UA.I.E.K8: Closed and restricted access sites.

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 makes a site “closed or restricted-access” for Operations Over People (OOP)

A closed- or restricted-access site is an operational area with controlled entry where everyone inside is on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly overhead. To use such a site for Category 3 OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios., the area must not be an open-air assembly. The remote pilot is responsible for preventing inadvertent or unauthorized entry. Practical controls include barricades, fencing, monitoring personnel, or natural boundaries like rivers, canals, cliffs, or heavily wooded areas that effectively prevent entry without consent or awareness. Everyone inside who is not directly participating but is performing functions at the site must be on notice and advised of any precautions they should take^[4]. Baseline rule: § 107.39 prohibits flight over a person not under safe cover unless the operation qualifies under a Category in Subpart D (Categories 1–4). 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., required crewmembers) may be flown over. Category 1 is limited to a small unmanned aircraft that weighs 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less and has no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin^[1].

OOP at closed/restricted-access sites: who can you fly over?

• Direct participants: Allowed in all Categories 1–4 at closed/restricted-access sites^[2].
• Not directly participating:
  • Category 1 and 2: Allowed. However, sustained flight over open-air assemblies is prohibited unless the operation meets § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver^[2].
  • Category 3: “Must be on notice” if over/within a closed or restricted-access site, and Category 3 aircraft must not operate over open-air assemblies of human beings (§ 107.125(b))^[2].
  • Category 4: Allowed if not prohibited by the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved Flight Manual operating limitations or other Administrator-specified limits. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies requires meeting § 89.110 or § 89.115(a); this prohibition is subject to waiver^[2][7].
    Outside closed/restricted-access sites, “not directly participating” persons present a higher threshold: Category 3 is limited to “transit only, no sustained flight,” while Category 1 and 2 remain allowed with the same open-air assembly caveats; Category 4 remains governed by its operating limitations^[3][7].

Moving vehicles: closed-site vs. non-closed-site rules

When not over or within a closed/restricted-access site, the small unmanned aircraft must not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. Only transit is permitted over non-participants in moving vehicles for Categories 1–3; Category 4 may operate as permitted by its operating limitations^[5][7]. Within a closed/restricted-access site:

• Direct participants in moving vehicles: Allowed across Categories 1–4^[5].
• Not directly participating in moving vehicles: Categories 1–3 require those persons to be on notice; Category 4 remains subject to its operating limitations^[5][7].
  For exam purposes, remember the key divider: closed/restricted-access sites enable sustained OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. and over-moving-vehicle operations for Categories 1–3 when people are on notice; outside such sites, Categories 1–3 are restricted to “transit only, no sustained flight” over non-participants in moving vehicles^[5].

Configuration, labeling, and pilot responsibilities

• Category 1 aircraft maximum weight: 0.55 pounds (250 grams) at takeoff and throughout the operation, with no exposed rotating parts capable of laceration^[1].
• Category 4: The small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21, be operated per its approved Flight Manual operating limitations, and the pilot must comply with those limitations. No sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) is met^[7].
• Labeling: 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, durable English label that correctly identifies the Category of OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. eligibility before conducting OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.^[6].
• Modifications and instructions: Modifications not allowed by the remote pilot operating instructions may render the aircraft ineligible for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios., requiring a new Declaration of Compliance and possibly relabeling. When the aircraft is sold or used by someone else, provide operating instructions that reflect the eligible Category and acceptable modifications. Remote pilots must ensure no inadvertent or unauthorized access to a closed/restricted site occurs^[4]. Remote pilot operating instructions should clearly show how to configure the aircraft to comply with OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. requirements, and while they aid decision-making, it is ultimately the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.’s responsibility to determine safe operational parameters^[8].