COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The holiday season is upon us again, and personal unmanned aircraft systems (drones, quadcopters, model aircraft, etc.) are once again popular gifts.
Over the last few years, UAS sales continue to rise and unfortunately, so has the probability of a UAS encounter with a manned aircraft. When used around airports or military installations, these drones can cause severe damage, and can be potentially deadly to aircrew and passengers.
All UAS flight operations, including public, civil and model aircraft, are prohibited in the airspace over select national security sensitive facilities, including Columbus Air Force Base and the Columbus Auxiliary Field near Shuqualak, Mississippi, from the surface to 400 feet above the ground in accordance with UAS Notice to Airmen Flight Designated Center policy, NOTAM FDC 7/7282.
Additionally, all recreational UAS operators must contact the airport operator and air traffic control tower prior to operating their UAS weighing more than 0.55 pounds within five statute miles of an airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration is the federal enforcing agency for drone usage nationwide. Anyone interested in flying UAS anywhere in the United States should consult the FAA rules and regulations at www.faa.gov/uas. Operators should also download the FAA’s free mobile app “B4UFLY” that will show your current location and a restricted circle 5 miles around every nearby airport.
To ensure safe flying operations in the airspace around Columbus AFB and Columbus Auxiliary Field, base officials are asking all UAS operators to become knowledgeable and practice good general operating rules required to fly a UAS in the National Airspace System.
Commercial operators wanting to fly in Columbus AFB’s class C or E airspace should request a Certificate of Authorization from the FAA. That request will be evaluated by Columbus AFB’s Airspace Management office and should satisfy all requirements to contact Columbus.
To request a waiver, visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver.
Columbus aircraft also fly along “low level” military training routes almost every day. These routes cover a large portion of central to northern Mississippi and Alabama and are flown at 500 feet above the ground or higher. If you are operating a drone/UAS under these routes, please use extreme caution not to exceed 400 feet above the ground unless previously coordinated through the COA process.
Additionally, we would appreciate knowing about operations beneath the low levels in order for our aircrews to be extra cautious in the area you are also operating.
Columbus AFB policy prohibits UAS operations anywhere on base, including athletic fields and housing areas. The only exception is on non-flying days base-assigned personnel may operate a UAS in the SAC Lake recreational area or on the SAC ramp after receiving local base training. For more information about UAS activity near Columbus AFB, contact Columbus AFB Public Affairs at 434-7068 or via email at Columbus.Drone.UAS.Request@us.af.mil.