It is my understanding that they intend to publish this as SFAR Part 107.

It is also worth noting if you look at the ARC memo past the model sections to note the operating limits for those aircraft. Groups I and II are limited to 400 feet. Group III can go to 700 and Group IV can go to 1,200. However, all of the operations above 400 feet require a dedicated spotter AND altitude and position reporting equipment with a real time down link to the pilot.

All of the sUAS commercial/civil groups have lateral limits on them ranging from 1,500 feet to 1/2-mile. Their operations will be excluded from Class B airspace and will have set backs from all airports as well. An additional requirement will be to operate outside populated areas, which in FAA-speak is anything depicted in yellow on a sectional chart. Their operations will likely be restricted to VLOS, day VFR under 100 mph with the altitude caps noted above. In addition a 2nd class medical and other pilot and airframe certifications will be required.

To me the most logically consistent approach is for them to allow modelers to operate with the same physical limits on altitude and lateral areas while relieving us of the more onerous pilot certification requirements, medical certificates, airframe certification and so on. I have a difficult time understanding how the FAA could justify allowing models with much more lax operator certifications and training requirements to have greater operational flexibility as compared to the more stringently regulated pilot group.

If we are allowed to operate above 400 feet I predict that it will only be allowed well outside any populated area, away from airports and other busy airspace and will require some sort of waiver similar to what the rocket guys have to do now. If that is the case it is difficult to understand how we could practice!!