FAA Creates Blanket Authorizations for UAS Test Sites
A Sensurion Magpie during operations at the Nevada UAS Test Site in Dec. 2014. Photo: Ron Futrell / Bowhead
The Federal Aviation Administration made it easier for the six unmanned aircraft systems test sites to conduct research by giving them blanket certificates of authorization to fly public aircraft operations in the national airspace.
The blanket COAs match similar expanded parameters for approved commercial operators that were announced in April. The COAs will allow small UAS operated by the test sites to fly up to 200 feet during daytime conditions within line of sight. The test sites can also fly multiple UAS under a single COA.
“Today’s FAA announcement is great news for the future of Nevada’s UAS Test Site effort,” says Tom Wilczek, aerospace and defense industry specialist for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “Nevada has been working diligently to get companies up and flying UAVs on our test sites, and the ability for us to implement public aircraft operations that fly under 200 feet … will significantly speed up the ability to test on our Nevada sites and move this emerging industry into commercial flights.”
The FAA will no longer require a private pilot certificate for operators and will permit those with a recreational or sport pilot certificate to conduct test site operations. Also, in lieu of a third-class medical certificate, the FAA will only require a valid driver’s license to satisfy the medical requirement.
