The Federal Aviation Administration aims to release an initial batch of facility maps for small unmanned aircraft systems by April 27 in a move to help remote pilots depict areas and altitudes near airports where UAS platforms will be allowed to operate.FAA said Monday the maps are intended to guide drone operators when they apply for Part 107 airspace authorization and help the agency accelerate the application process.
The agency added remote pilots can use the facility maps to align their requests for small UAS operations to with approved locations and altitudes.
FAA expects to issue as many as 200 facility maps on April 27 and said database updates will coincide with the agency’s 56-day aeronautical chart production schedule.
Small drone pilots are still be required to submit airspace authorization applications via the FAA website to gain controlled airspace access.
