What are the regulations concerning airspace use by unmanned aircraft systems?
In the state of Washington, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are subject to regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (14 C.F.R. Part 107). This part of the code outlines the basic operating requirements for UAS including how they can be used, what airspace they can fly in, and the requirements for the pilot of the aircraft. Generally, the FAA requires UAS to stay below 400 feet and not fly over people, unless the people on the ground are directly participating in the flight. Operators must also maintain a visual line-of-sight of the aircraft at all times and keep the aircraft within the sights of the ground observer. Additionally, no UAS are allowed to fly over restricted airspace such as that around airports and military installations. UAS can be flown in national parks, but each park may have different regulations that operators must follow. If UAS are to be used for commercial purposes, such as for aerial photography, operators must apply for an FAA 333 Exemption. This gives permission to operate UAS for commercial purposes in national airspace. All unmanned aircraft must also be registered with the FAA to provide contact information in case of an incident. By registering, operators can be held liable for the actions of their unmanned aircraft should an accident occur. Failing to register an aircraft can also result in fines or even jail time. It is the responsibility of each operator to adhere to the regulations of UAS set forth by the FAA. Regulations and guidelines are subject to change, so operators must stay up to date to ensure their aircraft is operated safely and in compliance.
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