Unknown. Notice of policy

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--- schema: federal-register doc_type: fedreg source_file: FR-2020-09-18.xml --- 85 182 Friday, September 18, 2020 Contents Agriculture Agriculture Department See Inspector General Office, Agriculture Department NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58331 2020-20637 Antitrust Division Antitrust Division NOTICES Changes Under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act: Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, Inc., 58390 2020-20623 Response to Public Comments:

United States, et al. v. Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. and Dean Foods Co., 58387-58390 2020-20642 Centers Medicare Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services RULES Medicare Program: Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Final Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2021 Rates; Quality Reporting and Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs Requirements for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals, 58432-59107 2020-19637 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities;

Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58360-58362 2020-20561 Civil Rights Civil Rights Commission NOTICES Meetings: Hawai'i Advisory Committee, 58332 2020-20598 Coast Guard Coast Guard RULES Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Shipping; Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendments, 58268-58282 2020-19177 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58378-58379 2020-20652 Commerce Commerce Department See Economic Development Administration See First Responder Network Authority See Foreign-Trade Zones Board See International Trade Administration See National Institute of Standards and Technology See National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration See National Telecommunications and Information Administration See Patent and Trademark Office Committee for Purchase Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled NOTICES Procurement List;

Additions and Deletions, 58343 2020-20601 Consumer Product Consumer Product Safety Commission RULES Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Drain Cover Standard, 58263-58266 2020-18496 Corporation Corporation for National and Community Service NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Civic Engagement and Volunteering: Current Population Survey Supplement; Correction, 58343-58345 2020-20222 Defense Department Defense Department See Navy Department Drug Drug Enforcement Administration NOTICES Bulk Manufacturer of Controlled Substances Application:

Bright Green Corp., 58392 2020-20595 Cambrex High Point, Inc., 58391 2020-20599 Nalas Engineering Services, Inc., 58391-58392 2020-20597 Rhodes Technologies, 58390-58391 2020-20596 Importer of Controlled Substances Application: Fisher Clinical Services, Inc., 58391 2020-20594 Economic Development Economic Development Administration NOTICES Trade Adjustment Assistance; Determinations, 58333 2020-20589 Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Security Administration RULES Pension Benefit Statements:

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Approvals and Promulgations: Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Management Department; Reasonably Available Control Technology State Implementation Plan, 58310-58315 2020-19343 Illinois; Removal of Variance for Illinois Power Holdings and AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen Facilities, 58320-58321 2020-19866 Michigan; Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of the Detroit Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area Plan, 58315-58319 2020-20612 Mississippi; Best Available Retrofit Technology State Implementation Plan and Regional Haze Progress Report, 58319-58320 2020-20555 NOTICES Environmental Impact Statements;

Availability, etc., 58358-58359 2020-20608 Guidance: Amended Environmental Impact Statement Filing System, 58349-58351 2020-20543 Proposed 2020 Financial Capability Assessment for Clean Water Act Obligations, 58352-58358 2020-20649 Public Water System Supervision Program Revision: Utah, 58351-58352 2020-20592 Federal Aviation Federal Aviation Administration RULES Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, 58258-58260 2020-18404 Operating Limitations at New York Laguardia Airport, 58255-58258 2020-18400 Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures:

Miscellaneous Amendments, 58260-58263 2020-20627 2020-20628 Type Certification of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 58251-58255 2020-17882 NOTICES Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Teterboro Airport RNAV

