DOT: Commercial UAS Must Apply for Air-taxi Exemption

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) gave notice in the April 30, 2018 Federal Register that companies that intend to use UAS to deliver goods for compensation must first register as air-taxi operators and obtain a certificate of exemption—from air carrier certification requirements for public convenience and necessity—from the department as required by air-taxi operators per 14 CFR Part 298.

According to the notice, the UAS “air carrier” must be a citizen of the U.S. and maintain liability insurance, and the exemption is not available to operators of “large” aircraft. “The [DOT] will consider whether granting the exemption is appropriate based on the specific facts and circumstances of each proposed operation.” Further, the agency noted that simply receiving an exemption “is separate and distinct from any safety authority required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”