FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot in command plans to conduct a sUAS aerial photography flight in a densely populated urban area, requiring operations directly over people. The sUAS weighs 1.5 pounds and has been certified by the manufacturer to meet the performance-based requirements for operating over people without any exposed rotating parts. Which category of operations over people does this sUAS fall into?
- ACategory 4
- BCategory 2
- CCategory 3
- DCategory 1
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Category 2
Category 2 operations allow for flying sUAS over people if the aircraft weighs less than 25 pounds, does not have exposed rotating parts that would cause lacerations, and is certified by the manufacturer to meet specific performance-based requirements. The scenario meets these criteria.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Category 4 is for operations with an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21, which is not applicable here.
- C. Category 3 is for sUAS weighing less than 25 pounds but requires operations over people to be limited to restricted access sites or in conjunction with a flight plan that keeps people under covered structures or away from the flight area.
- D. Category 1 is for sUAS weighing 0.55 pounds or less.
Category 2 Operations Over People
Operations over people with small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 25 pounds, without exposed rotating parts, and certified by the manufacturer to meet specific performance-based requirements for impact energy.
- Aircraft weighs less than 25 lbs.
- No exposed rotating parts that would cause lacerations.
- Manufacturer certifies compliance with performance-based requirements.
Memory trick: Categories define 'how safe' a drone is for 'crowd' flying.