BVLOS Rulemaking Statement
An FAA rulemaking committee has proposed a regulatory framework to safely integrate drones that fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) into the current airpace. Their final report includes some recommendations that would place unsafe burdens and unfeasible requirements on the PPG community. This post contains all the information about what is happening, what you can do, and what the USPPA is doing to oppose these recommendations.
Read moreWhat is the “final report”?
The FAA’s UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) issued a 381 page “Final Report” with several findings and recommendations for how to incorporate BVLOS drones into the current airspace. You can read the full report here:
What are BVLOS drones?
These are drones that operate beyond a visual line of site (there is not a person on the ground watching it and controlling it with a remote control). Think of delivery drones for Amazon or humanitarian aid drones capable of dropping off aid packages or things like that. These are unmanned drones that are much larger, faster, and heavier than the drones we’re all used to seeing.
What changes are they recommending?
A change of right of way rules – The recommendation we are most concerned with is the recommendation to give BVLOS drones a blanket right of way over all manned aircraft at lower altitudes. That would mean that anytime we are flying at low altitude (under 500 ft AGL) it would be our responsibility to see and avoid these drones. Part of their reasoning is that there are simply not a lot of aircraft that fly low, and if there are aircraft, they are using ADS-B to help with collision avoidance.
As you know, PPG more often that not, ARE INDEED flying low (under 500 ft AGL) and ARE NOT using ADS-B. We are not the only ones, the same scenario applies to powered parachutes, ultralights, paragliders, lighter than air, agricultural operations, and many other aircraft that they didn’t really take into consideration while doing their final report. Luckily, we are not alone in voicing our concerns.
Is this a big deal? Why should we care about this?
This is a very big deal! The current “final report” recommends changing right of way rules in a way that places unsafe burdens and unfeasible requirements on on the PPG community. These changes could very well end up requiring us to fundamentally change the way we fly. Imagine what it would be like if we were no longer allowed to fly low. Or what if we were suddenly required to fly with heavy, cumbersome instrumentation that is simply not feasible for our unique form of flight?
We want to avoid these potential scenarios at all costs!
Aside from the inconvenience of changes in regulations, we firmly believe that if we don’t do anything, there will be an increased risk for collisions between powered paragliders and BVLOS drones. It’s not just a matter of new rules, it’s a matter of safety for our sport!
Are we against BVLOS drones?
No, we’re not against BVLOS drones entering the airspace. We understand that drones are part of the future and we welcome this incredible technology into the airspace where we regularly fly. We are concerned about HOW drones get incorporated into our complex airspace and how that will affect the thousands of pilots that occupy this same airspace on a daily basis. It’s not skillful or wise for us to resist BVLOS drones or the drone industry in general. Our strategy is to ensure that the FAA takes powered paragliders and other similar aircraft into consideration when they decide how to incorporate BVLOS drones.
What can we do about this “final report”?
It turns out that the “final report” might not be so final. They had a public meeting last month and realized that there are still a lot of individuals and organizations that are concerned out the report. The good news is that they have decided to host another public meeting of the UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Final Report. We must voice our concerns and share our thoughts before the next meeting! You don’t need to participate in the actual meeting but it would be great if you could post your comment so they take it into consideration. If a lot of us watch or participate in the meeting, they will realize that there are a lot of us. Remember, as a government entity…number matter and the will pay more attention if there are big numbers or participants/comments!
The meeting will be held on July 26, 2022, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
We need to express our concern to the FAA and to the committee that is responsible for this final report. We can do that by submitting a comment (instructions are posted below). All the details for this meeting can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-14128
Written comments can still be made AFTER the public meeting. Written comments will be accepted through August 2, 2022. Please submit a comment!
How do I submit a comment?
The easiest way for members of the public to make a comment is to send it in by email.
Send your email to this address: [email protected]
Recommended subject line: Attention Laura E. Gomez / UAS BVLOS ARC
Here is a sample of what the email might say.
To Laura E. Gomez and the UAS BVLOS ARC,
My name is FIRST LAST NAME and I fly a powered paradlider in CITY, STATE.
I recently became aware of the final report issued by the UAS BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee and I have stong concerns about my safety and the potential recommended changes to right of way rules.
I regularly and legally fly at low altitudes in accordance with the regulations outlined in FAR 103. A change in right of way rules would jeapordize my safety since my ultralight vehicle is not equipped to be able to use ADS-B or to maneuver in a way that I can safely avoid a BVLOS drone flying at low altitude.
In order to fly safely, I use the see and avoid method of flying as recommended by the FAA. I highly recommend the FAA to require BVLOS drones to use already existing technology to allow the drone to see and avoid obstacles in the air.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. If you would like to follow up for further clarification, you can contact me at ENTER YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL OR ADDRESS.
Sincerely,
FIRST LAST NAME
What is the USPPA doing about this?
