be available?

August. No exact date. Plan for August 1st. Expect August 30th.

 

[Craig L. Johnson - USMC]

Ok
Thanks

 

[Rusty Jones]

I believe 60 days from publication in federal register, which should be 5 to 7 days from announcement.

 

[Craig L. Johnson - USMC]

Still around August, correct?

 

[Rusty Jones]

Still around August, correct?

If I had to bet I would guess August 24th to 26th

 

[Glassnpowder98]

Being a current part 61 certificate holder, I just completed the online course on the faasafety website and logged into IACRA to get the 8710 going. There wasn't an option to select remote pilot when starting a new application. Is that what you all are saying about not being able to apply until August? I spoke with a DPE I used to work with when I was a CFI about setting up a meeting to sign the forms and he had no idea about any of it. I might have missed the information about an effective date- been reading way to much about this and systems manuals for a new type rating recently and my brain is fried. Thanks