This order combines new guidance for implementing 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 101, Subpart E, Special Rule for Model Aircraft, and 14 CFR, Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) with existing UAS guidance in J NO 7210.891 Unmanned Aircraft Operations in the National Airspace System (cancelled) and General Notice (GENOT) JO 7210.886, Model Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of Airports (cancelled). This provides a single source document for Air Traffic Organization (ATO) personnel, in any class of airspace.
Until recently, FAA policy for UAS operations has been that no person may operate a UAS, including tethered UAS in the NAS without specific authorization. This will change with the implementation of the sUAS Rule, effective on August 29, 2016. The sUAS Rule includes Part 107 for civil operators (and public operators electing to operate as civil) weighing less than 55 pounds, as well as Part 101 for those operators also known as Section 336 or modelers/hobbyists. The Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) process will still be used for operations that cannot be conducted under Part 101 or Part 107.
Part 107 allows sUAS operations in Class G airspace without Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorization. For sUAS operations in Class B, C, D and E surface areas, the operator may request authorization. Operations in Class A are not addressed under Part 107 because the operational restrictions in Part 107 do not allow access to Class A airspace without a waiver. All sUAS operating under this rule are exempt from separation standards.
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office predicts between 400,000 and 2.3 million licensed Part 107 operators by 2020. Although automation is in development to process the large number of requests that facilities anticipate, it is not expected to be operational until 2018. In order to mitigate the impact of authorizing numerous requests on individual ATC facilities, FAA Headquarters has developed a procedure for the authorization of Part 107 Operations. Using input from ATC facilities, areas in which Part 107 Operators may fly without impact to manned aircraft operations and procedures for the approval/denial of applications have been developed and described in this order.
The current guidance for modellers/hobbyists will not change, but they will be referred to as Part 101 operators. Per Part 101.43, Subpart E, no person may operate model aircraft so as to endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
For access to the Order, click here.
Source: FAA