FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot is conducting a commercial sUAS operation and plans to fly directly over a public road with intermittent traffic. The sUAS weighs 3 pounds and has not been evaluated by the FAA for operations over people. Under which category of operations over people can this flight be conducted?
- ANo category, as operations directly over unprotected people on public roads are prohibited for this sUAS.
- BCategory 2, provided the sUAS has an FAA-accepted means of compliance and a declaration of compliance.
- CCategory 3, provided the sUAS has an FAA-accepted means of compliance, a declaration of compliance, and there are no unprotected people under the flight.
- DCategory 1, because the sUAS weighs less than 0.55 pounds.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No category, as operations directly over unprotected people on public roads are prohibited for this sUAS.
Operations over people are categorized based on the sUAS weight and design. Since this 3-pound sUAS has not been evaluated by the FAA, it cannot meet the requirements for Categories 1, 2, or 3 for operations over people, especially over moving vehicles or unprotected people on public roads.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Category 2 requires an FAA-accepted means of compliance and declaration of compliance, which this sUAS lacks, and specific impact energy limits.
- C. Category 3 requires an FAA-accepted means of compliance, declaration of compliance, and avoidance of sustained flight over unprotected people. This sUAS has no such compliance.
- D. Category 1 applies only to sUAS weighing less than 0.55 pounds (250 grams). This sUAS weighs 3 pounds.
Operations Over People Categories
Part 107 outlines four categories for operating small UAS over people, each with specific requirements regarding sUAS weight, design, and impact energy limits.
- Category 1: sUAS less than 0.55 lbs.
- Category 2: sUAS with FAA-accepted means of compliance and declaration of compliance, meeting specific impact energy limits.
- Category 3: sUAS with FAA-accepted means of compliance and declaration of compliance, meeting specific impact energy limits, with no sustained flight over unprotected people.
- Category 4: Operations under a Part 107 waiver.
Memory trick: People Can't Fly If Not Certified