(GPS)RWY 19 Offset Arrival Procedure., 58419 2020-20583 Federal Communications Federal Communications Commission RULES Media Bureau Reorganization, 58295-58297 2020-18502 PROPOSED RULES Review of Rules and Requirements for Priority Services, 59110-59130 2020-17267 NOTICES Meetings: Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States, 58359 2020-20646 Federal Election Federal Election Commission NOTICES Meetings; Sunshine Act, 58359 2020-20685 Federal Emergency Federal Emergency Management Agency RULES Suspension of Community Eligibility, 58294-58295 2020-20030 NOTICES Emergency and Related Determinations: Puerto Rico, 58380 2020-20070 Meetings: Technical Mapping Advisory Council, 58379-58380 2020-20673 Federal Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission PROPOSED RULES Petition for Rulemaking of Bloom Energy Corp., 58300 2020-20590 NOTICES Combined Filings, 58348-58349 2020-20618 Initial Market-Based Rate Filings Including Requests for Blanket Section 204 Authorizations: 64NB 8me, LLC, 58348 2020-20616 91MC 8me, LLC, 58349 2020-20617 Federal Highway Federal Highway Administration NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; 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Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Assessment of Terms and Phrases Commonly Used in Prescription Drug Promotion, 58362-58366 2020-20621 Medical Conference Attendees' Observations about Prescription Drug Promotion, 58366-58370 2020-20614 Survey of Drug Product Manufacturing, Processing, and Packing Facilities, 58370-58372 2020-20619 Foreign Assets Foreign Assets Control Office NOTICES Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties, 58427-58428 2020-20638 2020-20639 Foreign Trade Foreign-Trade Zones Board NOTICES Approval of Subzone Status: Signature Express Transport, LLC Fairfield, AL, 58333 2020-20648 Geological Geological Survey NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Did You Feel It; Earthquake Questionnaire, 58383-58384 2020-20630 Health and Human Health and Human Services Department See Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services See Food and Drug Administration See National Institutes of Health See Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Homeland Homeland Security Department See Coast Guard See Federal Emergency Management Agency See U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Inspector General Agriculture Inspector General Office, Agriculture Department NOTICES Succession, Delegations of Authority, and Signature Authorities, 58331-58332 2020-20522 Institute of Museum and Library Services Institute of Museum and Library Services NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Museums for All, 58400 2020-20640 Interior Interior Department See Geological Survey Internal Revenue Internal Revenue Service RULES Rehabilitation Credit Allocated Over a 5-Year Period, 58266-58268 2020-20671 PROPOSED RULES Certain Medical Care Arrangements; Hearing, 58307 2020-20326 Small Business Taxpayer Exceptions; Correction, 58307-58308 2020-20606 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58428 2020-20674 International Trade Adm International Trade Administration NOTICES Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Glass Containers From the People's Republic of China, 58333-58338 2020-20644 International Trade Com International Trade Commission NOTICES Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Large Vertical Shaft Engines From China, 58384-58385 2020-20633 Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Chassis and Subassemblies From China, 58386 2020-20593 Methionine From France, Japan, and Spain, 58385-58386 2020-20588 Justice Department Justice Department See Antitrust Division See Drug Enforcement Administration Labor Department Labor Department See Employee Benefits Security Administration See Employment and Training Administration See Labor Statistics Bureau See Mine Safety and Health Administration NOTICES Delegation of Authority and Assignment of Responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, 58393-58394 2020-20602 Procedures for Appointment of Individuals to Department of Labor Advisory Committees, 58394-58395 2020-20603 Labor Statistics Labor Statistics Bureau NOTICES Requests for Nominations: Technical Advisory Committee, 58395-58396 2020-20604 Management Management and Budget Office See Federal Procurement Policy Office Maritime Maritime Administration NOTICES Requests for Administrative Waivers of the Coastwise Trade Laws: Vessel ALOHA, 58421 2020-20564 Vessel JAVA, 58423 2020-20565 Vessel VELOCE, 58422 2020-20566 Mine Mine Safety and Health Administration NOTICES Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 58396-58398 2020-20659 National Archives National Archives and Records Administration NOTICES Records Schedules, 58399-58400 2020-20656 National Foundation National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities See Institute of Museum and Library Services National Highway National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NOTICES Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance: Mack Trucks Inc., 58423-58425 2020-20660 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 58425-58427 2020-20661 National Institute National Institute of Standards and Technology NOTICES Draft Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards, Release 4.0, 58338-58339 2020-20587 National Institute National Institutes of Health NOTICES Meetings: Center for Scientific Review, 58372-58375 2020-20578 2020-20585 2020-20672 National Eye Institute, 58373-58374, 58376 2020-20574 2020-20577 2020-20580 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 58373, 58375 2020-20576 2020-20582 