A remote pilot wants to fly a Category 3 sUAS (over 0.55 lb, meeting all Category 3 operations-over-people requirements) directly over moving vehicles traveling on a public, open-access highway. Under the operations over people rule, is this permitted?
- AYes, Category 3 aircraft may fly over any moving vehicle without additional restriction
- BNo, sUAS are never permitted to fly over any moving vehicle under any circumstances
- CYes, provided the flight occurs only at night with anti-collision lighting activated
- DNo, Category 2, 3, and 4 sUAS may only operate over moving vehicles if the operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where all occupants have been given prior notice
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. No, Category 2, 3, and 4 sUAS may only operate over moving vehicles if the operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where all occupants have been given prior notice
Under the operations-over-people rule, Category 1 aircraft may fly over moving vehicles without restriction, but Category 2, 3, and 4 aircraft may only do so within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where all vehicle occupants have been given notice, unless the overflight is merely incidental and not sustained.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Unrestricted moving-vehicle overflight applies to Category 1 aircraft, not Category 3.
- B. Category 1 aircraft can legally fly over moving vehicles, so a blanket prohibition is incorrect.
- C. Nighttime lighting has no bearing on the moving-vehicle overflight restriction.
Operations Over Moving Vehicles
Category 1 sUAS may fly over moving vehicles without restriction; Category 2-4 sUAS may only sustain flight over moving vehicles within/over a closed- or restricted-access site with occupant notification.
- Category 1 = no moving-vehicle restriction
- Categories 2-4 need closed/restricted-access site + notice
- Incidental (non-sustained) overflight is treated differently
Memory trick: 'Category 1 cruises free, 2-4 need a closed street.'