Hi everyone. This Monday, August 29, the small UAS rule (sUAS rule) goes into
effect, allowing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones) weighing less than 55
pounds to fly up to 400 feet above ground level. This rule marks the FAA's first set of
regulations on the routine use of commercial unmanned aircraft operations. The ATO is
working to follow up this rule with an operational framework that is compliant with Safety
Management Systems and ensures the safety of the flying public.
While licensed UAS operators will gain access to Class G (uncontrolle d) airspace
as of August 29th, ATC authorization will be required for access into airspace classes B,
C, D, and E surface area. Throughout the fall, we will be phasing in the implementation
of authorizations for each airspace class. These authorization req uests will be assessed
by Mission Support Services at Headquarters based off the UAS Facility Maps that were
developed in coordination with ATC facilities. As these requests are approved, we will
notify air traffic facilities so they can track UAS activity in their airspace. We're also
developing a series of metrics to collect data on authorization requests, enabling us to
measure and fine tune the process as we move forward.
Along with these steps, we will continue to engage in outreach and education
with stakeholders – including UAS operators, air traffic controllers, FAA offices,
Congress and other federal partners – to discuss the huge impact drones will have on
the NAS and our efforts to ensure safe integration.
As part of this effort, we're taking many steps to keep our coworkers informed. I
sent out a copy of the rule and the sUAS flyer to all ATO employees earlier this summer.
On August 19, we issued a Mandatory Briefing Item (including the new FAA JO Order
7200.23) to all air traffic facilities discussing controller and UAS operator responsibilities.
UAS training is also available in eLMS (Unm anned Aircraft Systems, course #:
60004461) for those that are interested. And this week, we started an ATO sUAS Rule
Weekly Webinar that will be held every Wednesday from 1 - 2 p . m . for employees to call
in with any questions they have. We'll post the questions and answers from these
webinars for everyone to read on the ATO UAS webpage .
Constant communication is essential so that everyone understands the issues
and challenges we face. It's especially important, as UAS activity looks poised to grow
rapidly. One forecast expects more than 7 million drones to be sold in the U.S. by 2020.
As we move ahead, we will be working closely with other agency offices and
lines of business, and with labor and industry as part of the FAA's new Drone Advisory
Committee, a stakeholder group that will help us address impo rtant integration issues.
We're also continuing our work with private companies and other federal agencies on
technologies to detect unauthorized drone operations in and around airports.
In closing, I'd like to reiterate something that Administrator Huerta said during the
sUAS Town Hall in June. He said that all FAA employees should be " UAS safety
ambassadors " – meaning that each of us shou ld be generally familiar with the FAA's
rules and regulations on UAS so we can encourage their safe and responsible use by
the public. Let's refer people to the FAA's UAS website if they need more information.
Thanks everyone,
Teri L. Bristol
ATO Chief Operating Officer
Sept. 2, 2016: A Culture of Collaboration
Hi everyone. As you know, we celebrate Labor Day on Monday. Let ' s take a
moment to reflect on the people who have helped build America, and also on how the
