Welcome DJI Spark Pilot!
Jump in and join our free Spark community today!
Sign up

FAA Section 349, Recreational Operations ~ The bits & pieces

BigAl07

Administrator
Staff member
Premium Pilot
Join
Oct 26, 2018
Messages
185
Age
53
Loc
Western NC, USA
Here's a list of Section 349 taken directly from the bill which goes LIVE later this week:

SEC. 349. EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.—Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft

“(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (e), and notwithstanding chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, a person may operate a small unmanned aircraft without specific certification or operating authority from the Federal Aviation Administration if the operation adheres to all of the following limitations:

“(1) The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes.

“(2) The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the programming of a community-based organization’s set of safety guidelines that are developed in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“(3) The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located and in direct communication with the operator.

“(4) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft.

“(5) In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

“(6) In Class G airspace, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

“(7) The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test passage to be made available to the Administrator or law enforcement upon request.

“(8) The aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with chapter 441 of this title and proof of registration is made available to the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator or law enforcement upon request.

“(b) Other Operations.—Unmanned aircraft operations that do not conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.

“(c) Operations At Fixed Sites.—

“(1) OPERATING PROCEDURE REQUIRED.—Persons operating unmanned aircraft under subsection (a) from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, or a community-based organization conducting a sanctioned event within such airspace, shall make the location of the fixed site known to the Administrator and shall establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the air traffic control facility.

“(2) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT WEIGHING MORE THAN 55 POUNDS.—A person may operate an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft, under subsection (a) if—

“(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with standards and limitations developed by a community-based organization and approved by the Administrator; and

“(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as described in paragraph (1).

“(d) Updates.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consultation with government, stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall initiate a process to periodically update the operational parameters under subsection (a), as appropriate.

“(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In updating an operational parameter under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider—

“(A) appropriate operational limitations to mitigate risks to aviation safety and national security, including risk to the uninvolved public and critical infrastructure;

“(B) operations outside the membership, guidelines, and programming of a community-based organization;

“(C) physical characteristics, technical standards, and classes of aircraft operating under this section;

“(D) trends in use, enforcement, or incidents involving unmanned aircraft systems;

“(E) ensuring, to the greatest extent practicable, that updates to the operational parameters correspond to, and leverage, advances in technology; and

“(F) equipage requirements that facilitate safe, efficient, and secure operations and further integrate all unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system.

“(3) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as expanding the authority of the Administrator to require a person operating an unmanned aircraft under this section to seek permissive authority of the Administrator, beyond that required in subsection (a) of this section, prior to operation in the national airspace system.

“(e) Statutory Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue an enforcement action against a person operating any unmanned aircraft who endangers the safety of the national airspace system.

“(f) Exceptions.—Nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from promulgating rules generally applicable to unmanned aircraft, including those unmanned aircraft eligible for the exception set forth in this section, relating to—

“(1) updates to the operational parameters for unmanned aircraft in subsection (a);

“(2) the registration and marking of unmanned aircraft;

“(3) the standards for remotely identifying owners and operators of unmanned aircraft systems and associated unmanned aircraft; and

“(4) other standards consistent with maintaining the safety and security of the national airspace system.

“(g) Aeronautical Knowledge And Safety Test.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, other industry stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall develop an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, which can then be administered electronically by the Administrator, a community-based organization, or a person designated by the Administrator.

“(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall ensure the aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately demonstrate an operator’s—

“(A) understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge; and

“(B) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system.

“(h) Community-Based Organization Defined.—In this section, the term ‘community-based organization’ means a membership-based association entity that—

“(1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

“(2) is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

“(3) the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance of model aviation;

“(4) provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe aeromodelling operations within the national airspace system and the protection and safety of individuals and property on the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active, sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond visual line of sight of the operator;

“(5) provides programming and support for any local charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and

“(6) provides assistance and support in the development and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying sites.

“(i) Recognition Of Community-Based Organizations.—In collaboration with aeromodelling stakeholders, the Administrator shall publish an advisory circular within 180 days of the date of enactment of this section that identifies the criteria and process required for recognition of community-based organizations.”.

(b) Technical And Conforming Amendments.—

(1) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:


“44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft.”.
(2) REPEAL.—Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item relating to that section in the table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.
 
Here's a list of Section 349 taken directly from the bill which goes LIVE later this week:

SEC. 349. EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.—Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Ҥ 44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft

“(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (e), and notwithstanding chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, a person may operate a small unmanned aircraft without specific certification or operating authority from the Federal Aviation Administration if the operation adheres to all of the following limitations:

“(1) The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes.

“(2) The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the programming of a community-based organization’s set of safety guidelines that are developed in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“(3) The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located and in direct communication with the operator.

“(4) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft.

“(5) In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

“(6) In Class G airspace, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

“(7) The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test passage to be made available to the Administrator or law enforcement upon request.

“(8) The aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with chapter 441 of this title and proof of registration is made available to the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator or law enforcement upon request.

“(b) Other Operations.—Unmanned aircraft operations that do not conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.

“(c) Operations At Fixed Sites.—

“(1) OPERATING PROCEDURE REQUIRED.—Persons operating unmanned aircraft under subsection (a) from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, or a community-based organization conducting a sanctioned event within such airspace, shall make the location of the fixed site known to the Administrator and shall establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the air traffic control facility.

