This is the first of hopefully other podcasts where I talk directly to the FAA and get the facts and information from the source.In this podcast, I talk with John Meehan from the FAA and we talk a deep dive into flight under a COA and investigate the landmines and pitfalls most pilots and departments are not aware of.If you ever wanted to learn more about COAs and flying under a COA, this is the podcast you must listen to.HighlightsWhy the new drone pilot of today is a danger as an accidental aviator.You are a real pilot flying a real aircraft and you have the same responsibilities as every other aircraft pilot flying in the sky.What all-new drone pilots missed and set them up for unlimited liability.Expertise is available if you reach out for it. A lot of local assistance is available.Congress created the rules that COA pilots operate under.The history of COAs.Be careful of COA flights that are not eligible.COA pilots and the named responsible person named in the COA personal liabilities and exposure to being sued personally.The first question the FAA is going to ask in a ramp, accident, or incident check.Your department is a person.A public aircraft crash where people went to jail.What Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) actually means under a COA and why most people are doing it incorrectly.The FAA wants everyone to be able to fly BVLOS.COAs still require a Visual Observer even under a BVLOS flight.Case law is coming. Just because there is no drone legal interpretation of the regulations published yet does not mean flight decisions are not non-compliant with the Federal Aviation Regulations.The surprising facts of accidents that have happened.Why a safety culture change is needed.The liability of anyone in your flight department with a hazardous attitude.The results of recent COA accidents and the findings.Is it even possible for a COA drone to be determined to be airworthy?You are a flight department of one to all pilots.If you have a local public safety manned aircraft department, they are your friend.The limiting factors of regulations but why that can be helpful to you from management.Why volunteer fire departments are not eligible to fly under a COA.How your COA flight can fall outside the rules and drop you into civil aircraft rules.Why COAs are walking into a giant minefield with a bayonet.Why public safety manned helicopter pilots will not fly under their COA.COAs add two sets of rules you have to remember.The pros and cons of COAs.When a COA is a big advantage to some flights.Your COA does not allow you to fly over department staff, even momentarily, except for a few specific members.What a qualified non-crew member.The FAA expectation of what it means for a COA pilot to be certified.COAs increase complexity and falling outside the rules.COA malfunction reporting requirements.Why you need to hunt down helipad operations staff ahead of time.When a COA can be really good.Why you should start budgeting now for type certified drones when they hit the market.If you are doing any FEMA or compensated flights it is better to do it under Part 107.Under a COA you can only fly a handful of flight types.Training flights are not permitted as COA flights.The documents all COA pilots need to carry.The types of COA drones that must be registered with the FAA. Surprise!Where you can turn to for guidance and support at the FAA.Technology limitations that are restricting flight today.What drones will look like in five years.