National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 58372-58373, 58377 2020-20579 2020-20586 National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 58374, 58376-58377 2020-20575 2020-20581 Office of the Director, 58375-58376 2020-20669 National Oceanic National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RULES Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 58298 2020-20668 International Fisheries: Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Procedures for the Active and Inactive Vessel Register, 58297-58298 2020-20610 PROPOSED RULES Commerce Trusted Trader Program; Withdrawal, 58321-58322 2020-19506 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 58322-58330 2020-20571 NOTICES Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 58339-58340 2020-20636 Meetings: New England Fishery Management Council, 58339 2020-20549 Permit Application: Marine Mammals; File No. 23447, 58340-58341 2020-20563 National Science National Science Foundation NOTICES Antarctic Conservation Act Permits, 58401 2020-20553 2020-20554 Meetings: Advisory Committee for Geosciences, 58400-58401 2020-20663 National Telecommunications National Telecommunications and Information Administration NOTICES Meetings: Combined Board and Board Committees, 58342-58343 2020-20613 Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Members, 58341-58342 2020-20670 Navy Navy Department NOTICES Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Submarine Dry Dock and Waterfront Production Facility at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Oahu, HI, and To Announce the Public Scoping Meeting; Correction, 58345-58346 2020-20645 Nuclear Regulatory Nuclear Regulatory Commission NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Nuclear Materials Relief Requests, 58402-58403 2020-20651 Meetings; Sunshine Act, 58401-58402 2020-20791 Patent Patent and Trademark Office RULES Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2020; Correction, 58282-58283 2020-20634 Peace Peace Corps NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58403-58404 2020-20695 Presidential Documents Presidential Documents PROCLAMATIONS Marine Scientific Research, U.S.; Revised Policy (Proc. 10071), 59163-59166 2020-20847 Special Observances: Patriot Day (Proc. 10072), 59167-59168 2020-20855 EXECUTIVE ORDERS Health and Medical Care: Prescription Drug Prices; Reduction Efforts (EO 13947), 59169-59172 2020-20887 Securities Securities and Exchange Commission NOTICES Application: GSO Asset Management LLC, Blackstone Private Credit Fund, 58413-58415 2020-20562 Meetings: Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory, 58404 2020-20620 Meetings; Sunshine Act, 58411-58412 2020-20792 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., 58404-58410 2020-20615 ICE Clear Europe Ltd., 58412-58413 2020-20569 Nasdaq BX, Inc., 58415-58418 2020-20568 NYSE Chicago, Inc., 58410-58411 2020-20570 Substance Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58377-58378 2020-20556 Surface Transportation Surface Transportation Board NOTICES Exemption: Abandonment; Norfolk Southern Railway Co.; City of Clifton, Passaic County, NJ, 58418-58419 2020-20629 Transportation Department Transportation Department See Federal Aviation Administration See Federal Highway Administration See Federal Railroad Administration See Maritime Administration See National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Treasury Treasury Department See Foreign Assets Control Office See Internal Revenue Service See United States Mint PROPOSED RULES Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States Case Management System Privacy Act: Proposed Implementation, 58308-58310 2020-19586 U.S. Citizenship U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 58380-58381 2020-20558 Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, 58381-58382 2020-20559 Sponsor Deeming and Agency Reimbursement, 58382-58383 2020-20557 U.S. Mint United States Mint NOTICES Pricing for Bronze Medals and Bronze Medal Presentation Cases, 58428 2020-20584 Veteran Affairs Veterans Affairs Department NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Chapter 31 Request for Assistance, 58428-58429 2020-20650 Separate Parts In This Issue Part II Health and Human Services Department, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 58432-59107 2020-19637 Part III Federal Communications Commission, 59110-59130 2020-17267 Part IV Labor Department, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 59132-59161 2020-17476 Part V Presidential Documents, 59163-59168 2020-20847 2020-20855 Part VI Presidential Documents, 59169-59172 2020-20887 Reader Aids Consult the Reader Aids section at the end of this issue for phone numbers, online resources, finding aids, and notice of recently enacted public laws. To subscribe to the Federal Register Table of Contents electronic mailing list, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USGPOOFR/subscriber/new, enter your e-mail address, then follow the instructions to join, leave, or manage your subscription. 85 182 Friday, September 18, 2020 Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 21 [Docket No. FAA-2019-1038] Type Certification of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of policy. SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration announces its policy for the type certification of certain unmanned aircraft systems as a special class of aircraft. DATES: This policy is effective September 18, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Guion, Programs and Procedures Section, AIR-694, Small Airplane Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust St., Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106, telephone

