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UAS Airport Operations

AIM ¶ 11-7-1 — UAS Airport Operations

AIM 11-7-1 explains how UAS and sUAS operate at airports, including ATC coordination, DroneZone requests, and case-by-case approval for on-airport flights.

In Plain English

AIM 11-7-1 describes how Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operate at airports. Larger public and civil UAS typically fly from military, civilian, or dual-use airports under established protocols and agreements with local ATC — often operating under IFR.

For small UAS (sUAS), on-airport operations require coordination with multiple stakeholders, depending on the situation:

  • The airport operator
  • The respective air traffic control facility
  • Spectrum (for radio frequency considerations)
  • The FAA Regional Airport District Office
  • The State Department of Aviation, where applicable

Because these operations are complex and risky — they happen near manned aircraft — requests to operate on an airport within controlled airspace must be submitted via the FAA's DroneZone website. The FAA evaluates each request case-by-case, weighing the inherent risks of mixing drones with traditional traffic.

For student pilots, this matters because you may share airport environments with UAS traffic, and understanding the coordination framework helps explain why drone operations near runways aren't spontaneous — they're pre-coordinated with ATC.

AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 11-7-1
11-7-1. 11-7-1. UAS Operations on Airports Larger public and civil UAS operate from military, civilian and dual-use airports with set protocols and agreements with local ATC, often operate under IFR. sUAS operations on airports require coordination with the airport operator and respective air traffic control facility, Spectrum, the FAA Regional Airport District Office, or the State Department of Aviation, where applicable. Due to the complex nature of these operations, requests for on-airport operations within controlled airspace must be submitted via DroneZone for coordination with the air traffic control facility. On-airport operation requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis due to the inherent risks associated with operating in close proximity to areas frequented by manned aircraft. NOTE- The FAA's DroneZone website may be viewed at: https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/ . Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1How are sUAS operations on an airport in controlled airspace coordinated?
Per AIM 11-7-1, requests for on-airport sUAS operations within controlled airspace must be submitted via the FAA's DroneZone website for coordination with the air traffic control facility. Coordination may also involve the airport operator, Spectrum, the FAA Regional Airport District Office, or the State Department of Aviation.
Q2How do larger public and civil UAS typically operate from airports?
Per AIM 11-7-1, larger public and civil UAS operate from military, civilian, and dual-use airports under set protocols and agreements with local ATC, and often operate under IFR.
Q3Why are on-airport UAS operation requests evaluated individually?
Per AIM 11-7-1, on-airport operation requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis because of the inherent risks associated with operating in close proximity to areas frequented by manned aircraft.
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AIM 11-7-1 — UAS Operations on Airports