Following a major wildfire, the FAA establishes a Temporary Flight Restriction under 14 CFR 91.137 over the disaster area to protect emergency responders. A commercial sUAS operator wants to fly within this TFR to capture damage-assessment imagery for an insurance company. What must the operator do?
- ANothing additional is required since 91.137 TFRs apply only to manned aircraft
- BFly at or below 400 feet AGL, since Part 107 altitude limits automatically exempt sUAS from the TFR
- CFile a NOTAM cancellation request since sUAS operations do not interfere with disaster response
- DObtain specific authorization to operate within the TFR, typically coordinated through the responsible agency or the FAA
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Obtain specific authorization to operate within the TFR, typically coordinated through the responsible agency or the FAA
TFRs issued under 91.137 for disaster/hazard areas apply to all aircraft, including sUAS operating under Part 107, and prohibit unauthorized flight within the designated area. Operators wishing to fly within such a TFR must coordinate with and receive specific authorization from the agency responsible for on-scene emergency response or through the FAA, not merely comply with Part 107 altitude rules.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 91.137 TFRs apply to all aircraft operations, including sUAS under Part 107.
- B. Part 107 altitude compliance does not override a TFR restriction; TFRs apply regardless of altitude within their lateral boundaries.
- C. Operators cannot unilaterally cancel a NOTAM; only the issuing authority can do so.
Disaster/Hazard TFR (91.137)
A Temporary Flight Restriction established to protect persons and property during disaster relief operations, applicable to all aircraft including sUAS, requiring specific authorization for entry.
- Applies to manned and unmanned aircraft alike
- Entry requires authorization from the FAA or responsible agency
- Prevents interference with firefighting, search and rescue, or law enforcement
Memory trick: Disaster zones aren't drone zones unless you're cleared in.