Comprehending the Regulations Set Forth by the CBO: What Are the Guidelines You Must Adhere To?
In a significant move for the recreational drone community, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially recognized several Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide safety guidelines for pilots. These CBOs, including the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), First Person View (FPV) Freedom Coalition, and Flite Test Community Association (FTCA), have been instrumental in promoting safe and responsible drone operations.
For Part 107-licensed pilots, it's essential to note that these CBOs are only applicable for strictly recreational drone operations. If flying for any other purpose, pilots must adhere to the standard FAA regulations.
The FAA has released Advisory Circular 91-57, providing guidelines for the recognition of Community-Based Organizations. Under these guidelines, registered drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) must be compliant with Remote ID regulations. This means the drone either broadcasts its identification and position or operates in FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) exempt from Remote ID.
The CBOs also emphasize adherence to community-established safety guidelines such as flying below 400 feet, maintaining visual line-of-sight, avoiding restricted airspace and people, and prioritizing situational awareness. These practices are part of the FAA’s recreational flyer guidelines integrated within the CBOs’ rules.
Moreover, the CBOs provide their members with education on drone laws, registration requirements, flying etiquette, and updates on FAA policies. This includes awareness of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), NOTAMs, and other airspace rules that impact recreational drone flight safety.
It's important to note that while the AMA, FPV Freedom Coalition, and FTCA each may have specific supplemental rules or resources for their members, they fundamentally align with FAA regulations to ensure safe and lawful recreational drone operation.
The currently recognized CBOs by the FAA are the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), First Person View (FPV) Freedom Coalition, and Flite Test Community Association (FTCA). Each organization's safety guidelines are available online and can be freely accessed by all drone pilots.
In conclusion, the FAA-recognized CBOs incorporate mandatory Remote ID compliance, drone registration, controlled environment flying (FRIAs), and community safety practices into their recreational flight guidelines. While you do not need to be a member of a CBO to follow their safety guidelines, it's recommended to do so for access to additional resources and support.
It's crucial for recreational drone pilots to comply with CBO-defined safety guidelines in addition to the rules outlined in Section 44809. If asked by law enforcement, an FAA representative, or any person with authority, you should be able to cite which safety guidelines of which CBO you are following.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that adding a light accessory may bring a sub-250-gram drone's takeoff weight beyond the 250-gram threshold, requiring registration. Therefore, it's essential to consider this factor when preparing for a flight.
[1] FAA - Advisory Circular 91-57: Recognition of Model Aircraft Systems for Recreational Purposes (https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/ac_91-57/) [2] FAA - Remote ID (https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/getting_started/remote_id/) [3] FAA - Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/tfr/)
- The FAA-recognized Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) like the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), First Person View (FPV) Freedom Coalition, and Flite Test Community Association (FTCA) have guidelines for Part 107-licensed pilots when operating drones for recreational purposes, which may include technology-related rules or regulations.
- For drone pilots, it's essential to remember that these CBOs' guidelines, which include adherence to Remote ID regulations for drones over 0.55 pounds (250 grams), must be followed in addition to standard FAA regulations, especially when flying for any purpose other than recreation.
