ASTM F2909-19
(Specification)Standard Specification for Continued Airworthiness of Lightweight Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Standard Specification for Continued Airworthiness of Lightweight Unmanned Aircraft Systems
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the standard practice for the maintenance and continued airworthiness of a lightweight unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
1.2 At a minimum, a UAS is defined as a system composed of the unmanned aircraft and all required subsystems, control station, all required crew members, command and control (C2) links, and any required launch and recovery equipment.
1.3 The intended use for this specification is for civil aviation authority (CAA), self-, or third-party determinations of continued airworthiness for UAS. This specification provides the core requirements for continued airworthiness of lightweight UAS or for certain CAA operational approvals using risk-based categories, or both. Additional requirements are envisioned to address the requirements for expanded operations and characteristics not addressed by this specification.
1.4 This specification is intended to support aircraft developed in accordance with Specifications F2910, F3002, F3005, and F3298.
1.5 This specification is intended to support UAS operations. It is assumed that the risk of UAS will vary based on concept of operations, environment, and other variables. The fact that there are no human beings onboard the UAS may reduce or eliminate some hazards and risks.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F2909 −19
Standard Specification for
Continued Airworthiness of Lightweight Unmanned Aircraft
1
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2909; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification establishes the standard practice for
the maintenance and continued airworthiness of a lightweight
2. Referenced Documents
unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 At a minimum, a UAS is defined as a system composed
F2908 Specification for Unmanned Aircraft Flight Manual
of the unmanned aircraft and all required subsystems, control
(UFM) for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
station, all required crew members, command and control (C2)
F2910 Specification for Design and Construction of a Small
links, and any required launch and recovery equipment.
Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
1.3 The intended use for this specification is for civil
F3002 Specification for Design of the Command and Con-
aviation authority (CAA), self-, or third-party determinations
trolSystemforSmallUnmannedAircraftSystems(sUAS)
of continued airworthiness for UAS. This specification pro-
F3005 Specification for Batteries for Use in Small Un-
vides the core requirements for continued airworthiness of
manned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
lightweight UAS or for certain CAA operational approvals
F3298 Specification for Design, Construction, and Verifica-
using risk-based categories, or both. Additional requirements
tion of Lightweight Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
are envisioned to address the requirements for expanded
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2.2 Federal Standard:
operations and characteristics not addressed by this specifica-
14 CFR Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
tion.
1.4 This specification is intended to support aircraft devel-
3. Terminology
oped in accordance with Specifications F2910, F3002, F3005,
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and F3298.
3.1.1 airframe, n—fuselage, booms, nacelles, cowlings,
1.5 This specification is intended to support UAS opera-
fairings, airfoil surfaces (including rotors, but excluding pro-
tions. It is assumed that the risk of UAS will vary based on
pellers and rotating airfoils of engines), and landing gear of an
concept of operations, environment, and other variables. The
aircraft, and their accessories and controls.
fact that there are no human beings onboard the UAS may
3.1.2 airworthiness, n—condition in which the unmanned
reduce or eliminate some hazards and risks.
aircraft system (UAS) (including the aircraft, airframe, engine,
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
propeller, accessories, appliances, firmware, software, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
control station elements) conforms to its design intent, includ-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing as defined by the type certificate (TC), if applicable, and is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in condition for safe operation.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 civil aviation authority, CAA, n—government regula-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
tory agency that governs aircraft, airmen, and operations.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—In the United States, this is the Federal
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Aviation Administration (FAA).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
UnmannedAircraftSystemsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF38.02 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Flight Operations. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F2909–14. DOI: Available from U.S. Government Publishing Office, 732 N. Capitol St., NW,
10.1520/F2909–19. Washington, DC 20401, http://www.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2909 − 14 F2909 − 19
Standard PracticeSpecification for
Maintenance and Continued Airworthiness of
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SmallLightweight Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2909; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification establishes the standard practice for the maintenance and continued airworthiness of sUAS.
1.2 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.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2908 Specification for Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
F3005 Specification for Batteries for Use in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 command and control (C2) link(s), n—safety-critical radio-frequency (RF) link(s) between ground control station (GCS)
and the small unmanned aircraft (sUA).
3.1.2 flight control system, FCS, n—composed of system components intended to take GCS commands via a C2 link and control
flight control surfaces and propulsion systems.
3.1.3 ground control station, GCS, n—a land- or sea-based control center that provides the facilities for human control of sUA.
3.1.4 manufacturer, n—entity responsible for assembly and integration of components and subsystems to create a safe operating
sUAS.
3.1.5 propulsion system, n—consists of one or more power plants (for example, a combustion engine or an electric motor and,
if used, a propeller or rotor) together with the associated installation of fuel system, control and electrical power supply (for
example, batteries, electronic speed controls, fuel cells, or other energy supply).
3.1.6 shall versus should versus may, v—use of the word “shall” implies that a procedure or statement is mandatory and must
be followed to comply with this standard, “should” implies recommended, and “may” implies optional at the discretion of the
supplier, manufacturer, or operator. Since “shall” statements are requirements, they include sufficient detail needed to define
compliance (for example, threshold values, test methods, oversight, reference to other standards). “Should” statements are provided
as guidance towards the overall goal of improving safety, and could include only subjective statements. “Should” statements also
represent parameters that could be used in safety evaluations, and could lead to development of future requirements. “May”
statements are provided to clarify acceptability of a specific item or practice, and offer options for satisfying requirements.
3.1.7 small unmanned aircraft system, sUAS, n—composed of the small unmanned aircraft (sUA) and all required on-board
subsystems, payload, control station, other required off-board subsystems, any required launch and recovery equipment, and C2
links between the sUA and the control station. For purposes of this standard UAS is synonymous with the ICAO definition of a
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and UA is synonymous with the ICAO definition of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
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This practicespecification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.02 on
Flight Operations.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2014Sept. 1, 2019. Published January 2014October 2019. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F2909–14. DOI: 10.1520/F2909-14.10.1520/F2909–19.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F2909 − 19
3.1.8 supplier, n—any entity engaged in the design and production of components (other than payload if it is not required for
safe operation of the sUAS) used on an sUAS.
3.1.8.1 Discussion—
Wh
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