FAA Publishes Much Anticipated “Drone” Regulations, 14 CFR Part 107

The much anticipated Small Unmanned Aircraft rules were published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today, June 21, 2016. Some of the highlights of the rules include:

• Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs.;
• The unmanned aircraft must remain within the visual line-of-sight (VLOS) of the remote pilot; and
• It must remain a maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL), and if higher than 400 AGL, remain within 400 feet of a structure.

Additionally, the new rules provide that a person operating a small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate. Details for the requirements for obtaining a remote pilot certificate can be found in the full text of the rules (https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/RIN_2120-AJ60_Clean_Signed.pdf) or as set forth in the FAA’s Summary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107) (https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf).

Resources:

Federal Aviation Administration:

• DOT and FAA Finalize Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Summary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107)
• Small UAS Advisory Circular – How to Use the Rule
• Complete Text of Small UAS Rule

About the Author:
Anna H. Long is a member of Dean Mead’s Agribusiness and Real Estate Development Industry teams. She has been practicing law for over 30 years in the areas of environmental law, land use, zoning and administrative law. Before moving to private practice, Ms. Long held numerous environmental managerial positions throughout Florida and the Northwest. She may be reached at Along@www.deanmead.com.