Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The FAA clarifies the special rules for model aircraft in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The FAA is issuing the notice to provide clear guidance to model operators on the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of flying safely in accordance with the Act and to answer many of the questions it has received regarding the scope and application of the rules.

The interpretation will appear in the Federal Register later today.

FAA to Establish UAS Center of Excellence

More than 100 universities register for public meeting on a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems research center.

FAA Announces UAS Test Site Operators

After a rigorous 10-month selection process involving 25 proposals from 24 states, the Federal Aviation Administration has chosen six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test site operators across the country. In selecting the six test site operators, the FAA considered geography, climate, location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, safety, aviation experience and risk. In totality, these six test applications achieve cross-country geographic and climatic diversity and help the FAA meet its UAS research needs.

UAS Roadmap

The first annual UAS Roadmap addresses current and future policies, regulations, technologies and procedures that will be required as UAS operations increase in the nation’s airspace.

Integration of Civil UAS in the NAS Roadmap (PDF)

Comprehensive Plan

The Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) has developed a comprehensive plan to safely accelerate the integration of civil UAS into the national airspace system.

UAS Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
Final FAA Privacy Policy for UAS Test Sites

In connection with the UAS Test Site selection, the FAA is sending a final privacy policy to the Federal Register that requires test site operators to comply with federal, state, and other laws on individual privacy protection, and take other measures related to privacy.
Final Privacy Requirements for the UAS Test Site Program (PDF)
Online Session on UAS Test Site Privacy Policy

The FAA held an online public engagement session on Wednesday, April 3 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. EDT to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the agency’s proposed privacy policy for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The FAA provided a brief overview of the UAS test site program and proposed privacy policy and then took comments from participants. Each participant had three minutes for comments. The FAA continues to encourage the public to provide comments to the docket. The FAA listened and recorded all comments, but did not answer any questions during the session.

The FAA anticipates that test site operator privacy practices will help inform the dialogue among policymakers, privacy advocates, and the industry on broader questions about the use of UAS technologies. The privacy requirements the FAA has proposed are specifically designed for the operation of the UAS test sites. They are not intended to pre-determine the long-term policy and regulatory framework under which commercial UAS would operate. Rather, they aim to assure maximum transparency of privacy policies associated with UAS test site operations in order to engage all stakeholders in discussion about which privacy issues are raised by UAS operations and how law, public policy, and the industry practices should respond to those issues in the long run.

FAA UAS Online Listening Session ““ Audio (WMV) /Transcript (PDF)

FAA Makes Progress with UAS Integration

The FAA has achieved the first unmanned aircraft systems milestone included in the 2012 FAA reauthorization ““ streamlining the process for public agencies to safely fly UAS in the nation’s airspace.

Map Showing State Distribution of UAS Test Site Proposals Across the Nation

The applicants are all public organizations, but private companies may be part of an applicant’s team. The FAA cannot provide applicant names and numbers by state during the procurement process.
Map of Distribution of UAS Test Site Applications (PDF)
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site Selection Process Commences February 14, 2013

The FAA has released a Screening Information Request (SIR) on the FAA Contracting Opportunities website which commences the selection process for sixUAS Test Sites as required by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. In conjunction with the UAS SIR release, the FAA will also publish a Request for Comments (RFC) in the Federal Register to solicit public input for the development of a privacy approach as it relates to the operation of the UAS Test Sites. It is expected that this Federal Register posting (FAA-2013-0061) will follow the SIR release by a few days.

Below are links to the FAA Contracting Opportunities site and an advance copy of the Federal Register RFC posting.
FAA Contracting Opportunities
Federal Register Request for Comment (Copy Only) (PDF)

Certification of Authorization (COA) Sponsors

NOTE: For best results, “EXTRACT” all Zip files to your computer or other device before attempting to open any individual file.

February 11, 2014 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 55 COAs.

February 11 Release of 55 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 709.99 MB)
November 22, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 28 COAs.
November 22 Release of 28 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 164.31 MB)
November 13, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 48 COAs.
November 13 Release of 48 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 231.59 MB)
August 29, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 17 COAs.
August 29 Release of 17 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 133.07 MB)
June 20, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 9 COAs.
June 20 Release of 9 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 54.47 MB)
April 18, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 10 COAs. None of the COAs are currently active.
April 19 Release of 10 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 38.86 MB)
February 12, 2013 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 24 COAs. None of the COAs are currently active.
February 12 Release of 24 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 181.40 MB)
December 4, 2012 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 19 COAs. None of the COAs are currently active.
December 4^th Release of 19 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 325.65 MB)
November 7, 2012 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 107 COAs. Two of the COAs are currently active.
November 7th Release of 107 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 673.06 MB)
September 21, 2012 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 122 COAs. Twenty-three of the COAs are currently active.
September 21st Release of 122 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 130.47 MB)
August 15, 2012 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 17 COAs. One of the COAs is currently active.
August 15th Release of 17 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 87.58 MB)
July 12, 2012 ““ In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the FAA is releasing specific Certificate of Authorization (COA) information that is not subject to FOIA exemptions. The file below contains information for 125 COAs. Eight of the COAs are currently active.
Initial Release of 125 UAS COA Files (ZIP, 687.42 MB)
April 26, 2012 ““ The following federal, state, or local agencies currently hold or have held a certificate of authorization to operate an unmanned aircraft system between November 2006 and June 30, 2011:
COA Sponsor List (PDF)

Webinars on FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site Request for Comments

April 25, 2012 ““ The FAA hosted two identical webinars on UAS Test Sites on April 10 and

April 11, 2012. FAA officials answered online and phone questions from nearly 500 participants on the Request for Comments published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2012. The comment period closed May 8, 2012.

UAS Test Sites Webinar (PDF)
UAS Test Site Selection

March 7, 2012 ““ The FAA is asking for the public’s input on our selection process for six UAS test sites. Your feedback will help us develop UAS test site requirements, designation standards and oversight activity, as well as provide valuable experience to help us safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the same airspace with manned airplanes. For more information, see below:
FAA News Release
Questions and Answers for the UAS Test Site Selection Process
Federal Register Request for Comment ““ Comment period closes 5/08/2012.

General Information about UAS

Unmanned Aircraft Systems – previously referred to as “unmanned aerial vehicles”, “UAVs”, “remotely operated aircraft/vehicles”, or just “unmanned aircraft” – come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and serve diverse purposes. They may have a wingspan as large as a Boeing 737 or smaller than a radio-controlled model airplane. UAS operations always have a pilot in command who is flying the aircraft. Read more of the Fact Sheet ““ Unmanned Aircraft Systems.