Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO)

Our Mission:  To safely integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the U.S. National Airspace System

In recent years, unmanned aircraft (UA) were primarily developed and flown by the military services. This is rapidly changing. Interest in using UAs for a broad range of purposes is increasing, not only by U.S. governmental agencies, but also by the civil aviation community. Because of this increased interest and activity, UA access to the National Airspace System (NAS) is a priority.

There are many challenges we must meet before the procedures for certification, licensing, training, inspection, maintenance and operation of UAs are standardized and routine. Further, we must find methods to support the integration of UAs in the NAS without causing delays, capacity reduction, or placing current NAS users at increased risk. The UAPO is responsible to develop the necessary guidance and regulations for UA certification and operation to ensure their safe integration into the NAS.

• Air Traffic Airspace (ATA), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Group
• Certifications and Authorizations
  • Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA) – ATA UAS description of the COA process
  • UAS COA Online System, used by applicants to request a COA. Applicants must obtain an account to access the system.
• Contacts
• Questions and Answers regarding application, certification and experimental certificates for UAS
• Regulations & Policies
• UAS NEWS is latest information about UAS developments and special airworthiness certificates issued by the FAA for UAS.

“… UAs are part of the future of aviation, and that future is on our doorstep right now. The system is in place today to accommodate the entry of new aircraft into the National Airspace System; this is nothing new for the FAA. It is our day-to-day business.”… “The FAA, working closely with the aviation industry, will develop safety standards and operating procedures to ensure their safe integration into the NAS.”
– Nick Sabatini,
Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety

Contact UAPO for more information about the UAS program, UAS certifications and authorizations, or the COA application process.