UA.I.E.K13: Declaration of Compliance (DoC).

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 a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) does in Operations Over People

For operations over people under Part 107, Categories 2 and 3 rely on performance-based safety requirements. Compliance is demonstrated through 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.), and the product is then supported by a Declaration of Compliance (DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.) from the applicant. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. accepts an MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. only when compliance has been shown by test, analysis, or inspection for the §107.120(a) Category 2 requirements or the §107.130(a) Category 3 requirements; the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. may later rescind an accepted MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements., with notice published in the Federal Register ^[2]. A small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. may be eligible for more than one category, but the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must not be able to inadvertently switch between modes or configurations that change category during flight. This prevents accidental operations in a riskier category than intended ^[1].

Category 2 eligibility requires the aircraft be designed, produced, or modified so that it: will not cause injury equivalent to or greater than 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy; has no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact; and has no safety defects. The applicant for a DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. must also ensure the aircraft displays a label in English that is legible, prominent, and permanently affixed indicating Category 2 eligibility, and must provide remote pilot operating instructions as described below ^[3]. Category 1 is limited to a maximum weight of 0.55 pounds, including everything onboard or attached at takeoff and for the duration of the operation, and must not contain exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin; Category 4 involves an airworthiness certificate and operations over people are permitted if not prohibited by operating limitations in the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved Flight Manual or by the Administrator ^[4].

What must accompany a DoC: labeling and instructions

For Category 2, the applicant for a DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. must provide remote pilot operating instructions upon sale, transfer, or when the aircraft is used by someone other than the DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. applicant. At a minimum, the instructions must include: a system description that identifies required sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. components, any system limitations, and the declared category(ies) of operation; permitted modifications that do not change the system’s ability to meet the category requirements; and instructions for how to verify and change the mode or configuration of the small unm. The aircraft must also carry the Category 2 label that is legible, prominent, permanently affixed, and in English ^[3]. Because some aircraft can be eligible for multiple categories, the inability to inadvertently switch modes/configurations is essential to keep operations within the intended category envelope ^[1].

From an operational standpoint, remember the broader framework you are operating within: §107.39 prohibits flight over a person not under a safe cover unless you meet one of the four categories in Subpart D; direct participants (e.g., PICPilot in CommandCloseThe person responsible for the flight. Under Part 107, this is usually the remote pilot in command., VOVisual ObserverCloseA person who helps the remote PIC see and avoid hazards during a drone operation., control manipulator, required crewmembers) may be overflown within these allowances ^[4]. When operating near moving vehicles, if you are not within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, you may only transit; sustained flight over moving vehicles is not permitted ^[5]. For open-air assemblies, Category 3 aircraft must not operate over such assemblies, and sustained flight over open-air assemblies for Category 1 or 2 is prohibited unless the operation meets the requirements of §89.110 or §89.115(a) (subject to waiver); Category 4 operations may be permitted if not prohibited by operating limitations ^[6].

FAA acceptance and accountability: MOC and Remote ID DoCs

The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. evaluates an applicant’s MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. package and, if acceptable, notifies the applicant that the MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. is accepted; acceptance is subject to ongoing review and may be rescinded if it no longer meets Subpart D requirements, with rescission published in the Federal Register. A rescinded MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. undermines eligibility that depends on that MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. ^[2]. Separately, for Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace., a person responsible for production of a standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. unmanned aircraft must submit a DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. including, at minimum: producer’s name, address, phone, and email; make and model; serial number(s); FCCFederal Communications CommissionCloseThe U.S. agency that regulates radio spectrum and communications equipment. Identifier for the Part 15-compliant RFRadio FrequencyCloseThe electromagnetic frequency range used for control links, communications, and broadcasts. equipment; the means of compliance used; whether the DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. is initial or amended and why; a declaration that the aircraft was designed and produced to §89.310 using an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements. and complies with §89.515(b); and a statement that 47 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 15-compliant RFRadio FrequencyCloseThe electromagnetic frequency range used for control links, communications, and broadcasts. equipment is used and integrated into the aircraft ^[7]. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. evaluates Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. DoCsDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. and notifies submitters upon acceptance; acceptance may be rescinded for reasons including noncompliance with §89.310 or §89.320, a deficiency with the accepted DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories., or rescission of the listed MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements.. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. may allow a reasonable remediation period before rescission and will publish a notice of rescission ^[8].

Bottom line for the exam and for flight: know that Category 2/3 operations over people hinge on FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted MOCs and a compliant product supported by a DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. (with specific labeling and instructions), that inadvertent mode switching is prohibited, and that open-air assembly and moving-vehicle limits still apply—even when your aircraft has a DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. ^{[1][2][3][5][6]}.