UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 179; Flight Crew Total 7138; Flight Crew Type 4
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure; Airspace Structure
I was operating my drone under part 107 during an aerial photography mission. On initial setup I checked the FAA B4UFLY app and noticed that the area I was currently in was restricted. Once I checked under the reasons why it informed me that it was due to Alert Area A-231. I then checked my terminal area chart on Foreflight to see what the restrictions were for A-231 and found out that it was from 500 AGL to 6500 MSL. The operation I intended to perform was only going to be up to 100 AGL and I quickly glanced to make sure I was not in conflict with any other airspace and under the B shelf. Having done most of my flight training in Phoenix I felt that I was certain that it was acceptable to operate my drone. After no conflicts and completing the flight; then proceeded to another property located a street over. Again I was prompted that flight was restricted due to A-231; again I continued to proceed cautiously. After performing 3 operations all within the same area I stopped for the day. Later that evening it bothered me that I didn't understand why I was getting a restricted message and I looked at the terminal chart once again. I then noticed that next to the A-231 boundary there is an SATR (Special Air Traffic Rules) starting at the surface and up to 4000. The SATR states that all aircraft need to establish two-way communication with and maintain communication with LUKE APP while operating in the airspace. It is then; that I realized that I may have been in conflict with this SATR and right on the border of the defining limits. My previous flight experience in the area lead me into a trap of not checking the airspace as closely as I should have because the SATR is new since I last operated flights in the area. Going further; I need to pay extra caution to all available information including the B4UFLY app to avoid any further conflicts.
A UAS pilot operating near LUF realized he was flying in Alert Area A-231; but thought it was legal below 500 feet. He later discovered he may have been operating in the Special Air Traffic Rules Area within A-231 which requires prior communication with ATC.