Authorization Letter (LOA) Explained: Functioning and Purpose
The Letter of Authorization (LOA) is a vital document for operators conducting complex commercial drone applications, such as infrastructure inspections near airports. Issued by regulatory authorities like the FAA in the United States, this formal document grants specific operational privileges for drone operations.
To obtain an LOA, operators must submit a detailed request, including flight intent, equipment specifications, and safety procedures. The regulatory authority reviews airspace impact, operator qualifications, and risk mitigation strategies before issuing the LOA.
The LOA outlines the scope, duration, and conditions of the authorization, serving as official legal permission to operate under otherwise prohibited scenarios. It specifies that the drone operations must adhere to specific operational parameters, including altitude limits (100 feet Above Ground Level) and communication requirements.
The LOA is mission-specific and is valid for the duration of the structural inspections. For instance, it permits drone operations near a Class D airport for routine structural inspections between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. However, failure to comply with the conditions outlined in the LOA could result in fines, license suspensions, or legal actions.
LOAs are often mission-specific but may also apply for extended timeframes depending on the use case and operator experience. They are crucial for drone use in complex commercial applications, such as infrastructure inspections, emergency response, and urban delivery.
Required ATC (Air Traffic Control) coordination is necessary before each flight. The LOA process is an extensive regulatory approval procedure requiring detailed submission of operational, safety, and technical documentation, risk assessments, and often ongoing oversight to ensure complex commercial drone operations meet safety and regulatory standards before commencing.
In the U.S., the timeline for receiving an LOA can vary from several days to weeks. The construction company, being a certified drone operator, holding a Part 107 license in the U.S., follows all conditions laid out in the LOA to avoid fines or revocation. LOAs are sometimes used interchangeably or alongside "operational authorization" or "waiver" depending on the country and drone operation type.
[1] Drones Tomorrow. (2021). How to get an FAA waiver for drone flights. Retrieved from https://drones-tomorrow.com/2019/06/05/how-to-get-an-faa-waiver-for-drone-flights/
[2] EuroUSC. (2020). How to get an LOA for drone operations in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.eurousc.com/blog/how-to-get-an-loa-for-drone-operations-in-the-us/
[3] Transport Canada. (2020). Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). Retrieved from https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/sfoc-menu-683.html
[4] FAA. (2020). FAA Part 107. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/regulations_policies/part_107_rules/
Technology plays a significant role in the process of obtaining an LOA for drone operations. This includes the submission of detailed operational, safety, and technical documentation, along with risk assessments, often requiring ongoing oversight to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
In the case of complex commercial drone applications like infrastructure inspections, technology facilitates adherence to specific operational parameters such as altitude limits and communication requirements, as outlined in the LOA.
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