UAS Facility Maps (UASFM)

UASFM must be developed in accordance with FAA Order JO 7210.3, Chapter 12, Section 10.

The ATM must review the UASFM annually, or whenever modifications are necessary. Reasons for modifications include, but are not limited to:

Airspace changes.

Runway or airport property changes.

Changes in procedures.

Changes in volume of traffic.

If changes need to be made to the UASFM, forward your request to uasfm@faa.gov.

There are portions of each facility's airspace at very low altitudes that a sUAS could operate without impacting IFR or VFR operations.

Part 107 operations by rule are exempt from the part 91 rules that define VFR and IFR operations. Therefore, part 107 operations are not defined as VFR or IFR and require no separation or services by ATC.

Evaluate each segment for the impact of the UAS flight to your operation (i.e., If a UAS flew in segment A1 at 400 feet, would that affect your operation? What about 300 feet or 200 feet?).

All runways are in use for arrival and departure.

Altitudes will be listed in 50‐foot increments, starting at 0 feet (0, 50, etc.) and ending at 400 feet. Altitudes are listed as AGL.

All UAS operations that are requested at or below the altitude listed for the segment for where the flight will occur will be approved without facility coordination. However, the facility will receive a copy of the authorization.

Zero (0) altitude means no UA flights authorized without facility coordination.

For UAS flights that take place in two or more segments, the lowest published altitude will be used.

When a UA operation has been approved, the affected facilities will receive an email that will include the responsible person's contact information, location, altitude, time and date of UA operation.

In the event two facilities overlap the same segment, the lowest altitude will be used for both facilities.

Items to consider:

Part 107 operators must comply with all of the part 107 rule (i.e., part 107 operators must maintain a visual line of sight with their UA, they must yield right‐of‐way to all aircraft, they are solely responsible for not operating in prohibited or restricted areas without prior permission, they are solely responsible for not operating in temporary flight restricted airspace, and they are solely responsible for not operating over nonparticipating people).

Diverse vector areas (DVA) and aircraft performing minimum departure climbs at 200 feet per mile.

Obstructions already present (i.e., a segment with 60‐foot trees would allow UA to operate safely at 50 feet).

Low altitude operations (i.e., helipads).

The UA operator is solely responsible for avoiding ground hazards, sensitive areas (e.g., nuclear power plants, critical infrastructure and federal facilities), and areas where drone operations are prohibited.

Each facility must review the assumptions section.

Each facility will work collaboratively with their workforce to develop the UA map. Each segment must be evaluated to determine the highest altitude a UA could operate without any coordination to the facility.

Facilities must evaluate all segments for the maximum altitude they will allow without further coordination within their area of jurisdiction for flights between 0-400 feet in 50-foot increments.

For partial segments, facilities only need to evaluate the area they have jurisdiction over but will show the altitude for the entire segment.

For segments outside your area of jurisdiction, leave the segments on the spreadsheet blank.

In areas where the overriding rule/law specifies no UAS operations (e.g., the DC FRZ), facilities are requested to complete the map as though operations could be permitted without the overriding regulations. There may be situations where law enforcement, DoD, etc., could ask for authorization under part 107 and have the ability to operate in the area.

Once you have finished the spreadsheets, email them to uasfm@faa.gov.

Changes made using the web‐based tool https://uasfm.faa.gov are immediately reflected on the facility UASFM. The UAS Service Suppliers (USS) have up to 24 hours after the changes are submitted to update their database.

The UASFM web‐based tool can only be accessed using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browsers.

To obtain access, facilities must follow the instructions contained on the UASFM web‐based tool homepage.

Coordinate changes through HQ AJV-A utilizing the following procedures:

Request files via the uasfm@faa.gov email address.

Complete the Excel spreadsheet, inputting information on sheet 1 only. Altitude values must be 0-400 in 50 foot increments.

Evaluate all segments that are fully or partially contained within the lateral boundary of your airspace.

Save completed worksheet as XXX.xls, in which XXX is the facility ID.

Return the completed spreadsheet to uasfm@faa.gov include the following information in the email:

Use only your facility ID in the subject line.

Attach the spreadsheet.

List your Map POC(s) (name, email address, phone number).

List your authorization POC(s) (name, email address, and phone number).

Date UASFM completed.

The ATM must appoint a primary and secondary facility UAS Authorization POC who will receive notification of the final authorization from Headquarters. Forward any changes to the facility UAS Authorization POC to 9-AJT-LAANCPOC@faa.gov.

If part 107 operations cannot be authorized using the UASFM, facilities will be contacted by Headquarters/Service Centers for coordination.

Facilities must evaluate the request for authorization for impact to the operation. Waivers that list any mitigations pending approval by Headquarters/Service Centers will be included with the authorization request.

If the facility deems the impact of the operation to be acceptable as proposed, the operation will be authorized.

If the facility deems the impact to be unacceptable as proposed, they may prescribe mitigations on the operation, which may include but are not limited to:

Limits on altitude.

Adjusting times and dates of operation.

Operator notification to the Facility (i.e., start, stop times).

Adjusting Location.

For operations on the airfield, procedures between the facility and the proponent are a prerequisite to obtaining an airspace authorization.

If the facility cannot agree to acceptable mitigations with the proponent, the operation must be denied.