FAA Doubles Altitude Above Many UAS Flights
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Today, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it has raised the blanket altitude previously used for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet. This is an increase over the previous 200 feet that was put in place through a nationwide certificate of authorization.
The change was made after a comprehensive risk analysis by the agency.
“This is another milestone in our effort to change the traditional speed of government,” says FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “Expanding the authorized airspace for these operations means government and industry can carry out unmanned aircraft missions more quickly and with less red tape.”
The FAA estimates that this change will lessen the need for individual COAs by 30 to 40 percent.
The rule applies to exemption holders with aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds. Visual line of sight and daytime operations rules still apply.
“The FAA’s decision to raise the operating altitude of the blanket COA from 200 feet to 400 feet provides greater flexibility to those receiving FAA exemptions and makes it easier for more commercial UAS operators to access the skies. … However, the FAA still needs to finalize its small UAS rule as quickly as possible to allow anyone who follows the rule to fly. The new blanket COA altitude remains lower than the operating ceiling of 500 feet proposed in the small UAS rule,” said AUVSI President and CEO Brian Wynne in a statement.
