UA.I.B.K16: Prior authorization required for operation in certain airspace.

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

Identify Airspace That May Require Prior Authorization

• Your first task is to know exactly what airspace lies over your intended operating area. Remote PICs must be aware of the type of airspace and should consult the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s B4UFLYB4UFLYCloseFAA-recognized planning tool for checking nearby airspace and flight restrictions before a drone flight. app and/or current aeronautical charts to support sound go/no-go decisions. This is how you determine whether prior authorization is required before takeoff and whether any limitations apply to your planned flight path and altitude block^[1].
• Small unmanned aircraft may operate in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Determining which you are in is essential because requirements differ by airspace type. Further, operations near airports, in certain airspace, in prohibited or restricted areas, or near areas designated by NOTAMNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. may entail additional limitations or require prior authorization. Your preflight planning must positively identify these airspace considerations^[3].

Preflight Actions That Enable Compliance (§ 107.49)

• Before flight, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must complete preflight familiarization, inspection, and necessary actions under § 107.49. This explicitly includes a preflight assessment of the operating environment that covers, at a minimum: local weather conditions; local airspace and any flight restrictions; the location of persons and moving vehicles not directly participating; whether the operation will be conducted over people or moving vehicles and, if so, whether the aircraft is eligible; whether an open-air assembly is involved; and other ground hazards. Build enough lead time into planning to secure any required prior authorization for the specific airspace identified^[2].
• Practical exam tip: When a question presents a planned launch site near an airport or within a charted special use area, expect to (1) check airspace depiction via sectional or app, (2) note any NOTAMNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight.-designated limitations, and (3) indicate that you would obtain any required prior authorization before flight. Answers that skip the “airspace and any flight restrictions” step under § 107.49 are incomplete^[2][3].
• Night operations often require reducing your operating area to maintain VLOSVisual Line of SightCloseThe requirement to see the drone well enough to know its location, attitude, altitude, and direction of flight.. While not an authorization issue by itself, this affects where you can safely fly within an approved or authorized area. At night, you cannot rely solely on anti-collision lighting or telemetry to meet § 107.31; plan conservative volumes and buffers inside any authorized airspace segment^[6].

Integrating Operations Over People/Moving Vehicles with Airspace Decisions

• Prior authorization to fly in certain airspace does not waive the separate limitations for operations over people or moving vehicles. If your authorized flight will be over people, ensure the aircraft and operation fit within the permitted categories. Category 1 aircraft weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less on takeoff and throughout the operation, which can be relevant for low-risk missions in busy airspace^[4].
• For moving vehicles, if the operation is not within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, the small unmanned aircraft must not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. In many scenarios, only brief transit over traffic is permitted, even when you are otherwise authorized to be in that airspace^[4].
• When people are not directly participating and you are not within a closed/restricted site, Category 3 operations allow only transit with no sustained flight over people, reinforcing that airspace access does not equal permission to loiter overhead^[5].

Manufacturer Instructions and Category Eligibility

• If your mission requires operations over people in an area where you have or will obtain prior authorization, verify that your aircraft’s category eligibility and configuration match the operation. Category 2 eligibility includes requirements such as a permanent label indicating Category 2, the absence of exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin, and availability of remote pilot operating instructions that define system components, limitations, and permissible configurations. These instructions must be followed to retain eligibility for the intended category of operation^[7].
• Remote pilot operating instructions provide the configuration specifics needed to remain compliant, but the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is ultimately responsible for determining safe operational parameters. Keep instructions current and ensure the configuration in use matches the category claimed for the flight you intend to conduct within the authorized airspace^[8].