(816)329-4141, facsimile

(816)329-4090. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In 2012, Congress passed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-95). Section 332 of Public Law 112-95 (codified at 49 U.S.C. 44802) directed the FAA to develop a comprehensive plan to safely accelerate the integration of unmanned aircraft systems

(UAS)into the National Airspace System (NAS). As part of that plan, the FAA issued the Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems final rule (81 FR 42064, June 28, 2016), which added 14 CFR part 107 to the FAA's regulations in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). Part 107 sets forth rules for the operation of small UAS 1 that do not require FAA airworthiness certification. Under part 107, operations may not occur over persons, 2 at night, generally above an altitude of 400 feet above ground level, or beyond visual line-of-sight, without a waiver issued by the FAA. UAS weighing 55 pounds or more and small UAS operating outside the limitations imposed by part 107 must receive airworthiness certification, a waiver, or an exemption as appropriate. 1 *See* 14 CFR 107.3. 2 But see the FAA's proposed amendment to part 107 to allow operations of small UAS over people in certain conditions (84 FR 3856, February 13, 2019). The FAA establishes airworthiness criteria and issues type certificates to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44701(a) and 44704. Section 44704 requires the Administrator to find an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance is properly designed and manufactured, performs properly, and meets the regulations and minimum standards prescribed under section 44701(a) before issuing a type certificate for it. 14 CFR part 21 contains the FAA's procedural requirements for airworthiness and type certification. When the FAA promulgated part 21 as part of its recodification to combine and streamline the Civil Air Regulations, it originally required applicants for a type certificate to show that the product met existing airworthiness standards (29 FR 14562, October 24, 1964). Existing airworthiness standards for aircraft and other products, issued as a separate part of the FAA's regulations, are: Normal category airplanes under 14 CFR part 23, transport category airplanes under 14 CFR part 25, normal category rotorcraft under 14 CFR part 27, transport category rotorcraft under 14 CFR part 29, manned free balloons under 14 CFR part 31, aircraft engines under 14 CFR part 33, and propellers under 14 CFR part 35. The FAA subsequently amended part 21 to add procedural requirements for the issuance of type certificates for special classes of aircraft (52 FR 8040, March 13, 1987). In the final rule (amendment 21-60), the FAA explained that it intended the special class category to include, in part, those aircraft that would be eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate but for which certification standards do not exist due to their unique, novel, or unusual design features. The FAA further stated that the “decision to type certificate an aircraft in either the special class aircraft category or under . . . the FAR is entirely dependent upon the aircraft's unique, novel, and/or unusual design features.” (52 FR 8041). Specifically, the final rule (amendment 21-60) revised § 21.17(b) to include the certification procedure for special classes of aircraft. For special classes of aircraft, for which airworthiness standards have not been issued, the applicable airworthiness requirements will be the portions of those existing standards contained in parts 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, and 35 found by the FAA to be appropriate for the aircraft and applicable to a specific type design, or such airworthiness criteria as the FAA may find provide an equivalent level of safety to those parts. An “unmanned aircraft” is an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. See 49 U.S.C. 44801(11); 14 CFR 1.1. Unmanned aircraft include all classes of airplanes, rotorcraft, and powered-lift aircraft. Many UAS elements, while essential for safe operation, are part of the UAS system but are not permanent features of the unmanned aircraft. For example, instead of traditional landing gear with wheels and brakes, many UAS have a launch and recovery system. Additionally, because the pilot is not situated within the aircraft, unique configurations and applications of airframes, powerplants, fuels, and materials are possible and can result in flight characteristics different from those of conventional aircraft. These features specific to UAS are the very unique, novel, and/or unusual features the special class category was designed to accommodate. A notice of policy and request for comments regarding the type certification of certain UAS was published in the **Federal Register** on February 3, 2020 (85 FR 5905). The public comment period for the notice closed on March 4, 2020. The notice proposed that some UAS with no occupants onboard may be type certificated as a special class of aircraft under § 21.17(b). The notice also proposed that for airplane and rotorcraft designs, when appropriate, the FAA may still issue type certificates under § 21.17(a). Discussion of Comments The FAA received 66 comments. The majority of the commenters were individual UAS operators. The remaining commenters included UAS manufacturers, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), the People's Republic of China (PRC), and organizations such as the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Airlines for America (A4A), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), SAE International (SAE), and the Small UAV Coalition. The following summarizes the comments received and the FAA's response. AIA, AOPA, A4A, Amazon Prime Air, the Choctaw Nation, the Commercial Drone Alliance, SAE, and twelve other commenters expressed support for the policy. A. Certification Process An anonymous commenter requested the FAA publish a timeline for the certification process. FAA Order 8110.4C, *Type Certification,* dated March 28, 2007, 3 contains procedures and policy for the type certification of products. This order describes the FAA and applicant responsibilities in establishing a project schedule. The certification timeline for each project will vary significantly depending on the project details, scope, and complexity. Due to these many variables, the FAA is unable to publish a timeline specific to the type certification of UAS that would be widely applicable. 3 You can find this order at *http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices.* An individual requested that the FAA establish a less restrictive process for UAS type certification for first responders and emergency management operators for State agencies and subdivisions. The commenter suggested that because the primary job of emergency responders is public safety, the type certification process was burdensome and unwarranted. Certain FAA civil certification and safety oversight regulations do not apply to public aircraft. Aircraft that do not meet the qualifications for public aircraft status are civil aircraft. 4 UAS operated by government agencies, law enforcement, and State public safety entities may qualify as public aircraft, as defined by statute under 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(41) and 40125. 5 This policy for type certification of certain UAS only applies to civil aircraft. 4 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(16). 5 Title 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(41) provides the definition of “public aircraft” and § 40125 provides the qualifications for public aircraft status. Additional information on public aircraft is provided in Advisory Circular

