User:Eric/DroneNotes

Drone Notes

Recreational Flying

What is Recreational Flying

• Personal.
• Not connected to any commercial enterprise or activity.

The TRUST Certificate

• All recreational drone pilots are required to watch some online training videos and pass a few short online quizes.
  • The whole process is free and usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
  • Online at: https://trust.pilotinstitute.com/ (Create a student account here)

Abbreviations

• CBO: Community Base Organization.
• FPV: First Person View.
• FRIA: FAA Recognized Identification Area.
• LAANC: Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC; pronounced “lance”).
• NAS: National Airspace System.
• TFR: Temporary Flight Restriction.
• TRUST: The Recreational UAS Safety Test.
• UAS: Unmanned Aircraft System.
• UASFM: UAS Facility Map.
• UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle..
• USS: UAS Service Supplier (USS) of LAANC.
• VLOS: Visual Line of Sight.

Legal

• Federal regulations: Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (49 United States Code §44809).
• The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. This is the TRUST certificate.
• If your drone weighs more than .55 pounds (250 grams) including payload and fuel, you must register your drone through the FAA's Drone Zone.
  • https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/
  • Multiple drones can be registered together.

Rules (Recreational)

• Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
• Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
• Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
• Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
• Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
• Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
• Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
• If your drone is big enough to require registration (>250 grams) have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.
  • Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information (unless flown within a FRIA). For more information on drone registration, visit How to Register Your Drone.
• Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.

Apps

• Install an approved B4UFLY mobile phone app (see https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly).

• STRONGLY Recommended:
  • AutoPylot for Drones
    • Free, Ios, Android, desktop
    • Online account required.
    • Shows where you can fly using maps.
    • Supports LAANC requests to fly in many restricted areas.
• Optional Apps:
  • Airspace Link
  • Avision
  • UASidekick
  • PhotoPils - Helps take pictures. Sun and moon locations in sky. Paid app.

See Also (Recreational)

• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers : Summary of recreational rules.
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreationalfliers/faa-recognized-community-based-organizations
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange - LAANC
• https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/#/ - DroneZone application.
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/where_can_i_fly
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/foreign_operators
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/uas_facility_maps
  • https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html

Business Flying

What is Business Flying

• Anything that is not Recreational Flying.

See Also (Business)

• Part 107: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators