11–3–3 Emerging Large UAS Civil Operations

a. Large civil UAS operations in the NAS are presently considered those UAS weighing 55 pounds or more with or without aircraft airworthiness certification, along with their control stations and radio links operating under 14 CFR part 91. These operations may or may not receive ATC separation services, but will not be operating under UAS Traffic Management (UTM) structures. Examples of current large UAS civil operators include agricultural spraying and operation as radio/telephone airborne relays. Future large UAS operations will include carriage of cargo and passengers, and very long-endurance aircraft, staying aloft for extended periods of time.

Note: Large is only used as a term to differentiate from those UAS weighing less than 55 pounds. Large UAS is not an FAA-recognized category of aircraft.

1. Large UAS must meet performance, equipage requirements, and adhere to relevant procedures commensurate with the airspace in which the UAS is operating.

2. Absent an onboard pilot, large UAS are unable to “see and avoid” other aircraft, as required by regulations governing the general operation of aircraft in the NAS under Title 14 CFR section 91.111, Operating Near other Aircraft, and 14 CFR section 91.113, Right of Way Rules: Except Water Operations. As a result, they cannot use visual observation to remain “well clear” of other aircraft and avoid collisions. Therefore, an alternate means of compliance is required to remain well clear of other aircraft and surface obstacles, and avoid collisions.

3. Figure 11-3-3, A Layered Approach for Collision Avoidance, illustrates the different layers used to keep aircraft safely separated, beginning with airspace classification and design, then ending with the responsibility of the pilot to prevent collisions.

b. Transition to full integration into the NAS. Over time, full integration of large UAS operations in the NAS will be achieved. Current large UAS operations will continue to be dependent on COAs, the issuance of NOTAMs, and possibly other measures (e.g., chase plane, segregated airspace) as currently used for accommodated operations. This integration is evolving with UAS technology advances, FAA regulatory changes, NAS automation, communications improvements, and evolving use cases and demand.

Note: Transponder equipped UAS, during lost link events, if capable, will squawk secondary surveillance radar (SSR)/Transponder code 7400. If the UAS is not programmed for use of SSR code 7400, then code 7600 may be used.

c. Large Civil Operations. The following are examples of test and evaluation operations being conducted with large civil and commercial UAS: cargo delivery, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, firefighting, environmental observation, signal relay, and atmospheric sampling.