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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

AC 91-57D - Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft

Document Information

Number
91-57D
Title
Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft
Status
Active
Date issued
2025-06-24
Office of Primary Responsibility
AFS-700
Description

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance to (1) persons operating unmanned aircraft (UA) under the exception for limited recreational operations of UA established in Section 349 of Public Law (PL) 115-254, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and amended by Section 928 of PL 118-63, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, codified at Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44809; (2) persons using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for educational or research purposes pursuant to Section 350 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, amended in Section 928 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; (3) persons requesting recognition as community-based organizations (CBO); (4) persons seeking to establish fixed recreational flying sites under 49 U.S.C. § 44809(c); and (5) CBOs conducting aviation events.

Content
Cancels
Cancels
Number Title Date
91-57C Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft

The guidance provided in this AC supports the limited recreational operation of unmanned aircraft (UA) by explaining how a recreational flyer of UA may comply with the statutory requirements of Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) This AC provides guidance for operating UA under the exception, including operations for certain educational and research purposes; FAA recognition of community-based organizations (CBO); and application for fixed sites and CBO-sanctioned UA flying events. UA (sometimes referred to as “drones”) are aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. Refer to 49 U.S.C. § 44801.

 2022-10-20