“(2) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT WEIGHING MORE THAN 55 POUNDS.—A person may operate an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft, under subsection (a) if—

“(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with standards and limitations developed by a community-based organization and approved by the Administrator; and

“(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as described in paragraph (1).

“(d) Updates.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consultation with government, stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall initiate a process to periodically update the operational parameters under subsection (a), as appropriate.

“(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In updating an operational parameter under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider—

“(A) appropriate operational limitations to mitigate risks to aviation safety and national security, including risk to the uninvolved public and critical infrastructure;

“(B) operations outside the membership, guidelines, and programming of a community-based organization;

“(C) physical characteristics, technical standards, and classes of aircraft operating under this section;

“(D) trends in use, enforcement, or incidents involving unmanned aircraft systems;

“(E) ensuring, to the greatest extent practicable, that updates to the operational parameters correspond to, and leverage, advances in technology; and

“(F) equipage requirements that facilitate safe, efficient, and secure operations and further integrate all unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system.

“(3) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as expanding the authority of the Administrator to require a person operating an unmanned aircraft under this section to seek permissive authority of the Administrator, beyond that required in subsection (a) of this section, prior to operation in the national airspace system.

“(e) Statutory Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue an enforcement action against a person operating any unmanned aircraft who endangers the safety of the national airspace system.

“(f) Exceptions.—Nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from promulgating rules generally applicable to unmanned aircraft, including those unmanned aircraft eligible for the exception set forth in this section, relating to—

“(1) updates to the operational parameters for unmanned aircraft in subsection (a);

“(2) the registration and marking of unmanned aircraft;

“(3) the standards for remotely identifying owners and operators of unmanned aircraft systems and associated unmanned aircraft; and

“(4) other standards consistent with maintaining the safety and security of the national airspace system.

“(g) Aeronautical Knowledge And Safety Test.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, other industry stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall develop an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, which can then be administered electronically by the Administrator, a community-based organization, or a person designated by the Administrator.

“(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall ensure the aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately demonstrate an operator’s—

“(A) understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge; and

“(B) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system.

“(h) Community-Based Organization Defined.—In this section, the term ‘community-based organization’ means a membership-based association entity that—

“(1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

“(2) is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

“(3) the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance of model aviation;

“(4) provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe aeromodelling operations within the national airspace system and the protection and safety of individuals and property on the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active, sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond visual line of sight of the operator;

“(5) provides programming and support for any local charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and

“(6) provides assistance and support in the development and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying sites.

“(i) Recognition Of Community-Based Organizations.—In collaboration with aeromodelling stakeholders, the Administrator shall publish an advisory circular within 180 days of the date of enactment of this section that identifies the criteria and process required for recognition of community-based organizations.”.

(b) Technical And Conforming Amendments.—

(1) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:


“44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft.”.
(2) REPEAL.—Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item relating to that section in the table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.

That document as it reads is hard for a novice hobbyist to comprehend. Hopefully the FAA will condense that into some crystal clear bullet points for the masses.

Any bets on then having them "Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test" up and running in 180 days?!? I'm betting the OVER
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawkwind
That document as it reads is hard for a novice hobbyist to comprehend. Hopefully the FAA will condense that into some crystal clear bullet points for the masses.


I'm confident they will have a "Digested" version available soon and probably already have it but it's not released yet.

Any bets on then having them "Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test" up and running in 180 days?!? I'm betting the OVER
I've been "Doing this" for decades... I'll always... ALWAYS take OVER with the FAA lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andre Levite
  • Haha
Reactions: BigAl07
Q: who is the 'Administrator?' As in "“(5) In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions. "
 
The current FAA Administrator (actually he's the current "Acting" Adminstrator) is Daniel K. Elwell but his name isn't important because he appoints/delegates the authority down the line to the local level of ATC on this particular topic. The process will be done via LAANC for facilities that are currently part of LAANC and for those that are not the "old style" of submission will be utilized which is much more time consuming and word intensive.

LAANC for LR operators should be active within 180 days of the May 17th, 2019 date.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawkwind
Curious about the aeronautical knowledge test.........anyone have any additional information. That applies to everyone. Because it is supposed to be on you and available to show law enforcement. Heard this is supposed to go into effect 5/17/2019.
 
Curious about the aeronautical knowledge test.........anyone have any additional information. That applies to everyone. Because it is supposed to be on you and available to show law enforcement. Heard this is supposed to go into effect 5/17/2019.


That particular requirement is not effective tomorrow. They don't "Require" something until after they have made the means to acquire it available.

Here is the "UnDigested" version so you can read exactly how it's worded in the Registry:


Highlights:

Recreational flying in controlled airspace now restricted to established flying sites. Altitude caps in accordance with UASFM maps.

LAANC for recreation later this summer. Same altitude restrictions on UASFM after that.

400-foot cap in Class G airspace, no further authorization needed regardless of distance from airports.

No fixed sites within 2 miles of closest runway point in controlled airspace unless approved by the FAA. Less than 200 currently noted in the US (193 actually).
 
If anyone's interested, I posted a detailed overview of these rule changes in this thread:

 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
14,593
Messages
118,799
Members
17,987
Latest member
csdisme