UA.I.E.K14: Maintenance of an sUAS that is eligible for operations over people.

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

Maintain Eligibility: Categories, Roles, and What “Maintenance” Means

• Operations over people (OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.) are permitted only when the aircraft and operation fit one of four categories under part 107. Category 1 is limited to a maximum weight of 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and requires no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin; Categories 2 and 3 rely on performance-based eligibility; Category 4 requires an airworthiness certificate under part 21 and compliance with approved operating limitations that do not prohibit OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.. The remote pilot must ensure the aircraft is in the correct category for the intended operation and complies with § 107.39 when flying over people who are not under safe cover or not directly participating. Practically, “maintenance” here includes preserving the aircraft’s approved configuration, documentation, and labeling that underpin its OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. eligibility.^[5]
• For Category 4, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must use an aircraft eligible for Category 4, operate it per all applicable 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 as otherwise specified by the Administrator), and not conduct sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). Category 4 eligibility also requires that maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, or inspections are performed in accordance with § 107.140(c)(1). Treat Flight Manual limitations and maintenance requirements as binding—if they prohibit OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. or are not met, the operation is not eligible.^[3]

Labels, DOC, and Configuration Control (Keep Them Current)

• 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 label the aircraft in English, legibly and prominently, and ensure it remains on the aircraft for the duration of the operation; the label must correctly identify the OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. category(ies) for which the aircraft is qualified under subpart D (§ 107.135). An unlabeled or illegible label makes the aircraft ineligible for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. until corrected.^[3]
• Before any OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios., verify the aircraft 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.). If the label degrades, replace it before flight. If the aircraft was manufactured before the rule’s effective date or otherwise not labeled, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must determine whether it appears on an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. and then label the aircraft per § 107.135. Labeling requirements apply even after transfer of ownership—no pilot may operate unless the label meets §§ 107.120(b)(1) and 107.130(b)(1), as applicable. If the aircraft is modified to change categories, update the label accordingly.^[8]
• Only make modifications permitted by the remote pilot operating instructions. Modifications not allowed by those instructions can render the aircraft ineligible for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. and require submission of a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.; the aircraft may also need to be relabeled to reflect its changed eligibility. When an aircraft is sold or transferred, provide operating instructions that reflect its eligible category and acceptable modifications to preserve compliance down the line.^[6]

Operating Instructions and Night Considerations

• Keep remote pilot operating instructions current and be able to identify which instructions are in effect for the intended OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.. The instructions must provide enough detail to configure the aircraft so it continues to meet OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. requirements. Use them for configuration decisions, but remember: the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is ultimately responsible for determining safe operational parameters.^[4]
• OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. categories and restrictions do not change at night. However, when flying at night under §§ 107.29 and 107.39, manufacturers declaring Category 2 or 3 eligibility may need to account for the mass of an anti-collision light in demonstrating the aircraft meets §§ 107.120(a) or 107.130(a). As a pilot, ensure any night equipment keeps the aircraft within its documented eligible configuration and category.^[7]

Practical Checklist for the Remote PIC

• Confirm category eligibility (Cat 1/2/3 via DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. and label; Cat 4 via part 21 airworthiness and Flight Manual limitations that allow OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.). Verify § 107.39 constraints and participant status.^[5]
• Inspect the label: legible, prominent, English, accurate to the eligible category(ies); replace or affix per § 107.135 if needed.^[3][8]
• Verify the aircraft is listed on an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. (Cat 2/3); ensure any modifications match the operating instructions, or obtain a new DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. and relabel if they do not.^[6][8]
• For Category 4, comply with Flight Manual operating limitations and ensure required maintenance/inspections are performed in accordance with § 107.140(c)(1). Do not conduct sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless meeting § 89.110 or § 89.115(a).[^\3]