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AIM

4/20/23

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Large UAS (MGOW 55 Pounds or More)

1.

Closed

set motion picture and television filming.

2.

Agricultural survey and spraying.

3.

Aerial photography.

4.

Land survey and inspection.

5.

Inspection of structures.

6.

Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

NOTE

Civil agricultural spraying operations will also require a 14 CFR Part 137 certificate; see paragraph 11

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5, Airspace

Access for 14 CFR Part 135 and 14 CFR Part 137.

b.

Exemption Application. Petitioners seeking a grant of exemption should fill out an online application on

the public docket located on the FAA’s regulations.gov website.

REFERENCE

49 USC 44807, Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

NOTE

The FAA’s Section 44807: Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Systems website may be reviewed at:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/certification/section_44807/.  The FAA’s Regulations.gov website may be
reviewed at: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_r egulations

.

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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.

FIG 11

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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.