49 U.S.C. § 44809: Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft

The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes. The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the programming of a community-based organization’s set of safety guidelines that are developed in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located and in direct communication with the operator. The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft. In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions. Except for circumstances when the Administrator establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as otherwise authorized in section (c), in Class G airspace, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and complies with all airspace and flight restrictions and prohibitions established under this subtitle, such as special use airspace designations and temporary flight restrictions. The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test passage to be made available to the Administrator or law enforcement upon request. The aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with chapter 441 of this title and proof of registration is made available to the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator or law enforcement upon request. Unmanned aircraft operations that do not conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems. The Administrator shall establish a process to approve, and publicly disseminate the location of, fixed sites at which a person may carry out recreational unmanned aircraft system operations. Persons operating unmanned aircraft under paragraph (1) from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, or a community-based organization sponsoring operations within such airspace, shall make the location of the fixed site known to the Administrator and shall establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the air traffic control facility. The Administrator, in coordination with community-based organizations sponsoring operations at fixed sites, shall develop a process to approve requests for recreational unmanned aircraft systems operations at fixed sites that exceed the maximum altitude contained in a UAS Facility Map published by the Federal Aviation Administration. up to 400 feet above ground level, without prior authorization from the Administrator; and above 400 feet above ground level, with prior authorization from the Administrator. the unmanned aircraft complies with standards and limitations developed by a community-based organization and approved by the Administrator; and the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as described in paragraph (1). In implementing subpart C of part 89 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator shall prioritize the review and adjudication of requests to establish FAA Recognized Identification Areas at fixed sites established under this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as expanding the authority of the Administrator to require a person operating an unmanned aircraft under this section to seek permissive authority of the Administrator, beyond that required in this section, prior to operation in the national airspace system. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue an enforcement action against a person operating any unmanned aircraft who endangers the safety of the national airspace system. the operational parameters for unmanned aircraft in subsection (a); the registration and marking of unmanned aircraft; the standards for remotely identifying owners and operators of unmanned aircraft systems and associated unmanned aircraft; and other standards consistent with maintaining the safety and security of the national airspace system. The Administrator, in consultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, community-based organizations, and other industry stakeholders, shall develop, maintain, and update, as necessary, an aeronautical knowledge and safety test. Such test shall be administered electronically by the Administrator or a person designated by the Administrator. understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge; and knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system. is recognized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance of model aviation; provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe aeromodelling operations within the national airspace system and the protection and safety of individuals and property on the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active, sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond visual line of sight of the operator; provides programming and support for any local charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and provides assistance and support in the development and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying sites. In collaboration with aeromodelling stakeholders, the Administrator shall publish an advisory circular within 180 days of the date of enactment of this section that identifies the criteria and process required for recognition of community-based organizations. operated by an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; operated by an elementary school, a secondary school, or an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; flown as part of an established Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program for education or research purposes; or flown as part of an educational program that is chartered by a recognized community-based organization (as defined in subsection (h) of such section). use of small unmanned aircraft systems and operations at an accredited institution of higher education, for educational or research purposes, as a component of the institution’s curricula or research; the development of streamlined, risk-based operational approval for unmanned aircraft systems operated by institutions of higher education; and the airspace and aircraft operators that may be affected by such operations at the institution of higher education. Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ Oct. 5, 2018 ], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may establish regulations, procedures, and standards, as necessary, to facilitate the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems operated by institutions of higher education for educational or research purposes. The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given to that term by section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) ). instruction of students at the institution; academic or research related uses of unmanned aircraft systems that have been approved by the institution, including Federal research; activities undertaken by the institution as part of research projects, including research projects sponsored by the Federal Government; and other academic activities approved by the institution. The term ‘elementary school’ has the meaning given to that term by section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801(19) ). The term ‘secondary school’ has the meaning given to that term by section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801(45) ). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue an enforcement action against a person operating any unmanned aircraft who endangers the safety of the national airspace system. Nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from promulgating any rules or standards consistent with maintaining the safety and security of the national airspace system.”