Federal Aviation Administration

Memorandum

Date: November 15, 2006

From: Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, AIR-100 ~~

Manager, Production and Airworthiness Division, AfR-20o//P

To: SEE DISTRIBUTION

Prepared by: James Sizemore, AIR-160, (202) 385-4631 or iames.sizemore@faa.gov

Richard Posey, AIR-230, (202) 267-9538 or richard.posev@faa.gov

Subject: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (VAS) Certification Status

This memorandum provides an update on the status of the efforts within AVS to allow

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS). In 2005,

AIR-200 took the first step and began accepting applications for Special Airworthiness

Certificates in the Experimental category for UAS. This activity is based on one ofthe strategies

identified in the Administrator's Flight Plan for, "implementing technologies and systemsthat

will help pilots operate aircraft as safely as possible." AIR-200 issued memorandums on June

17,2005 and July 11, 2005 announcing this activity and AVS has subsequently issued 4

Experimental Certificates since August 2005.

The decision to manage UAS activity from FAA Headquarters is to gain experience with

applicants that will allow us to develop policy and procedures for Aviation Safety Inspectors

(ASI) and potentially for designees. AIR-200 has developed a draft order that describes the

process for issuing Experimental Certificates to UAS and will prototype its use in FY 2007. All

requests for an Experimental Certificate are processes by a team established within Headquarters

composed of subject matter experts from AIR-100, AIR-200, AFS-400 and the Air Traffic

Organization. Applicants are required to meet criteria established in a UAS unique Program

Letter and Safety Checklist. AIR-200 works directly with the Manufacturing Inspection Offices,

Manufacturing Inspection District/Satellite Office, or Certificate Management OfficeslUnits and

Flight Standards District Offices to develop and finalize operating limitations, and issue

Experimental Certificates. Program Letters or applications received by field offices should be

referred to AIR-200.

The Unmanned Aircraft Program Office, AIR-160, was established in February 2006, and is the

focal point for all AVS UAS activity, including any proposed certification projects that may be

presented to ACO's. As such, all proposed UAS type certification projects must be worked

within the appropriate Directorate, as well as coordinated with AIR-160.

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There has been vigorous activity in industry exploring the endless possibilities that VAS bring to

aviation. There are many new and novel issues to be addressed as VAS are considered for

integration into the NAS. As these issues are unique to VAS and may differ substanially from

manned aircraft operations and systems, they will require consideration and special attention

while this area of aviation matures. At a minimum, the certification and introduction of these

systems must not degrade the current level of safety within the NAS.

AIR-100 recently requested a point of contact (POC) from each Directorate to be the focal point

to assist in the development of VAS specific policies, procedures, and potential regulations.

These representatives will serve as the principle member for each directorate, to include

associated field activities, in the development of necessary resources and milestones needed to

accomplish programmatic tasks. These projects are significant, and early program coordination

between the ACO Engineer and the Directorate P~C is essential. As soon as practical after the

project application, the ACO Engineer must notify and promptly forward the certification project

notifications and associated certification plans to the Directorate POC. The Directorate POCs

are responsible for ensuring coordination ofthese projects with AIR-160. In addition, as

members of the Headquarters Team, it is anticipated that the Directorate POCs will participate in

safety reviews with applicants for Experimental Certificates.

The list of the Directorate POC's are as follows:

Transport Airplane Directorate: Steve Edgar,

(425) 277 - 2025, steve.edgar@faa.gov

Small Airplane Directorate: Gunnar Berg and Greg Davison,

(816) 329 - 4141, gunnar.berg@faa.gov

(816) 329 - 4130, gregorv.davison@faa.gov

Rotorcraft Directorate: Chinh Vuong,

(817) 222 - 5116, chinh.vuong({V,faa.gov

Engine and Propellor Directorate: Jeorge Fernandez,

(781) 238 - 7748, ieorge.fernandez@faa.gov

The AIR HeadQuartersPOC's are as follows:

AIR-I 10 Victor Powell, Lead VAS Policy

(202) 267 - 9564, victor.powell@faa.gov

AIR-160 James Sizemore, Team Lead, VAS Airworthiness and Systems Engineering

(202) 385 - 4631, iames.sizemore@faa.gov

AIR-200 Richard Posey, Lead VAS Experimental Certification Policy

(202) 267 -9538, richard.posey@faa.gov

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Thank you for your cooperation and support as we continue in this exciting new regulatory

challenge in civil aviation. If there are any questions, please contact James Sizemore, AIR-l 60,

and Richard Posey, AIR-230.

Distribution:

Director, Aircraft Certification Service

Director, Flight Standards Service

Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Staff, AEU-IOO

All Aircraft Certification Directorate Managers All Aircraft Certification Offices

All Manufacturing Inspection Offices

All Manufacturing Inspection District/Satellite Offices

All Certificate Management Offices/Units

All Flight Standards/Certificate Holding Distict Offices

Manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300

Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, AFS-400

Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800

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