The Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is out for consultation in draft form.
It was published in February 2015 and sets out regulations for flying commercial small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as well as rules for operator and aircraft certification. Examples of UAS include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – also known as drones. These rules do not apply to the recreational flying of model aircraft.
The regulations set out in the new rule are summarized in the tables below [1]:
Operational Limits
| Operating Parameter | Limit |
| Maximum weight | 55lbs (25kg) |
| Range | Visual Line of Sight |
| Operating times | Daylight only |
| Operation over people | People connected with the flight only |
| Right of way | Yield to manned and unmanned aircraft |
| Maximum airspeed | 100mph (87 knots) |
| Maximum altitude | 500 feet above ground level |
| Minimum visibility | 3 miles from control station |
| Airspace restrictions | No operations in Class A ATC permission required in Classes B, C, D and E |
| Multiple UAVs | No one can operate more than one UAV at a time |
| Careless or Reckless operations | Not allowed |
| Preflight Inspection | To be undertaken by operator. Inspection to include aircraft and control station. |
| FAA Inspection | Operator to make aircraft and records available for FAA inspection on request |
Pilot / Operator Requirements
| Requirement | Specifics |
| Age | Pilots must be at least 17 years old |
| Definition | Pilots are considered to be Operators |
| Aeronautical Knowledge Test | Initial test to be passed at an FAA-approved knowledge testing centre. Test to be passed every 24 months. |
| Vetting | Operators to be vetted by Transportation Security Administration |
| Operator Certificate | Operators to obtain an unmanned aircraft operator certificate with a small UAS rating |
Aircraft Requirements
| Requirement | Specifics |
| Maintenance | Aircraft must be maintained in a condition for safe operation |
| Registration | Registration is required |
| Markings | Aircraft markings to be displayed in largest practicable manner |
References
[1] Overview of Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FAA (Last Accessed 16/04/2015)
