UA.I.E.K11: Optional components.

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

What “Optional Components” Means for Operations Over People (OOP)

• Category 2 and 3 aircraft come with a defined list of required and optional components in the manufacturer’s remote pilot operating instructions (RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts.). For OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. in Category 2 or 3, you may replace or add only those payloads that the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. explicitly lists as permissible; otherwise the aircraft becomes ineligible for Category 2/3 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.. Any permissible payload must be securely attached for the entire operation. Example language in RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts.: you may replace the camera only with a pre‑approved model listed in the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts.; you may not affix any other payload unless listed; failure to follow these requirements makes the aircraft ineligible for Category 2/3 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.^[1].
• Category 1 has a strict mass and design threshold: the aircraft must weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less at takeoff and throughout the operation, and it must not have exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin. Adding “optional” items that push the aircraft over 0.55 pounds or introduce hazardous exposed rotors will disqualify it from Category 1 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.^[2].

Practical implication: Before flying over people, confirm every optional or replacement component (camera, lighting, guards, mounts, etc.) is listed in the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. for the intended category, is installed as instructed, and does not change the aircraft’s eligibility.

Your Responsibilities: Configuration, Documentation, and Preflight

• You must ensure the aircraft is operating in the correct OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. category for your mission, and verify it is properly labeled and 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.). This responsibility remains with the remote pilot and is in addition to all other part 107 operational requirements^[3].
• Conduct a thorough preflight. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s sample checklist instructs you to verify all manufacturer‑required components are present and operating as designed, and to review the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. before flight. These steps help catch unapproved swaps or add‑ons that would void OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. eligibility^[4].
• RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. are living documents. You should be able to clearly identify which operating instructions are in effect for your intended OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. and understand how to configure the aircraft to meet the applicable requirements. While RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. aid safe operation, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. ultimately determines safe operational parameters^[5].

Exam focus: Expect scenarios where an added payload, even a small camera or mount, is not listed in the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts.—this invalidates Category 2/3 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. until removed or the DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories./RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. is updated.

Operational Limits That Still Apply (and How Options Can Affect Them)

• Baseline rule: § 107.39 prohibits flight over a person not under safe cover unless conducted under one of the four OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. categories in subpart D. Direct participants (remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation., person manipulating controls, VOVisual ObserverCloseA person who helps the remote PIC see and avoid hazards during a drone operation., necessary crew) may be flown over^[2].
• Open‑air assemblies:
  • Category 1 and 2 are prohibited from sustained flight over open‑air assemblies unless the operation meets § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) (subject to waiver)^[6].
  • Category 3 must not operate over open‑air assemblies^[6].
  • Category 4 may operate over people if not prohibited by FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.‑approved Flight Manual limitations; sustained flight over open‑air assemblies also requires meeting § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) (subject to waiver)^[6].
    Selecting or adding components does not remove these limits; it only preserves or invalidates your eligibility to use a category.
• Moving vehicles: Outside a closed/restricted‑access site, Categories 1–3 are limited to “transit only, no sustained flight” over persons not directly participating in or under a covered vehicle, and they must not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. Category 4 may operate over people and moving vehicles if not prohibited by its FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.‑approved Flight Manual or other Administrator‑specified limits^[7]. Optional components don’t change these operational limitations.
• Night OOP: Categories and restrictions do not change at night. You may operate over people at night if the aircraft is eligible for an OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. category and you comply with §§ 107.29 and 107.39. Manufacturers declaring Category 2/3 eligibility may need to account for the mass of an anti‑collision light. For the pilot, adding a light that is not listed in the RPOI/DOCResponsible Person of Interest / Declaration of ComplianceCloseOperations Over People shorthand tying a declared aircraft configuration to its compliance record. can jeopardize OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. eligibility^[3].

Bottom line for the test and for real operations: If an optional component is not listed in the RPOIResponsible Person of InterestCloseAn FAA contact or responsible-party role used in some operational and compliance contexts. for your OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. category, don’t install it for an OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. mission. Verify DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. labeling, confirm all required components are present and functioning, and ensure your intended operation respects § 107.39, open‑air assembly provisions, and moving‑vehicle restrictions.