Part 107 Announcement

Rusty Jones · Jun 20, 2016

Rumors are circling that the FAA is going to release Part 107 on Tuesday the 21st!!

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 20, 2016

Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Summary of Major Provisions Under 14 CFR 107 - sUAS News

I'm reading about it now.

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 20, 2016

So looks like if you already have a pilot's license, you only need to take an online test. If you do not have a pilot's license, you have to take a test at an FAA approved testing center. It says you must obtain a "unmanned aircraft operator certificate", but I've never heard of that before. Does that exist now, or is that something new they're going to create. I presume that is the end result of passing the test?

No flight over people not involved in the operation. 400AGL max. Must contact ATC for B/C/D/E-to-the-surface airspace. All sounds reasonable.

Does this eliminate the need for a COA? If you're pass all of the above, do you need to file some BS every time you want to fly still? Or is this it?

Rusty Jones · Jun 20, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
So looks like if you already have a pilot's license, you only need to take an online test. If you do not have a pilot's license, you have to take a test at an FAA approved testing center. It says you must obtain a "unmanned aircraft operator certificate", but I've never heard of that before. Does that exist now, or is that something new they're going to create. I presume that is the end result of passing the test?

No flight over people not involved in the operation. 400AGL max. Must contact ATC for B/C/D/E-to-the-surface airspace. All sounds reasonable.

Does this eliminate the need for a COA? If you're pass all of the above, do you need to file some BS every time you want to fly still? Or is this it?

Don't quote me, but I think that is all you need, I am still researching, and hopefully they announce tomorrow. They still need to create the test, unless that is already "in the can" the whole idea is to make it easy to do

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 20, 2016

SteveReno said:
Testing sites for FAA "Unmanned aircraft operator certificate"
UAS Test Sites Contacts

Those aren't test sites for UAS Certificates. Those are for the other kind of testing... like labs and experiments. Not for certificate testing.

PdxSteve · Jun 20, 2016

I believe the testing will be done at your local FSDO.

SteveReno · Jun 20, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
Those aren't test sites for UAS Certificates. Those are for the other kind of testing... like labs and experiments. Not for certificate testing.

You may be right,
ll remove it

Wayne · Jun 20, 2016

What "Aircraft markings are required" kind of markings are they talking about? Just your small UAS certificate registration number?

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 20, 2016

Wayne said:
What "Aircraft markings are required" kind of markings are they talking about? Just your small UAS certificate registration number?

To my knowledge, yes. That is already a requirement, not something new.

PdxSteve · Jun 20, 2016

I'm pretty sure it is a N number and will be required to be visible from the ground like regular aircraft. A bit different than the UAS registration number that is ok to hide in your battery compartment for hobbyists.

Todd Boward · Jun 20, 2016

Clearance in the C/D airspace will be hard to come by. Clearance in Class B will happen period. In the C/D space you will need to have coms with the tower via a aviation radio (uhf/vhf). You will have to demo the lost link procedures, that your return to home or rally point fail safe actually works. You will have have to produce a copy of your liability insurance COI.

An N-Number is required for all of this.

If you are flying anything different then the blanket COA you will have to request a COA for that flight. Here is the COA Portal. UAS Civil COA. You will also have to register your flight plan with 1800wxbrief.com. They will create a NOTAM and post it on the brief. This brings the additional requirement of reporting the start of your flight and the conclusion of your flight.

Finally, each month you have to turn in a UAS Flight Status report to the FAA reporting the number of flights, the results, etc.

This is for commercial operations.

EyeWingsuit · Jun 20, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
Does this eliminate the need for a COA? If you're pass all of the above, do you need to file some BS every time you want to fly still? Or is this it?

No COA needed if you meet the parameters. 107 operators cannot apply at this time for SCOA's.

Rusty Jones · Jun 21, 2016

News at 10am EDT, so I hear

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 21, 2016

Since when did you need

Todd Boward said:
Clearance in the C/D airspace will be hard to come by. Clearance in Class B will happen period. In the C/D space you will need to have coms with the tower via a aviation radio (uhf/vhf). You will have to demo the lost link procedures, that your return to home or rally point fail safe actually works. You will have have to produce a copy of your liability insurance COI.

An N-Number is required for all of this.

If you are flying anything different then the blanket COA you will have to request a COA for that flight. Here is the COA Portal. UAS Civil COA. You will also have to register your flight plan with 1800wxbrief.com. They will create a NOTAM and post it on the brief. This brings the additional requirement of reporting the start of your flight and the conclusion of your flight.

Finally, each month you have to turn in a UAS Flight Status report to the FAA reporting the number of flights, the results, etc.

This is for commercial operations.

You're stating all of this quite matter of factly (is that a word?). Is this something you expect to be part of the new rules? Actual ATC clearance for B/C/D airspace that extends to the surface, and being in radio communication with ATC sounds quite far fetched to me. In fact, I don't for a second believe you will be in radio communication with ATC at all. It's highly unlikely you would even be able to reach them with a portable radio from the ground that far away. The notion of someone flying a 2lb plastic toy at 400AGL being in radio communication with NY Approach Control (or any approach controller) is ludicrous.

Ryan Levitz · Jun 21, 2016

Just got this link in an FAA email. I assume you guys did too. https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515

EyeWingsuit · Jun 21, 2016

Ryan Levitz said:
Just got this link in an FAA email. I assume you guys did too. https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Date: June 21, 2016

Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette

Phone: 202-267-3883

You are subscribed to News updates for the Federal Aviation Administration. A new Press Release is now available. We've included a copy of the release in this email.