The USPPA, along with several other air sports organizations will be submitting official comments to the FAA via the comments section of this public meeting…just like you! Here is our official statement. We will also print and mail this to the FAA.
Official USPPA Statement
Emailed to Laura E. Gomez at [email protected]
To Laura E. Gomez, the FAA, UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee, and to whomever else it may concern,
The United States Powered Paragliding Association (USPPA) represents close to 7500 current and former members who fly powered paragliders (AKA paramotors) in the United States. Since 2001, the mission of the USPPA has been to preserve, promote, and enhance the sport of powered paragliding. While our mission is primarily focused on the powered paragliding community, we recognize and acknowledge the rapid growth and interest in drones. We also recognize the importance of supporting the development and safe integration of the BVLOS drone industry.
We acknowledge that the BVLOS ARC report offers some good recommendations to the FAA that will promote the safe expansion of BVLOS drone operations. However, the USPPA has significant concerns about changing right of way rules based on equipage or shielded operations. Such a change would certainly place unsafe burdens and unfeasible requirements on not only powered paragliders, but also paragliders, hot air balloons, powered parachutes, antique aircraft, agricultural operations, and many other aircraft that operate regularly, safely, and legally at the low altitudes and geographical locations envisioned in the ARC recommendations.
We believe this sweeping recommendation by the committee to change right of way rules, fails to recognize the reality of just how many aircraft routinely operate at lower altitudes. In a recent DronePro Update, even the FAA recognized the reality of aircraft operations at lower altitudes:
“The risk of midair collisions between drones and traditional aircraft is greatest when they both share the same airspace. The belief that traditional aircraft only operate at altitudes above 500 feet is a common misconception among drone pilots. The regulation that establishes the minimum flying altitude for traditional aircraft is published in 14 CFR 91.119. Except for takeoff and landing, most fixed-wing aircraft typically operate above 500 feet. However, this is not the case with helicopters. Helicopters often fly below 400 feet and routinely share the same airspace as their drone counterparts.” (March 1, 2022)
In addition to helicopters, there are thousands of powered paragliders, paragliders, powered parachutes, and other ultralight aircraft flying at low altitudes every day in uncontrolled airspace. The view that very few aircraft operate at low altitudes is simply not accurate.
The USPPA also has a significant concern with the BVLOS ARC leadership’s recommendation to rely on ADS-B as a tool for collision avoidance and therefore use it as a further justification for changes to right of way rules. ADS-B is unfeasible for powered paragliders and many other low altitude aircraft. There is no provision in the current regulations that would even allow for a powered paraglider to use ADS-B. Furthermore, ADS-B was not originally designed for what the report is proposing and therefore should not be relied upon as an effective way to prevent a collosion between a BVLOS drone and a powered paraglider.
The USPPA believes that all aviators have a shared responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. Some of the recommendations in the final report seem to aim to distribute the collision avoidance responsibilities by making changes to right of way rules at low altitudes. We believe that these recommendations would NOT result in shared responsibility. In fact, they would result in shifting the risk of collision avoidance to an unwilling/unkowing party that is already routinely and legally flying safely at low altitudes.
In conclusion, the USPPA recommends the following:
- We recommend the FAA require uncrewed aircraft (BVLOS drones) to have some form of detect and avoid capability similar to what is already available in consumer drones like Skydio.
- We recommend that any potential changes to current regulations will meet a shared responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft (both manned and unmanned).
- We recommend maininting current right of way rules based on maneuverability, with no blanket right of way rules for BVLOS drones over manned aircraft without ADS-B.
Sincerely,
USPPA / United States Powered Paragliding Association
Noah Rasheta, President
Alex Donaghy, Vice President
Brad Hill, Treasurer
Heath Woods, Treasurer
Who else is fighting/resisting these recommendations?
I’m happy to report that we are not alone! Several air sport organizations are involved in voicing concern and dissent. Among them are: Aerospace Industries Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Air Line Pilots Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International (HAI), Praxis Aerospace Concepts, and several smaller organizations are starting to get involved too: Balloon Federation, USHPA, USPPA, and others.
Important Links/Resources
Link to the UAV BVLOS ARC Final Report – https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/UAS_BVLOS_ARC_FINAL_REPORT_03102022.pdf
Link to the original public meting held June 22nd – https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-10164
Link to the upcoming meeting held July 26th – https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-14128
AOPA’s Objection to the Final Report – https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/march/17/aopa-objects-to-proposed-drone-rules
Tandem Exemption Renewed
We’re pleased to inform all USPPA members that our Tandem Exemption from the FAA has been renewed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted our petition to extend Exemption No. 9751F.
The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 9751F remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. The USPPA is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 103.1(a) to the extent necessary to allow USPPA members to operate two-place tandem powered paragliders for training purposes, subject to the conditions and limitations outlined in the letter.
