System Licensing Guidance for FPV Flight
The April issue of MA was focused on the FPV and small UAS community, its growing popularity, and the myriad systems available to the public. These systems often consist of different transmitters and receivers for not only control of the flying platform but also the onboard telemetry and video downlink equipment.
There have been many articles written discussing the new requirements—legal and otherwise—involved with operating this new equipment. I have been fielding calls and emails from members asking their questions pertaining to the legality of the equipment and themselves.
Although most of the higher-end, higher-power equipment will obviously require more knowledge and licensing, some will still be legal under the normal FCC Part 15 regulations. We have written a statement pertaining to these legal questions and it is available to all on the AMA website in the documents section, Document 580.
I’ve included the document for your review.
System Licensing Guidance for FPV Flight
Radio Controlled (RC) model aircraft must use frequencies approved by the FCC for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals to control the model aircraft’s flight path in the National Airspace (NAS). If the model aircraft utilizes an FPV system to transmit video signals/images from an onboard camera to a ground-based receiver, the transmission frequency used must also be approved by the FCC.
If, out of the box, your RC or FPV system has an FCC sticker stating that it meets Part 15, then you can legally use the system without an amateur (Technician) FCC license. If you modify that system in any way—or your system doesn’t have a Part 15 sticker—then you will be required to carry an amateur FCC license.
Part 15 of the FCC code pertains to “out of the box low power output units that must not interfere with other systems and must accept all interference.” The units are certified as stand-alone systems and all components of that system are certified together, meaning that any modification including attachments, cords, internal components, and associated batteries must conform to, and be of the same specification as, the original unit. Otherwise it is considered “modified” and no longer certified, and the user must hold at least an amateur Technician license from the FCC.
AMA’s position and guidance to its members is that all equipment must be FCC certified where required. The responsibility of confirming to FCC certification is up to the owner/user of that equipment. The certification requirement is mandated by federal regulation and falls under the FCC’s jurisdiction of the FCC. As such, AMA leaves enforcement of the regulation to the federal government.
Recreational FPV operations conducted by AMA members are covered by AMA’s liability insurance program. The final decision on coverage and paid damages is determined by a third-party administrator based upon the details of the incident and terms and conditions of the appropriate policy.
Below is a link to the FCC website where model aircraft pilots/operators using RC or FPV transmission frequencies requiring an FCC Technician License can apply: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing_2&id=amateur.
Note: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all radio transmissions in the US. Using some radio control and/or video downlink equipment will require an Amateur Radio license. It is the operator’s responsibility to determine if a license is required from the FCC in order to operate on the frequencies and at the power levels being used.
