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FAA (Unmanned Aircraft System) REGULATIONS
An unmanned aircraft system (UAS), sometimes called a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard – The UAS is controlled from an operator on the ground.
When you fly a drone in the United States, it is your responsibility to understand and abide by the rules. Especially when flying near an airport. If you are planning on flying a drone within 5 miles of any airport, you should call and notify that control tower. If you are flying around Colusa Airport, we do not have a control tower, however you still need to notify our office. You also need to file a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) by calling this number: 1-877-487-6867
Colusa Airport staff can file a NOTAM for you. Please take a look at section 2 of this page to prepare for information you will need when you call.
Some airports have "No Drone Zones". Colusa Airport does allow drone activity with the exception of notifying our office by registering with the form listed below.
Drone (UAS) Registration Form - Colusa County Airport
Email form to:
Anastasia Selover
or fax to the Colusa Airport office:
530-458-5000
Please call 530-458-0580
DRONE PILOT RESOURCES:
For a list of FAA UAS regulations please see the following links:
Small UAS Advisory Circular (PDF)
SUMMARY OF SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT RULE (PART 107) (PDF)
FAA sUAS PART 107: THE SMALL UAS RULE (PDF)
Unmanned Aircraft Systems information on FAA Website
FILE A NOTAM (Notice to Airman)
Our office can file these NOTAMS for you. However, if you would like to file you’re own NOTAM, call: 1-877-487-6867
The questions you will need to prepare for are as follows:
- Name
- Phone
- Registration #
- Radius of flight (example: 1/4 mile)
- DME (Distance Measuring) to the closest VOR (Navigational Aid)
- Distance and direction from center of the airport (example: 1.5 Nautical miles)
IMPORTANT NEW FAA REGULATIONS
A new world of opportunities for drone operators opens next week on August 29 when the new small drone rule for non-hobbyists becomes effective. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure you have the information you’ll need to take advantage of those opportunities.
Aeronautical Knowledge Test
One very important step you have to take is to obtain your remote pilot certificate. Under the new rule — also known as Part 107 — the person actually flying a drone must have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate.
To qualify for the certificate, you must either pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate. If you are qualifying under the latter provision, you must have completed a flight review in the previous 24 months and must take an FAA UAS online training course. The Transportation Security Administration will conduct a security background check of all remote pilot applications prior to issuance of a certificate.
The FAA has posted extensive materials, including a test guide and sample questions, to help you prepare for the knowledge test. You can review the materials by clicking on the "Knowledge Test Prep Part 107" button at the FAA website.
You also can watch a short video about the knowledge test.
SOURCE: AviationPros website