BVLOS waivers - can having a private pilots license help to get one?

[AMann]

Besides already having a 107 certificate for a few years, would it help to have a private pilot’s license to help in obtaining a BVLOS waiver? I am considering using a VTOL sUAV ulwith my 107 cert for photographing large tracts of open desert and much of it would be difficult to keep up with a drone of any sort, but there are good overlooks one can see everything from along the way. What have others done to get such a waiver?

I’m not thinking about being a commercial pilot, which I would need in order to photograph aerials for work from a plane, but I was thinking having the practical background knowledge of all the regulations and procedures in depth that pilots do would be helpful. Plus, it’d be fun to rent a plane once in a while.

 

[Dave Pitman]

From what I have read, the FAA basically wants to know how your flight will be as safe for manned aircraft, and people and property on the ground, as when you are flying VLOS. Holding a PP certificate will likely make no difference. However, it is fun to rent a plane and fly yourself around regardless!

 

[AMann]

Thanks for your reply Dave, yeah at least I’ll know more of the general aviation regulations. I figured out a great way to be able to rent an airplane, we have a local flying club that owns a Cessna so I’m gonna join them as well. A couple flight instructors also belong to the club so I can get a nice deal on instruction as well. Definitely a fortuitous find, much less expensive than going with regular rentals!

 

[jaja6009]

IMO, no your pilot certificate will not matter in terms of the FAA asking for or you stating in your waiver application.


But as stated, having it will help you to navigate the waiver process with knowledge in FARs.


I know you stated about a VTOL aircraft, but the Matrice 3D with the AVSS Parachute Recovery System is Category 2/3 OOP, and you can operate this aircraft without the Dock 2 and just the normal Enterprise Ground Control Station.

 

[Vic Moss]

The FAA publishes what information they want for waivers. You can find a number of links on the Part 107 Waivers & Airspace Authorizations page.

The most important are:

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers#WSEG

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/107%20WSEGs%20and%20GQs%20-%20%2806-14-2024%29%20-%20%28TOC%29.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers/Part-107-Waiver-Section-Specific-Evaluation-Information.pdf

I have a 2SM BVLOS waiver, but it took about 24 hours of writing, and two RFIs in addition to my application. Lots of work.

 

[AMann]

The FAA publishes what information they want for waivers. You can find a number of links on the Part 107 Waivers & Airspace Authorizations page.

The most important are:

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers#WSEG

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/107%20WSEGs%20and%20GQs%20-%20%2806-14-2024%29%20-%20%28TOC%29.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers/Part-107-Waiver-Section-Specific-Evaluation-Information.pdf

I have a 2SM BVLOS waiver, but it took about 24 hours of writing, and two RFIs in addition to my application. Lots of work.

Thank you for your reply, Vic. For my project it may be easier as it’ll be BVLOS out over the ocean in G airspace. I’m thinking of placing the observers with ocean kayaks along some of the points where it’s going to be running. Trick is, I don’t want to land on a kayak so that’s why the base station and home points would be on land. I’m also working to get an authorization from the state park where we will be working from.