Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

The FAA has&nbsp;granted&nbsp;a request from UPS Flight Forward to allow it to conduct drone delivery flights under an exemption from Part 135 rules. The decision could set a significant precedent for an industry that expects to scale up operations at such a pace that it will struggle to recruit suitably trained personnel. The bottom line from the&nbsp;decision, which was relayed to the company on April 27, is that remote pilots in command (RPIC)&nbsp;who lack commercial pilot certificates can operate UPS's small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
In a detailed summary granting a petition filed in September 2020, Robert Carty, deputy executive director of the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, explained the basis for the ruling to UPS Flight Forward’s operations director Eric Bergeson. The 20-page document details the basis for the decision, which is mainly founded on the training program that UPS has put in place for its RPICs.
The FAA’s careful assessment of that&nbsp;program, which is specific to the UAS in the UPS fleet and the nature of the operations, could provide useful clues for other drone delivery operators looking to take a similar approach. The agency concludes that it will require UPS’s drone pilots to be certified under the Part 107 rules covering small UAS and to complete an FAA-approved air carrier training program that&nbsp;“provides operational specific and aircraft specific training.” The exemption is limited to the Matternet M2 v9 drone that UPS Flight Forward is operating.
While the FAA ruling relates specifically to UPS’s request for an exemption, it provides insights into the agency’s attitude toward&nbsp;the case for flexibility. It may also give some pointers as to how future&nbsp;remotely piloted passenger aircraft operations might be considered, although nothing in the document alludes to this scenario.
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Charles Alcock

FAA Allows Exemption Over Part 135 Training Requirements for UPS Flight Forward Drone Pilots

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