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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 24. Transportation And Motor Vehicles
Agency 5. Virginia Aviation Board
Chapter 20. Regulations Governing the Licensing and Operation of Airports and Aircraft and Obstructions to Airspace in the Commonwealth of Virginia
12/31/2024

24VAC5-20-410. Definitions for Part VIII, Unmanned Aircraft.

The following words and terms, when used in this part, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Commercial operator" means a person operating a UAS for a commercial purpose in compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

"Emergency response personnel" means the officials and employees of governmental and nongovernmental entities responding to or supporting emergency response operations, including search and rescue, law enforcement, hazardous materials, fires, car crashes, and natural or man-made disasters.

"Locality" or "local government" means a county, city, or town.

"Operator" means the person who is directly responsible for the operation of an unmanned aircraft.

"Property owned" means any real property owned through fee interest, together with all buildings and other structures, facilities, or improvements located on the real property.

"Political subdivision" means (i) a locality, (ii) a school division, or (iii) any park authority, jail authority, or airport authority that has the power to enact or promulgate ordinances or regulations having the force or effect of law.

"Recreational operator" means a person who is operating an unmanned aircraft solely for a recreational purpose and is fully in compliance with 49 USC § 44809.

Statutory Authority

§§ 5.1-2.2 and 5.1-2.15 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 3, eff. October 25, 2023.

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