Evolving Law on Airport Implications by Unmanned Aerial Systems (2017)

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72 Appendix D—FAA Frequently Asked Questions: Airports, Airspace, and UAS Facility Maps Airspace/Airports* 1. How can I tell what class of airspace I’m in? Under the Small UAS Rule (part 107), operators must pass an aeronautical knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. This test will quiz prospective operators on how to use aeronautical charts to determine airspace classifications. For reference, aeronautical charts and a Chart User’s Guide are also available on the FAA’s website. These charts are the FAA’s official source of airspace classifications. Additionally, the FAA’s B4UFLY app, which is designed to help recreational UAS flyers know where it’s safe to fly, shows users if they are in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E airspaces) in a given or planned location. If the app’s status indicator is yellow (“Use Caution – Check Restrictions”), a user is in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace. 2. How do I request permission from Air Traffic Control to operate in Class B, C, D, or E airspace? Is there a way to request permission electronically? You can request airspace authorization through an online web portal available at www.faa.gov/uas/ request_waiver. 3. Can I contact my local air traffic control tower or facility directly to request airspace permission? No. All airspace permission requests must be made through the online portal. 4. I’m an airport operator and have questions about recreational UAS flying near my airport. Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Use of Model Aircraft near an Airport for more information. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Facility Maps* General 1. What are UAS Facility Maps (UASFMs)? What data do they contain? UASFMs are job aids used by FAA Part 107 processors to help them process airspace authorization requests. They depict the maximum altitude that may be assigned by an FAA processor without additional internal FAA coordination. UAS operators may use these altitudes as a guideline when submitting their UAS Airspace Authorization requests through the FAA UAS website. 2. How do maps help me as a small UAS operator? The maps are only meant to suggest altitudes operators may want to consider when submitting their air- space authorization requests; they do not create any new types of airspace or grant approval. 3. If a map includes the area where I want to operate a UAS, does that mean I can fly without authorization? No, the maps are for informational purposes only; they are meant to provide data that helps operators submit airspace authorization requests that can be quickly processed by FAA personnel. An operator must obtain an airspace authorization to operate in controlled airspace in accordance with the Small UAS Rule (part 107). Submitting your Airspace Authorization request using the altitude on the maps does not guar- antee approval; all airspace authorization requests are assessed to determine the impact on the safety of the National Airspace System. 4. When will UASFMs be available to the public? The first subset of UASFMs (approximately 200) was released on April 27, 2017. Additional facility maps will be released every 56 days, coinciding with the 56-day aeronautical chart production schedule. The FAA plans to release more than 900 UASFMs over the next 12 months. * https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/#aa.

73 5. Why aren’t all the maps being released at the same time? Maps are being released using a risk-based phased implementation approach. This approach permits the FAA time to carefully review the impact of releasing maps, identify potential safety implications, and address potential problems quickly if identified. 6. How can I access the maps? Maps are available at: https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19 806ebf6a06754ad. 7. Where can I go if I have additional questions? Questions may be emailed to uashelp@faa.gov. As additional information becomes available it will be posted at www.faa.gov/uas. 8. Have Department of Defense (DoD) facilities been notified of the mapping process? Yes, the DoD has been briefed on the UAS Facility Map process. The FAA currently manually processes requests into controlled airspace delegated to DoD facilities. UAS Operators are responsible for staying clear of 99.7 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). 9. How were the altitudes determined on UASFMs? Local airport facility Air Traffic Controllers, staff, and managers worked collaboratively to determine UASFM altitudes. These FAA employees reviewed manned aviation approach and departure procedures, aircraft and helicopter operations, and a variety of other factors to determine where small UAS operations could operate safely. If a request for an operation includes an altitude above what is displayed on the UASFM, it may still be approved but would need coordination with the facility and additional FAA safety analysis. 10. Does the 5-mile notification requirement still apply for recreational UAS operators who want to fly near airports? Yes. Hobbyists and recreational operators are still required to notify airport operators and the air traffic control facility (if present) prior to operating within 5 miles of an airport. After notification, hobbyists may want to operate at or below the altitudes displayed on the UASFMs to ensure they stay well clear of manned aircraft. Map Updates 11. How can I be sure the maps are up to date? Updates to the maps will coincide with the 56-day aeronautical chart production schedule. When published, the UASFM will include an “effective date”. 12. How will maps be updated? Air Traffic Control facilities will update maps periodically as operational procedures change to enhance safety and efficiency. Changes to UASFMs will be released to the public in conjunction with the 56-day chart cycle. Map Contents and Specific Circumstances 13. How large are the UAS Facility Map (UASFM) grid boxes? The UASFM grid parameters are 1 minute of latitude by 1 minute of longitude; in most of the contiguous 48 states, this equates to one square mile or approximately 600 acres. The actual size of UASFM grids in Alaska may vary slightly. 14. What airspaces are included in the maps? Maps were created for all Class B, C, & D and E Surface Areas. 15. How will maps affect a Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)? TRSAs are not airspace classes and thus not part of the UASFM process.

74 16. If Tower personnel made the maps, what about the surface areas between them within busy complex Terminal Radar Facilities? Towers, Terminal Radar, and En Route facilities collaborated to develop and coordinate UAFM altitudes. The FAA will coordinate a Part 107 airspace authorization with all air traffic facilities that could be poten- tially impacted by the flight. 17. Is the altitude displayed on the map Above Ground Level (AGL) or Mean Sea Level (MSL)? UAS Facility Maps measure the altitude above ground level (AGL). The maximum altitude contained in an airspace authorization is the maximum altitude a UAS Operator may fly above the ground. 18. Are areas owned by other governments automatically on a map? For example, the edge of Niagara Falls is owned by Canada. UAS Facility Maps are provided to assist applicants who want to operate in the United States. Operators must comply with the operational rules of the country in which they are operating. The FAA may only issue airspace authorizations in the United States. Notification/Communication 19. Can the FAA cancel an airspace authorization after it has been approved? Yes. The FAA may contact a UAS operator if operational conditions have changed and the sUAS operation must be canceled or temporarily suspended. Potential events that might result in canceling or suspending sUAS operations include unexpected incidents involving national security, protection of loss of property or life, or air safety. The FAA will contact the operator using the telephone number provided in the airspace authorization request. 20. If a small UAS operator has a UASFM, why do they need to submit an airspace authorization request? Part 107 requires an airspace authorization to operate in controlled airspace. An airspace authorization is required in this airspace because the density of traditional aircraft is normally higher in these geographic areas. Air Traffic Controllers provide separation services in these higher air traffic density areas to ensure safety. Airspace authorizations promote safe operations in these higher density areas and help communicate spe- cial provisions required to operate in controlled airspace. They also provide the FAA with a point of contact and number to call if the operation must be temporarily suspended or canceled. 21. How will ATC facilities get in contact with a small UAS operator if there is an issue or problem? Operators are required to provide valid contact information on their airspace authorization request. This contact information will be used to call the responsible person/operator if necessary. 22. When the FAA receives an airspace authorization request, will the FAA verify it is outside 14 CFR 99.7 Special Security Instruction (SSI) TFRs airspace? No. Part 107 Operators are responsible for checking to ensure the proposed operation occurs outside all 14 CFR 99.7 TFRs and Special Use Airspace. The UASFMs and 99.7 restrictions are all available on the same website (see http://uas-faa.opendata.arcgis.com/). All other TFRs are posted to the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) website (see https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/).