The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing thousands of opinions and suggestions on the proposed rule1 to regulate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in the United States (ASW, 4/15, p. 36). At press time, one week before the April 24 deadline, the agency had received 3,459 submissions, with the number sure to increase in the final days of the comment period.
The notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) reminded the aviation industry that to date, “The FAA has accommodated non-recreational small UAS use through various mechanisms, such as special airworthiness certificates, exemptions, and certificates of waiver or authorization [COAs].” (SUAS aircraft are defined as weighing less than 55 lb [25 kg].)
The COA system has enabled public aircraft operators to use unmanned aircraft by obtaining a waiver/deviation from the fundamental see-and-avoid requirement of U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.113, the FAA said. That system will remain …
