Unmanned aircraft deliveries need groundwork first

DOT outlines exemption procedures for air taxi operators planning commercial drop-offs    The Transportation Department on Monday released a notification on the required procedures to seek an air taxi operator exemption to hold economic authority from DOT for companies proposing to engage in certain air transportation operations with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
   Companies proposing to operate UAS to engage in air transportation, including the delivery of goods for compensation, must first obtain certificate or exemption authority from DOT.
   DOT regulations provide an exemption to air taxi operators from the certificate requirements of 49 U.S.C. 41101, provided that the air carrier is a U.S. citizen, maintains required liability insurance and registers with DOT, among other things.
   Exemption authority isn’t available to carriers operating “large” aircraft.
   For more information on prescribed procedures for seeking air taxi operator exemptions, see DOT’s Federal Register notice published Monday.