FAR 101 Resources

Key

• MSL - Feet above Mean Sea Level
• AGL - Feet above Ground Level
• NM - Nautical Miles

Filing a Request for an FAA Waiver (COA)

Part 101 Applications for an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) are handled by the three FAA Service Centers.

In the Western Service Center

The Operations Support Group (WSC/OSG) includes the airspace of these ARTCCsAir Route Traffic Control Centers, and the TRACONsTerminal Radar Approach Control Facilities and Towers beneath:

ZLA/Los Angeles, ZOA/Oakland, ZSE/Seattle, ZLC/Salt Lake, ZDV/Denver, and ZAN/Anchorage.

email - 9-ato-wsa-osg-part101@faa.gov

In the Central Service Center

The Operations Support Group (CSC/OSG) includes the airspace of these ARTCCsAir Route Traffic Control Centers, and the TRACONsTerminal Radar Approach Control Facilities and Towers beneath:

ZAB/Albuquerque, ZHU/Houston, ZFW/Ft. Worth, ZKC/Kansas City, ZMP/Minneapolis, ZAU/Chicago, ZOB/Cleveland, and ZID/Indianapolis).

email - 9-AJO-CSA-Part101@faa.gov

In the Eastern Service Center

The Operations Support Group (ESC/OSG), it includes the airspace of these ARTCCsAir Route Traffic Control Centers, and the TRACONsTerminal Radar Approach Control Facilities and Towers beneath:

ZMA/Miami, ZJX/Jacksonville, ZTL/Atlanta, ZME/Memphis, ZDC/Washington D.C., ZNY/New York, and ZBW/Boston

email - 9-ATO-ESA-OSG-AirspaceWaiver@faa.gov

AHA!

The FAA Office of Commercial Space (AST) get involved to write-up an aircraft hazard area (AHA) when:

• ANY Class (I, II, or III), amateur rocket requests to go to 18,000 feet MSL or higher…..and/or……
• the request is for Class III amateur rockets, regardless of altitude.

That is why you see a few of our COAs approved for a maximum altitude of 17,999 feet MSL (that keeps them BELOW the threshold that necessitates the AST Office getting involved). When the AST Office gets involved, they generally need from 6 to 10 weeks to produce their “AHA”.

So, in summary, the FAA AST Office needs to write an “AHA” if Class III amateur rockets are used at ANY altitude…..and/or…..the maximum requested altitude is 18,000 feet MSL or higher, REGARDLESS of Class of amateur rocket. Add an extra 6 to 10 weeks for a request, if the AST needs to get involved.

Also, a rule of thumb: the further West, and more deserted the airspace, INCREASES the chance of being approved for high altitude requests (18,000 feet or higher). Very few requests in the Eastern Service Center area of responsibility (AOR), are approved for altitudes of 18,000 feet or higher, because of the complexity and congestion of their airspace. A few might be approved, but not many. It is quite different to request a COA for the middle of the 4 corners area where NM, CO, UT, and AZ meet vs. a request in the suburbs of DFW or ORD!

References

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Domestic Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC)
• Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON)
• Instructions for the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA)
• Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (Form FAA 7711-2)