In a move to adapt to the evolving landscape of aerial technology, the NYPD has introduced a
groundbreaking addition to the Rules of the City of New York: Chapter 24. This new chapter focuses on
establishing a permitting process for the take-off and landing of unmanned aircraft, including drones. In
this blog post, we’ll explain the sections of Chapter 24, discuss the challenges of unmanned aircraft in
urban spaces, and shine a spotlight on areas that require further consideration (with a particular
emphasis on enhancing Sections Three and Five).
Understanding the Framework: Sections Overview
1. Section One: Defining Key Terms
• Outlines key terms crucial to the permit application process.
2. Section Two: Determining When a Permit is Required
• Clarifies the circumstances under which a drone operator needs to obtain a
permit.
3. Section Three: Application Process and Operational Prerequisites
• Establishes the application process, detailing operational and deployment
prerequisites for drone operators.
4. Section Four: Reasons for Disapproval and Appeal Procedure
• Explores the reasons for disapproval of applications and outlines the appeal
procedure.
5. Section Five: Permit Conditions
• Examines the conditions under which a permit is issued, including FAA
licensing requirements, mishap reporting, and community notification procedures.
6. Section Six: Insurance Requirements
• Details the insurance requirements for drone operators.
7. Section Seven: Fines and Penalties
• Highlights the fines and penalties associated with violations of the drone permitting
process.
The Challenge of Unmanned Aircraft in Urban Spaces: A Professional Aviator’s Perspective
1. To understand the scope and magnitude of what is coming to NYC and other cities
around the USA and the world, consideration must first be given to what is required to fly
a piloted aircraft over and around a city. Then we will delve into the new concept of
flying an unmanned aircraft in and around the towering buildings and skyscrapers that
make up the walls of our metropolis, and how this all pertains to the NYPD permitting
process.
2. Everyday professional aviators, flying small or large aircraft, perform the same steps
every time they go out to fly…or at least they should. They check the weather at their
destination and alternate(s), they figure out how they will depart they airport where they
are located and determine the best route to where they want to go. Then they determine
the best way to arrive into the destination airport. The takeoff and landing performance of
the aircraft must be calculated (take-off/land distance, crosswind limits, fuel used, weight
and balance, etc.). Lastly, a flight plan may need to be filed. To keep this non-technical, I
will simply say there are two different set of rules and guidelines to follow depending on
the weather. If the weather is clear and mostly without clouds or rain, then they can
follow Visual Flight Rules (VFR). If they can’t stay clear of clouds and or visibility is
obstructed, then they must follow Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
3. Fundamentally, VFR and IFR are rules designed to keep aircraft from flying into terrain,
buildings, towers, any obstacle etc., and other aircraft. Under VFR, a pilot can generally
fly anywhere he likes, as long as it’s not in prohibited airspace. If he’s flying over people
or homes, the rule is at least 500 feet above. Again, this is all very generic, sometimes it’s
more restrictive. If flying under IFR, then the pilot must adhere to a much stricter set of
rules, fly higher, fly only on designated routes, and also maintain radio contact at all
times with air traffic control (ATC). Drones flying within NYC create an entirely new
paradigm of flying relatively close to and over the heads of people, without any ATC
coordination. Because this is an entirely new way of employing aircraft near to and
around people and buildings, it is evident to me that a new set of rules should also be
employed…a blend of VFR and IFR rules. The intent is to maintain the safe separation of
people and buildings and drones from each other.