(AC)00-1.1B, Public Aircraft Operations—Manned and Unmanned. This AC is available at *https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_00-1.1B.pdf.* Aero Systems West requested the FAA provide an accelerated process for small UAS with parachute safety systems installed. The commenter stated that controlling descent rate is the most important contributor to decreasing the probability of human injury during a UAS flight mishap. The FAA disagrees that a different process is appropriate for designs that incorporate a parachute system. While a parachute recovery system may mitigate some risks for a UAS, it is, by itself, unlikely to provide comprehensive mitigation of all potential risks such that an accelerated type certification process would be suitable. Another individual questioned how the public could provide meaningful comments on the particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant when the applicant's proprietary operational and design data are normally withheld by the FAA. Under the process for certification as a special class of aircraft, the FAA will publish a notice for public comment on the particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant. The commenter is correct that the FAA cannot disclose proprietary or confidential design data from manufacturers in these notices because such disclosure is prohibited by the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905 (1979). Instead, the FAA will provide a general description of the product, similar to what will be shown on the type certificate data sheet (TCDS). This is the same process the FAA has followed for the certification of special class aircraft such as gliders, airships, and very light airplanes. The CNO and the CDA requested that the FAA clarify the effect of this policy on other rules. This request was specific to a statement in the proposed policy that the policy would apply only to the procedures for the type certification of UAS and is not intended to establish or impact other FAA rules (operations, pilot certification, or maintenance) regarding UAS. These commenters agreed that a type certificate will not provide a UAS operator with operational authority, but stated the FAA should clarify that the operating limitations in the TCDS will address, and therefore impact, issues such as operations, pilot certification, or maintenance. The FAA agrees that type certification of individual UAS may include operating limitations that impact operations, pilot certification, or maintenance. The purpose of the statement in the proposal was to advise the public that the FAA does not intend for this policy to overrule FAA regulations regarding UAS, particularly other FAA rules outside of part 21. B. Applicability of This Policy An individual and AOPA requested that the FAA exempt model aircraft from this policy, and fifteen individual commenters objected to the policy contending that it would have a negative impact on hobbyists. The CNO and the CDA stated the policy should apply to all UAS regardless of weight. Several commenters requested that the FAA clarify the types of advanced operations, in addition to package delivery, affected by the policy and which UAS may require type certification. This policy addresses the process the FAA will use to establish airworthiness standards for type certification of some UAS with no occupants onboard, when a UAS manufacturer requests type certification. Whether a UAS requires a type certificate depends upon the weight of the UAS, the purpose of the operations, and the particular operating rules under which the UAS is expected to operate. 6 This policy does not apply to UAS that are operated under the exception for limited recreational operations, as they are not required to meet airworthiness requirements or apply for type certification. 7 Small UAS operating under part 107 do not require a type certificate. 8 UAS weighing 55 pounds or more and small UAS operating under the requirements of 14 CFR parts 91 or 135 require either a type certificate, a waiver, an exemption, or a special airworthiness certificate, as appropriate. Package delivery, for example, and other complex operations such as agricultural, inspection, monitoring, infrastructure surveillance, pseudo-satellites, or those involving carriage of other property for compensation or hire may be affected by this policy. 6 Additional information about the rules for each type of UAS user can be found at *https://www.faa.gov/uas/.* 7 See 49 U.S.C. 44809. 8 See 14 CFR 21.1(a). One commenter requested the policy not apply to UAS carrying occupants, as any occupant-carrying UAS should be certificated under the same process as manned aircraft. The FAA agrees. This policy addresses type certification of some UAS with no occupants onboard. AIA requested that the scope of the policy also include optionally piloted aircraft. The commenter stated that optionally piloted aircraft are becoming increasingly possible as technology continues to mature. The FAA disagrees. An optionally piloted aircraft

