UA.I.E.K10: Required components and Category declaration.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task E: Operations Over People References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 89 and 107; 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

Categories for Operations Over People: What qualifies

• Category 1 applies to small unmanned aircraft that weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less on takeoff and throughout the flight. These aircraft may operate over people with the limitations described in the OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. tables, including restrictions for open-air assemblies unless Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. requirements are met under § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) when sustained flight is involved.^[1][2]
• Category 2 aircraft must be designed/produced/modified so they will not cause injury equal to or greater than 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, have no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin, and contain no safety defects. Category 2 aircraft must also carry a permanent label indicating Category 2 eligibility and be accompanied by remote pilot operating instructions. These instructions must include the required sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. components, any system limitations, declared categories, allowable modifications, and how to verify/change operating modes or configurations. The applicant must make these instructions available upon sale or transfer (or when used by someone other than the declarant).^[4]
• Category 3 has similar documentation requirements to Category 2 via the declaration of compliance (DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.) and remote pilot operating instructions. However, Category 3 aircraft must not operate over open-air assemblies of human beings (§ 107.125(b)).^[2]
• Category 4 aircraft require an airworthiness certificate under part 21, must be operated in accordance with the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved Flight Manual or limitations specified by the Administrator (which must not prohibit operations over people), and must satisfy maintenance/inspection requirements. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies is prohibited unless the operation meets § 89.110 or § 89.115(a).^[5]

Declaration of Compliance (DOC), Labels, and “Required Components”

• The DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. ties a specific aircraft configuration to its eligible category for operations over people. For Category 2 (and by extension Category 3), the applicant must: permanently label the aircraft for the eligible category and provide remote pilot operating instructions that list the required sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. components, system limitations, declared category(ies), allowable modifications, and how to verify/change modes or configurations. These instructions must be provided to any subsequent user of that aircraft declared under § 107.160.^[4]
• If a Category 2 or 3 label is damaged, destroyed, or missing, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must affix a legible, prominent English label that remains for the duration of the operation and correctly identifies the eligible category(ies) before conducting OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.. This is an operational responsibility of the pilot, not the manufacturer.^[5]
• Operating instructions often specify “Required Components” for the eligible configuration. For example, a Category 3 sample list may include the airframe, transmitter/ground station, specific batteries, and rotor blades/guards. Instructions may also list “Optional Components,” such as pre-approved cameras or payloads, and require that any permissible payload be securely attached. Failure to follow these instructions (e.g., using non-approved payloads) renders the aircraft ineligible for Category 2/3 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios..^[6]
• Remote pilots must ensure they are using the current operating instructions that apply to the intended operation and understand how to configure the aircraft to meet the declared category’s requirements. The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is ultimately responsible for safe operating parameters.^[3]
• As part of preflight, verify the manufacturer-required components are present and operating as designed, and review the remote pilot operating instructions when applicable.^[8]

Modifications, Updates, and Maintaining Eligibility

• Allowable modifications should be explicitly stated in the operating instructions. If someone modifies a listed aircraft in a way not permitted by those instructions, the aircraft becomes ineligible for its former category. If that person intends to continue OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. (or operations over moving vehicles) in that category, they assume the role of “applicant,” must determine the aircraft meets the Category 2 and/or 3 performance-based requirements using an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted means of compliance, and must submit a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. before conducting such operations.^[8]
• Manufacturers/applicants may issue software or hardware updates after delivery. They should make updated operating instructions for the new capabilities available, and remote pilots must be able to discern which instructions are in effect at the time of flight.^[7][3]

Practical Operating Limits Over People and Moving Vehicles

• Over or within a closed/restricted-access site: All categories may operate over directly participating people; for non-participants, Category 1 and 2 are allowed (with open-air assembly restrictions as applicable), Category 3 requires people to be on notice, and Category 4 is subject to its operating limitations.^[2]
• Not over or within a closed/restricted-access site: For non-participants, Category 1 and 2 are allowed (with open-air assembly restrictions as applicable), Category 3 is “Transit Only, No Sustained Flight,” and Category 4 is subject to its operating limitations.^[2]
• Over moving vehicles: If not within a closed/restricted-access site, Categories 1–3 may only “Transit Only, No Sustained Flight” over vehicles. Within a closed/restricted-access site, non-participants must be on notice for Categories 1–3. Category 4 may operate over moving vehicles if not prohibited by the aircraft’s FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved Flight Manual or Administrator-specified operating limitations. Outside closed/restricted sites, do not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle.^[1]