DFR COA and other COA Breakthrough
- charles@droneresponders.org
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
To All,
There has been a major breakthrough on DFR and other COAs and is the biggest regulatory waiver change in these waivers since 2016.
They are now called a Certificate of Waiver (COW).
These waivers are now handled strictly through FAA Flight Standards as ATO has already provided language for airspace authorization in the waiver for all classifications of airspace. Which means there is only one place for approvals.
Importance: This streamlines the process with only one review/approval. In the past it would have required both Flight Standards and ATO to review/approve. Previously you would also have to request airspace authorization.
There is a questionnaire form that basically is used to give them your CONOPS. No longer need to send lengthy CONOPS. Additionally, also submit a one or two paragraph CONOPS of the general operation.
The waiver is designed to expedite the approval process. For 200’ and below or within 50’ of highest obstacle ADS-B in, fly under the facility map grids in controlled airspace. For up to 400’, the DAA CMD form must be completed to explain the technology capabilities.
You must also send in the PSO letter to validate that you are a public safety organization. Should be sent on agency letterhead. If this is your first such submission, you should also indicate that you are a political subdivision (city, town, county, state, tribal or territorial) to be eligible to operate as a public aircraft operation (PAO) and provide a Public Declaration Letter (PDL)
No more NOTAMS.
Monthly reports remain but are simplified greatly. Still working on getting this eliminated.
These COWs are approved for 4 years. Agencies who wish to get the 4 years or other new changes are welcome to resubmit through this process.
These forms are sent completed to FAA Flight Standards by email,
9-AVS-AFS-750-91.113Waivers@faa.gov
There is no need to use CAPS or DroneZone for these waivers. The email is the entire submission process.
I have been told this process will now be used for all of the former COAs (blanket, jurisdictional, tactical, obstructed shielding).
The goal is to simplify, accelerate and scale up the approvals. My estimation is that this process will go from 10 months to several weeks.
This is the influence that the nationwide DFR WG has had on this process. I have been meeting regularly with the FAA and twice with the White House within the last two weeks. Additionally industry has been working in concert so our messaging is consistent.
I am working to get an edit enable version of the forms.
DAA Technology Form (if going over 200’)
Sample PSO letter
Questionnaire/Checklist
CONOPS - you must provide a one or two paragraph labeled CONOPS (because it’s requires by regulation), this can be included with the PSO letter
If the agency is applying for its first COA, it must also provide a Public Declaration Letter (PDL) - send a copy regardless and form 7711-2 (still working to get eliminated)