App. B (6)OPA / OPA-UAS
FAA Order 8130.34D — OPA / OPA-UAS Operating Limitation B-6
Appendix B · p. B-2
The OPA system may be engaged to permit remote pilot operations during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Order notes
A limitation authorizing IMC operations per FAA Order 8130.2 must also be included in the operating limitations. If IMC operations are not authorized, omit this limitation.
🧭 Guidance & sample wording
Instrument-conditions (IMC/IFR) operations — what the OPA must carry
This limitation permits remote-pilot OPA operations in IMC. As a manned-capable aircraft the OPA must carry the day-VFR, night (if operated at night), AND IFR instruments, all installed, operational, and maintained.
§ 91.205(b) — day-VFR instruments & equipment
- Airspeed indicator
- Altimeter
- Magnetic direction indicator (compass)
- Tachometer for each engine
- Oil pressure gauge for each engine using a pressure system
- Oil temperature gauge for each air-cooled engine
- Temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine
- Manifold pressure gauge for each altitude (supercharged/turbocharged) engine
- Fuel quantity gauge for each fuel tank
- Landing gear position indicator (if retractable gear)
- Approved anticollision light system (small civil airplanes certificated after 3/11/1996)
- Approved safety belts, and an approved shoulder harness for front seats (airplanes made after 7/18/1978)
- Emergency locator transmitter (ELT), if required by
- Approved flotation gear, if operated for hire over water beyond gliding distance from shore
§ 91.205(c) — added for night
- Approved position (navigation) lights
- Approved aviation red or white anticollision light system
- One electric landing light, if operated for hire
- Adequate source of electrical energy for all installed electrical and radio equipment
- One spare set of fuses (or three spare fuses of each kind required) that are accessible, or circuit breakers
§ 91.205(d) — added for IFR
- Two-way radio communication and navigation equipment appropriate to the ground facilities to be used
- Gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator (with the exceptions)
- Slip-skid indicator (ball)
- Sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure
- Clock displaying hours, minutes and seconds with a sweep-second pointer or digital presentation
- Generator or alternator of adequate capacity
- Gyroscopic bank-and-pitch (attitude) indicator
- Gyroscopic direction indicator (heading indicator / directional gyro)
- DME or suitable RNAV at and above FL240 if VOR navigation equipment is required
Inspection currency for IFR (§ 91.411 / § 91.413)
Beyond the equipment, IFR operation requires current inspections: the altimeter and static-pressure system tested within the preceding 24 calendar months per , and the ATC transponder tested per . For a UAS, deviation memo M320-8000.1-F-1806-0607 directs that these inspections be performed by the manufacturer or a certificated entity and recorded as: “This UAS has been inspected and found to meet requirements of and 91.413,” with no statement of airworthiness.
Related CFR
Preparation support, not an FAA determination. The determination and record entry are made by the operator or authorized person; the FAA prescribes the final limitations on the FAA Form 8130-7.
Verify it yourself: the eyeball above opens the exact page of Order 8130.34D with this limitation highlighted.