Source: https://psflight.org/6133/slow-the-bus-down-when-it-comes-to-bvlos-public-safety-flight/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 06:05:56+00:00

Document:
There have been recent marketing efforts and press releases from vendors praising the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight operations that will allow public safety pilots to fly further.
Before anyone gets excited about purchasing such technology, I invite you to ask more questions and get more facts.
At present such highly regulated flight may be available under a COA but a COA increases department liability and makes you a dream target to sue in case of any issues. For more on the COA myths, read this.
Clearly, flight operations are better to conduct as a Part 107 pilot with all the major COA landmines out there. Don’t believe me, do the research.
While you are doing your own research, also search and look at the the few dozen BVLOS Part 107.31 waivers here.
If you are curious what kind of BVLOS flight is available today, even with a COA, here is an example of those restrictions that are public with 107.31 waivers.
Take a look at the BVLOS requirements below and then apply that to your average public safety incident scene. I think you’ll find it is not a practical or possible solution at the moment.
On top of that add in the inability to fly over people, even if momentarily authorized in a COA. Flight over people regulations are in the works at the FAA and it is early days.
Keep in mind a COA does not give you a special waiver from what the FAA considers to be safe. It just shifts the supervision of activities onto the shoulders of the COA agency.
The FAA’s Flight Standards Service has reviewed your application to ensure compliance with the requirements of 14 CFR § 107.200. The Administrator finds that the proposed sUAS operation can be conducted safely under the provisions of this Certificate of Waiver (Waiver) as listed below because you have established adequate mitigations for risks involved with operating your sUAS in the manner you described. Adherence to the provisions of this Waiver establishes the required level of safety within the national airspace system.
This Waiver may be canceled at any time by the Administrator, the person authorized to grant the Waiver, or a representative designated to monitor a specific operation. As a general rule, this Waiver may be canceled when it is no longer required, there is an abuse of its provisions, or when unforeseen safety factors develop. Failure to comply with any provision listed below is a violation of the terms of this Waiver and may serve as justification for cancellation.
14 CFR § 107.31, Visual line of sight aircraft operation, is waived to the extent necessary to allow the remotely sited remote pilot in command (PIC) to operate a small unmanned aircraft (sUA) without the ability to see the sUA throughout the entire flight. In lieu of the ability to see the sUA throughout the entire flight, another remote pilot who holds a valid remote pilot certificate under part 107 must act as a Visual Observer (VO)1 /Safety Pilot (VO/SP) and exercise the ability to see the sUA throughout the entire flight on behalf of the remote PIC who is directly responsible for operation of the sUAS in accordance with § 107.19.
No part of this waiver will function as an airspace authorization under 14 CFR § 107.41. The FAA’s Air Traffic Organization responds directly to requests for such authorizations.
Common Special Provisions. The Responsible Person is directly responsible for safety of operations conducted under this Waiver and will ensure the remote PIC, manipulator of the controls, and Visual Observer(s) comply with all provisions of this Waiver.
8. The Responsible Person must ensure a remote PIC who holds a valid remote pilot certificate under part 107, is designated at all times during any operation that will occur in accordance with this Waiver. See § 107.19 for a description of the responsibilities and duties of the remote PIC. The Responsible Person must have a procedure for positive, unequivocal designation of the person who is acting as the remote PIC. This procedure must include a three-step positive transfer of controls. Upon such transfer, the responsibilities and duties of the remote PIC under § 107.19 will transfer, accordingly.
22. The Responsible Person shall keep at its principal business office or at other places approved by the Administrator, and email the Administrator at [email protected] monthly, the information listed below. The Responsible Person must retain all such records for a period of 90 days after the expiration date of the Waiver.
vii. Loss of control link within the sUAS.
37. Operations conducted under this Waiver are limited to Tiger Field, Femley, Nevada.
Title 14 CFR § 107.3 defines the term “visual observer.” Any VO participating in operations conducted under this Waiver must meet the requirements listed in § 107.33 throughout the duration of flight operations.
The bus has just 1 passenger and it just left the gate?! And you want to stop it? How then does progress happen?
I look forward to BVLOS flight. BVLOS is coming but only once UTM has been resolved and flight over people and the aircraft restrictions have been finalized. Just not today.
I can’t think of one rapidly unfolding public safety scene that would be able to live with the current flight restrictions as shown in the 107.31 waiver.

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