(OPA)is a manned aircraft that can be flown or controlled by the onboard pilot in command or by another individual from a location not onboard the aircraft. 9 Although the method of controlling the aircraft is optional, in either case the pilot in command always remains onboard the aircraft. Thus, OPA are beyond the scope of this policy because they are not unmanned aircraft as defined by 49 U.S.C. 44801(11) and 14 CFR 1.1. 9 *See* Appendix F of FAA Order 8130.34D, *Airworthiness Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Optionally Piloted Aircraft,* dated September 8, 2017. You can find this order at *http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices.* D. Requests for Changes to the Policy The CNO and the CDA requested that the type certification policy be streamlined, flexible, and account for changing technologies. The commenters stated that the type certification process should take months instead of years and should accommodate innovation. The FAA responds that this policy provides a flexible type certification process that allows particularized airworthiness criteria for each product design. Under this policy, as technologies change and applicants propose innovative and unique type designs, so too may the airworthiness criteria evolve. The FAA further notes that the pace of any certification program is driven by many factors, including the complexity of the project and the applicant's development and testing timelines. Joby Aviation requested the FAA prioritize using existing airworthiness standards under the process in § 21.17(a) when a product closely matches the characteristics of the airplane or rotorcraft class and where special conditions (under § 21.16) can be reasonably used to address differences. The commenter stated the approach of using the flexibility of the special class process in § 21.17(b) makes sense for certain UAS or products where it is not reasonable to apply existing airworthiness standards. The purpose of this policy is to use the flexibility provided in the § 21.17(b) certification process to address the unique configurations and innovative applications of airframes, powerplants, fuels, and materials found in most UAS designs. For unmanned airplane and unmanned rotorcraft designs where the airworthiness standards in part 23 or 27, respectively, are appropriate for the certification basis, the FAA may still issue type certificates under the processes in §§ 21.16 and 21.17(a). The certification path for each individual UAS project will be based on applicability, relevance, appropriateness, and suitability. Joby Aviation also requested that the FAA certificate passenger-carrying UAS under the existing, proven standards in part 23 or part 27, as appropriate to the individual aircraft design, under the process in § 21.17(a). Kilroy Aviation suggested a multi-tiered certification approach for UAS, with a tier for passenger-carrying UAS. These comments are beyond the scope of this policy, which does not apply to UAS that carry occupants. Another commenter requested that the FAA define the certification types, methods, and timeline more thoroughly before issuing this policy. This commenter stated that the widely varying types and uses of UAS make one blanket type of certification ineffective, or even meaningless. The FAA notes that this policy is only a procedural policy for establishing the airworthiness standards for the type certification of some UAS. The notice of proposed policy requesting comments for the type certification of unmanned aircraft systems, which published in the **Federal Register** on February 3, 2020 (85 FR 5905), explained the legislative and regulatory history, background, and the FAA's reasons for type certificating certain UAS as a special class of aircraft under § 21.17(b). The purpose of this policy is to provide a flexible process until generally applicable UAS airworthiness standards are identified and established. Under the process for certification as a special class of aircraft, the FAA will publish a notice seeking public comment on the particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant. The particularized airworthiness criteria will not become final until the FAA considers any public comments and publishes the airworthiness criteria as the certification basis for the applicant's design. The PRC requested that the FAA's policy use the three UAS categories (open, specific, and certified) proposed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) and issued by the European Union. 10 This commenter also requested that the FAA timely inform international aviation partners of its UAS type certification standards. The FAA notes that this policy is only a procedural policy for establishing airworthiness standards for the type certification of certain UAS. If the FAA determines it appropriate, as UAS technology develops and generally applicable standards are identified, the FAA may establish standards through rulemaking. During those activities, the FAA would further evaluate the UAS categories established by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency

