Remaining clear and giving way to all manned aviation operations and
activities at all times.
Ensuring there is a safe operating distance between aviation activities
and unmanned aircraft at all times.
Use of visual observers at all times and maintaining instantaneous
communication with the pilot in command of the UAS.
Visual observers maintaining visual tracking of the UAS at all times
throughout flight.
Visual observers providing the pilot with the UAS flight path, and
proximity to all aviation activities and other hazards (e.g., terrain,
weather, structures) sufficiently for the pilot to exercise effective
control of the UAS to prevent it from creating a collision hazard.
Visual observers’ clear communication to the pilot of any instructions
required to remain clear of conflicting traffic.
Following all federal regulations including flight restrictions.
Refraining from operating in Prohibited Areas and Special Flight Rule.
Following defined procedures for lost link events and emergency /
contingency procedures.
Awareness and avoidance of areas identified in Notices to Airmen
(NOTAMS) which restrict operations in proximity to military or other
federal facilities.
Filing a distant NOTAM when a UAS operation is being conducted.
Coordinating and deconflicting with Military Training Routes (MTRs)
including identifying whether an MTR will be affected by operations. In
the event the UAS operational area overlaps an MTR, the operator will
contact the scheduling agency 24 hours in advance to coordinate and
de‐conflict. Approval from the scheduling agency is not required. If
prior coordination and de‐confliction does not take place 24 hours in
advance, the operator must remain clear of all MTRs.
Reporting on a monthly basis all operating locations, number of flights,
total operational hours, any takeoff or landing damage and equipment
malfunctions, and the number of lost link events between the pilot and
UAS per flight.
Additionally, the waiver provides requirements for reporting incident,
accident, and mishap events within 24 hours of an event.
Findings
There is a need for awareness of safety hazards regarding use of
manned aircraft and unmanned UAS near military flight areas.
The FAA provides strict requirements for operations and coordination
of manned aircraft and unmanned UAS operations in areas proximate
to military airspace.
Page 5.13‐14
Background Report