Certification of Authorization, 

COA, Process

Alfred A. Gates

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA
FAA Websites

• https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headq

uarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/

aaim/organizations/uas/coa/

• https://ioeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/

• https://www.faa.gov/uas/public_operations/

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA
New Requirement 

• Registering you aircraft

• All unmanned aircraft systems are required to 

be registered 

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/

• The size of small UAS limits the letter and 

number identification. An exemption for 

alternative markings is required.

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Before you can get access to the FAA 

online COA application

• Prove that your agency is affiliated with the 

federal or state government or is a 

municipality

– This can be done with a letter from the assistant 

attorney general

• Prove that your agency owns the aircraft being 

used

– Done with a letter from your attorney

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA
FAA COA Rep.

• Skip Regan

• (610) 595-1500 EX 232

• Contact Mr. Regan and verify that two letters 

must be sent to the FAA.

• Obtaining the letter may have to be done 

through the town manager. 

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

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Standard Letter: proof that CCSU owns the aircraft

From your attorney

Your name 

here and 

change to 

Guilford Fire 

department

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Letter from the 

Assistant 

Attorney 

General

Stating that 

you are a 

municipality, 

state or federal 

agency

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Logging 

on to the 

COA 

website

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA
Each item is an online form or 

requires information to be 

uploaded. The next several slides 

covers the items

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

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Once you get your user ID and password you can start uploading information

The person responsible for the operation is the proponent

Proof that your organization is a municipality

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Department, person in charge

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 Certification of Authorization, COA
Make sure you provide your cell phone the FAA is swamped with applications 

Most likely you will not be able to answer their questions with out pulling up 

the application. Also the terminology is difficult to understand.

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA
What you will be doing 

The effective period is for 2 years Check yes for VFR Operations Day and 

Night. Say the you will be using a multicopter 

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Program Executive Summary

XXXXX Fire Department would like to use a unmanned aircraft, UA, for fire 

and safety activities. The flights will be conducted in class G airspace and a 

DJI Phantom quadrotor will be used as the unmanned aircraft. 

Operational Summary

The UA will be used for training and for fire and safety activities in the town 

of XXXXX. The UA will not be flown over 400ft AGL. The maximum radial 

distance from the pilot and observer will be .1 nautical miles. The maximum 

flight time of the UA is 15 minuets. 

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See example provided for the X4P 

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Airworthiness

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Does the Phantom have proper lights

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Air Traffic Control 

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Select no here

Flight Operations Area: This you will have to determine the GPS 

positions, Lat, Long, of the town boundaries. Before you do that 

discuss with the FAA since your area is so large. Also do not 

include major roads/ highways.

Upload information here

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This is defining the boundary of a flying area

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Special Circumstance

Northeast Utilities approves of unmanned aerial systems flights, in support of UAS research involving performance and 

transmission structure inspection, conducted by qualified personnel from Central Connecticut State University, CCSU, 

Department of Engineering and Northeast Utilities. 

Northeast Utilities approves of CCSU department of engineering using the UAS performance data for analysis and 

evaluation. Northeast Utilities supports publications resulting from this research addressing the feasibility of UAS 

applications for increasing the reliability of the transmission grids with in the United States.

Prior to any UAS flight Northeast Utilities representatives will provide a written letter of authorization to the flight 

crew listing the location, type of experimental activity, and a time frame for the allowed operation of the UAS. The 

status of the lines, energized or non-energized, will be provided in the letter along with the energized level if 

energized. 

An engineering and safety study for UAS flight next to 115KV power lines for the Daraganflyer X4-P has been 

performed. The Draganflyer X4-P has be found to be capable of flight next to 115KV power lines. See attached for the 

engineering and safety study. 

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Typically the FAA will call to discuss the needed changes. 

Make the necessary changes and resubmit the application. 

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014

Certification of Authorization, COA