3-5 remains under control and within VLOS during any event when the safe operation of the aircraft is in question.
7. If the CBO wishes to address FPV operations for UA more than 55 pounds in its safety guidelines, the FAA recommends the CBO develop guidelines specific to such operation.
3.3.2.4 Small UA Maintenance, Inspections, and Minimum Conditions for Safe Operation.
3.3.2.4.1 Recommended Safety Guidelines. A comprehensive set of safety guidelines should include guidance for UA maintenance, inspections, and minimum conditions for safe operations to ensure recreational flyers are taking proper care of their UA between flights. The following are suggestions for guidance that a CBO may provide in its safety guidelines.
1. Guidance that a UA and its associated elements should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. For homebuilt UA or those without manufacturer instructions, safety guidelines should provide general maintenance guidance. Refer to AC 107-2, Paragraphs 7.2.1.1 and
7.3.5, Benefits of Recordkeeping, for further recommendations.
2. Guidance regarding frequency of checking for software updates and updating UA software prior to flight.
3. Guidelines for checking flight-critical systems (e.g., rotors, battery, controls) for damage prior to flight and guidance to repair or replace those discrepancies if any damage is found.
4. Guidance to test control links prior to flight and to not attempt flight if command and control signal strength is, or is anticipated to be, inadequate for the duration of the flight.
5. Guidelines for moving parts, such as servos and rotors to move freely or respond to controls as expected.
6. Guidance for all systems to have adequate energy supply to complete the planned flight safely.
7. Guidelines that guidance systems and instruments (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), compass, altimeter) must be accurate and performing as expected.
8. Guidance that automated features (e.g., return to home, autoland) are functioning correctly and as expected.
9. Guidelines for carrying external loads, such as how external loads should be attached to the aircraft, the recommended weight limit of external loads, and that such loads do not negatively affect the balance or control of the aircraft.
10. Guidelines for flying site suitability, such as checking the expected flight path for other people, aircraft, and obstacles.
3-6 Note: When addressing maintenance and inspections in comprehensive safety guidelines, CBOs may build on the recommendations of the manufacturer. A sample inspection chart can be found in AC 107-2, Appendix C, Small UAS Maintenance and Inspection Best Practices.
3.3.2.5 Night Flight. Under 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a)(3), recreational flyers or VOs must maintain VLOS throughout the flight, including when operating at night. For UA operations at night, the FAA strongly recommends CBOs develop comprehensive safety guidelines that include equipping UA with anti-collision lights that can be seen from 3 statute miles away and to arrange lights on the UA in such a way that allows recreational flyers to determine the orientation and flight path of the aircraft. Alternatively, the safety guidelines can also permit recreational flyers to conduct operations at night without requiring UA lighting in areas that are sufficiently illuminated so that recreational flyers can maintain VLOS of the aircraft throughout the flight and identify any potential ground or airborne hazards. Lastly, night flight presents visual perception challenges to aircraft operators. CBOs are highly encouraged to include guidelines to make recreational flyers aware of these physiological challenges for night operations. For an explanation of the physiological challenges of night operations, CBOs may reference FAA-H-8083-3C, Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 11, Night Operations.
3.3.2.6 Determining a Recreational Flyer’s Medical Condition.
3.3.2.6.1 Recommended Safety Guidelines. Comprehensive safety guidelines should include certain criteria that recreational flyers should consider in ascertaining whether they are fit for flight prior to conducting any limited recreational aircraft operation. For example, in their guidelines, CBOs can address operating a UA, serving as a VO, or participating in the operation of a UA if the person knows, or has reason to know, that they have a physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of the UA.
3.3.2.6.2 Alcohol or Drug Use. The FAA highly recommends that comprehensive safety guidelines address how the use of alcohol or drugs would interfere with the recreational flyer’s ability to operate the UA safely.
