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U.S. Department of Transportatton Federal Aviation Administration JAN O4 2013 Mr ; Mark L. Bathrick Director, Department of Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services 300 E. Mallard Dr., Ste 200 Boise ID 83706-3991 Phone: 208-433-5000 FAX: 208-433-5007 Dear Mr. Bathrick: I am pleased to inform you that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will accept the Department of Interior's (DOI) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) pilot written knowledge test as a means of complying with FAA guidance on UAS pilot licensing.
Specifically, the FAA is accepting the DOI written test in lieu of the FAA requirement that the pilot of a UAS have, at a minimum, passed the private pilot knowledge test in order to operate under the following conditions: below 400 feet above ground level (AGL); within Class G airspace; and within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilot in command.
As an additional stipulation, the FAA's acceptance of the DOI written knowledge test is subject to execution of the attached Letter of Agreement (MOA), which is intended to allow the FAA to learn from DOI' s experience with UAS and to ensure that the DOI written knowledge test is updated as additional knowledge is gained in UAS operations.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact my Flight Operations Team Lead, Mr.
Jim Ryan (202.385.4322 or jim.ryan@faa.gov).
Sincere~ es H. Williams ager, AFS-80 anned Aircraft Systems Integration Office 1 attach FAA-DOI Letter of Agreement LETTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING UNMANNNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST Background and Intent: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted the Department of Interior's (DOI) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) pilot written knowledge test as a means of complying with FAA guidance on UAS pilot licensing, subject to the execution of this Letter of Agreement (LOA). Specifically, the FAA has accepted the DOI UAS Pilot Written Knowledge Test, Revision 1.3 dated December 8, 2012 in lieu of the FAA requirement that the pilot of a UAS have, at a minimum, passed the private pilot knowledge test in order to operate under the following conditions: below 400 feet above ground level (AGL); within Class G airspace; and within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilot in command, as stipulated in the FAA UAS Integration Office Standard Operating Procedures. As an additional stipulation, the FAA's acceptance of the DOI written knowledge test is subject to execution of this LOA, which is intended to allow both parties to learn from DO I's experience with UAS and to ensure that the DOI written knowledge test is updated as additional knowledge is gained in UAS operations.
Authority: Title 49 of the United States Code (49 USC)§ 106 provides the authority to the Federal Aviation Administration to set aviation safety standards and regulate aviation operations in the NAS. Title 49 U.S.C. § 40125 provides the authority for the public aircraft operator to set certain aviation standards and direct aviation operations.
UAS Pilot Knowledge Test Changes: Any changes or revision's to DOI's FAA accepted UAS pilot written knowledge test must be submitted to the UAS Integration Office, AFS-80 for review and acceptance prior to use by DOI. The DOI should clearly identify the proposed changes to its UAS pilot written knowledge test and provide an explanation for the changes.
DOI and FAA Partnering on UAS Training Initiatives: To the maximum extent practicable, the DOI and the FAA agree to partner on efforts to further UAS training and testing initiatives. The DOI agrees to invite FAA participation in the development and validation ofUAS pilot and crewmember testing and training to enhance the safety of the DOI's UAS operations.
Implementation Plan: This LOA will be reviewed annually or sooner, if needed, at the request of either party and it is effective upon the last signature date of the Parties.
For the Department of Interior: Date Mark L. Bathrick, Director, Office of Aviation Services H. Williams, Manager, UAS Integration Office, AFS-80