Do I need a liscense to operate a UAV?

[Ryan Archer]

hi guys,
I was told that i needed a liscese to operate a uav, and that if i don't have one, i could be fined BIG by the FAA. what are the classifications of a uav, so i can avoid them while testing mine, and then just let the actual company test it with the camera and such on it, i would just weight it down correctly.
anywys can someone please answer my question?
thanks,
ryan

[lvspark]

You find a UAV license, and you could just sell them, instead of your UAV...
Cameras have nothing to do with FAA's clasification of a UAS. Will you be flying for hobby or recreationl use? If so, it's a model AC 91-57 is your guidelines.

If your flying it for research, development, commercial use, training, or any other non-hobby porpose, FAA would probably consider it a UAS and you would have to get a COA or an EAC for the aircraft for them to be happy. Rumor I hear is to get the COA or EAC, the pilot must at least have a private pilots license...

The info you want might be found here http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/uas_faq/

[Ryan Archer]

alrighty! thankyou very much,
looks like my project would be abiding by the law.
thanks, ryan




You find a UAV license, and you could just sell them, instead of your UAV...
Cameras have nothing to do with FAA's clasification of a UAS. Will you be flying for hobby or recreationl use? If so, it's a model AC 91-57 is your guidelines.

If your flying it for research, development, commercial use, training, or any other non-hobby porpose, FAA would probably consider it a UAS and you would have to get a COA or an EAC for the aircraft for them to be happy. Rumor I hear is to get the COA or EAC, the pilot must at least have a private pilots license...

The info you want might be found here http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/uas_faq/

[vuster]

You'll need a Certificate Of Authorization from the FAA before you can legally operate your UAVs. It takes a lot of work and time to apply for a COA and most likely the FAA will require the Pilot In Command to be at least PPL rated. The COA will spell out very specifically where and how you fly your UAVs.

It doesn't fall under the model airplane category (waiver) anymore...not even if you fly your "UAV" under 500'.

[workshop]

lvspark is correct here. AC 91-57 is the document to follow. As far as I know, there are no COA guidelines for small UAVs yet. Anyway this is a very old and tired subject (as old as Feb 13th :rolleyes: ) and interested parties can research the past threads on the subject using the "search" feature of this forum. I'm an advocate of dialogue but this topic seems to foster the kind of threads that go on and on make little progress (almost a metaphor for the FAA and the UAV regulation debacle).

Jeff

[lvspark]

To clarify,

PIC (of the operation) needs at least PPL, person flying/controlling the UAS does not need a PPL as long as the operation of overseen by the PIC.
Clear as mud? good!

[danstrider]

After reading through several of the links from lvspark

(from http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/uas_faq/ )
Do I need an experimental certificate for my UAS?

Yes, if you plan to fly your unmanned aircraft UA as civil aircraft (§1.1). The FAA's current policy is to issue only special airworthiness certificates to UAS's in the experimental category for the purposes of research and development, crew training, or conducting market surveys (§21.193).

No, if you are a hobbyist and intend to fly your model aircraft in accordance with the guidance in Advisory Circular 91-57, Model Aircraft Operating Standards.

No, if you intend to operate your UA as a public aircraft for the purposes of governmental functions. In this case, the FAA's Air Traffic System Operations and Safety Office (ATO-R) may issue a Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA) (http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment/COA).

A couple of items jump out...
If a vehicle complies with all the rules in 91-57, then it is considered an RC model: (from http://www.faa.gov/ats/ata/uas/ac91-57.pdf)
3 0 OPERATING STANDARDS.
a. Select an operating site that is of sufficient distance from populated
areas. The selected site should be away from noise sensitive areas such as
parks, schools, hospitals, churches, etc.
b. Do not operate model aircraft in the presence of spectators until the
aircraft is successfully flight tested and proven airworthy.
c. Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface.
When flying aircraft within 3 miles of an airport, notify the airport operator,
or when an air traffic facility is located at the airport, notify the control
tower, or flight service station.
d. Give right of way to, and avoid flying in the proximity of, full-scale
aircraft. Use observers to help if possible.
e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from any airport traffic control
concerning compliance with these standards.


If the vehicle does not comply with these standards AND is considered for the purpose of "research and development, crew training, or conducting market surveys," then the vehicle can apply for an experimental aircraft certificate. This is on the same order of magnitude as a person-carrying homebuilt aircraft.

Regarding UAS Special Airworthiness Certificate: (from http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/cert/ )
Civil Operation – Private Industry
For civil operation, companies may obtain a Special Airworthiness Certificate, Experimental Category (http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment) by demonstrating that their aircraft can operate safely within an assigned flight test area and cause no harm to the public. They must be able to describe their unmanned aircraft system, along with how and where they intend to fly. If the FAA determines the project is feasible, and agrees on acceptable operating limitations, the local FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office will issue an experimental airworthiness certificate, with the operating restrictions applicable to the particular aircraft specified.

Reading about the application process for an Experimental Aircraft Certificate is found here:
http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/sp_awcert_regs/

In particular, an application for an Experimental Aircraft Certficate is here:
http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8130-6d.pdf


That was fun... and it looks like there are many more layers to this onion........

[CenTexFlyer]

.... actually, the PIC needs only to have passed the written Private Pilot's Exam. You do NOT need a pilot's license per se.... only half of one.

[lvspark]

Re: SUAS EAC Pilot requirements, on 7/24/2007 I was informed

" The Pilot in Command must be a current certificated private pilot. Supplement pilots are permitted. Supplemental pilots must complete an approved private pilot ground school or complete training acceptable to the FAA. The Pilot in Command must be a current certificated private pilot."

So that makes it a pilot and 1/2.... Are we getting 2 different sets of requirements from the same office? :confused:

[CenTexFlyer]

So it would seem......