The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | April 2025 Navigating the latest FAA drone regulation updates for public safety
Stay informed on FAA drone waivers and regulations transforming public safety operations, including DFR advancements and the latest BVLOS innovations
Reprinted with permission from Police1. com
Drone regulations are evolving rapidly, with the FAA introducing new waivers and guidelines that expand the capabilities of public safety agencies. From Drone as First Responder( DFR) operations to advancements in Beyond Visual Line of Sight( BVLOS) waivers, these updates are reshaping the role of drones in law enforcement and emergency response.
This column will provide ongoing updates on FAA regulatory changes, highlighting their implications for public safety and offering insights into what’ s next for drone technology.
FAA overhauls drone waiver process for public safety: New Certificate of Waiver streamlines DFR and COA approvals
As of 4 / 4 / 2025
There has been a major breakthrough on DFR and other COAs that is the biggest regulatory waiver change in these waivers since 2016:
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They are now called a Certificate of Waiver( COW). |
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These waivers are now handled strictly through FAA Flight Standards. |
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FAA’ s Air Traffic Organization( ATO) has already provided language for airspace authorization in the waiver for all |
classifications of airspace, which means there is only one place for authorization in controlled airspace. |
Importance: This streamlines the process with only one review / approval. In the past, it would have required both Flight Standards and ATO to review / approve. Previously, you would also have to request airspace authorization.
There is a questionnaire form that is used to give them your CONOPS. A separate CONOPS is still required, but only a brief overview( paragraph or two) of the operation( does not need to include launch locations and other similar details):
�� For 200’ and below or within 50’ of highest obstacle, ADS-B in receiver, fly under the facility map grids in controlled airspace. �� For up to 400’, the DAA CMD form must be completed to explain the technology capabilities. �� You must also send in the PSO letter( sample link below) to validate that you are a public safety organization.
Should be sent on agency letterhead.
�� If this is your first such submission, you should also include Form 7711-1, a Public Declaration Letter that you are a political subdivision( city, town, county, state, tribal or territorial) to be eligible to operate as a public aircraft operation( PAO). �� No more NOTAMS. �� Monthly reports remain but are simplified greatly. �� These COWs are approved for four years. Agencies who wish to get the four years or other new changes are welcome to resubmit through this process.
These forms( links below) are sent completed to FAA Flight Standards by email, 9-AVS-AFS-750- 91.113Waivers @ faa. gov. There is no need to use CAPS or DroneZone for these waivers. The email is the entire submission process. This process will now be used for all of the former COAs( blanket, jurisdictional, tactical, obstructed shielding).
The goal is to simplify, accelerate and scale up the approvals. My estimation is that this process will go from 10 months to several weeks.
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