The document outlines the regulations and operational limitations for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the U.S., specifically those weighing less than 55 pounds under 14 CFR Part 107. Key points include restrictions on flight over people and certain areas, the requirement for UAS registration with the FAA, and commercial operation guidelines. It also lists current applications of UAS technology, such as agriculture and package deliveries, while noting that detailed pilot certification and emergency procedures are not covered.

1. Operations Summary for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
REGISTRATION &
CERTIFICATION
AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION | OPERATING LIMITATIONSREGULATIONS & AUTHORITY
▪ United States Department of
Transportation (USDOT)
▪ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
▪ Office of Secretary of Transportation
- 14 CFR Part 107 (eff. Aug 29, 2016)
▪ Title: Operation and Certification of
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
▪ Guidance for UAS with combined
weight less than 55 lbs.
▪ UAS greater than 55 lbs. not
addressed
▪ External payload briefly addressed –
but total weight not to exceed 55 lbs.
▪ Weight less than 55 lbs.
▪ Visual line of sign only (VLOS)
▪ May not operate in restricted air
spaces, over persons, covered
structures
▪ Daylight operations permitted; civil
twilight operations – timing and
equipment restrictions
▪ Max ground speed 100 mph (87
knots)
▪ Below 400 AGL
BLANKET RESTRICTIONS
▪ Weight less than 55 lbs.
▪ Maintain Visual-line-of-sight (VLOS)
▪ UAS close enough to remote pilot
▪ May not operate over persons,
restricted area, or within restricted
airspaces
▪ May not operate near military or
government establishments, HI, DC
▪ May not operate in covered areas,
stationary vehicles, or controlled
from moving vehicles
▪ Daylight operations; civil twilight
operations with restrictions
▪ Max speed 87 knots, max altitude
400’ AGL
▪ No hazmat transport
▪ One pilot – one UAS
COMMERCIAL OPS
REQUIREMENTS
▪ File section 333 exemption (blanket
COA to operate within CONUS; no
fly within 5 miles tower airport / 3
miles no tower airport)
▪ Must file new COA through civil COA
process for each airport
▪ Register UAS with FAA
▪ Setup LOA w/ Airport airspace
▪ Must be a pilot or have remote
pilot/ airman certificate to operate
UAS commercially; current medical
▪ Pre-flight inspection and logging
▪ Communications equipment
▪ File NOTAM (24 – 48 hour ahead)
▪ Call 1 hour before flight; remain in
contact w/ tower
▪ Part 107 does not require logging of
flight time and component service
time (contrary to Part 61 for
manned flights)
CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
FUTURE
APPLICATIONS
▪ Agriculture
▪ Real estate
▪ Photography / Videography
▪ Entertainment
▪ Inspections (Rail track,
infrastructure, pipelines,
buildings)
▪ Payload transfers (combined
weight < 55lbs, minimum
distance)
▪ Search & Rescue
Prepared March 2018 by
Ankush (AK) Karnik
Piscataway, NJ
▪ Package deliveries
(According to Amazon a
payload of 5lbs will address
85% of their deliveries)
• Wide scale transportation
Note: This document provides a high level summary of UAS regulations, operating limitations, registration, and current applications of UAS in National Airspace
System (NAS). It does not address pilot/operator certification details, loss of control / lost link provisions, emergency procedures, and risks and mitigations.
▪ Register UAS using FAA portal (paper
application for UAS 55 lbs. or more)
▪ Requires make/model of aircraft
▪ Valid 3 years within CONUS (DC excl)
▪ Using Small UAS Rule (Part 107)
▪ Using Section 336 special rule as
modeler
▪ Over 106,000 non-hobbyist UAS are
registered with FAA as of Oct 2017
Operators can apply for waivers / exemption
of some part 107 restrictions:
• Waiver: not comply with established rule
• Exception: not comply with rule when it
cannot be waived
COA is generally required for commercial UAS
operation
• Certificate of Authorization: certificate for
public use & 333 exception
AGL: Above Ground Level; ATC: Air Traffic Control; FL: Flight Level; IFR: Instrument flight
Rules; MSL: Mean Sea Level; VFR: Visual Flight Rules