Review of the Recent U.S. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Rules

In July 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its final small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rules, adding Part 107 under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), integrating civil sUAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). Part 107, as the latest development of the U.S. civil sUAS legislation, provides detailed rules as to the remote pilot certification, preflight familiarization and inspection, flight restrictions and operating limitations, and waivers etc., for the operations of civil sUAS within the United States. This paper reviews Part 107 including its structure and provisions, and briefly discusses its features with the conclusion that the FAA adopted a relatively restrictive and stringent approach to regulate civil sUAS operations.