Questions & Answers
UAS Certification
Why can’t I get a Standard Airworthiness Certificate for my UAS?
We issue standard airworthiness certificates for only:
- Aircraft that are type certificated in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category.
- Manned free balloons.
- Aircraft designated by the Administrator as special classes of aircraft.
Because UAS currently do not hold type certificates, and they haven’t been designated a special class by the Administrator, they are not eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate. However, they are eligible for a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category.
What does a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category allow me to do?
A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category issued to a UAS is subject to operating limitations issued with the certificate. The operating limitations allow operation of the UA only within the line of sight of an observer, during daylight hours, and when other aircraft are not in the vicinity. Currently, UAS can be operated only under an experimental airworthiness certificate for the purposes of research and development, crew training, or market survey. No other operations are authorized.
Has the FAA issued an airworthiness certificate to a UAS?
Yes. We issued the first airworthiness certificate for UAS on August 25, 2005. We issued three airworthiness certificates for UAS in 2006, and 17 in 2007, and 16 in 2008.
