514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

33-8. General Requirements.

Coordination of SUAS Operations

Coordinate all SUAS operations via the USACE HQ Aviation Program Office adhering to APL 95-1-1 requirements.

Authorizations

SUAS crewmembers must coordinate with airport/airfield managers prior to flying near such facilities with operational control towers.
Obtain airspace authorization for controlled airspace through USACE HQ Aviation and a COA from the FAA.
Plan flights in restricted DoD lands by coordinating with the respective installation's Range Control activity.

Prohibitions

Only c-compliant and Defense Innovation Unit Blue Cleared-List aircraft with Authorization to Operate may fly with an approved mission packet.
USACE employees and contractors must not collect data or images of private citizens beyond mission parameters.
Prohibit prolonged or hovering flights over individuals, while transient flight is permitted.

Contractor Missions

Coordinate with USACE HQ Aviation to classify new aviation contracts as Public or Civil Aircraft Operations.
Ensure contractor-supported and contractor-pure PAOs meet federal, DoD, and Army Regulations for surveillance.
Require District Commander/Lab Director approval for third-party SUAS operations near USACE projects.

USACE Missions

Ensure SUACs are physically capable and meet medical requirements for crewmember duties.
Execute SUAS missions in accordance with MARS and APL 95-1-1 procedures.

Crewed Aircraft

PAO contract pilots must fulfill AR 95-20's qualification, evaluation, and currency requisites.
Register and equip contractor-owned aircraft as per AR 95-20, Army Airworthiness Authority, and/or FAA standards.
Comply with AR 95-20 for all contractor flight and ground operations.

33-9. Figures and Tables.

Not Applicable.

33-10. Checklists and Forms.

See Figures/Tables Checklists/Forms

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

33-5. Prior to flying near facilities with operational control towers, SUAS crewmembers must coordinate with _____.

the FAA

airport/airfield managers

airfield operators

USACE KOs or CORs

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 33-8.

33-8. General Requirements.

a.  Coordinate all SUAS operations through the USACE HQ Aviation Program Office and follow APL 95-1-1 requirements.  (33-8.a)

b.  Authorizations. (33-8.b)

(1)  SUAS crewmembers must coordinate with the airport/airfield manager before flying near an airport/airfield with an operational control tower.

(2)  Airspace authorization is needed for controlled airspace (that is, Class B, C, D, E).  Authorization must be coordinated through USACE HQ Aviation and granted by a COA from the FAA.  Class B, C, D, and E airspace are controlled airspace needing additional authorization and clearance to access.

(3)  Coordinate flights within restricted areas on DoD lands through the installation's Range Control activity.

c.  Prohibitions. (33-8.c)

(1)  Only c-compliant aircraft and Defense Innovation Unit Blue Cleared-List aircraft with an Authorization to Operate are authorized to fly with an approved mission packet.

(2)  USACE employees and contractors supporting USACE projects are prohibited from purposefully collecting information, personal data, or images of private citizens that is outside of the mission parameters (see APL 95-1-1, section 11).

(3)  Prolonged or hovering flight over people is not permitted.  Transient flight (that is, traffic patterns) is acceptable (see APL 95-1-1).

d.  Contractor Missions.  (33-8.d)

(1)  FOAs must work closely with USACE HQ Aviation for all new aviation contracts to determine its status as a Public or Civil Aircraft Operation (CAO).

(2)  A Public Aircraft Operation (PAO) is a flight activity which meets the qualifications for public aircraft status in 49 USC 40125.  All crewed and uncrewed aviation contracts for inherently governmental functions using Government owned aircraft, or contractor owned aircraft under purview of the Army Airworthiness Authority, must be examined by HQ USACE Aviation to determine the appropriate level of surveillance according to AR 95-20.

(3)  Federal, DoD, and Army Regulations require USACE to maintain surveillance of contractor-supported and contractor-pure PAOs (see APL 95-1-1, section 14).

(4)  A CAO is a flight activity which does not meet the qualifications for public aircraft status in 49 USC 40125.  The contractor maintains responsibility for all aspects of the flight activity and verifies compliance with USACE and Army cybersecurity in APL 95-1-1. CAO flights must be conducted according to required federal, state, and local requirements for SUAS flights, and under the supervision of a USACE-TA per APL 95-1-1.  Contractor flights are not permitted without prior written approval (signed paper copy, e-mail, or text message) by the TA.

(5)  Third party operations on or near USACE projects introduce potential for loss of information protection and security regarding Army activities.  Third party SUAS operations conducted for commercial purposes must have District Commander/Lab Director approval according to 36 CFR 327.  (See APL 95-1-1, section 14)

Note.  The TA must e-mail HQAviation@usace.army.mil with the data from the contractor notification and submit a close-out report after the flight(s).  If the flight is cancelled or delayed, the close-out report is still required to notify USACE HQ Aviation per APL 95-1-1.

e.  USACE Missions.  (33-8.e)

(1)  SUACs Physically Capable.  SUACs are prohibited from performing crewmember duties without first ensuring they are physically capable.  ATPMs must ensure all SUACs complete and sign the ENG Form 6150 (Small UAS Operator - Health Self-Assessment Tool) (see para 33-10.b) annually.  As a part of the Operational Risk Management process, SUACs must review their medical requirements prior to each mission. See APL 95-1-1 (and FAA-H-8083-2) for information on aviation personnel medical requirements.

(2)  All SUAS Mission Planning Procedures.  SUAS missions must be planned, approved, executed, and debriefed utilizing MARS according to (and currently only available in) APL 95-1-1.

f.  Crewed Aircraft.  (33-8.f)

(1)  All PAO contract pilots must meet the qualification, evaluation, and currency requirements of AR 95-20.

(2)  All contractor-owned aircraft must be registered and equipped according to the requirements of AR 95-20, Army Airworthiness Authority, and/or FAA-issued Air Worthiness Certificate, as required.

(3)  All contractor flight and ground operations must follow the requirements of AR 95-20.