Unmanned Aircraft Systems

A UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle, while an unmanned aerial system (UAS) refers to the aircraft, the ground control, and the communications units.  The word drone is the most popular synonym for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS). UAV and UAS are common terms, however, the term UAS has emerged as a replacement for UAV and drone.

The program anticipates using the DJI Avata, DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Matrice 30.

The initial cost to acquire the necessary equipment and provide introductory training for pilots is estimated at approximately $300,000. Recurring costs are estimated at approximately $100,000 annually. 

All deployments of UAS will require supervisory approval. However, the UAS pilot is responsible for selecting a deployment method that minimizes the risk of injury to the public, public safety personnel, and suspects, and for subsequently executing that method in a safe and appropriate manner.

UAS will be stored in a climate-controlled, secure, and central location. Only authorized UAS Program members will have access to the equipment.  Additionally, within the storage location, each aircraft will be secured in a protected case with a lock preventing unauthorized access. 

UAS manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations and will train UAS Program members on basic maintenance.  UAS Program members would follow these recommendations and would also thoroughly document all maintenance activities for the aircraft. The physical aircraft requires little maintenance unless a collision is experienced. In that event, the UAS pilot would ground the aircraft and return it for maintenance, which is typically covered under a maintenance program.

The Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff's Office and Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management would be authorized to fly for approved public safety purposes only. 

The FAA will only authorize the UAS Program to fly in one of two conditions due to the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) around the United States Capitol: Certificate of Authorization (COA) or Part 107.  The majority of departments in the region with established UAS Programs currently operate under both.  A COA combined with Part 107 is currently how Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the George Mason University Police Department are flying. The Arlington UAS Program will require all program members to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) from the FAA under the Small UAS Rule (Part 107), along with a COA that will be requested by Arlington County.  

A Certificate of Authorization (COA) is issued by the FAA to a public operator for a specific UAS activity. Prior to issuing a COA, the FAA conducts a comprehensive operational and technical review of the proposed UAS activity. If necessary, provisions or limitations may be imposed as part of the approval to ensure the UAS can operate safely with other airspace users. 

Since the entirety of Arlington County falls within the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) around the United States Capitol, UAS pilots must contact the FAA to obtain their approval prior to any outdoor flight. 

The spinning propellers on a UAS do generate noise, but at a significantly lower amount than airplanes and helicopters.  A typical UAS generates 70-80 decibels of sound, which is roughly equivalent to a washing machine.  There are no limits set by the FAA regarding noise or flight time, though both of those concerns are minimized by the small size and limited battery capacity of most UAS platforms.