What does the FAA grant a Certificate of Waiver for concerning flight operations?

The FAA grants a Certificate of Waiver for specific flight operations that do not comply with current regulations, allowing operators to conduct activities under conditions or situations typically restricted by the rules. One significant area in which the FAA issues these waivers is for operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) at night and flying over people or spectators.

Night operations are generally prohibited unless proper mitigations are in place, such as utilizing specific lighting requirements. Similarly, operating over people poses additional risks, leading to stringent regulations for UAS operations. By granting a waiver, the FAA acknowledges that with the right safety protocols and operational precautions, these flights can be conducted safely, thus enabling advancements in UAS utilization for various applications.

In contrast, flying during inclement weather typically falls under standard safety guidelines rather than requiring a waiver, and using non-approved aircraft or conducting research flights is subject to their specific regulations rather than waivers.