FAA-Issued Exemptions: Breakdown of Approved Waivers for Each Category
In the rapidly evolving world of commercial drone operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been a guiding force, maintaining a list of rules under Part 107 that can be officially waived. These waivers are essential for operators seeking to push the boundaries of what is traditionally allowed.
One of the most common approved waivers in January 2020 was for UAS flights over populated areas, with 98 waivers granted. However, a significant shift occurred in January 2021, when the FAA amended Part 107 to allow night flights without a waiver, provided that certain conditions are met.
For night operations, pilots are now required to have completed FAA-approved training on night operations, which includes knowledge of night physiology and visual illusions. The small unmanned aircraft must also be equipped with anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid collisions. Prior to this change, waivers were required for night operations, but current regulations allow night flights without a waiver if these conditions are met.
Operations over people, however, remain generally restricted under Part 107, but waivers can be granted if the applicant demonstrates adequate safety mitigations. The FAA reviews waiver applications to ensure that risks involved with operating over people are mitigated sufficiently to maintain safety in the national airspace. Waivers for operations over people include special provisions such as maintaining situational awareness of air traffic and compliance with airspace rules, conducting pre-flight checklists identifying hazards within 1 statute mile, planning routes to minimize time spent over humans or moving vehicles, and limiting lateral distance to nearby obstructions during flight operations.
The FAA has granted a significant number of waivers for UAS flights outside of daylight or twilight, but this is no longer necessary for night operations as long as anti-collision lighting is used. The number of waivers granted by the FAA has seen a year-to-year increase, potentially indicating a growing volume of UAS operators flying commercially.
As of May 2024, the FAA maintains a list of 575 approved Part 107 waivers since 2020, with expired waivers no longer on the list. The types and numbers of waivers granted by the FAA provide insights into ongoing trends in the commercial drone industry. For instance, the rule with the most waivers granted is for UAS operations beyond visual line of sight (107.31), accounting for more than 25% of the total waivers.
Remote ID, now in full effect, makes it technically possible to fly a UAS over people while complying with the conditions for the Category of the UAS being operated. This could potentially open up new opportunities for commercial drone operators.
In summary, the FAA's Part 107 waivers remain a crucial provision for commercial drone operators, enabling them to fly outside the usual rules but in a legal manner. Knowing what other commercial UAS operators are doing can be beneficial for a UAS operator. As the commercial drone industry continues to grow, we can expect to see more waivers being granted, reflecting the industry's need for flexibility and innovation.
Crossing into 2021, a significant adjustment was made to Part 107, allowing night flights without a waiver for selected operators who fulfill specific conditions, including FAA-sanctioned night operation training and the use of anti-collision lighting.
Grants for waivers in the field of finance, technology, or any other sector have the potential to shape the commercial drone industry, as they pave the way for innovation and growth within the industry.
