1.1 These practices identify existing regulations, standards, specifications, and handbooks to guide the design, manufacture, test, repair, and maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems and their components.

1.2 ApplicabilityThese practices apply to unmanned, powered, fixed wing aircraft and rotorcraft systems seeking government aviation authority approval in the form of airworthiness certificates, flight permits, or other like documentation. It is intended to be used as a reference by unmanned aircraft system designers and manufacturers, as well as by procurement authorities, to help ensure the airworthiness of these systems.

1.3 These practices provide a starting point for developing a standards-based airworthiness certification package for consideration by regulatory authorities. It lists those top-level standards applicable to the major subsystems and components of an unmanned aircraft system. It assumes that Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-provided subsystems and components, purchased and installed as a unit (for example, Global Positioning Systems), are themselves built to applicable standards that are not necessarily listed in these practices. These practices include standards for technologies that are currently in use in unmanned aircraft, as well as those that are not yet, but could be used in the future (for example, radioisotope thermoelectric generators).

1.4 Suggested changes, corrections, or updates should be forwarded to Committee F38.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.