Coordination

When time and mission requirements permit, utilize communication techniques that emphasize consensus decision making.

In a tactical situation, verbal communication will be sufficient for the exercising of the authority within this section.

The NAS Daily Security Report will be maintained by an ATSC and will be utilized to record any verbal decisions and operational security matters within the NAS.

System Operations Security must:

Coordinate with all facilities affected by a pending or recurring security measure.

Ensure interagency coordination regarding any security measure within the NAS.

Facilitate coordination between defense/security forces and air traffic facilities.

Initiate inquiries regarding ATC involvement in security infractions.

Field facilities must:

Communicate and coordinate with System Operations Security and external agencies regarding security measures and associated operations in the NAS.

Report aviation security incidents in a timely manner.

Utilize the DEN for the communication of potential security related issues.

Ensure compliance with Agency security policies and tactical decisions.

Remain responsible for the safety of air traffic while achieving compliance with security initiatives.

SGI Qualifying Requirements. Prior to processing a UAS SGI request, the System Operations Support Center (SOSC) must ensure the requestor meets the following conditions:

The proponent is operating under the authority of an active COA (including Blanket COAs) or in compliance with part 107.

The UAS operations to be authorized would be conducted within a timeframe incompatible with the processing time required for regular COA or 14 CFR part 89/part 107 processes.

The requested operations will be flown by a governmental (public) entity or sponsored/supported by a governmental (public) entity.

The operations directly support an active (e.g., not demonstration) homeland security, law enforcement, or emergency operations effort, or some other response, relief, or recovery activity benefiting a critical public good (for example, restoration of an electrical grid or some other critical infrastructure, or media coverage). The fulfillment of this requirement is determined by the SOSC in consultation, as needed, with the FAA's interagency partners.

If the SGI request does not meet the qualifying requirements for an SGI Addendum, the SOSC will direct requestors to the FAA website at https://www.faa.gov/uas/.

Civil UAS Operations. The SOSC requires qualifying proponents of civil UAS operations to secure support from a governmental entity participating in the response relief or recovery effort, to which the proposed UAS operations will contribute, prior to submitting its request for a SGI Addendum.

DC FRZ Operations. The SOSC requires qualifying proponents of public UAS SGI operations inside the Washington DC Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ) to apply for an FAA/TSA airspace waiver at https://waivers.faa.gov prior to submitting the request for a SGI Addendum.

In support of the FAA/TSA airspace waiver request, the requestor will upload all pertinent documents, including a completed “FAA REQUEST FORM FOR EXPEDITED SGI WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION FOR UAS OPERATION”.

If the FAA/TSA airspace waiver request is approved, the requestor will receive an Airspace Access Program (AAP) airspace approval waiver.

The SOSC requires all qualifying proponents of UAS operations to request a SGI Addendum as follows:

Submit a completed “FAA REQUEST FORM FOR EXPEDITED SGI WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION FOR UAS OPERATION” to the SOSC via email at 9-ATOR-HQ-SOSC@faa.gov.

Confirm receipt of the request with the SOSC via phone at (202) 267-8276.

The SOSC will review and coordinate the SGI Addendum requests as follows:

Conduct a review of the proposed operation and determine any amendments necessary to the current COA requirements (e.g., operating area, altitudes, class of airspace, transponder usage) or any authorizations or waivers under the part 107 processes.

Determine if the request meets all necessary SGI criteria.

Coordinate with affected ATC facilities and determine and implement any needed mitigations (e.g., the application of Temporary Flight Restrictions) to reach an acceptable level of safety risk and to minimize impacts on other air traffic operations.

These mitigations and other authorizations, including deviations from the operator's current COA or 14 CFR part 89/part 107 authorization or waiver, will be implemented through COA addendum or 14 CFR part 89/part 107 authorization/waiver, and other operational measures (e.g., coordinated ATC action and/or the application of Temporary Flight Restrictions).