UA.I.B.K2: Requirement for the sUAS to be in a condition for safe operation.

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

Regulatory Expectation: “Condition for Safe Operation”

Part 107 mandates that the remote pilot in command (PICPilot in CommandCloseThe person responsible for the flight. Under Part 107, this is usually the remote pilot in command.) perform a preflight inspection to ensure the small unmanned aircraft systemSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. (sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it.) is safe for operation. This requirement is crucial for operations over people, necessitating a more thorough preflight assessment due to increased risk. Considerations include the location of people beneath the flight path and potential weather impacts. Any configuration changes, such as camera swaps or payload additions, must be authorized in the operating instructions and securely attached; otherwise, the aircraft cannot operate over people under the applicable category.^[4]

Good aeronautical decision-making (ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable.) and risk management are essential. Safety depends on regulatory compliance, disciplined preflight planning, ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable., and risk mitigation to minimize hazards before launch.^[6]

Safety Defects, Declarations of Compliance (DOC), and Records

For Categories 2 and 3 operations over people, compliance with safety requirements is documented via an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted Declaration of Compliance (DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.). If a safety defect arises, the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holder must correct it. Failure to do so may lead to the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. rescinding the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories., halting operations over people until a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. is accepted. Owners/operators can address safety issues and submit a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. if the holder does not. DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holders must maintain a support and notification process and provide operating instructions.^[1]

Safety defects may be identified through complaints, bulletins, notices, or FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. findings. Upon identifying a safety issue, the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holder should inform owners about the issue and corrective measures or share a plan if a fix is pending. After developing a corrective action, the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holder must distribute it, test, analyze, or inspect using an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted means of compliance (MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements.), ensure no defects remain, and submit a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. lists accepted DOCsDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. on its website.^[2] Maintain DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.-related records for at least 2 years after manufacturing ceases or after submitting the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. for designers/modifiers, and retain the MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. description and justification as long as it remains accepted.^[2]

Maintenance and Inspection: What Makes an sUAS Unsafe?

Appendix C outlines indicators of unsafe sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. conditions:

• Structural or skin cracking: Inspect for hidden damage and assess repairs before flight.^[3]
• Delamination of bonded surfaces: Inspect for hidden damage and complete necessary repairs before flight.^[3]
• Liquid or gel leakage: Identify the source, as it poses fire risks and degrades performance; repair before flight.^[3]
• Strong fuel smell: Inspect to find the source and address it before flight.^[3]

As a remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation., treat these as red flags during preflight. Do not launch until discrepancies are resolved per manufacturer instructions and any applicable DOC/MOCDeclaration of Compliance / Means of ComplianceCloseOperations Over People shorthand for the manufacturer's declaration and the accepted method used to show compliance. limitations for operations over people.

Configuration, Environment, and Operational Limits that Affect Safety

• For operations over moving vehicles outside a closed- or restricted-access site, only transit is allowed; sustained flight over moving vehicles is prohibited. This constraint should be considered in preflight planning.^[5]
• Category 1 operations over people apply to aircraft weighing 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less. Knowing your aircraft’s weight category is crucial for determining applicable operational approvals and configuration controls.^[5]

In-flight mechanical failures or structural issues should be treated as urgency conditions. Pilots should request assistance immediately if safety concerns arise; delays have led to accidents and fatalities.^[7] Proactive risk management and immediate action protect people and property on the ground.

The current framework for small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operations in the National Airspace System (NASNational Airspace SystemCloseThe shared U.S. airspace system that drones must operate within.), including these safety and compliance expectations, is based on the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s part 107 rule. Relevant FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. handbooks and the Remote Pilot ACSAirman Certification StandardsCloseThe FAA task and knowledge taxonomy used to organize handbook topics and weak-area remediation. are available to support study and operational proficiency.^[8]