Unmanned Flight Safety Guidance

For more information visit

WWW.KNOWBEFOREYOUFLY.ORG

Campaign Partner

Founding Members

About Know Before You Fly

“Know Before You Fly” is an educational campaign 

that provides prospective unmanned aircraft users 

with the information and guidance they need to fly 

safely and responsibly.

About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems 

International (AUVSI)—the world’s largest nonprofit 

organization dedicated to the advancement of 

unmanned systems and robotics—represents more 

than 7,500 members from 60+ allied countries 

involved in the fields of government, industry and 

academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil 

and commercial markets. 

For more information, 

go to www.auvsi.org. 

About AMA

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is the 

premier community-based organization in the 

United States for model aviation enthusiasts. 

With 175,000 members, the AMA is dedicated to 

the advancement and safeguarding of modeling 

activities. The Academy provides leadership, 

organization, competition, protection, representation, 

education and scientific/technical development to the 

model aviation community. 

For more information, go 

to www.modelaircraft.org. 

About Small UAV Coalition

The Small UAV Coalition advocates for law and policy 

changes to permit the operation of small unmanned 

aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond the line-of-sight, with 

varying degrees of autonomy, for commercial, civil 

and philanthropic purposes. Its members include 

the leading manufacturers, operators, and service 

providers of small UAVs. 

For more information, go to 

www.smalluavcoalition.org. 

About the FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration is committed to 

providing the safest, most efficient aerospace system in 

the world. The agency is executing a plan for safe and 

staged integration of unmanned aircraft systems into 

the National Airspace System. 

For more information, 

go to www.faa.gov/UAS.

WWW.KNOWBEFOREYOUFLY.ORG
Commercial

The FAA currently authorizes the use of unmanned 

aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial or business 

purposes on a case-by-case basis. You may not fly 

your UAS for commercial purpose without the express 

permission from the FAA. You should check with the 

FAA for further determination as to what constitutes a 

commercial or business use of small UAS.

What is a commercial use of UAS?

Any commercial use in connection with a 

business, including:

 • Selling photos or videos taken from a UAS

 • Using UAS to provide contract services, such 

 as industrial equipment or factory inspection

 • Using UAS to provide professional services, 

 such as security or telecommunications

What are some examples of commercial 

uses of UAS?

 • Professional real estate or wedding photography

 • Professional cinema photography for a film or 

 television production

 • Providing contract services for mapping or 

 land surveys

If you want to use UAS for a commercial purpose, you 

have a few options. You can apply for an exemption 

from the FAA to operate commercially. You can use 

UAS with an FAA airworthiness certificate and operate 

pursuant to FAA rules. In both cases you would also 

need an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA). For 

more information about how to apply for an exemption, 

visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/

section_333/.

Public Entities

Public entities, which include publically funded 

universities, law enforcement, fire departments and other 

government agencies, may currently apply for a COA from 

the FAA in order to use sUAS in public aircraft operations.

Who can obtain a COA to operate 

public aircraft?

 • Only government entities—such as federal 

 and state government agencies, law 

 enforcement agencies and public colleges and 

 universities—can receive a COA for public UAS 

 aircraft operations.

 • Public aircraft operations must be conducted for 

 a governmental function.

 • COAs are most commonly issued to public 

 (government) entities, but are also required for 

 civil (private) operations.

 • The FAA thoroughly evaluates each COA 

 application to determine the safety of the proposal.

 • COAs are issued for a specific period of time, 

 usually two years, and include special provisions 

 unique to each proposal, such as a defined block 

 of airspace and time of day sUAS can be used.

How can I apply for a COA?

 • Visit the FAA website for information on how to 

 apply for a COA online

 • Since 2009, the FAA has taken steps to 

 streamline the application process by 

 transitioning online

 • The average authorization period is less than 

 60 days

 • Expedited authorization is available in emergency 

 and life-threatening situations

* For more information about public aircraft operations refer to 49 

U.S.C. §§ 40102(a)(41), 40125, and FAA Advisory Circular 

00-1.1A, Public Aircraft Operations (Feb. 12, 2014).

Recreational

Currently, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) may 

be operated for hobby and recreational purposes under 

specific safety guidelines as established by Congress. 

Small UAS flown for recreational purposes are typically 

known as model aircraft.

Under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, recreational 

UAS must be operated in accordance with several 

requirements, including a community-based set of safety 

guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide 

community-based organization such as the Academy of 

Model Aeronautics (AMA). Operators not operating within 

the safety program of a community-based organization 

should follow the FAA’s guidance at http://www.faa.gov/

uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/.

What is recreational use of a sUAS?

The recreational use of sUAS is the operation of 

an unmanned aircraft for personal interests and 

enjoyment. For example, using an sUAS to take 

photographs for your own personal use would be 

considered recreational; using the same device to take 

photographs or videos for compensation or sale to 

another individual would be considered a commercial 

operation. You should check with the FAA for further 

determination as to what constitutes commercial or 

other non-hobby, non-recreational sUAS operations.

What are the safety guidelines for sUAS 

recreational users?

 • Follow community-based safety guidelines, as 

 developed by organizations such as the 

 Academy of Model Aeronautics.

 • Fly no higher than 400 feet and remain below any 

 surrounding obstacles when possible.

 • Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use 

 an observer to assist if needed.

 • Remain well clear of and do not interfere with 

 manned aircraft operations, and you must see 

 and avoid other aircraft and obstacles at 

 all times.

 • Do not intentionally fly over unprotected persons 

 or moving vehicles, and remain at least 25 feet 

 away from individuals and vulnerable property.

 • Contact the airport or control tower before flying 

 within five miles of an airport.

 • Do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as 

 in high winds or reduced visibility.

 • Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 • Ensure the operating environment is safe and 

 that the operator is competent and proficient in 

 the operation of the sUAS.

 • Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure 

 or property such as power stations, water 

 treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily 

 traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.

 • Check and follow all local laws and ordinances 

 before flying over private property.

 • Do not conduct surveillance or photograph 

 persons in areas where there is an expectation of 

 privacy without the individual’s permission (see 

 AMA’s privacy policy).

If you want to use a model aircraft for recreational 

purpose, we encourage you to read the AMA’s Model 

Aircraft Safety Code and Community-Based Guidelines.

WWW.KNOWBEFOREYOUFLY.ORG