The FAA has just issued an update to its notice on ‘Unmanned Aircraft Operations in the National Airspace System (NAS)‘ which provides information and guidance on air traffic policies and prescribes procedures for the planning, coordination, and services involving the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the NAS.
FAA policy for UAS operations is that no person may operate a UAS, including tethered UAS, outside of active restricted, prohibited or warning areas in the NAS without specific authority, with the exception of a model aircraft flown for hobby or recreational purposes or an Optionally Piloted Aircraft that has a pilot on board. The authority given the FAA by Congress to regulate UA operations is dependent upon the use of the UAS; therefore, the Agency’s oversight role is based upon the intended use of the UA, not the type of UA. 9. UAS Operations.
This notice covers UAS operations in the NAS. For the purposes of this notice, a small UA is defined as weighing less than 55 pounds; a UA weighing 55 pounds or more is considered large.
The complete notice can be found here.
Source: FAA