Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Michael Baker Files its Sec 333 Exemption/Rulemaking Request with the FAA

On March 26th Michael Baker filed with the FAA for permission to fly Its UAS fleet for commercial Operations.


This is a process, and does not happen overnight. However, to operate legally in the US three things are required.
  1. Submission (and grant of approval) of a section 333 exemption/rule making request. This is where one asks the FAA to waive some existing requirements that technically do not pertain to UAS. Basic things such as the size of the "N" number (Identifier) applied to the UAS. The current rule states a size that works with traditional aircraft. However, it does not work with the smaller size of the typical UAS. An exemption is needed. There are many identified regulations that require exemption and as such relief must be granted.
  2. Registration of the UAS. This process requires submitting for an "N" number and registering the UAS. This entails identifying the specific aircraft (or UAS) Make, Model, Serial # and ownership records.
  3. Identification of a licensed pilot to operate as your pilot in command (PIC). While the requirement has been lowered from a commercial pilot to a sport pilot, a pilots license is required.
Approval from the FAA is taking 4 to 6 months currently. Michael Baker expects approval in early July. In the meantime we are testing, training and developing the processes and workflows to support our UAS team.

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