Volume 8 GENERAL TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS

Chapter 5 GENERAL airworthiness functions

Section 13 Support for Issuing an Airworthiness Certificate for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

8-5-13-1    PROGRAM TRACKING AND REPORTING SUBSYSTEM (PTRS) ACTIVITY CODES.

A.    Maintenance: 3460.

B.    Avionics: 5460.

8-5-13-3    OBJECTIVE. This section provides guidance for support of certificating an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

8-5-13-5    GENERAL. Manufacturing Inspection District Offices (MIDO) are responsible for the original and recurrent airworthiness certification of all UASs. Even though the MIDOs are given this authority, they need coordination and support from a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that has appropriately qualified Airworthiness aviation safety inspectors (ASI) to accept maintenance and inspection programs and assist with the safety evaluation.

8-5-13-7    PREREQUISITES AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS.

A.     Prerequisites:

·    Knowledge in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 21, 43, and 45.

·    Knowledge approving maintenance and inspection programs.

B.    Coordination. This task requires coordination with the operator/applicant and the MIDO.

8-5-13-9    REFERENCES, FORMS, AND JOB AIDS.

A.    References (current editions):

·    14 CFR parts 21, 43, 45, 47, and 91.

·    FAA Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products.

·    FAA Order 8130.34, Airworthiness Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

B.    Forms:

·    FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate.

·    FAA Form 8100-1, Conformity Inspection Record.

·    FAA Form 8130-6, Application for Airworthiness Certificate.

C.    Job Aids. None

8-5-13-11    PROCEDURES. Applicants are required to develop an inspection and maintenance program for the continued airworthiness of the UASs, in accordance with part 21, § 21.195(d)(1), Experimental certificates: Aircraft to be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, and customer crew training. Follow the guidelines contained in the current edition of FAA Order 8130.34.

A.    Accept Maintenance Program. Maintenance programs describe what and how maintenance is to be performed. For most UAS, this will simply be how discrepancies are recorded and how logbook entries are made (for example, how often, what is included, etc.). The specifics of what is required for the operator’s maintenance program are defined in the operating limitations.

B.    Accept Inspection Program. Title 14 CFR part 43 appendix D, Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to the Particular Aircraft) to be Included in Annual and 100-Hour Inspections, should be used as a guideline to develop the inspection program for a UAS. The inspection needs to include the aircraft and its systems, the control station, and launch and recover equipment if used. If an altimeter or transponder are installed the requirements of 14 CFR part 91, §§ 91.411 and 91.413 must be included in the inspection program.

8-5-13-13    TASK OUTCOMES.

A.    Complete the PTRS Record.

B.    Complete the Task. Successful completion of this task will result in the issuance of an experimental airworthiness certificate.

C.    Document the Task. File all supporting paperwork in the operator/applicant’s office file.

8-5-13-15    FUTURE ACTIVITIES. None.

RESERVED. N/A.