But Wait, There is More

Okay, you got your Rule 333 exemption, and you registered the aircraft and have an N-number.  Are you ready to take off?  Not yet.  You also need a Certificate of Authorization, known as a COA.  When the Section 333 exemption is granted, a “Blanket COA” is automatically issued, but the Blanket COA differs in some respects from the Conditions and Limitations in your Rule 333 exemption letter.  Chief among these is that you are limited to a ceiling of 200 feet.

Some UAS by default are limited to an initial ceiling of 150 feet, so you may find that 200 feet is not a big constraint on your work.  On the other hand, you might find that some local regulation requires you to stay above that ceiling (trying to prevent voyeur activity).  Whatever the reason, if it is a good one the only recourse is to try to get a standard COA.

`© Robert Rose 2015