August 29 marks a new dawn in aviation history. That’s when the Federal Aviation Administration’s new small drone rule for non-hobbyists takes effect.
On June 21, the FAA released its first operational rules covering safety regulations for unmanned aircraft systems. Operational limitations include:
- Weight limitation of less than 55 pounds
- Visual line-of-sight only by remote pilot and person manipulating flight controls
- Cannot operate over unprotected people on the ground who aren’t directly participating in the UAS operation
- Operations allowed only during daylight or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting
- Must yield right of way to other aircraft
- Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph
- Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level
- No operations from a moving aircraft or vehicle
- No careless or reckless operations
- No carriage of hazardous materials
- Requires preflight inspection by remote pilot in command (although FAA airworthiness certification is not required)
The drone operator must have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of someone with a remote pilot certificate.
To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, a person must be 16 years old, pass a security background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration and demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate with completion of a flight review in the previous 24 months in addition to completion of an FAA UAS online training course.
Additionally, Oklahoma’s House Bill 2599 becomes effective on November 1. This new state law prohibits the operation of a UAS within 400 feet of a critical infrastructure facility without site authorization. This covers energy industries operating petroleum refineries, electrical power generating facilities, chemical manufacturing facilities, water treatment plants, natural gas compressor stations, liquid natural gas terminals or storage facilities, telecommunications switching office and cell towers, railroad yards and trucking terminals, gas processing plants, dams regulated by state or federal government, natural gas distribution utility infrastructure and any aboveground pipeline enclosed by a physical barrier.