(EASA)and the diversity of UAS designs to help inform future agency action. The FAA will continue its collaboration with international partners in government and industry on UAS certification requirements. 10 *https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/40525/delegated-act_drones.pdf.* Kilroy Aviation, the CNO, and the CDA commented on FAA resources for UAS certification projects. The CNO and the CDA requested the FAA allocate sufficient personnel to support the exponential increase in UAS certification projects. Kilroy Aviation requested the FAA delegate UAS compliance findings to designees. The FAA is committed to the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the NAS, and type certification of UAS is an important step in that process. The FAA will continue to assess its resources and make any necessary adjustments to process certification projects of UAS and other aircraft. However, comments regarding the delegation of UAS certification findings to designees are beyond the scope of this policy. One commenter requested the policy prohibit UAS manufacturers from self-certifying their designs. This comment is beyond the scope of this policy. This policy outlines only the process for how the FAA will establish airworthiness standards for the type certification of certain UAS. FAA Order 8110.4C contains procedures and policy for the type certification of products, including how an applicant for a type certificate demonstrates compliance. The CNO and the CDA requested the FAA ensure early and frequent coordination among FAA offices. These commenters stated that inter-office coordination between those responsible for issuing the type certificate and those responsible for issuing operational authority was critical, so that applicants have the authority to operate the UAS when its type certificate is issued. The FAA agrees. A type certificate is a design approval and only one of several requirements (airworthiness, pilot certification, registration, air traffic control authorization, air carrier certification, etc.) that must be met for an aircraft to operate in the NAS. The FAA established the UAS Integration Office to facilitate coordination amongst FAA offices on UAS activities. ALPA requested the FAA limit the duration of the policy to not more than two years, as the process should only be interim until the FAA develops certification regulations specifically designed for UAS. The FAA does not agree. At this time, it is not possible to foresee when generally applicable airworthiness standards for UAS would be established or what form they may take. The FAA may supersede this policy at any time by issuing generally applicable standards through rulemaking. An individual requested the policy define unmanned aircraft using consistent taxonomy. This commenter noted that many common UAS designs are not easy to categorize as an airplane, rotorcraft, or hybrid lift. This commenter also requested that the policy define the term “unmanned aircraft system,” as that term is not defined in 14 CFR 1.1. The FAA agrees that UAS designs are diverse. However, this policy only addresses the process for how the FAA will establish airworthiness standards for the type certification of certain UAS as a special class. Although there is no corresponding definition in 14 CFR part 1, the term “unmanned aircraft system” is defined by statute at 49 U.S.C. 44801(12) as an unmanned aircraft and its associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the NAS. 11 11 *See also* 14 CFR 107.3. E. Airworthiness Criteria for UAS ALPA, the CNO, the CDA, NAAA, Wing Aviation LLC (Wing Aviation), Kilroy Aviation, Valqari LLC, and six individual commenters requested the FAA adopt specific airworthiness criteria for UAS. These criteria included subjects such as weather, collision avoidance, marking and coloring, strobe lighting, system safety assessments, payload, weight, software, propeller shrouds and other safety equipment, noise, batteries, public safety, and control stations. Kilroy Aviation requested the FAA consider using the certification criteria for “small category VTOL aircraft” adopted by EASA. Amazon Prime Air requested that, while the FAA uses the process under § 21.17(b) for type certification, the agency also form a working group to evaluate and create new rules for UAS airworthiness standards. These comments are beyond the scope of this policy. This policy outlines only the procedures for how the FAA will establish airworthiness standards for the type certification of certain UAS. The particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant will vary as appropriate and applicable to the specific UAS design. The FAA will announce and seek public comment on the airworthiness criteria for each applicant. The FAA will also continue to work with the public, industry, other civil aviation authorities, and standards development organizations to create and refine standards and policy for UAS. Wing Aviation and other commenters requested the airworthiness criteria for UAS be performance-based. The FAA agrees and anticipates issuing performance-based airworthiness criteria based on each applicant's design when possible. The FAA will announce and seek public comment on these criteria for each applicant. Kilroy Aviation, the CNO, and the CDA requested the FAA harmonize UAS certification standards with EASA and other foreign civil aviation authorities. The FAA agrees that having harmonization and consistency on UAS policy and requirements with foreign authorities is prudent; however, the implementation of this comment is beyond the scope of this policy. F. Operational Rules for UAS The CNO, the CDA, Valqari LLC, and three individual commenters requested the FAA adopt specific criteria and rules for UAS based on operational factors. These factors included beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations (especially in rural areas), designated airspace below 400 feet for agricultural drone use, night operations, and location of the UAS operation. Operational considerations, such as BVLOS and detect and avoid requirements, are beyond the scope of this policy. Several commenters also requested that the policy be risk-based and account for the specific risks encountered by each UAS within its operating environment. The FAA agrees and plans to use a risk-based approach for UAS type certification. The FAA anticipates issuing performance-based airworthiness criteria for each individual applicant's design. For example, some applicants will demonstrate compliance with the criteria by durability and reliability (D&R) testing at a level tailored for the design based on its risk. The D&R testing would result in an acceptable number of successful flight hours, representative of mission cycles to substantiate the overall reliability of the UAS. Several commenters