UA.I.B.K3: Medical condition(s) that would interfere with safe operation of an sUAS.

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

Personal Readiness Is a Regulatory Responsibility

Under § 107.49, you are required to complete a preflight familiarization, inspection, and other actions—such as crewmember briefings—before each operation. This preflight obligation expressly includes considering risk management and aeronautical decision-making (ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable.) materials the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. provides. In practice, that means you must be personally capable of performing the preflight assessment (weather, airspace, ground hazards), leading the briefing, and exercising sound ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable.. If your condition degrades your ability to perform these mandatory tasks, you cannot meet the obligations of § 107.49 and should delay or cancel the flight until you are fit to safely operate the sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it..^[1]

Elevated-Risk Operations Demand Peak Fitness

Some Part 107 operations increase workload and risk, which magnifies the impact of any personal condition that could interfere with safe operation:

• Operations over people and moving vehicles. You must determine and operate in the correct category, verify required labeling, and ensure the aircraft is listed on 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.). Category 1 applies to small unmanned aircraft that weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less. Categories 2 and 3 are performance-based and require the aircraft to be eligible and properly labeled and configured before flight. A lapse in attention or judgment here can place your operation outside of legal limits.^[2][7]

• Performance-based limits and documentation. For Category 2 eligibility, the aircraft must be designed/produced/modified so it will not cause an injury equivalent to or greater than 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, has no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin, contains no safety defects, and must display an eligibility label and include remote pilot operating instructions. You must be able to verify configuration and follow those instructions—tasks that require clear thinking and thoroughness.^[5]

• Night operations over people. Categories and restrictions for operations over people do not change at night, but both the manufacturer and the remote pilot have specific responsibilities. If the aircraft is eligible to operate over people at night, you may do so only pursuant to §§ 107.29 and 107.39, and manufacturers may need to account for the mass of an anti-collision light in meeting Category 2 or 3 safety requirements. Night operations further elevate workload and reliance on ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable.—conditions that demand you be fully fit to operate.^[7]

If your physical or mental condition impairs your ability to determine category eligibility, confirm labeling/DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. status, conduct thorough preflight actions, or continuously monitor risk during flight, you risk noncompliance and unsafe outcomes in these higher-stakes environments.

Practical Self-Assessment and Crew Coordination

• Integrate ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable. and risk management into your preflight. FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. publications—such as the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, the Risk Management Handbook, and the Remote Pilot ACSAirman Certification StandardsCloseThe FAA task and knowledge taxonomy used to organize handbook topics and weak-area remediation.—are expressly identified resources you should use to guide your decision-making and readiness assessment before each flight.^[6][1]

• Use required briefings to catch risks. § 107.49 calls for crewmember briefings. A clear, complete briefing is a built-in safety net; if you are not in condition to communicate roles, limitations, and contingencies effectively, postpone the operation.^[1]

• Verify aircraft safety status, then verify yourself. DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holders must correct safety defects for Category 2/3 aircraft and maintain product support/notification processes. Monitoring these notices and ensuring the aircraft remains in a condition for safe operation is part of your responsibility; doing it well requires unimpaired attention to detail. If you cannot reliably complete these checks, you are not ready to fly.^[8][1]

Exam focus: Be ready to connect personal fitness to regulatory duties. You must (1) accomplish all preflight actions in § 107.49 using sound ADMAeronautical Decision-MakingCloseA structured way to identify risk, choose safer options, and avoid launching when conditions are not acceptable., (2) confirm eligibility, labeling, and configuration for operations over people and moving vehicles (including Category 1 at 0.55 pounds and Category 2’s 11 foot-pound injury threshold with required labeling/instructions), and (3) meet the added demands of night operations within §§ 107.29 and 107.39. Any condition that keeps you from doing these tasks interferes with safe sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operation.