1. BACKGROUND
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chartered the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the “ARC”) to provide recommendations to the FAA
Administrator on a regulatory framework for the classification and operation of micro UAS. The
FAA contemplated a micro UAS classification in the Operation and Certification of Small
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Small UAS NPRM), published on
February 23, 2015. After reviewing comments to the Small UAS NPRM, however, the FAA decided
that further engagement with industry stakeholders was needed before conducting rulemaking to
address the regulatory framework for classification and operation of micro UAS.
The stated objective of the ARC was “to consider recommendations for a performance-based
standard that would allow for micro UAS to be operated over people who are not directly
participating in the operation of the UAS or under a covered structure,” which would ultimately
contribute to an enforceable rule imposed by the FAA. 1
2. OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE ARC
ARC Membership
The ARC was composed of members representing a diverse set of aviation stakeholders, including
the UAS industry and other stakeholders. The ARC members were:
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3D Robotics (3DR)
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE)
ASTM International
AT&T
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
DJI
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
GoogleX
GoPro, Inc.
Helicopter Association International (HAI)
Horizon Hobby
ICON Aircraft
The ARC was established specifically to address flight operations over people. The ARC was not chartered to establish
a weight based category as described by the micro-UAS classification in the NPRM.
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April 1, 2016
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