UASP Toolbox

"UAS Pilot"

This page is updated as new information becomes available. Please continue to monitor the home page for additional information.

Last Update 11/4/2024

5/10/2024: IA IB 24-02: Process for Prescribed Fire (RX) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) involving UAS or helicopter aerial ignition operations.

5/6/2024: Updates to SGI Instructions are available.

Guidance for TFR implementation for RX during Aerial Ignition.

Safety

*NEW: 9/17/2024: Skydio X10 Damaged Motor Stator Alert. Available in Skydio Notice to Operators
3/15/2024: FAA Guidance to DOI for UAS operations and Remote Identification
8/29/2023: IASA 23-02 M-600 Batteries - Thermal Expansion.
7/24/2023: IA APB 23-04 Freefly Alta X Landing Gear Separations During Flight
7/8/2022: Interagency Aviation Mishap Response Guide UAS Insert
6/28/2022: M600 Battery Shipping: With a recent increase in activity and ROs to Alaska, RPs must be aware of M600 Lithium Ion battery watt hours (Wh) and rules:
- T47S batteries are 99.9 Wh and are clear for carry-on luggage on airlines.
- T48S batteries are 129.96 Wh. MAY NOT CARRY-ON. Must be shipped!
- Reference: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-100-watt-hours-or-less-device
6/17/2022: Accident Prevention Bulletin 22-03 - Defective M600 Batteries
6/13/2022: Interagency Tech Bulletin 22-01 for M-600 Props
5/9/2022: SAFECOM 22-0234, M600 Batteries

Flight Authorizations

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)
USFS: 2023-WSA-11903 REV 1-COA (Signed 3/29/2023)

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 Waivers

Interagency SGI Instructions (05/06/2024)
SGI Request Template - Blank (09/14/2023, MS Word Doc)
SGI Request Template - Populated (09/14/2023, MS Word Doc)

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 24-05 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

Job Aids

Aircraft

Data Management

NOTAMs and Airspace

10/30/2023: Joint CAL Fire and USFS Fire Traffic Area Review. A joint bulletin has been released to highlight and reemphasize the importance of the FTA Protocol. This is good refresher information for all remote pilots.
IA APB 22-05: UAS NOTAMs
IA IB 22-04 "Potential Airspace Challenges Resulting From Misinformation". Please review for clarification on the Fire Traffic Area Diagram, PMS505D
NOTAM Acronym Change IA-IB 22-01 NOTAM now stands for "Notices to Air Missions"
NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination PMS 520
NWCG Fire Traffic Area Reference and Diagram (Updated 4/2022)
IA IB 21-09 "Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) crossing multiple Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Airspace Boundaries" was released on Sept 24, 2021. Please refer to this when operating in an airspace that may span multiple ARTCC boundaries, requiring separate TFR notices and subsequent SGI requests for UAS operations.
DoD Aeronautical Information System (Links to AP1A/AP1B on right side menu)
Flight Services (1800WXBrief)
SkyVector

Reference

Equipment

IBC Memo 23-09 - UAS Incident Replacement Guide. NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) and the Interagency Fire UAS Subcommittee (IFUASS) has released guidance for consumable/replacement parts.

Incident Coordination

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

System Shipping

Communications

Icom IC-A25 radio features (Youtube Video)

Miscellaneous Information

BLM NOC UAS Flight Planning Spreadsheet (Gapinski, 4/8/2022)