In a landmark event, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2016 (81 FR 42063) a Final Rule entitled "Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems" that amends FAA regulations to adopt specific rules for the operation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS).
This
rule finalizes the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled Operation and
Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Docket
No. FAA-2015-0150, 80 Fed. Reg. 9,544 (February 23, 2015). This rule will add a new part 107 to Title 14
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to allow for routine civil operation of
small UAS (i.e., drones) in the NAS and to provide safety rules for those
operations.
The
key element to this new part 107 to CFR Title 14 is to allow commercial
operation of Small UAS. The FAA states in
the Final Rule that “This Part 107 small UAS rule is an “enabling rule,” which
effectively reduces the cost of entry into the non-recreational, non-hobby (or
“commercial”) market for UAS services.”
Other
key elements are as follows:
•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.
•Small unmanned aircraft may not
operate over any persons not directly
participating in the operation
•Daylight -only operations.
•Must yield right of way to other
aircraft.( “see-and-
avoid” requirement)
•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.
•Transportation of property for
compensation or hire allowed under certain circumstances. Note: No transportation of property for
compensation or hire is allowed between the District of Columbia and another
place in the District of Columbia. See 49 U.S.C. 40102 (a) (25).
•a remote pilot in command must operate
a small UAS and 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),
•Part 107 does not apply to model aircraft that satisfy all of the criteria specified in section 336 of
Public Law 112-95.
• Part 107 codifies the FAA’s
enforcement authority in Part 101 by prohibiting model aircraft operators from
endangering the safety of the NAS.
See
a copy of the complete FAA Summary of Part 107 here.
The
Final Rule is effective August 29, 2016.
A
more detailed analysis of the Final Rule will follow in future posts.
Thanks
ReplyDeleteDrones are definitely the future of many businesses, and I love the fact that many delivery companies are thinking of using drones for the delivery of their orders. Also, I was always mesmerized by the aerial footage, and now, when these UAVs are available basically for everyone, the options are limitless. However, the law still has something to say there, but I believe that the models like thses will soon be seen in the skies doing everhting: http://mydronelab.com/blog/commercial-use-of-drones.html
ReplyDeleteGood piece of information. Unlike drones for kids, the commercially used drones will have a great contribution in delivery of the orders. However, the key element to this new part 107 to CFR Title 14 is to allow commercial operation of Small UAS. While delivering the orders, the key elements here should be in mind.
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