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12 unmanned systems inside August/September ugust/Septe August/September August/September be August/September 2016 0 2016 6 2016 AIR REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS OF PART 107— THE SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT RULE Operations • Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg). • The unmanned aircraft must remain within Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. Alternatively, the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of a visual observer. These people's vision cannot be aided by any device other than corrective lenses. • Operators may use a visual observer but it is no longer required. • Operations are permitted during the day and, with appropriate anti-collision lighting, during twilight— that is starting 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset local time. • The maximum allowed groundspeed is 100 mph (87 knots). • The maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Flights higher than 400 feet AGL are allowed as long as the aircraft stays within 400 feet of a structure. • The weather visibility must be a minimum of 3 miles from the control station. • Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with permission from air traffic control (ATC). Permission is not required for operations in Class G airspace. • No person may act as a remote pilot in command or a visual observer for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at a time. • No operations from a moving aircraft. Operations from a moving vehicle are not allowed except in sparsely populated areas. • No careless or reckless operations or flights carrying hazardous materials. • Drones are allowed to carry external loads if the object being carried by the unmanned aircraft is securely attached and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft. • Drones can be used to transport property as long as the aircraft and its payload weigh 55 lbs. or less together and the flight stays within visual line of sight of the pilot. Such flights cannot be done from a moving vehicle or aircraft and cannot cross state lines. • Most of these restrictions can be waived if it can be demonstrated to the FAA that the operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver. Pilots • Small UAS pilots must be at least 16 and be able to read, speak, write and understand English. • Pilots must be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a UAS • Prospective pilots must pass the aeronautical knowledge exam, which can be taken at a local FAA- approved knowledge testing center. If a person already has a manned-aircraft pilot's license they need only have completed a flight review within the previous 24 months and a small UAS online training course provided by the FAA. • All pilots must be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration. Aircraft • An FAA airworthiness certification is not required for UAS, however, the pilot in command must conduct a preflight check of the drone to ensure it is in a condition for safe operation. • Foreign-registered small unmanned aircraft are allowed to operate under Part 107 if they satisfy the requirements of Part 375. For more information on the Part 107 rule, becoming a pilot and where to take the test, visit www.faa.gov/uas. Source: Federal Aviation Administration