The document summarizes the FAA's current approach to regulating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and provides an update on recent developments. It outlines the different authorization requirements for public entities, civil operators, and hobby/recreational flights. It also describes the FAA's Section 333 exemption process, the proposed small UAS rule, guidance for model aircraft operators, and the agency's focus on education and compliance over enforcement. The presentation concludes by teasing upcoming next steps from the FAA in regulating UAS and integrating them into the national airspace system.

1. Federal Aviation
Administration
Presented To: Small Unmanned Systems Business
Exposition
Presented By: Jim Williams, Manager,
FAA UAS Integration Office
Date: April 29, 2015
FAA Unmanned
Aircraft Systems
(UAS)
Update

2. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
2
www.faa.gov/uas
Getting Authorized to Fly Today
• Public aircraft operations
– Local/state government, local law enforcement, first
responders, public universities
– Require Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA)
• Civil aircraft operations
– Special Airworthiness Certificate
• Experimental Category
• Restricted Category/Type Certificate
– Section 333 Process
• Flights strictly for hobby/recreational
purposes do not require authorization

3. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
3
www.faa.gov/uas
Petitions for Section 333 Exemption
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/

4. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
4
www.faa.gov/uas
Petitions for Section 333 Exemption
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/

5. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
5
www.faa.gov/uas
Section 333 Operators – Partial List

6. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
6
www.faa.gov/uas
Overwhelming Interest in Section 333
• More than 900 petitions received to date
• FAA responded by improving processes:
– Streamlined Blanket COA
(March 23)
• Under 200’, within visual line
of sight, during daylight
hours, certain distances away
from airports and heliports
– Streamlined evaluation
process (March 30)
*as of 4/17/15
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Sep '14 Oct '14 Nov '14 Dec '14 Jan '15 Feb '15 Mar '15 Apr '15
Number of 333 Exemptions Granted*

7. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
7
www.faa.gov/uas
How to Become a Section 333
Operator
• Step-by-step
instructions and all
relevant resources
on the FAA UAS
Website
• Direct questions to:
333exemptions@faa.gov
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/how_to_file_a_petition/

8. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
8
www.faa.gov/uas
Proposed Small UAS Rule:
Major Provisions
• Major provisions of proposed
Small UAS Rule (Part 107):
– Operational Limitations
– Operator Certification and
Responsibilities
– Aircraft Requirements
– Model Aircraft
• Small commercial UAS
projected to be largest
growth sector

9. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
9
www.faa.gov/uas
Proposed Small UAS Rule:
Major Provisions (continued)
• Must see and avoid
manned aircraft
– UAS must be first to maneuver
away if collision risk arises
• Must discontinue flight in
event of presenting a
hazard to other aircraft,
people or property
• Must assess risks
presented by:
– Weather conditions
– Airspace restrictions
– Location of people

10. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
10
www.faa.gov/uas
Proposed Small UAS Rule:
Major Provisions (continued)
• May not fly over people,
except those directly
involved with the
operation
• Flights limited to:
– 500 feet altitude
– 100 mph
• Must avoid airport flight
paths and restricted
airspace areas
• Must obey any FAA
Temporary Flight
Restrictions (TFRs)

11. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
11
www.faa.gov/uas
New World for Recreational Aircraft
• Model aircraft have been
around for decades, but
there are new entrants into
the recreational community
– These types of aircraft may be
purchased at a hobby shop or
online for a few hundred dollars
– Many of these new recreational
operators do not have aviation
experience, and may not know
FAA model aircraft guidelines
(AC 91-57):
• Stay below 400 ft.
• Avoid manned aircraft
• Operate during daylight hours
• Remain within visual line of sight

12. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
12
www.faa.gov/uas
• FAA published guidance on June 23, 2014 after incidents
involving the reckless use of unmanned model aircraft
near airports and involving large crowds of people
• FAA issued the notice to provide clear guidance to model
operators on the “do’s and don’ts” of flying safely in
accordance with the 2012 FAA Reauthorization Act and to
answer questions regarding the scope and application of
the rules
• Clarifies:
1. Model aircraft must satisfy the criteria in the Act to qualify as model
aircraft and to be exempt from future FAA rulemaking action
2. Consistent with the Act, if a model aircraft operator endangers the
safety of the NAS, the FAA has the authority to take enforcement
action against those operators for safety violations
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/25/2014-
14948/interpretation-of-the-special-rule-for-model-aircraft
Interpretive Rule

13. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
13
www.faa.gov/uas
• Notice to Aviation Inspectors issued July 2014
– Stresses education as primary approach vs. enforcement
• Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin
published January 2015
– Defines authorized vs. unauthorized operations
– Outlines actions for violators
• Enforcement may be used for persons who
operate any UAS :
– In violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
– In a manner that endangers the safety of the NAS or
people and property on the ground
• Additional enforcement tools include:
– Warning notices, letters of correction, civil penalties
Education, Compliance and Enforcement

14. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
14
www.faa.gov/uas
Coming Attractions
Next Steps and a
New Approach
Join us at AUVSI in Atlanta,
May 4-6, for more details!

15. Federal Aviation
Administration
FAA UAS Integration Office
April 29, 2015
15
www.faa.gov/uas
Questions?
www.FAA.gov/UAS