1. Emergency COA Process Presented to: UAS All Users TELCON
By: John Page, Air Traffic Control Specialist
Date: June 25, 2009

2. Emergency Situation
An emergency UAS COA may be considered when all of the following conditions apply:
A situation exists that is defined as a condition of distress or urgency where there is, or has the extreme possibility of loss of life;
Manned flight is not possible due to a hazard, or, the operation cannot be conducted safely with manned flight, and;
The proposed UAS is operating under a current approved COA.
Requests for UAS COAs that fall outside of these perimeters shall be processed thru the normal COA Online application process.
While unmanned aircraft have been around for years, many of us know them by a variety of terms and as you can see come in a variety of shapes and sizes; from the Global Hawk with wing span of a B737 to ones that can fit in your hand.
We are treating all of these as aircraft consistent with the CFR’s which define aircraft as “a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air”
The term UAS, which has also been adopted by the DOD, reflects the multiple components involved with unmanned aircraft that for manned aircraft would be self contained. As with a manned aircraft there is an airframe, a pilot position or workstation and the control cables or links between them. With UAS’s the pilot is a remote location, never the less they are the same basic functions as manned aircraft.
Another reason for calling them UAS is that the CFR’s already have substantial language about requirements pertaining to aircraft operations, it also the reason we refer to the flyer as a pilot. Operators are terms we use in the regulations American Airlines and similar entities 1

3. Emergency Situation - Continued
Emergency UAS COAs shall not be considered for:
Demonstration flights
Flights to test capabilities
Training
Flights in Class B Airspace
Flights over populated areas 2

4. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Date:_________
Time:_________ UTC/Local
Caller:
Name:__________________________________
Government Agency:______________________
Phone Number:__________________________
_________________________________
FAX:___________________________________
Incident Commander /Requesting Official:
Phone Number: __________________________
Mission Point of Contact:
Name:_________________________________
Phone Number:________________________
Pilot in Command Communication
Direct non radio communication number* :___________
*(commercial preferred, not everyone has DSN) 3

5. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Nature of Emergency:
Missing Person
Fire
National Disaster
Local Disaster
Other:__________________________________
Reason for Request:_________________________
Temporary Flight Restriction:
None
99.7
A1 / A2 / A3 4

6. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Location/Altitude:
Attach Chart or Map (if able)
Closest NAVAID:________________________
Distance from nearest town/city_____________
Altitude:________________________________
Operations area:
Center point: ____________Lat / Long
____________Fix Radial Dist
Radius: _____________NM
Requested route (if known)
Lat/Long Box:_______________________
Affected ATC Facility:____________________
IFR / VFR / Class A / B / C / D / E / G 5

7. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Aircraft:___________________________________
Airworthiness Statement: Yes / No
Line of Sight? Yes / No
Day / Night
Transponder/Mode C
Navigation/Position Lights
Home Base Airport:_______________________
Current Aviation Data Base: Yes / No
Current Maps and Charts: Yes / No
Pilot Qualifications:
VFR:
Private Pilot Written: Yes / No
Medical: 1st / 2nd / 3rd / None
Current: Yes / No
IFR:
Current Instrument Rating w Cat/Class Yes / No 6

8. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Observer Qualifications:
Trained: Yes / No
1 mile lateral 3000’ vertical
Medical: 1st / 2nd / 3rd / None
Populated Area:
Yellow on the Sectional: Yes / No
Open area assembly of people: Yes / No
Heavily Traffic Roads: Yes / No
Lost Link:
VFR:___________________________________
Divert/Emergency Landing Area: ____________
IFR:___________________________________
Divert/Emergency Landing Area:____________ 7

9. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
General Description of Operation:
(Government Agency/Unit) wants to fly a(n) (Aircraft) (Where). They will be (VFR/IFR) operating within (Class of Airspace) in (ATC Facilities Airspace / or no ATC). They want to operate starting at (Local/UTC) for (number of hours / days). (Will / will not) be using a (99.7 / ) Temporary Flight Restriction.
All operations will be conducted (day / night) under Visual Meteorological Conditions with a minimum of 3 miles visibility. The Pilot in Command will abide by all 14 CFR 91 rules and regulations. See and avoid will be mitigated by (ground observer / chase aircraft with airborne observer / active Restricted, Prohibited, or Warning Area airspace). 8

10. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
Specific Information for the FAA UA Program Office:
James Sizemore w:
General Description +
If VFR: The (Aircraft) (will / will not) stay in line of sight of the Pilot/Observer. (The observer will be (ground / airborne) based.) Operations will be over (non-populated / populated) areas. They have a(n) (Agency) Airworthiness Statement. They have a lost link procedure to avoid all populated areas and return to (restricted area / warning area / prohibited area / airport or the ground control station). The entire operation will be conducted in (A/C/E/G) airspace. The pilot has (passed the Private Pilot Written / Private / Commercial / Air Transport Pilot / Instrument Rating) and has a current (3rd / 2nd / 1st / None) medical. The Observers (if used) are trained by (agency). They have current (3rd / 2nd / 1st / None) medical. 9

11. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
If IFR: Departure and Arrival operations outside Class A airspace will be in (Restricted (Temporary or Permanent) / Prohibited / Warning Areas or Chased). All IFR operations will be conducted in Class A Airspace. Operations will be over (non-populated / populated) areas. They have an IFR (Agency) Airworthiness Statement. They have a certified transponder w mode (c/s) and (navigation/position lights) and will operate them at all times. They will file, receive and follow an ATC clearance. They have a lost link procedure to avoid all populated areas and return to (restricted area / warning area / prohibited area / airport). (If to an airport – will chase up and down – or Temporary Flight Restriction). 10

12. Emergency Situation – Data Requirements
What are the UASPO restrictions?
Notes
For this process, the definition of “Emergency” is; either a distress or urgency condition where there is or has the extreme possibility of loss of life.
As with all Certificate or Waiver or Authorizations – the application must be made by the Government Agency (not the contractor/operator) 11

13. Information 12

14. Points of Contact Ardy Williams
Air Traffic Manager, Unmanned Aircraft System
James Sizemore
Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Program Office
John Page or 13

15. QUESTIONS? 14