3.3.2.6.3 IMSAFE. The FAA also recommends the inclusion of the IMSAFE checklist for recreational flyers in CBO guidelines:
• Illness—Is the recreational flyer suffering from any illness or symptoms that might affect the safe operation of the UAS?
• Medication—Is the recreational flyer taking any drugs (prescription or other) that might affect the safe operation of the UAS?
• Stress—Is the recreational flyer experiencing any psychological or emotional factors which might adversely affect his or her performance?
3-7
• Alcohol—Has the recreational flyer been drinking within the last 8 hours?
Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, full metabolization can take up to 24 hours. Recreational flyers should be aware that as little as one ounce of liquor, one bottle of beer, or four ounces of wine can impair flying skills.
• Fatigue—Has the recreational flyer received sufficient sleep and adequate rest in the recent past?
• Emotion—Is the recreational flyer emotionally upset?
3.3.2.7 Emergency Procedures.
3.3.2.7.1 Recommended Safety Guidelines. An emergency is the actual or impending loss of control of a UA or violation of an operational limitation. The FAA recommends that comprehensive safety guidelines address potential in-flight emergencies involving recreational flying, such as:
1. Sustained loss, weak or intermittent radio signals, control signals experiencing interference, or a UA not responding predictably to control inputs.
2. Loss of power or propulsion.
3. Loss of navigation (GPS) or loss of sight of the UA.
4. Flight instruments losing performance or displaying incorrect information.
5. Unanticipated people or aircraft entering the area of operation.
6. Parts or attachments on the UA becoming loose or breaking off.
7. Electrical arcing, or battery or component fires.
8. Unexpected weather (e.g., high winds, sudden storms, fog).
3.3.2.7.2 Responsibility for Safety. The FAA recommends that the comprehensive safety guidelines emphasize that the recreational flyer is responsible for the safety of the flight during emergencies. While CBOs may encourage use and familiarization with common automated recovery features (e.g., return to home, autoland), such features may not be sufficient to address an emergency.
While conducting a hazard identification assessment or risk assessment is not necessary for developing acceptable safety guidelines, some CBOs may find it helpful to consult the recommended methods for assessing potential hazards and planning appropriate emergency procedures found in AC 107-2, Appendix A, Risk Assessment Tools.
3.3.2.8 Safety Incident Reporting Program. To support and promote a safety culture among all CBOs and recreational flyers, the FAA recommends that comprehensive safety guidelines address safety incidents. For the purpose of this AC, a “safety incident” is defined as an occurrence associated with the operation of the aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of operations.
3-8 CBOs may consider including a safety incident reporting program for recreational flyers. Gathering such data may provide substantial benefits to CBOs, as the data would enable better understanding of the trends and risks that may be posed by UA operations. CBOs could then use the data to identify appropriate mitigations
3.3.2.9 Safety Guidelines for Certain UA Operations. In addition to general guidelines addressed throughout this AC, comprehensive safety guidelines should include safety procedures, standards, limitations, and guidelines for specific types of operations that will be conducted by recreational flyers operating under that CBO’s safety guidelines, such as, but not limited to:
1. UA more than 55 pounds including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft.
Note: CBO standards and limitations for UA more than 55 pounds must be approved by the FAA. Large UA may only be operated from a fixed site. Refer to 49 U.S.C. § 44809(c)(2).
2. Turbine engine operations.
3. Combat simulations.
4. Racing operations.
5. Aerobatics.
6. Training.
7. Research conducted by institutions of higher education.
Note: Whether or not the specific operations listed here are considered recreational depends on the specific situation. Each individual pilot bears the responsibility for compliance with the 49 U.S.C.
§ 44809(a)(1) requirement that the operation must be conducted for a recreational purpose.
3.4 Requests for Fixed Sites.
3.4.1 Interested parties may request authorization for a fixed site by submitting their request through the FAADroneZone website at https://faadronezone.faa.gov/.
3.4.2 Compliance with the requirements of part 89 for remote identification is required at fixed sites. For more details, see paragraph 1.7.4.
