FAA Guidelines Hobby or Recreation UAS

Opening Insights

We want to share a few of the foundation guidelines provided by the FAA for Hobbyists or Recreation UAS as we continue to explore Responsible UAS.  

Informational Insights

What Can I Do with my Model Aircraft? UAS come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve diverse purposes. Regardless of size, the responsibility to fly safely applies equally to manned and unmanned aircraft operations. The FAA is partnering with several industry associations to promote safe and responsible use of unmanned aircraft. Read more about the Know Before You Fly educational campaign. //www.faa.gov/uas/

 

Model aircraft operations are for hobby or recreational purposes only. The FAA has partnered with several industry associations to promote Know Before You Fly, a campaign to educate the public about using unmanned aircraft safely and responsibly. Individuals flying for hobby or recreation are strongly encouraged to follow safety guidelines, which include:

• Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
• Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times
• Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations
• Don't fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying
• Don't fly near people or stadiums
• Don't fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs
• Don't be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft

The statutory parameters of a model aircraft operation are outlined in Section 336 of Public Law 112-95 (the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012) (PDF). Individuals who fly within the scope of these parameters do not require permission to operate their UAS; any flight outside these parameters (including any non-hobby, non-recreational operation) requires FAA authorization. For example, using a UAS to take photos for your personal use is recreational; using the same device to take photographs or videos for compensation or sale to another individual would be considered a non-recreational operation. //www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

 

What Can I Do With My Small Unmanned Aircraft? Hobby/Recreational Flying Having fun means flying safely! Hobby or recreational flying doesn't require FAA approval but you must follow safety guidelines. Any other use requires FAA authorization. Avoid doing anything hazardous to other airplanes or people and property on the ground. "Dos"

• Do register your aircraft if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs.
• Do fly a model aircraft/UAS at the local model aircraft club
• Do take lessons and learn to fly safely
• Do contact the airport or control tower when flying within 5 miles of the airport
• Do fly a model aircraft for personal enjoyment

"Don'ts"

• Don't fly near manned aircraft
• Don't fly beyond line of sight of the operator
• Don't fly an aircraft weighing more than 55 lbs unless it's certified by an aeromodeling community-based organization
• Don't fly contrary to your aeromodeling community-based safety guidelines
• Don't fly model aircraft for payment or commercial purposes

Model Aircraft Operations Limits According to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 as

1. The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
2. The aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
3. The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization;
4. The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft;
5. When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower…with prior notice of the operation; and
6. The aircraft is flown within visual line sight of the operator.

  The FAA welcomes comments from the public on its Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, which may help further inform its interpretation of the statutory language in Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 regarding Model Aircraft operations. Please visit the Federal Rulemaking Portal and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically: https://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FAA-2014-0396-0781 //www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/

Access the Special Rules in PDF form We thank the FAA for making the information available.  

Possibilities for Consideration

Take a moment and examine…

• As you reviewed the material above, what stood out to you?
• What is the potential impact, economically and/or socially?
• What action is needed to stop or support this idea?
• You may want to consider whether you:
  • want to be aware of,
  • should become supportive of,
  • would want to be active in this topic?

Add Your Insight

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. LEONARDO DA VINCI