On Feb. 15, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released
its long-awaited notice of proposed rules with respect to unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS). The proposed rules replace the current
almost-universal ban on flying UAS for commercial purposes with a
protocol for authorizing operations for commercial flights of small
UAS weighing up to 55 pounds. The regulations provide that
operations must be in the daylight and require visual-line-of-sight
operations.
An operator would need to be at least 17 years old, pass a test
and obtain an FAA UAS operator certificate. The test would need to
be taken every 24 months.
The UAS operator: must always maintain a visual; must maneuver
away from manned aircraft; must discontinue operations it if poses
a threat to other aircraft, persons, or property; must not fly over
people; and all weather conditions and flight risks must be
assessed. Further, operations in airport flight paths and
restricted airspace is prohibited.
