Task B. Operating Rules

UA.I.B.K1 Registration requirements for sUAS (AC 107.2A 5.4 & 5.4.1)

Aircraft Registration: A small unmanned aircraft must be registered, in accordance with part 47 or part 48, prior to operating under part 107. Part 48 is the regulation that establishes the streamlined online registration option for small unmanned aircraft that will be operated only within the territorial limits of the United States. The online registration website is https://faadronezone.faa.gov/. Guidance regarding small unmanned aircraft registration and marking may be found at https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/. Alternatively, small unmanned aircraft owners or operators can elect to register under part 47 in the same manner as manned aircraft.

Registration and Permit for Foreign-Owned and Operated Small UAS: If small UAS operations involve the use of foreign civil aircraft, the operator would need to obtain a Foreign Aircraft Permit pursuant to 14 CFR part 375, as described in § 375.41, before conducting any commercial air operations under this authority. Foreign civil aircraft means (a) an aircraft of foreign registry that is not part of the armed forces of a foreign nation, or (b) a U.S.-registered aircraft owned, controlled, or operated by persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Application instructions are specified in § 375.43. Applications should be submitted by electronic mail to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of International Aviation, Foreign Air Carrier Licensing Division at https://cms.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/licensing/foreign-carriers. Foreign-owned and operated small UAS must be registered, as provided for under part 47 or part 48, including submission of an Affidavit of Ownership for Unmanned Aircraft, if necessary. Additional information can be obtained at https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/UA/. (Refer to Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44101(b)(1) for exceptions.)

UA.I.B.K2 Requirement for the sUAS to be in a condition for safe operation (14 CFR §107.14)

UA.I.B.K3 Medical condition(s) that would interfere with safe operation of an sUAS (14 CFR §107.17 & AC 107.2A 5.6, 5.6.1)

No person may manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft system or act as a remote pilot in command, visual observer, or direct participant in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft if he or she knows or has reason to know that he or she has a physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft system.

Medical Condition: Being able to operate the small unmanned aircraft safely relies on, among other things, the physical and mental capabilities of the remote PIC, person manipulating the controls, VO, and any other direct participant in the small UAS operation. Though the person manipulating the controls of a small unmanned aircraft and VO are not required to obtain an airman medical certificate, they cannot participate in the operation of a small UAS if they know or have reason to know that they have a physical or mental condition that could interfere with the safe operation of the small UAS (§ 107.17).

Physical or Mental Incapacitations: Obvious examples of physical or mental incapacitations that could render a remote PIC, person manipulating the controls, or VO incapable of performing their small UAS operational duties include, but are not limited to, such things as:

1. The temporary or permanent loss of the dexterity necessary to operate the CS to control the small unmanned aircraft safely.

2. The inability to maintain the required “see and avoid” vigilance due to blurred vision.

3. The inability to maintain proper situational awareness of the small unmanned aircraft operations due to illness and/or medication(s), such as after taking medications that caution against driving or operating heavy machinery.

4. A debilitating physical condition, such as a migraine headache or moderate or severe body ache(s) or pain(s) that would render the remote PIC, person manipulating the controls, or VO unable to perform small UAS operational duties.

5. A hearing or speaking impairment that would inhibit the remote PIC, person manipulating the controls, or VO from effectively communicating with each other. In such a situation, the remote PIC must ensure he or she implements an alternative means of effective communication. For example, a person who is hearing impaired may be able to use sign language to communicate effectively.

UA.I.B.K4 Responsibility and authority of the remote PIC (14 CFR §107.19)

UA.I.B.K5 Regulatory deviation and reporting requirements for in-flight emergencies (14 CFR §107.21)

UA.I.B.K6 Hazardous operations (14 CFR §107.23)

No person may:

UA.I.B.K6a Careless or reckless (14 CFR §107.23a)

Operate a small unmanned aircraft system in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another; or

UA.I.B.K6b Dropping an object (14 CFR §107.23b)

Allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property.

UA.I.B.K7 Operating from a moving aircraft or moving land-or water-borne vehicle (14 CFR §107.25)

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system—

UA.I.B.K8 Alcohol or drugs and the provisions on prohibition of use (14 CFR §107.27, §107.57, & §107.59)

§ 107.27 Alcohol or drugs.

A person manipulating the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft system or acting as a remote pilot in command or visual observer must comply with the provisions of §§ 91.17 and 91.19 of this chapter.

UA.I.B.K10 Visual line of sight (VLOS) aircraft operations (14 CFR §107.31)

UA.I.B.K11 Requirements when a visual observer is used (14 CFR §107.33)

If a visual observer is used during the aircraft operation, all of the following requirements must be met:

(a) The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system, and the visual observer must maintain effective communication with each other at all times.

UA.I.B.K13 Prohibition of carrying hazardous material (14 CFR §107.36)

A small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material. For purposes of this section, the term hazardous material is defined in 49 CFR 171.8.

