Today, unmanned aircraft are flying in the National Air Space under very controlled conditions, performing border and port surveillance by the Department of Homeland Security, helping with scientific research and environmental monitoring by NASA and NOAA, supporting public safety by law enforcement agencies, helping state universities conduct research, and supporting various other missions for public (government) entities. Operations range from ground level to above 50,000 feet, depending on the specific type of aircraft. However, UAS operations are currently not authorized in Class B airspace (PDF), which exists over major urban areas and contains the highest density of manned aircraft in the National Airspace System.
What are the different types of UAS operations?
There are three types of unmanned aircraft system operations: Civil, Public and Model Aircraft.
Civil UAS
Obtaining a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the experimental category for a particular UAS is currently the only way civil operators of unmanned aircraft are accessing the NAS. Experimental certificate regulations preclude carrying people or property for compensation or hire, but do allow operations for research and development, flight and sales demonstrations and crew training. The FAA is working with civilian operators to collect technical and operational data that will help refine the UAS airworthiness certification process. The agency is currently developing a future path for safe integration of civil UAS into the NAS as part of NextGen implementation. Read more about Civil Operations.
The FAA has been working for several months to implement the provisions of Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, "Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems," which will allow for commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments. Read more about Section 333.
What can I do with my model aircraft?
Having fun means flying safely! Hobby or recreational flying doesn't require FAA approval but you must follow safety guidelines. Any other use requires FAA authorization. Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts for flying model aircraft.
(The above is from the FAA's UAS website.)
Below are links to more information!
What are the different types of UAS operations?
There are three types of unmanned aircraft system operations: Civil, Public and Model Aircraft.
Civil UAS
Obtaining a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the experimental category for a particular UAS is currently the only way civil operators of unmanned aircraft are accessing the NAS. Experimental certificate regulations preclude carrying people or property for compensation or hire, but do allow operations for research and development, flight and sales demonstrations and crew training. The FAA is working with civilian operators to collect technical and operational data that will help refine the UAS airworthiness certification process. The agency is currently developing a future path for safe integration of civil UAS into the NAS as part of NextGen implementation. Read more about Civil Operations.
The FAA has been working for several months to implement the provisions of Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, "Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems," which will allow for commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments. Read more about Section 333.
- Public UAS
- Model Aircraft
What can I do with my model aircraft?
Having fun means flying safely! Hobby or recreational flying doesn't require FAA approval but you must follow safety guidelines. Any other use requires FAA authorization. Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts for flying model aircraft.
(The above is from the FAA's UAS website.)
Below are links to more information!
Information
Know Before You Fly
FAA - UAS
Great links
UAV MarketSpace Inc.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
NOAA UAS Program
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association
OpenDroneMap
Uaviators.org
Guide to working in the UAV Industry
Codes of Conduct
UAS Flight Safety Guide
AUVSI
International Assoc. of Chiefs of Police
UAViators
In The News
UAS News
Unmanned Aerial Online
UAV News
UAS Vision
When drones fall from the sky
State's UAS Center Testing 'Drones'
Photo / videography
Know Before You Fly
FAA - UAS
Great links
UAV MarketSpace Inc.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
NOAA UAS Program
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association
OpenDroneMap
Uaviators.org
Guide to working in the UAV Industry
Codes of Conduct
UAS Flight Safety Guide
AUVSI
International Assoc. of Chiefs of Police
UAViators
In The News
UAS News
Unmanned Aerial Online
UAV News
UAS Vision
When drones fall from the sky
State's UAS Center Testing 'Drones'
Photo / videography