# ATTACHMENT 1

# Federal Aviation Administration 

# Memorandum Date: 

### MAR 2 0 

### 2015 To: From:**T~~j** 

# ..**~ ~resident,**  Air Traffic Services, AJT-0 Elizabetfi-L.R.ay,

# Vic~sident, Mission Support Services, AJV-0 Subject: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations in the National Airspace System

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are increasingly appearing in the news and in our airspace. Over the last 3 years we have seen exponential growth in the requests for approvals ofall sizes of UAS to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS). A new interim policy is necessary to respond to the current demands and to bridge existing UAS operations with the proposed small UAS (sUAS) rule (14 CFR Part 91.107). This follows the Administrator's strategic initiatives and allows the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) to enable commercial sUAS operations while complying with Safety Management System (SMS) principles. This newpolicy allows operations ofcommercial sUAS at and below 200 feet above ground level (AGL) without coordination that currently exists with the Service Centers and air traffic control (ATC) facilities. The sUAS pilot must agree to operate within established safety parameters. These safety parameters are contained in the streamlined Certificate of Authorization (COA) as follows:

• Commercial UAS operations (under Section 333 ofFAAModernization and Reform Act of 2012), and • Operators and UAS equipment must meet the requirements ofthe Class ofAirspace they will operate in. (Any deviation will require a standard COA) and • Commercial UAS operations are flown at or below 200' above ground level, and • Unmanned aircraft weight less than 55 pounds, and • Operate during daylight Visual Flight Rule (VFR) conditions only, and • The operator must issue a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) at least 24 hours prior to the proposed operation, and • Operations are conducted within the visual line ofsight ofthe pilot, and • The Pilot In Command (PIC) must have, as a minimum, a private pilot license and • The Commercial UAS operations conducted must remain at least; o 5 nautical miles (NM) from an airport having an operational control tower; or o 3 NM from an airport having a published instrument flight procedure, but not having an operational control tower; oro 2 NM from an airport, heliport, seaport not having a published instrument flight procedure or an operational control tower. 2

Any applicant requesting an operation which is not consistent with the above operating conditions must apply through the standard COA process and all coordination will be completed, as it currently exists. A list ofquestions and answers is attached to help address any questions you may have on this policy. Further questions can be directed to Randy Willis, Manager, Emerging Technologies Team at 202-503-6498, or randy.willis@faa.gov.

Attachment: Questions and Answers3 Question and Answers What is a standard COA for UAS flight? A standard COAfor UAS flight is issuedon FAA Form 7711-1 andconsists of ajive stepprocess covering numerous issues concerning airframe worthiness, personnel qualifications, considerations on theproposedoperatingareas, routes of flight, emergencyprocedures and a myriadof otherpoints. These applications are reviewedbetweenAFSandATOpersonnel for impacts on the NAS, conflictions with otherNAS users andairspace. After coordination with impacted facilities, andother stakeholders, a standard COAfor UASflight is issued for a specificperiodof time andspecific geographic areas. How does a standard COA for UAS flight differ from this interim policy? Under the standard COAfor UASflight, a specific activity in a specific geographical area is authorized after coordination with anyNAS impactedstakeholder i.e. ATC facility, Service Center, AirportManagement, etc. Provisions for communications andemergencyprocedures are included. Under this interimpolicy, commercial UAS operators agree to comply with numerous operationalparameters andconditions at the beginning of theprocess. The operational parameters andconditionsprovide a safety net for the UAS operations andother NAS stakeholders. How long is a COA good for? Generally CO As are approved for 2years. What is Section 333 ofFMRA of2012? Section 333provides guidance to the FAA to begin aprocess ofUAS integration into the NAS, there are some restrictions to what the FAA can andcannot do. Was a SRM Panel convened to consider the change? Yes. Apanel was heldon this change. As a result of thepanel, several initialproposedconditions for use, were made more restrictive. Do the pilots ofthe UAS have a license? Allpilots flying under this interimpolicy will have a minimum of aprivatepilot's license. Under the interim policy are UAS allowed to operate in controlled airspace? 

## If

the UAS has all the appropriate equipment, communication andlighting as required by CFRs for operation in each class of airspace, they may, however with operations restricted to at orbelow 200 feet andlateral distance requirements from airports, the overwhelmingmajority of these operations will be in Class G airspace. What ifsomeone calls the facility wanting to operate in our facility's airspace? 

## If

you receive a call concerning UAS operations, youshouldask the caller 

### if they are a model aircraft hobbyist or a commercial operator. 

## If the caller is a hobbyist andyou can take the time to offer assistance regarding where to operate, refer to AC91-57 for assistance. 

## If the caller is a commercial user, refer them to www.faa.gov/uas to comply with COA requirements. Will we be contacted about Commercial UAS operations in our airspace? Contact will only be madefor COA processing by Service Centerpersonnel, on standard CO As, not under this interimpolicy. 

## If individuals call regarding operating UAS aircraft, see answer above. What ifyou observe UAS activity from the tower without prior coordination ofthe flight? 4

Be sure to note the location of the activity, time, estimatedaltitude, 

## if an operator is observed, note a description of theperson and 

## if possible a description of the UAS. Notify airport security, local law enforcement andthe local FSDO for investigation of the activity. Does this interim policy permit UAS operations under the Mode C Veil? Only 

### if the UAS meets all requirements stipulated for equipment, communication andlighting in CFRsfor operation in that airspace. Ifa group or flying club wants to conduct routine UAS operations within our airspace, what should we do? Guidancefor hobbyists isprovided inAC91-57, and

## if management so desires, agreements for operations can be made.