The document summarizes Jim Williams' presentation to the sUSB Exposition on integrating civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. It discusses several incidents involving unauthorized or unsafe drone operations that endangered manned aircraft or people. It also reviews FAA regulations on right of way and see and avoid principles. Finally, it outlines the FAA's efforts to develop rules for commercial drone use and addresses the Raphael Pirker case.

1. Federal Aviation
Administration Integration of Civil
Unmanned Aircraft
Systems (UAS) into the
National Airspace
System (NAS):
A Discussion about Risk
Presented to: sUSB Exposition
By: Jim Williams, Manager, FAA,
UAS Integration Office, AFS-80
Date: May 8, 2014

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Bull Run Incident – Virginia

3. Endure Batavia Triathlon Incident –
Australia
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4. Near-Mid Air Collision Incident –
Florida
• A near mid-air collision was reported to Tallahassee
Air Traffic Control on March 22 by Bluestreak
Airlines (US Airways commuter)
– Pilot passed an unreported and apparently remotely controlled
aircraft at 2300 ft., five miles northeast of Tallahassee
– Described as a camouflaged F-4 fixed wing aircraft
Model Aircraft Similar to One in Incident
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• Small, but not a quadcopter or rotorcraft
– Commuter Captain thought the model aircraft may have
collided with his aircraft
• Inspection after landing revealed no damage

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See and Avoid

6. ASTM Small Unmanned Aircraft
System Standards
1. Specification for Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM)
(F2908)
2. Practice for Maintenance and Continued
Airworthiness (F2909)
3. Specification for Design and Construction (F2910)
4. Practice for Production Acceptance (F2911)
5. Specification for Design of the Command and
Control System (F3002)
6. Specification for Quality Assurance (F3003)
7. Specification for Batteries (F3005)
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• Background
– Raphael Pirker fined $10,000 for “reckless and careless” operation
of a UAS following commercial filming at the University of Virginia,
2011
• Legal Actions
– National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) judge dismissed
case on March 6, 2014
– FAA appealing decision to full NTSB panel
• Judge’s decision stayed, pending NTSB review
• Impact
– Media coverage has portrayed the Pirker case as a nullification of
FAA authority to regulate commercial UAS operations
– Increase of news reports of unauthorized commercial operations
• Response
– FAA preparing a public notice to clarify our oversight authority in
this area

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Small UAS Rule
• Key initiative for
introducing
commercial UAS
operations safely into
the NAS
– Plan to release Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) in late 2014
– Small commercial UAS
projected to be largest
growth sector

9. FAA Modernization and Reform Act
of 2012 (FMRA): Section 333
FILMING - POWER LINE INSPECTION - PRECISION AGRICULTURE - FLARE STACK INSPECTION
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10. Arctic
First Authorized Commercial Flight of Small UAS
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11. Thank You
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Backup

13. Code of Federal Regulations
Section 91.111
Operating Near Other Aircraft.
(a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to
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create a collision hazard.
(b) No person may operate an aircraft information flight except by
arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in formation.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in
formation flight.

14. Code of Federal Regulations
Section 91.113
Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.
(a) Inapplicability. This section does not apply to the operation of an aircraft on water.
(b) General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or
visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.
When a rule of this section gives another aircraft the right-of-way, the pilot shall give way to that aircraft and may not pass
over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.
(c) In distress. An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.
(d) Converging. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude (except head-on, or
nearly so), the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way. If the aircraft are of different categories--
(1) A balloon has the right-of-way over any other category of aircraft;
[(2) A glider has the right-of-way over an airship, powered parachute, weight-shift-control aircraft, airplane, or rotorcraft.
(3) An airship has the right-of-way over a powered parachute, weight-shift-control aircraft, airplane, or rotorcraft.]
However, an aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft.
(e) Approaching head-on. When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall
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alter course to the right.
(f) Overtaking. Each aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way and each pilot of an overtaking aircraft shall alter
course to the right to pass well clear.
(g) Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or
operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface
which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are
approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take
advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.

15. Section 333 of the FMRA
• SEC. 333. SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. (a)
IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other requirement of this subtitle, and not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Transportation shall determine if certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate
safely in the national airspace system before completion of the plan and
rulemaking required by section 332 of this Act or the guidance required by section
334 of this Act.
• (b) ASSESSMENT OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.— In making the
determination under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine, at a minimum—
(1) which types of unmanned aircraft systems, if any, as a result of their size,
weight, speed, operational capability, proximity to airports and populated areas,
and operation within visual line of sight do not create a hazard to users of the
national airspace system or the public or pose a threat to national security; and (2)
whether a certificate of waiver, certificate of authorization, or airworthiness
certification under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, is required for the
operation of unmanned aircraft systems identified under paragraph (1). (c)
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.— If the Secretary determines under this
section that certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national
airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation
of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.
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