UA.I.B.K14 Staying safely away from other aircraft and right-of-way rules (14 CFR §107.37)

UA.I.B.K14a See and avoid other aircraft and other potential hazard considerations of the remote PIC (AC 107-2A 5.13)

Remaining Clear of Other Aircraft. A remote PIC has a responsibility to operate the small unmanned aircraft so that it remains clear of and yields to all other aircraft (§ 107.37). This is traditionally referred to as “see and avoid.” To satisfy this responsibility, the remote PIC must know the location and flightpath of his or her small unmanned aircraft at all times. The remote PIC must be aware of other aircraft, persons, and property in the vicinity of the operating area, and maneuver the small unmanned aircraft to avoid collision. The remote PIC must take action to ensure other aircraft will not need to maneuver to avoid colliding with the small unmanned aircraft.

UA.I.B.K15 Operations over human beings (Refer to Area of Operation I, Task E) (14 CFR §107.39)

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a human being unless—

UA.I.B.K16 Prior authorization required for operation in certain airspace (14 CFR §107.41)

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

UA.I.B.K17 Operating in the vicinity of airports (14 CFR §107.43)

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.

UA.I.B.K18 Operating in prohibited or restricted areas (14 CFR §107.45)

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in prohibited or restricted areas unless that person has permission from the using or controlling agency, as appropriate.

UA.I.B.K19 Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen (NOTAM) (14 CFR §107.47)

A person acting as a remote pilot in command must comply with the provisions of §§ 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7 of this chapter.

UA.I.B.K20 Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operations (14 CFR §107.49)

Prior to flight, the remote pilot in command must:

UA.I.B.K21a Maximum groundspeed (14 CFR §107.51a)

The groundspeed of the small unmanned aircraft may not exceed 87 knots (100 miles per hour).

UA.I.B.K21b Altitude limitations (14 CFR §107.51b)

The altitude of the small unmanned aircraft cannot be higher than 400 feet above ground level, unless the small unmanned aircraft:

UA.I.B.K21c Minimum visibility (14 CFR §107.51c)

The minimum flight visibility, as observed from the location of the control station must be no less than 3 statute miles. For purposes of this section, flight visibility means the average slant distance from the control station at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects may be seen and identified by night.

UA.I.B.K21d Cloud clearance requirements (14 CFR §107.51d)

The minimum distance of the small unmanned aircraft from clouds must be no less than:

UA.I.B.K22 Requirements for a Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS rating (14 CFR §107.51d)

Remote Pilot Certification. An individual exercising the authority of PIC in compliance with part 107 is considered a “remote PIC.” As such, prior to acting as remote PIC, an individual must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating (§ 107.12).

UA.I.B.K23 Automated operations (AC 107-2A 5.2.3 & 5.2.3.1, & 5.2.3.2)

5.2.3 Automated Operations.

An automated operation is generally considered an operation in which the remote pilot inputs a flight plan into the CS, which sends the flight plan to the autopilot on board the small unmanned aircraft. During automated flight, flight control inputs are made by components on board the aircraft, not from a CS. If the remote PIC loses the control link to the small unmanned aircraft, the aircraft would continue to fly the programmed mission/return home to land. During automated flight, the remote PIC must have the ability to change routing/altitude or command the aircraft to land immediately. The ability to direct the small unmanned aircraft may be through manual manipulation of the flight controls or through commands using automation.

5.2.3.1  The remote PIC must retain the ability to direct the small unmanned aircraft to ensure compliance with the requirements of part 107. The remote PIC may transmit a command for the automated aircraft to climb, descend, land now, proceed to a new waypoint, enter an orbit pattern, or return to home. Any of these methods may be used to avoid a hazard or give right-of-way.

5.2.3.2 The use of automation does not allow a person to operate more than one small unmanned aircraft simultaneously (§ 107.35).

UA.I.B.K24 Civil twilight operations (14 CFR §107.29b & c)

UA.I.B.K25 Night operations (14 CFR §107.29a & d)

a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night unless—

UA.I.B.K26 Transportation of property (AC 107-2A 5.15 & 5.15.1)

5.15 Transportation of Property.

Part 107 permits transportation of property by small unmanned aircraft for compensation or hire. These operations must be conducted within a confined area and in compliance with the operating restrictions of part 107. When transporting property, the transport must occur wholly within the bounds of a single State.

5.15.1 Limitations.

As with other operations in part 107, small UAS operations involving the transport of property must be conducted within VLOS of the remote pilot. While the VLOS limitation can be waived for some operations under the rule, it cannot for transportation of property. Additionally, part 107 does not allow the operation of a small UAS from a moving vehicle or aircraft if the small unmanned aircraft is being used to transport property for compensation or hire. This limitation cannot be waived. The maximum total weight of the small unmanned aircraft (including any property being transported) is limited to under 55 pounds. Other provisions of part 107 require the remote pilot to know the small unmanned aircraft’s location; to determine the small unmanned aircraft’s attitude, altitude, and direction; to yield the right-of-way to other aircraft; and to maintain the ability to see and avoid other aircraft.

UA.I.B.K27 ATC transponder equipment prohibition (14 CFR §107.52)

Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system under this part with a transponder on.

UA.I.B.K28 ADS-B Out prohibition (14 CFR §107.53)

Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system under this part with ADS-B Out equipment in transmit mode.