UA.I.B.K13: Prohibition of carrying hazardous material.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task B: Operating Rules References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 47, 48, 89, and 107, subpart B; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Core concept and exam emphasis

For the Part 107 knowledge test, treat “carrying hazardous material” as a no-go decision. Your job as remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is to prevent adding risk to people and property on the ground. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. framework tightly controls payloads, especially in higher-risk contexts like operations over people (OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.). These controls make it clear that introducing any dangerous payload is inconsistent with safe operation and with OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. eligibility requirements. Expect exam scenarios where the safest, regulation-aligned choice is to decline transporting items that could increase harm if the aircraft fails, particularly over people or moving vehicles.^[6][4]

Payload limits in operations over people

When operating in Category 2 or Category 3 over people, you may not affix any payload unless it is specifically listed in the remote pilot operating instructions; any permissible payload must be securely attached for the entire operation. If you do not adhere to these instructions, the aircraft becomes ineligible for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. under Category 2 or Category 3. Practically, this excludes “ad hoc” carriage of items that could increase injury severity, because they would not be listed, and because secure attachment is mandatory throughout flight.^[4]

• Category 3 aircraft are further limited: they must not operate over open-air assemblies of human beings per §107.125(b). Category 1 and 2 operations are also restricted from sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets §89.110 or §89.115(a). These provisions reinforce that adding any payload—especially a dangerous one—raises risk in crowds and is inconsistent with the protective structure of OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios..^[1]

• Weight matters. Category 1 applies to small UA that weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of flight, which limits the likelihood and severity of injury. Introducing additional payload mass—particularly anything hazardous—undermines this risk boundary and would disqualify many aircraft from Category 1 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios..^[7]

Operations near people and moving vehicles

Risk management around people extends to moving vehicles. If you are not operating within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, you must not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. Transit-only flight is the rule outside such sites. Payloads that could exacerbate harm in a mishap are fundamentally at odds with these protections, especially where third parties have not been placed on notice or cannot avoid the area. When in doubt on the test, avoid carrying anything that increases hazard potential around traffic or bystanders.^[7]

• Within a closed/restricted-access site, people not directly participating must at least be “on notice” for Category 1–3 operations over moving vehicles; Category 4 depends on Flight Manual limitations. This underscores the principle that you control both environment and configuration to reduce risk—adding questionable payloads runs counter to that duty.^[7]

Remote PIC responsibilities and practical test cues

• Follow the remote pilot operating instructions. They must provide enough detail to configure the aircraft to meet OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. requirements; it is ultimately the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.’s responsibility to determine safe operational parameters. If a payload is not listed, don’t add it—especially if it could increase harm in a crash.^[6][4]

• Conduct a thorough preflight. Part 107 requires a preflight inspection and ensuring the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. For OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios., the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. expects a more complex assessment to account for added risk to people; introducing any suspect payload is incompatible with this expectation.^[4]

• Regulatory awareness. Part 107 is the controlling rule set for small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operations, with additional relevant parts (e.g., Part 89 for Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.). On the exam, tie your decision-making to these frameworks: if a question proposes carrying a dangerous item, the compliant answer is to refuse and configure only as permitted by the aircraft’s operating instructions and the OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. category limits (e.g., §107.125(b), §89.110, §89.115(a)).^[5][1]

Bottom line for test and practice: Do not add or transport items that introduce additional hazards. Adhere strictly to the aircraft’s listed payloads, secure any permissible payload, and respect OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. and moving-vehicle restrictions. If a scenario suggests carrying a dangerous material, the safe and regulation-aligned response is to decline the operation.^[4][7]