requested that the FAA restrict UAS operations over residential areas and schools and provide protections for citizens' right to privacy. The operational issues raised by these comments are beyond the scope of this policy, which is limited to the process for establishing airworthiness standards for type certification. The CNO, the CDA, and an individual requested that the FAA combine operational authority with the issuance of the type certificate. These commenters suggested that since the airworthiness criteria for each type-certificated UAS will go through the public notice and comment process, that process should include any exemptions from parts 91 and 61 (general operating and flight rules and flight crew certification requirements) necessary to operate. These commenters further suggested that the conditions and limitations typically included in the grant of an exemption could then be incorporated on the TCDS as operating limitations. This policy outlines the process for how the FAA will establish airworthiness standards for the type certification of certain UAS. The process for granting relief from operational and airmen certification rules is addressed in 14 CFR part 11. G. Request for Generally Applicable Standards Kilroy Aviation, the CNO, the CDA, and an individual requested that the FAA issue additional guidance or rulemaking or recognize standards for UAS certification in a timely manner. The FAA is committed to developing the regulations, policy, procedures, guidance material, and training requirements necessary to support the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the NAS. The implementation of these activities is beyond the scope of this policy. H. Comments Regarding Airmen Droneport Texas LLC requested the FAA update remote pilot training requirements and study aids so pilots are aware of the distinctions for type-certificated UAS. This commenter also requested the FAA create specialized training for maintainers, operators, and remote pilots of UAS type certificated as a special class of aircraft. One individual requested the FAA develop different classes of recreational UAS pilots. Another individual requested the FAA create specific aircraft type ratings for remote pilots. However, the airmen training and certification issues raised by these comments are beyond the scope of this policy, which is limited to the process for type certification. I. Requests for the FAA To Withdraw the Policy An anonymous commenter opposed the policy and stated it will stifle innovation, limit recreation, and unnecessarily intrude on personal freedoms. Fifteen individual commenters opposed the policy based on concerns it would overburden hobbyists and negatively impact the model aircraft community. The FAA infers that these commenters would like the FAA to withdraw the policy. This policy will not burden or negatively impact a person conducting limited recreational operations with a small unmanned aircraft under 49 U.S.C. 44809, because type certification is not required for these operations. For other UAS, type certification may be required, depending on the weight of the UAS, the purpose of the operations, and the operating rules to which the UAS is subject. This policy provides a timely and flexible type certification process to ensure that a UAS design complies with appropriate safety standards. J. Requests for an Extension of the Comment Period Two individual commenters requested that the FAA extend the comment period in order to solicit additional input and define additional requirements. These comments noted that the comment period for this notice overlapped with the comment period for the FAA's proposed rulemaking on remote identification of UAS (84 FR 72438, December 31, 2019). The FAA has considered the request and determined that 30 days provided an appropriate time for comment on the proposed policy, as sufficient feedback on the policy was provided by the public during the comment period. K. Comments on Other FAA Rules Some commenters expressed concerns about the FAA's proposed remote identification rule. Other commenters stated opposition to FAA's rules for small UAS in part 107. DJI Technology, Inc., commented on operations and associated waivers under part 107. Because these comments concern FAA rulemakings on other issues, they are outside the scope of this policy. L. Other Out of Scope Comments Two commenters requested the FAA address UAS-related products (3-D printed parts, test benches). DJI Technology, Inc., requested that the FAA revise its regulations to allow American companies to manufacture UAS at facilities outside the United States. An individual commenter requested that the FAA revise 14 CFR 21.25(a)(1) to allow UAS as a special purpose operation for issuance of a restricted category type certificate. These comments are outside the scope of this policy, which specifies a process for establishing airworthiness standards for type certification of certain UAS. The FAA also received and reviewed several comments that were very general, stated the commenter's viewpoint without a suggestion specific to the policy, or did not make a request the FAA can act on. These comments are outside the scope of this policy. Policy The FAA has determined that some UAS may be type certificated as a “special class” of aircraft under § 21.17(b). The FAA will issue type certificates for UAS with no occupants onboard under the process in § 21.17(b). However, the FAA may still issue type certificates under § 21.17(a) for airplane and rotorcraft UAS designs where the airworthiness standards in part 23, 25, 27 or 29, respectively, are appropriate for the certification basis. This policy applies only to the procedures for the type certification of UAS, and is not intended to establish policy impacting other FAA rules pertaining to unmanned aircraft, such as operations, pilot certification, or maintenance. The FAA will seek public comment on the particularized airworthiness criteria for each applicant as certification standards for this new special class evolve. Once generally applicable standards are identified, the FAA may conduct rulemaking. The FAA's part 107 rulemaking on small UAS was only the first step in the FAA's plan to integrate UAS into the NAS. Many long-term activities are required for full integration of present and future UAS operations, which will include the delivery of packages and transportation of people. The UAS affected by this policy will include those used for package delivery. Future FAA activity, through either further policy or rulemaking, will address type certification for UAS carrying occupants. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 11, 2020. Pat Mullen, Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2020-17882 Filed 9-17-20; 8:45 am]

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