3.4.3 As stated in paragraph 3.1.1 above, a CBO “provides assistance and support in the development and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying sites.”
3.4.4 A CBO does not have to request the establishment of a fixed site as part of the CBO recognition process. However, a CBO may submit a request to the FAA for the authorization of a fixed site. When a fixed site has received FAA authorization,
3-9 r ecreational flyers will be able to use the site to conduct recreational operations using small UA or UA more than 55 pounds, or participate in a CBO-sanctioned event in such controlled airspace (i.e., Class B, C, or D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport), without additional airspace authorizations. These operations are subject to the parameters of a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the ATC facility. Interested parties may request authorization for a fixed flying site by submitting their request through the FAADroneZone website at ht tps://faadronezone.faa.gov/.
Any request submitted to the FAA for the authorization of a fixed site should include the following information:
1.
Latitudes and longitudes that define the boundaries of the proposed site. Text, picture, and geographic files are generally acceptable file formats for depicting the requested area.
2. Maximum altitudes requested for operations at the site.
3. Hours of operation at the site.
4. Description of any unique operations, if applicable, including:
• Large (more than 55 pounds) UA operations.
• Turbine engine operations.
• Combat simulations.
• Racing operations.
• Aerobatics.
5. Airspace classification.
6. Nearest airport.
7. Photos of site location.
8. Previous Letter of Agreement or Authorization, as applicable.
3.4.5 A request submitted to the FAA to allow operations at a fixed site should clearly indicate the kinds of operations anticipated to take place at the fixed site, such as aerobatics or air races, and include any information pertinent to the operations, such as additional safety procedures. These safety procedures should address the kinds of operations anticipated and how they will be followed at the fixed site. The FAA will review the submitted documents and determine whether it is appropriate to issue an authorization for the fixed site. If the FAA needs additional information, the FAA will contact the requester.
3.5 CBO-Sponsored Events.
3.5.1 Authorization for CBO-Sanctioned Event(s).
3.5.1.1 If a planned, UA-only event will occur at a fixed site in Class B, C, or D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the CBO must request a fixed site authorization for the time and place of the event. Refer to 49 U.S.C.
3-10 § 44809(c)(1). Requesters should submit all of the site-specific information in paragraph
3.4.4 above and the dates and duration of the event via the FAADroneZone website (ht tps://faadronezone.faa.gov/) at least 90 days in advance of the event for authorization. CBOs intending to conduct events in Class G airspace that may exceed 400 feet AGL must contact the FAA for further information.
3.5.1.2 UA-only aviation events conducted under the 49 U.S.C. § 44809 exception, such as UA races or aerobatic displays, must adhere to CBO safety guidelines developed in coordination with the FAA or in the case of operations involving UA weighing more than 55 pounds, approved by the FAA. If a CBO wishes to conduct such sanctioned events periodically, the FAA recommends that the CBO develop safety guidelines for CBO-sanctioned events as part of its guidelines submitted for recognition. For any public event, the FAA strongly recommends including procedures to protect nonparticipants from all UA participating in the event and identify persons responsible (e.g., safety officer, contest director) for ensuring the safety of the operations conducted onsite.
Note: As mentioned in paragraph 2.2.1, the FAA will not predetermine that all participants in an event are compliant with 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a). Each individual pilot maintains responsibility for compliance with the 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a) requirement for recreational purpose.
3.5.1.3 When a CBO makes an application for a sanctioned event at a fixed site in DroneZone, the CBO should provide its safety guidelines for the sponsored events as part of the application. If a CBO has not incorporated sanctioned events into its safety guidelines, then that CBO should include in its application how it will conduct the event safely protecting nonparticipants from all UA participating in the event.
Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.
Subject: AC 91-57C, Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft Date: _____________________ Please check all appropriate line items:
An error ( proc edur al or typographical) has been noted in paragraph ____________ on page _______.
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______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ In a future change to this AC, please cover the following subject:
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