11 Apr, 17, Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to release the first set of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) facility maps on April 27. The maps will depict areas and altitudes near airports where UAS may operate safely. They will help drone operators improve the quality of their Part 107 airspace authorization requests, which will help the FAA process these requests more quickly. Beginning April 27, users may access the facility maps at http://www.faa.gov/uas.

Users will be able to download the data in several formats, view the site on mobile devices, and customize their views. By referring to the facility maps when completing airspace authorization applications, remote pilots will be able to tailor their requests to align with locations and altitudes that the maps indicate are likely to be approved for small UAS operations.

This will help simplify the process and increase the likelihood that the FAA will approve their requests. FAA air traffic personnel will use the maps to process Part 107 airspace authorization requests. Altitudes that exceed what are depicted on the maps require additional safety analysis and coordination to determine if an application can be approved.  The maps will be informational only. They do not automatically authorize flights.

Remote pilots must still submit online airspace authorization applications at https://www.faa.gov/uas/The maps also do not guarantee approval for requests within the guidelines indicated by the maps. Only the FAA can grant controlled airspace access, which must be done through the authorization process. The agency is releasing the maps in phases, with the first release on April 27 containing approximately 200 facility maps.

The FAA plans to release facility maps over the next 12 months. Updates to the maps database will coincide with the agency’s existing 56-day aeronautical chart production schedule (PDF). If a map is not yet available, it can be expected in future releases. The FAA’s website will be updated within the several weeks with additional guidance and information about the facility maps.  Visit www.faa.gov/uas on April 27, 2017 to view the facility maps. Additional questions may be directed to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office via [email protected] or by calling 844-FLY-MY-UA. Please do not reply to this message.

Related Posts

• President of Uruguay welcomes first SAR AB412
• Airbus to keep NASA’s helicopters flying for up to 10 years
• Viterra and STARS to launch calendar campaign fundraiser
• UW Health Med Flight’s first all-woman crew makes history
• Swire Oilfield Services acquires Helifuel
• Aviation Jobs – statistical comparison between 2019 and 2020
• BBGA calls Brexit webinar
• Devon Air Ambulance celebates exemplary service
• Polar Airlines becomes first service centre for Ansat helicopters
• Kazan Ansat approved for all documentation in electronic form
• SH09 prototype returns home with improved aerodynamics
• Bell Delivers Montenegro Air Force’s First Bell 505
• First Bell Authorized Maintenance Center Added in Denmark
• New equipment options revealed for Ansat
• Safran Helicopter Engines appoints Executive Vice-President, Support and Services
• CGAS Humboldt Bat orders HH-65 maintenance platforms
• Bell Adds Its First European Authorized Maintenance Center to its Support Network
• 15-Sep-20 N489DM Bell 407 Fort Worth, US-Texas
• Christoph 54 completes 50th Operation
• Gulf Helicopters announces the success in qualifying to the standards of ISO 45001:2018 accreditation