The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial photo and video production companies to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This marks a step forward in integrating commercial UAS into the National Airspace.
Specifically, the six companies sought exemptions from regulations that address general flight rules, pilot certificate requirements, manuals, maintenance and equipment mandates. In order to receive the requested exemptions, the companies had to demonstrate that the UAS operations would not adversely affect safety or that the operations would provide at least an equivalent level of safety to the rules they sought exemption from. In their applications, the companies stated that the UAS operators would hold private pilot certificates, keep the UAS within line of sight at all times, and restrict flights to the set.
The FAA accepted the conditions set forth in the applications. However, the FAA also added the requirement that the UAS be inspected before each flight and prohibited operations at night. The FAA will issue Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs) that mandate flight rules and timely reports of accidents or incidents.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx determined that the UAS in the operations proposed by the six companies do not require an FAA-issued certificate of airworthiness because they do not pose a threat to national airspace users or national security. Such a finding is permitted under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
The U.S. Department of Transportation press release can be found here.
For more information on exemptions for UAS operations contact Glenn Wicks or Ronce Almond.