FAA Rejects Many Part 107 Applications Due to Incomplete or Incorrect Info

The FAA issued an article today stating that it has issued 81 authorizations in Class D and E airspace and 36 waivers of Part 107 provisions as of Ocotober 24, 2016. However “the agency has found that many applications have incorrect or incomplete information. Many applicants request too many waivers or request waivers for flights in types of airspace for which the FAA is not yet granting approvals. As a result, the agency has had to reject 71 waiver requests and 854 airspace applications.

The FAA notes: “It’s important for applicants to understand the information needed to make a successful safety case for granting a waiver. Refer to the performance-based standards (PDF) on our website.”

For example, we clearly spell out the information required for a waiver to fly at night – one of the most common requests:

• Applicant must provide a method for the remote pilot to maintain visual line of sight during darkness.
• Applicant must provide a method for the remote pilot to see and avoid other aircraft, people on the ground, and ground-based structures and obstacles during darkness.
• Applicant must provide a method by which the remote pilot will be able to continuously know and determine the position, altitude, attitude, and movement of their small unmanned aircraft (sUA).
• Applicant must assure all required persons participating in the sUA operation have knowledge to recognize and overcome visual illusions caused by darkness, and understand physiological conditions which may degrade night vision.
• Applicant must provide a method to increase conspicuity of the sUA to be seen at a distance of 3 statute miles unless a system is in place that can avoid all non-participating aircraft.

The other performance-based standards also list exactly what the FAA needs to consider a waiver. Operators must make waiver requests at: https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/

The FAA further states: Without a detailed description of how the applicant intends to meet these standards, the FAA can’t determine if a waiver is possible. Operators should select only the Part 107 regulations that need to be waived for the proposed operation. Applicants also should respond promptly to any request we make for additional information. If the agency does not receive a response after 30 days, it will withdraw the request.”

You can find the FAA’s full article here.