sUAS Regulatory Guidance

Civil Air Patrol operates small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in support of missions such as search and rescue, disaster relief, and homeland security. These operations are governed by a combination of federal, military, and CAP-specific regulations, ensuring the safe and effective use of sUAS within CAP missions. Below is a comprehensive overview of the key regulatory frameworks, guidance documents, and resources that govern CAP's sUAS operations.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations

All CAP sUAS operations must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations to ensure the safety of airspace users. CAP members operating sUAS are expected to follow FAA rules outlined in the following guidance:

FAA Part 107: Governs the operation of sUAS, including requirements for pilot certification, operational limits, and safety protocols.
FAA Advisory Circulars: Provides additional guidance on safe sUAS operations. CAP members should consult these circulars to remain compliant with FAA requirements.
FAA COA Guidance: CAP may operate under a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for missions that do not meet Part 107 operational limits.

Additional FAA guidance and resources can be found under the Related Documents and Links section to the right.

Civil Air Patrol Regulations and Forms

CAP-specific regulations govern the unique operational aspects of sUAS within the organization, including training, mission execution, and safety protocols. These regulations ensure that CAP sUAS pilots meet operational standards and remain compliant with CAP and federal guidelines.

Key CAP Regulations

CAPR 70-4, CAP sUAS Flight Management: This regulation provides policies for managing sUAS operations, covering pilot qualifications, safety measures, and operational limits.
CAPR 35-6, Operations Ratings, Awards, and Badges (Insert): Details awards, badges, and ratings related to sUAS operations, recognizing CAP members for their skills and achievements.
CAPR 60-3, CAP Emergency Services Training and Operational Missions (sUAS Addition): Governs the training and operational guidelines for emergency services missions involving sUAS.
CAPP 70-4, UAS Interagency Operations Guidelines: Provides guidance for CAP's sUAS operations when working with external agencies, ensuring coordination and compliance in joint missions.
CAPF 70-4 CL, CAP sUAS Checklists: Provides pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checklists for sUAS pilots to ensure operational consistency and safety.
Ground Station Pro Manual v2.0: Offers detailed instructions for operating Ground Station Pro software, which is used to manage CAP’s sUAS missions.
Ground Station Pro Video: A step-by-step video tutorial on using the Ground Station Pro software for mission planning and execution.

Key Forms for sUAS Operations

CAPF 5U, sUAS Flight Evaluation: Used to evaluate sUAS pilots during flight evaluations to ensure their performance meets CAP standards.
CAPF 91U, sUAS Mission Pilot Flight Evaluation: Assesses sUAS mission pilots’ proficiency and ability to meet mission-specific requirements during flight evaluations.
CAPF 5Q-U, sUAS Questionnaire: A required knowledge questionnaire for sUAS pilots to confirm their understanding of CAP sUAS operations.
CAPF 99U, sUAS Sortie Flight Release: This form is used to authorize and document the release of sUAS sorties for mission use.
CAPF 109U, Imagery Target Log: Tracks and logs imagery collected during sUAS missions, ensuring accurate data management.
CAPF 70-4R, CAP Risk Management Matrix: Provides a risk management framework for sUAS missions, helping pilots assess and mitigate potential risks during operations.

Department of Defense (DoD) and Military Guidance

For CAP missions that involve national defense support, CAP sUAS pilots must adhere to DoD and military regulations. These regulations ensure that sUAS operations align with military mission objectives and protocols.

DoD Guidance for UAS in Domestic Operations: Outlines the proper use of sUAS in U.S. national airspace for domestic missions, including military support for civil authorities.
USAF sUAS Manual: Governs the operational requirements for sUAS pilots involved in Air Force-related missions. CAP members supporting USAF operations must align with this guidance.
DoD Memoranda: Provide additional mission-specific guidance for the use of sUAS in national defense operations, including search and rescue and disaster response missions.

State and Local Drone Laws

CAP sUAS pilots must comply with state and local laws when conducting missions. These laws may impose additional requirements beyond federal regulations and can vary significantly across states.

State Drone Laws: CAP members should familiarize themselves with the specific drone regulations applicable in the states where they operate, ensuring compliance with local requirements.

Mission-Specific sUAS Guidance

Certain CAP missions, such as counterdrug operations, disaster response, and homeland security, have unique requirements for sUAS operations. These missions often require:

Use of CAP corporate-owned camera and equipment for imagery collection.
Adherence to strict data management protocols, including the secure handling of imagery in compliance with FEMA and DoD regulations.

CAP members are encouraged to follow the specific guidelines associated with each mission type to ensure compliance and operational success.

Additional Resources

For more information on CAP sUAS operations, refer to the Related Documents and Related Links sections on the right.