Leaked Documents: Purported Drone and Operator Regulations
Joe Cortez June 20, 2016
ReadyHeli.com technician and sales agent Brett Strand operates his own personal octacopter drone in Jupiter, Fla., Dec. 4, 2013. (Richard Graulich/Palm Beach Post/MCT)
Changes include minimum age of drone pilots and maximum operational altitude.
A document supposedly accessed on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website suggests more changes are coming to drone operator regulations in the United States. Posted by dronelawjournal.com, the documents include a major provisions summary, which would mandate age requirements and minimum markings of small unmanned aircraft systems.
According to website author Peter Sachs, the documents were available on the FAA website, under the “activities, courses, seminars and webinars” section. The documents are not currently available by accessing the FAA website.
The two-page document outlines a number of changes which would change who can operate a drone, and how they can operate. The purported changes would require drone pilots to be at least 16 years old and be fluent in the English language. In addition, new drone pilots would be required to pass a written test taken at an FAA-approved facility. However, pilots with a current Type 61 certificate would only be required to pass an online exam.
In addition, the drones would be subject to performance limitations as well. Drones would only be allowed to have a maximum airspeed of 100 miles per hour, with maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level. Drones would only be allowed to be operated during daylight hours and pilots must maintain a line of sight with their drones. Cameras on drones would also not qualify for the “see-and-avoid” requirement, but could be used in conjunction with accepted methods.
There is no timetable as to when the leaked documents may become FAA requirements. The agency has not publically commented on the leak or the validity of the plans.
[Photo: AP]
