On Airport Unmanned Aircraft System Operations
Aerial View of Potential On-airport Applications for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The proliferation of interest in and use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, has led to significant policy and regulatory adaptations to integrate these platforms into the airport environment. As the technology and its use continues to mature, the FAA is committed to conducting research and providing policy and guidance to ensure the safe operation of UAS on-airports.
- Letter to Airport Sponsors about Policies and General Best Practices for UAS Activities On Airports
Provides an overview of policies and general best practices regarding on airport UAS activities
For questions about UAS registration, airspace authorization, waivers, law enforcement resources and more, visit www.faa.gov/uas/.
| Office | Contacts |
|---|---|
| FAA Airports Emerging Entrants Division | Mike Branum, Program Manager 817-222-5669 Michael.Branum@faa.gov |
| FAA Technical Center |
Michael DiPilato, UAS Research Lead Garrison Canter, Airport Research Specialist |
| Airports Regional Contacts | Alaskan Central (IA, KS, MO, NE) Eastern (DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV) Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI) New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) Northwest Mountain (CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY) Southern (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI) Southwest (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) Western-Pacific (AZ, CA, HI, NV, GU, AS, MH) |
Additional Information
- UAS Integration and Application at Airports
- UAS Detection and Response on Airports [coming soon]
- Hot Topics in UAS
UAS Guidance & Resources
Regulations and Policy
- 14 CFR Part 107: UAS registration, airmen certification, and operation
- Order JO 7200.23 – Processing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Requests
On or Near Airport
Airspace Authorizations
- DroneZone: UAS rules, registration, waiver, authorization, report an accident
- Operational Waiver Application Instructions (PDF)
- Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA)
- Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)
- UAS Facility Maps
- Recreational Flyers and Modeler Community-Based Organizations
Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)
- Airports and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Volume 1: Managing and Engaging Stakeholders on UAS in the Vicinity of Airport
- Airports and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Volume 2: Incorporating UAS into Airport Infrastructure – Planning Guidebook
- Airports and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Volume 3: Potential Use of UAS by Airport Operators
A: Please refer to the Airport Sponsor Letter and its attachments.
A: While JO 7200.23, Processing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Requests, requires FAA’s ATO to verify that the airport sponsor approves of the on-airport request, there is no regulatory provision that requires UAS operators to notify airport sponsors if there are plans to operate near airports in uncontrolled airspace.
A: As the owner/operator of the airport property, airport sponsors have the authority to approve or disapprove a sUAS operation requesting access to operate from on airport.
Any sUAS operator, including the airport authority or a contractor working on their behalf, proposing to fly on airport must submit the authorization request through the DroneZone website; LAANC cannot be used to request authorization for on airport operations.
A: UAS cannot be used as the only means of performing self-inspections at this time. An Airport Operator may use UAS as an additional tool when completing their required FAA approved self-inspections, but they must still conduct their Part 139 Self-Inspections as defined in the FAA approved Airport Certification Manual. Research and testing is ongoing to help develop and establish new standards that relate to this topic. Until research is complete, and guidance and standards for use of sUAS in these applications are formalized, sUAS cannot be used as a sole means of compliance with federal regulations and requirements and must be supplemented by traditional methods.
A: Land and water-based unmanned vehicles and aircraft dedicated to mitigating wildlife hazards (e.g., chase, harassment, dispersal) are only occasionally used because other mitigation techniques (e.g., pyrotechnics) frequently can offer faster, equally effective results. UAS have the added dimension of monitoring wildlife hazards plus their ability to effectively harass birds representing large, individual hazards or flocking hazards make them an exceptional stratagem for the tool-kit.
Ensure all applicable stakeholders are part of the implementation planning to include, but not limited to: Airport Sponsor, Air Traffic Manager, Operations, Engineering, Police, ARFF, TSA, etc.
Any type of harassment or mitigation requires the appropriate USDA depredation permit(s).
A: Research is underway to identify means of using UAS for airport obstruction survey. At this time, UAS may not be used as a sole means of conducting surveys.
Surveys must conform to the requirements of the FAA’s Airport GIS Advisory Circulars 150/5300-16, 150/5300-17, and 150/5300-18.
Ensure all applicable stakeholders are part of the implementation planning to include, but not limited to: Airport Sponsor, Air Traffic Manager, Operations, Engineering, Police, ARFF, TSA, etc.
A: Research has found that UAS are useful for supplementing traditional perimeter inspection methods, but cannot be used as a sole means of compliance with FAA regulations and requirements at the current time due to limitations in UAS and camera technology. Implementation for the use of UAS for this purpose may need to be tied to the sponsors Security Program.
Ensure all applicable stakeholders are part of the implementation planning to include, but not limited to: Airport Sponsor, Air Traffic Manager, Operations, Engineering, Police, ARFF, TSA, etc.
A: While a tether may enhance the controllability of a UAS, a tether can present other unique challenges in the airport environment.
The FAA continues to assess the safe implementation of tethered UAS operations in the airport environment. UAS operations in controlled airspace, including tethered operations, require air traffic control approval.
If a tethering system will be used to ensure the UA remains within an approved flight area, the tethering system should have the following characteristics:
- Base Station Weight: The tether system base station should be of sufficient weight to ensure the UA is unable to move or drag the base station of the tether.
- Tensile Strength: The tensile strength of the tether should be adequate to ensure the UA will not be able to break the tether.
- Attachment to UA: The tether should be physically secured to the UA in a manner that ensures the UA will remain attached throughout flight operations.
- Conspicuity: The tether base station should be marked with highly reflective traffic cones (weighted or sturdily attached to the surface) to enhance visibility to ground vehicle operators.
- RF Emissions (If tether is energized): Ensure that the tether does not cause electromagnetic interference that could disrupt airport and aircraft communication, navigation, and surveillance systems.
Please refer to Air Traffic Organization JO 7200.23 - Processing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Requests to review additional information and submit the applicable authorization request.