The full letter and the exemption are available below (click the thumbnail). Instructors, please make sure to download the newest copy to have it available as required.
Current USPPA Tandem Exemption 9751
Here is the latest USPPA exemption. It must be carried with you while doing covered tandem flights.
PDF USPPA Tandem Exemption 9751F FAA-2002-12476 Expires Sept 30, 2022.
- Published in FAA, Training Updates
Letter to Tandem Instructors
Dear USPPA Instructor,
Thank you for continued support of powered paragliding—doing work that is critical to our sport’s sustainable growth. We aim to provide you with the best possible tools. To that end, we worked to garner an exemption for tandem instruction of students.
We all win when responsible, safe, knowledgeable pilots emerge from your schools, and tandem training is a valuable tool. Ultralight flying in the U.S. enjoys more freedom than anywhere in the world, a freedom that carries immense responsibility.
If this program gets abused it will be terminated. Abuse means using tandems for other than its granted purpose of training, or issuing ratings to individuals who don’t meet the high standards expected of the program.
Compliance
There are two documents required to be carried on every tandem flight:
1. Your rating card that shows you as “Tandem Instructor” (or Tandem Trainee for those not yet fully qualified), and
2. A copy of the exemption. It’s under “Training” from the home page of USPPA.org.
Help Us Keep The Exemption
We are passionate about keeping this exemption as a training tool for you. For some, it is your livelihood, and for all it is well worth protecting. By being able to train legally, you remove the uncertainty of legal action from the FAA, from an injured or disgruntled student, or from a competitor.
NOT flying legally risks the entire program. It is up to you to ensure that participants are flying legally, responsibly, and that tandems are only being done by those certified to do them.
We as a group have been tasked with policing ourselves.
If you see anyone operating outside legal bounds, talk to them. Explain what’s at stake for us as a community and for them personally. If they had an accident while operating illegally it risks the program. If a pilot continues to operate illegally, be tactful, but be firm that it cannot continue, that they risk it for all of us. If it still continues, document the violations and write a letter to be sent to the USPPA training committee. If the pilot is not certified under this program and is flying foot launched tandems, we will contact him/her to try resolving the situation. If they continue to ignore the law, we are obliged to report them to the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office. We have been given the opportunity to fly tandems legally, we must use it wisely.
We either weed out those who willing risk our exemption, or face the consequence of losing it.
Thank you again for helping our sport continue as a responsible citizen of the flying fraternity.
- Published in FAA, Training Updates, Updates
Tandem Exemption Renewed
The USPPA Tandem exemption 9751F has been renewed for two years. This was closer to the wire than we’d like, in spite of the renewal being requested earlier than last time. FAA personnel are working from home which slowed the process down, but we were in contact in the last weeks and they came through.
Instructors, please make sure to download the newest copy to have it available as required.
- Published in FAA, Training Updates, Updates
Tandem Exemption: Wheels
All Tandem Instructors who were WL Instructors have been updated to show that thye are now Tandem WL Instructors. Tandem Instructors giving tandem training must have a copy of exemption 9751E and proof of qualification. Both can be done by having an image of the full exemption and an image of your ratings page showing appropriate qualifications on your smart phone. To do wheeled tandems requires being a Tandem WL Instructor.
A tandem FL instructor may become qualified to offer wheeled tandems by getting the PPG 3 wheel launch rating from any USPPA wheel launch rated instructor.
We now have a program for those who want to go through the instructor program using wheels only. That has always been possible but never with the ability to do wheeled tandems so there were some minor changes to our programming and processes.
New wording includes the requirement to include information “provided in the FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Powered Parachute Flying Handbook as applicable to part 103 operations” which our existing published program goes well beyond.
As always, there is no cost to members for access to our training program.
Instructors must carry a legible copy (it can be small, though) of the new exemption with them when conducting tandem operations and, of course, comply with the program. We must wield our freedom responsibly to avoid political pressure that would constrain it again.
For now all of our tandem pilots are footlaunched rated so adding the WL (wheel launch) rating is a viable solution. But eventually some tandem instructors may only certify as WL so we have updated our online ratings software to reflect that fact.
- Published in FAA, Training Updates, Updates
Exemption Denial
Read more about the FAA’s Exemption Denial here.
FAA Exemption Request Denial
The FAA has denied our request for an exemption of FAR 103.1 to allow wheeled tandems saying that, among other things, they are no longer going to approve exemptions of definitions. So if we want to apply for a wheeled exemption, it would have to be under the Light Sport Rules. This also implies that future foot-launch tandem exemptions will have to be done in the same way.
Since foot launched craft are not part of the Light Sport Rules, this makes no sense. We will be exploring options.
It does not change operations under our existing exemption but does mean that a different tact will need to be steered.