AIM

4/20/23

11

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4

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5

Airspace Access for UAS

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Part 135, Operating Requirements: Commuter and on Demand Operations and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft.
14 CFR Part 107, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
14 CFR Part 11, General Rulemaking Procedures.
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Chapter 5, Section 5, 14 CFR Part 91, UAS Operations.

2.

Generally, UAS cannot comply with certain 14 CFR regulations originally written for a manned aircraft

environment and therefore require relief. UAS operators obtain relief from the requirements of these regulations
through exemptions, waivers, and deviations. The relief document lists conditions and limitations which provide
a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule from which relief is needed. Additionally, UAS
operators must obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) from the FAA Air Traffic Organization
(ATO). Applicants for 14 CFR Part 135 certification should begin the process by contacting their local FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

NOTE

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Examples of such regulations include requirements for the provision of seat belts for aircrew and passengers, on

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board

carriage of an aircraft manual, etc.

(a)

Application for a 14 CFR Part 135 certificate. Application for a 14 CFR Part 135 air carrier certificate

for UAS operations uses the same process as that for manned 14 CFR Part 135 applicants. For information on
how to apply for an air carrier certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 135, see the FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier
and Operator Certification website.

NOTE

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The FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certification website may be reviewed at:
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airline_certification/135_certification/.

(b)

Advisory Circular 120

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49A, Parts 121

 

and 135 Certification is available to aid an applicant in Part

135 certification.

REFERENCE

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AC 120

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49, Parts 121 and 135 Certification.

(c)

Exemptions and COAs. Additional information on how to petition for an exemption and obtain a

COA is available on the FAA Advanced Operations website.

NOTE

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The FAA’s Advanced Operations website may be reviewed at: https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/.

b.

14 CFR Part 137, Agricultural Aircraft Operations:

1.

Civil and public operators of UAS may conduct agricultural aircraft operations, as defined in 14 CFR

Part 137.3, Definition of Terms. These operations must be conducted in accordance with an agricultural aircraft
operator certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 137, and an exemption from certain federal aviation regulations
granted under 14 CFR Part 11, General Rulemaking Procedures. Operators of sUAS, weighing less than 55
pounds MGOW may conduct agricultural aircraft operations under 14 CFR Part 107, sUAS, and 14 CFR Part
137. Operators of large UAS, weighing 55 pounds MGOW or more may conduct agricultural aircraft operations
under 14 CFR Parts 91, UAS operations, and 14 CFR Part 137.

REFERENCE

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14 CFR Part 137, Agricultural Aircraft Operations

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14 CFR Part 11, General Rulemaking Procedures

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14 CFR Part 107, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

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FAA Order JO 7210.3, Chapter 5, Section 5, 14 CFR Part 91, UAS Operations

.

2.

Generally, as is the case with 14 CFR Part 135 standard cargo operations, UAS cannot comply with

certain 14 CFR regulations, and therefore require relief. For example, sUAS require relief from carriage of
hazardous material (§107.36), aircraft certification (§137.19(d)), carriage of agricultural aircraft operator
certificate (§137.33(a)), and, for large UAS, certain aircraft airworthiness requirements (14 CFR Parts 21 and
91). UAS operators obtain relief from the requirements of these regulations through an exemption. The
exemption lists conditions and limitations which provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the
rule. Additionally, large UAS operators must obtain a COA from the FAA ATO.

(a)

Obtaining an exemption for 14 CFR Part 137 operations. For additional information on how to

petition for an exemption and obtain a COA, go to the FAA’s Advanced Operations website.