Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) office is the principal element within the Air Traffic Airspace Management Program responsible for authorizing unmanned aircraft (UA) operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). This office works in close coordination with Aviation Safety's Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) to review proposed applications and ensure that approvals to fly unmanned aircraft, regardless of size, do not compromise the high level of safety for other aviation, the public, and property on the ground.

Flight of UAS is not permitted over populated areas and no hazardous material may be carried or objects dropped outside of Restricted Area Airspace.

Vision
Safely integrating unmanned aircraft into the NAS while doing no harm to other NAS users.

Who We Are
A dedicated group of professionals from FAA Headquarters and all Service Areas charged with:

Issuing Certificates of Authorization (COA) for UA to fly in the NAS.
Participating in the development of future policies and regulations governing UA.
Collaborating with international Civil Aviation Authorities to ensure global harmonization of UA operations.
Assisting the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. public agencies operating UA in the support of:

National Defense
Disaster Relief
Scientific Research
Technological Development

Site Areas