Regulations
Reminder: Airspace, local laws, and more are subject to change at any time. Operators should make it a priority to stay informed and updated on all regulations and restrictions prior to any UAS operation.
Assessing Airspace
All sUAS operations take place in federally regulated airspace, meaning federal regulations are applicable and must be obeyed. Several categories of regulated airspace exist, the main two being controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
Controlled airspace is a defined area where Air Traffic Control services are provided to manned aircraft, split into several categories (Class A, B, C, D, and E). When operating UAS in controlled airspace, Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorization must be granted. To determine if a site is in controlled airspace and needs approval, please check the FAA UAS Facilities map below.
Any site not contained in controlled airspace is considered Uncontrolled Airspace (Class G), and does not provide ATC services to pilots. While Class G airspace is not controlled by ATC and does not require special authorization to operate in, pilots must still abide by all federal regulations contained in 14 CFR Part 107.
The Aloft Air Control app can be used to apply for LAANC authorization, view NOTAMs, TFRs, and more easily while in the field.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
A NOTAM is a notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other means. It states the abnormal status of a component of the National Airspace System (NAS) – not the normal status.
NOTAMs indicate the real-time and abnormal status of the NAS impacting every user.
NOTAMs concern the establishment, condition, or change of any facility, service, procedure or hazard in the NAS.
NOTAMs have a unique language using special contractions to make communication more efficient.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
The FAA maintains the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System. As with cars on the road, there are rules that cover aircraft in the sky to ensure safety. In special circumstances, the FAA may temporarily restrict access to certain designated areas of our airspace, much in the same way a city or state may block off access to a street when necessary .
TFRs are communicated to pilots through Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). They restrict aircraft (including drones) from operating without permission in a certain area for a limited time. You must always check NOTAMs prior to your flight.
TFRs are issued for safety or security purposes.
Reasons for issuing a TFR include:
Natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes
Emergency or national security situations
Checking Local Laws
While the FAA is the authority on matters of federal airspace regulations, local authorities can pass rules around the already standing Part 107 rules and regulations. These local authorities are limited in what they can legally enforce, however things like requiring notice to local authorities about your sUAS operations, and restricting sUAS operations around sensitive locations. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with any and all local laws. If you believe there to be an overreach of local laws, you can contact the FAA to investigate.
Assessing the Environment
Prior to arriving to the site
Before you head out to conduct your first operations at a site there are some important things you can do in order to avoid potential operational issues. These are just a few things you can do in addition to checking on the airspace of the location.
Review the location on Google Maps/ & Google Earth
If you have never physically been to the site you plan to conduct a sUAS operation it can be useful to evaluate the area using Google Maps & Google Earth. Using these sites allows you to identify potential obstacles and hazards like trees, powerlines, and more. Understanding what hazards exist before arriving can be very beneficial for planning your operation.
Communicating with site administrator
Before heading to a location to conduct operations you should get in touch with any site administrators if this is a controlled location. This is because there could be site specific rules you need to follow, or other operations going on that cannot happen simultaneously with your operations.
After arriving to the site
Identify current obstructions and hazards
Before any operation you should evaluate any obstructions or hazards in your operating area. These could be the same or different as the ones you identified prior to arrival.
Assessing weather conditions
Weather can be a very localized phenomenon, and what is forecasted may not be exactly accurate. You should carefully assess what the weather conditions are currently upon arrival, and how it will appear to change over the course of your operation.
Identify emergency landing locations
Identifying emergency landing locations is important for the safety of all operations. Having these in mind prior to starting your operation can help keep everyone safe and minimize damage to other equipment.
Safely operating around people
Clearly designated takeoff/landing area
If there are other people around your operation that are not directly participating, it is ideal to have a clearly defined takeoff/landing area, so that those people do not interfere.
Signage and communication
If there are other people around your operation that are not directly participating, you need to clearly define verbally and with some sort of identifier what you are doing.
Identify movements of people
If there are other people around your operation that are not directly participating, you should identify where and how those people are moving about to help ensure they will not be at risk of interfering with the operation or at risk of being injured in the event of an emergency.
Assessing risk
Risk should be assessed specifically based upon your operating environment.
Complying With Site Specific Rules
Certain locations you operate at may have their own rules regarding safety and other operation aspects. For example, if you are operating on a construction site, they may require you to where a high-visibility vest, safety helmet, and safety glasses. You should follow these rules while operating in such areas, at all times. It is also your responsibility to inquire about such rules prior to arriving to conduct your sUAS operations.
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