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Remote Pilot Toolbox

"UAS Pilot"

This page is updated as new information becomes available.  

Last Update: 6/18/2025

Safety Alerts

Note:  These are not comprehensive notifications.  Please check for updates through your own agency's aviation safety process.  

4/21/2025:  Drone Amplified has issued Technical Service Bulletin DA-04-11-25 for electrostatic discharge affecting the Pilot Pro controller. 

9/17/2024:  Skydio X10 Damaged Motor Stator Alert.  Available in Skydio Notice to Operators

7/26/2024:  IA APB 24-05 has been issued for aviation management in high operational tempo.

3/15/2024:  FAA Guidance to DOI for UAS operations and Remote Identification

COAs and SGIs

Certificates of Authorization

Updated Certificates of Authorization.  The FAA has reissued COAs for the DOI and USFS for UAS Operations.  

  • DOI:   2023-WSA-11904 REV 3-COA  (Signed 11/18/2024)
    • Note:  The FAA has issued a third extension of the DOI COA expiration date to 6/15/2025 while a new document is finalized.  See the OAS UAS Sharepoint site for more information.    
  • USFS:  2023-WSA-11903 REV 1-COA  (Signed 3/29/2023)
    • Note:  The FAA has issued a third extension of the USFS COA expiration date to 6/15/2025 while a new document is finalized.  See the USFS UAS Sharepoint site for more information.     

Note:  When creating a NOTAM with the updated COAs, you must input with this format:  "2023-WSA-11904-COA" or "2023-WSA-11903-COA".  Using the "2023-WSA-11904 REV 1-COA" as written will not work.  

 

Special Government Interest (SGI) Waivers

Updated SGI Process - June 2025

To increase efficiency and standardization of the Flight By Notification (FBN) and Special Government Interest Waiver (SGI) process, the USFS has developed an automated submission workflow using an application called Survey 123.  This app collects all the data required for flight authorizations via FBN or for an SGI, and then submits information up through the approval chain as necessary.  The new tool and process is envisioned to create a uniform product for each submission, reducing errors, and saving time for both remote pilots and coordinators.  

All remote pilots should check with their aviation/UAS leadership to determine applicability and usage of the process for FBN submissions using this tool.  Remote Pilots are encouraged to use the new process for SGI submissions, but the old method of submitting a PDF to the UAS Coordinator is still available.

Instructions:  FBN/SGI Survey 123 App Setup

Videos

 

Legacy SGI Waiver Instructions

 

Notes and Additional Information

SGI waivers are required for UAS operations inside a TFR.  Contact the UAS Coordinator for assistance with waiver coordination through the FAA. 

See IA IB 22-06 for additional information:   IA IB 22-06 "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations within Incident Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).

IA IB 24-02 addresses TFRs for Prescribed Fires

IA IB 24-05 may also apply to TFRs that span more than one ARTCC.  Please make sure all TFRs relevant to your incident are accounted for in the SGI request.  

FAA SGI Website

Airspace 

NOTAMs

Fire Traffic Area 

Special Use Airspace

Identification and Deconfliction

General Reference

Apps

Communications

Documents, Forms, and Checklists

Equipment

Flight Planning

Incident Coordination

  •  IA-IB 21-07 has relevant information for IMTs on UAS Operations

System Shipping

Aircraft Reference

Alta X and Astro

GCS

Payloads

System Specifics

 

Anafi GOV

 

M-600

 

Skydio X-10E