Airport Safety and Airspace Hazard Mitigation and Enforcement (Section 383)

Section 383 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 mandated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ensure that technologies or systems that are developed, tested, or deployed by authorized federal departments and agencies to detect and mitigate potential risks posed by errant or hostile unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone operations do not adversely impact or interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). In addition, Section 383 requires the FAA to develop a plan for the certification, permitting, authorizing, or allowing of UAS detection and mitigation systems in the NAS, and to convene an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to make recommendations for such a plan.

Consistent with Section 383, the FAA is launching an effort to test and evaluate technologies and systems that could detect and mitigate potential safety risks posed by unmanned aircraft at and near airports. On March 2, 2021, the FAA selected the following airports to participate in the testing program:

  • Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Syracuse, New York
  • Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus, Ohio
  • Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville, Alabama
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington

The research will lead to the implementation of new technologies that will make airports safer for passengers and traditional, crewed aircraft. Researchers plan to test and evaluate at least 10 technologies or systems at these airports. Testing began in February 2022 and will continue through September 30, 2023. The results from this testing and evaluation effort will inform other components of Section 383, including the ARC and the plan for certifying, permitting, or authorizing UAS detection and mitigation technologies at airports around the country.

Section 383 UAS Airport Detection and Mitigation Program Privacy Notice – Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, NJ:

The FAA is conducting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations within a 5 mile radius of Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) from March 22, 2022 until September 30, 2023 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.   These UAS operations are utilizing collection devices including cameras and the ability to capture broadcast data.  The cameras are not intended to collect images of individuals; however, images of individuals in the UAS testing area may be captured.   Broadcast data, including the UAS registration number, UAS latitude/longitude, and UAS type and model, from UAS being flown in the area may be collected.  The FAA is required to identify, track, and potentially mitigate any UAS that is operating near the airport without proper authorization and may share images, broadcast data, and information found in FAA UAS management systems with law enforcement and other external entities.  In order to avoid the possibility of the FAA identifying your UAS and/or collecting any of the broadcast data from your UAS, the FAA highly discourages the operation of a UAS in this area.  For more information/questions, please contact the program at: UASAirportResearch@faa.gov.

Section 383 UAS Airport Detection and Mitigation Program Privacy Notice - Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), Columbus, OH:

The FAA is conducting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations within a 5 mile radius of Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) from July 15th, 2022 until September 30, 2023 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.   These UAS operations are utilizing collection devices including cameras and the ability to capture broadcast data.  The cameras are not intended to collect images of individuals; however, images of individuals in the UAS testing area may be captured.   Broadcast data, including the UAS registration number, UAS latitude/longitude, and UAS type and model, from UAS being flown in the area may be collected.  The FAA is required to identify, track, and potentially mitigate any UAS that is operating near the airport without proper authorization and may share images, broadcast data, and information found in FAA UAS management systems with law enforcement and other external entities.  In order to avoid the possibility of the FAA identifying your UAS and/or collecting any of the broadcast data from your UAS, the FAA highly discourages the operation of a UAS in this area.  For more information/questions, please contact the program at: UASAirportResearch@faa.gov.

Section 383 UAS Airport Detection and Mitigation Program Privacy Notice - Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), Syracuse, NY:

The FAA is conducting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations within a 5 mile radius of Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) from October 1, 2022 until September 30, 2023 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.   These UAS operations are utilizing collection devices including cameras and the ability to capture broadcast data.  The cameras are not intended to collect images of individuals; however, images of individuals in the UAS testing area may be captured.   Broadcast data, including the UAS registration number, UAS latitude/longitude, and UAS type and model, from UAS being flown in the area may be collected.  The FAA is required to identify, track, and potentially mitigate any UAS that is operating near the airport without proper authorization and may share images, broadcast data, and information found in FAA UAS management systems with law enforcement and other external entities.  In order to avoid the possibility of the FAA identifying your UAS and/or collecting any of the broadcast data from your UAS, the FAA highly discourages the operation of a UAS in this area.  For more information/questions, please contact the program at: UASAirportResearch@faa.gov.

Last updated: Monday, December 19, 2022