The FAA is taking steps to enhance the processing of airspace authorization requests, by releasing the primary set of UAS facility maps on the finish of the month. “The maps will depict areas and altitudes near airports where UAS may operate safely,” says the company. “They will help drone operators improve the quality of their Part 107 airspace authorization requests and will help the FAA process these requests more quickly.”
“Users will be able to download the data in several formats, view the site on mobile devices and customize their views.”
The facility maps ought to assist business drone pilots to enhance the standard of their functions, permitting them to “tailor their requests to align with locations and altitudes that the maps indicate are likely to be approved for small UAS operations,” says the FAA.
Drone operators have complained that the time it takes to course of airspace authorization requests is extreme, inflicting them to lose jobs to operators keen to work with out permission and insurance coverage. The company has responded to complaints in regards to the authorization course of by saying that almost all of functions that they obtain are incomplete or crammed out incorrectly. In an article printed final October, the FAA mentioned that “the agency has found that many applications have incorrect or incomplete information. Many applicants request too many waivers or request waivers for flights in types of airspace for which the FAA is not yet granting approvals. ”
Operators can apply for waivers or airspace authorizations via the automated portal right here.
The new facility maps, accessible April 27 at http://www.faa.gov/uas, might be utilized by air visitors personnel to course of requests, however the FAA cautions that altitudes that exceed what are depicted on the maps “require additional safety analysis and coordination to determine if an application can be approved.”
The maps are step one that the FAA is taking to streamline the airspace authorization course of. They might be launched in phases, with the April 27 launch containing about 200 maps. The company plans to launch extra maps over the subsequent yr. “Updates to the maps database will coincide with the agency’s existing 56-day aeronautical chart production schedule,” says the company. “If a map is not yet available, it can be expected in future releases.”
The launch of the maps is a welcome signal that the FAA is constant to make efforts to collaborate with the drone business and work in the direction of enhancing administrative programs. Operators with additional questions in regards to the maps or the authorization course of ought to contact the UAS Integration Office: [email protected] or 844-FLY-MY-UA.