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”), opening pathways towards fully integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. These new regulations work to harness new innovations safely, to spur job growth, advance critical scientific research and save lives.

“We are part of a new era in aviation, and the potential for unmanned aircraft will make it safer and easier to do certain jobs, gather information, and deploy disaster relief,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We look forward to working with the aviation community to support innovation, while maintaining our standards as the safest and most complex airspace in the world.”

According to industry estimates, the rule could generate more than $82 billion for the U.S. economy and create more than 100,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.

The new rule, which takes effect in late August, offers safety regulations for unmanned aircraft drones weighing less than 55 pounds that are conducting non-hobbyist operations.

The rule’s provisions are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground. The regulations require pilots to keep an unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight. Operations are allowed during daylight and during twilight if the drone has anti-collision lights. The new regulations also address height and speed restrictions and other operational limits, such as prohibiting flights over unprotected people on the ground who aren’t directly participating in the UAS operation.

The FAA is offering a process to waive some restrictions if an operator proves the proposed flight will be conducted safely under a waiver. The FAA will make an online portal available to apply for these waivers in the months ahead.

“With this new rule, we are taking a careful and deliberate approach that balances the need to deploy this new technology with the FAA’s mission to protect public safety,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “But this is just our first step. We’re already working on additional rules that will expand the range of operations.”

Under the final rule, the person actually flying a drone must be at least 16 years old and have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate. To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, an individual must either pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate. If qualifying under the latter provision, a pilot must have completed a flight review in the previous 24 months and must take a UAS online training course provided by the FAA. The TSA will conduct a security background check of all remote pilot applications prior to issuance of a certificate.

Operators are responsible for ensuring a drone is safe before flying, but the FAA is not requiring small UAS to comply with current agency airworthiness standards or aircraft certification. Instead, the remote pilot will simply have to perform a preflight visual and operational check of the small UAS to ensure that safety-pertinent systems are functioning property. This includes checking the communications link between the control station and the UAS.

Although the new rule does not specifically deal with privacy issues in the use of drones, and the FAA does not regulate how UAS gather data on people or property, the FAA is acting to address privacy considerations in this area. The FAA strongly encourages all UAS pilots to check local and state laws before gathering information through remote sensing technology or photography.

As part of a privacy education campaign, the agency will provide all drone users with recommended privacy guidelines as part of the UAS registration process and through the FAA’s B4UFly mobile app. The FAA also will educate all commercial drone pilots on privacy during their pilot certification process; and will issue new guidance to local and state governments on drone privacy issues. The FAA’s effort builds on the privacy “best practices” the National Telecommunications and Information Administration published last month as the result of a year-long outreach initiative with privacy advocates and industry. (https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/voluntary_best_practices_for_uas_privacy_transparency_and_accountability_0.pdf)

Part 107 will not apply to model aircraft. Model aircraft operators must continue to satisfy all the criteria specified in Section 336 of Public Law 112-95 (which will now be codified in part 101), including the stipulation they be operated only for hobby or recreational purposes.

Visit our website for more information on the FAA and UAS.

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 21, 2016

This all looks very reasonable to me. Passing a written test at a testing center is not a big deal. I do not know what the registration requirements are for commercial use, but I get the impression it isn't terribly burdensome. I don't see anything about requiring a COA or any other BS. No need for a pilot's license.

I think the only thing I want clarrification on is airspace. If you're flying where class B, C, D, or E airspace extends down to the surface, it says you need "ATC Permission". That is very vague, and note they did not use the word clearance. My guess here, is they want you to call, tell them what you want to do, and be given/denied permission. I do not believe there is an expectation of radio communication, filing flight plans, NOTAMS, etc. Which sounds like what they already want you to do if you're within 5 miles of an airport. Does anyone have thoughts or insight on this matter?

EyeWingsuit · Jun 21, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
This all looks very reasonable to me. Passing a written test at a testing center is not a big deal. I do not know what the registration requirements are for commercial use, but I get the impression it isn't terribly burdensome. I don't see anything about requiring a COA or any other BS. No need for a pilot's license.

I think the only thing I want clarrification on is airspace. If you're flying where class B, C, D, or E airspace extends down to the surface, it says you need "ATC Permission". That is very vague, and note they did not use the word clearance. My guess here, is they want you to call, tell them what you want to do, and be given/denied permission. I do not believe there is an expectation of radio communication, filing flight plans, NOTAMS, etc. Which sounds like what they already want you to do if you're within 5 miles of an airport. Does anyone have thoughts or insight on this matter?

Based on the wording, I'm interpreting this question the same way you do. Again, one of the places a 333 carries more weight.

Pedals2Paddles · Jun 21, 2016

I think a lot of people will need to start leaning how to read an aviation sectional chart now. I hope that is part of the test. That's the only way to know what the airspace you're looking at involves. Fortunately the B/C/D/E airspace that extends down to surface is usually a fairly small footprint immediately surrounding applicable airports compared to the rest of it. The vast majority of B/C/D/E airspace doesn't begin until well above 400ft above ground.

waxer · Jun 21, 2016

Hi ALL
I'm really new to this but have had my drone for about 6 months. Does this new rule means I have to get a license or something ? A certificate?