Page 15 - Volume 10 Number 7

NBAA Welcomes Sensible Regulations Tfor Commercial Small UAS Operations
he National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the FAA’s publication of formal regulations providing clear guidance
over the use of small unmanned aircraft systems (s-UAS) for commercial purposes, including applications within the business aviation industry. Other general aviation groups, including AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), are also in support of the new regulation.
generally follows the agency’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) released in early 2015 with key differences reflecting input from NBAA and other industry stakeholders.
“We commend the FAA for balancing the imperative to maintain safety for manned aircraft operating in the national airspace system (NAS) with the practical needs of this rapidly-emerging industry,” said Bob Lamond, NBAA director, air traffic services & infrastructure.
Changes from the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) include lowering the maximum operating altitude for UAS to 400 feet above ground level (100 feet below the minimum altitude for manned aircraft) and revised classification of a UAS operator as Remote Pilot in Command (PIC).
Remote PICs must be at least 16 years of age, and be able to read, speak, and write in English. New UAS operators will be required to obtain a remote pilot certificate by passing an initial aeronautical exam at an approved FAA testing center, with subsequent recurrent testing every two years.
The newly-created Federal Aviation Regulation
(FAR) 14 CFR Part 107 applies to commercial
use of UAS weighing less than 55 lbs., and Operators with an existing, non-student Part 61
JULY 2016
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 13