FAA Issues Guidance on CBO and FRIA

On Monday, October 24, 2022 the FAA released guidance on establishing a Community Based Organization (CBO) and Federally-recognized Identification Zones (FRIA.). These two items are integral to operating unmanned aircraft systems under 49 USC 44809, the “Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft” and 14 CFR 89, “Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft.” The guidance was released in the form of Advisory Circulars (AC) AC 91-57C which includes information on how to become a CBO while AC 89-3 addresses the requirements to establish a FRIA.

In the opinion of the FAA, all unmanned aircraft operations must be done under the 14 CFR 107 regulation. That is unless the operation complies with all of the elements in the “Exception.” One of the elements is that the operation must be using the safety guidelines of a CBO.

Furthermore, as of September 16, 2023 all unmanned operations must be compliant with “Remote Identification.” This happens in one of three ways. The operator may fly a system that is manufactured and has a Declaration of Compliance. For aircraft produced prior to the rule, they may be equipped with a “broadcast module” that has a DOC. Or the operation can take place within a FRIA.

Mountain West UAS intends to apply for CBO recognition which would then allow us to create a FRIA at the Buena Vista Drone Training Park. This will entail a lot of work and we could use your help! If you are interested to join the CBO/FRIA team, please let us know.