Hey, just wanted to put out there for anyone like me who is still waiting for their 333 Exemption to be vetted.
I sent an email asking about any pending petitions Section 333 requests. Are they still being examined or will we have to wait for the new rules to qualify for a remote pilot certificate at this point?.....here's the response I got:
"Thank you for your email. We are in the process of determining whether your requested operations may be conducted without an exemption under the recently-issued regulation, Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107 (www.faa.gov/uas). Please monitor your docket (FAA-2016-3818) at www.regulations.gov for any updates.
Section 333 of Public Law 112-95, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), provided the FAA authority to authorize certain UAS operations. This incremental step provided a pathway for safe and legal civil operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) and was considered a bridge mechanism until the implementation of Part 107.
With that in mind, we have shifted resources to review pending Section 333 petitions and will process each in accordance with the following. Petitions will fall into one of three tiers, which are summarized in the table below, as well as the respective actions that will occur:
Tier 1
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation may be conducted entirely under Part 107 without a waiver or exemption.
FAA action
We will close your docket. For this group, no further communication is necessary; however, it is incumbent upon you to carefully review Part 107 to ensure that you can safely operate without additional regulatory relief.
Your action
You should review the Part 107 regulation, and may begin operations in compliance with the new rule on the effective date.
However, if you believe your original request belongs in Tiers 2 or 3 and you do not hear from us within 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
Tier 2
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation must be conducted with a waiver under Part 107
FAA action
We will contact you within the next 60 days. We will close your docket, and consider your petition for exemption as a waiver application.
Your action
If you believe your original request requires a waiver and do not hear from us within the next 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
Tier 3
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation may not be conducted under Part 107 or waiver without further regulatory relief.
FAA action
We will contact you within the next 60 days, and will continue working on your petition for exemption.
Your action
If you believe your original request requires an exemption (in other words, not in Tiers 1 or 2) and do not hear from us within 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
While you may not be able to operate until Part 107 is effective (late August 2016), Part 107 represents a new pathway to UAS operations, and provides additional flexibility compared to the Conditions and Limitations of Section 333 exemptions that the FAA has been granting to date. For example, rather than obtaining a Part 61 airmen certificate, UAS operators may simply pass a knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. In the meantime, I encourage you to review Part 107 and our website below for more information.
We understand your desire for the FAA to make a rapid determination and regret any inconvenience this delay may cause you. We appreciate your efforts to support the FAA in the integration of safe UAS operations into the NAS. For more information, please visit: Unmanned Aircraft Systems or contact us via email at[email protected]or call 844-FLY-MY-UAS. Questions about the Section 333 exemption process should be directed to[email protected].
I sent an email asking about any pending petitions Section 333 requests. Are they still being examined or will we have to wait for the new rules to qualify for a remote pilot certificate at this point?.....here's the response I got:
"Thank you for your email. We are in the process of determining whether your requested operations may be conducted without an exemption under the recently-issued regulation, Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107 (www.faa.gov/uas). Please monitor your docket (FAA-2016-3818) at www.regulations.gov for any updates.
Section 333 of Public Law 112-95, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), provided the FAA authority to authorize certain UAS operations. This incremental step provided a pathway for safe and legal civil operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) and was considered a bridge mechanism until the implementation of Part 107.
With that in mind, we have shifted resources to review pending Section 333 petitions and will process each in accordance with the following. Petitions will fall into one of three tiers, which are summarized in the table below, as well as the respective actions that will occur:
Tier 1
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation may be conducted entirely under Part 107 without a waiver or exemption.
FAA action
We will close your docket. For this group, no further communication is necessary; however, it is incumbent upon you to carefully review Part 107 to ensure that you can safely operate without additional regulatory relief.
Your action
You should review the Part 107 regulation, and may begin operations in compliance with the new rule on the effective date.
However, if you believe your original request belongs in Tiers 2 or 3 and you do not hear from us within 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
Tier 2
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation must be conducted with a waiver under Part 107
FAA action
We will contact you within the next 60 days. We will close your docket, and consider your petition for exemption as a waiver application.
Your action
If you believe your original request requires a waiver and do not hear from us within the next 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
Tier 3
Initial Assessment
Your requested operation may not be conducted under Part 107 or waiver without further regulatory relief.
FAA action
We will contact you within the next 60 days, and will continue working on your petition for exemption.
Your action
If you believe your original request requires an exemption (in other words, not in Tiers 1 or 2) and do not hear from us within 60 days, contact us at [email protected].
While you may not be able to operate until Part 107 is effective (late August 2016), Part 107 represents a new pathway to UAS operations, and provides additional flexibility compared to the Conditions and Limitations of Section 333 exemptions that the FAA has been granting to date. For example, rather than obtaining a Part 61 airmen certificate, UAS operators may simply pass a knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. In the meantime, I encourage you to review Part 107 and our website below for more information.
We understand your desire for the FAA to make a rapid determination and regret any inconvenience this delay may cause you. We appreciate your efforts to support the FAA in the integration of safe UAS operations into the NAS. For more information, please visit: Unmanned Aircraft Systems or contact us via email at[email protected]or call 844-FLY-MY-UAS. Questions about the Section 333 exemption process should be directed to[email protected].
