UA.V.C.K1: Emergency planning and communication.

ACS Area V — Operations Task C: Emergency Procedures References: 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; SAFOsSafety Alert for OperatorsCloseFAA safety alert that shares operational safety information. 09013, 10017, 15010

Key Concepts

Preflight Emergency Planning for Operations Over People and at Night

• Verify your aircraft’s eligibility and documentation before takeoff. For operations over people, the remote pilot must determine the aircraft’s correct category, verify it is properly labeled, and ensure it is 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.). These are core responsibilities and should be integrated into every preflight, with special emphasis when people are involved^[5].
• Night does not change the categories or their restrictions for operations over people. You may operate over people at night in accordance with §§ 107.29 and 107.39 when the aircraft is eligible; manufacturers and pilots must account for the mass of any anti-collision light when determining Category 2 or 3 eligibility^[5].
• For Category 2 eligibility, the aircraft must be designed/produced/modified so 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, and has no safety defects. A permanent Category 2 label is required, and the remote pilot must have and use operating instructions that include system description/limitations, acceptable modifications, and how to verify and change the mode or configuration—key knowledge for handling in-flight anomalies^[4].
• Preflight must be thorough, with an expanded assessment for over-people operations. Consider where people are located and weather or other factors that may increase risk. Payloads must be on the aircraft’s approved list for the declared category and be securely attached throughout the operation—both to remain eligible and to minimize dropped-object hazards during emergencies^[8].

Route and Risk Controls: Moving Vehicles

• If not within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, do not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. For persons not directly participating, Category 1–3 operations outside a closed/restricted site are limited to transit only with no sustained flight over the vehicles. Within a closed/restricted site, persons not directly participating must be on notice. Category 4 eligibility depends on the aircraft’s FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved operating limitations^[2].
• Category 1 aircraft weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less at takeoff and throughout the operation, a useful planning distinction when designing emergency routes that reduce risk to people and vehicles on the ground^[2].
• Practical implication: Build routes that avoid prolonged overflight of roadways. If a contingency occurs while transiting over vehicles, minimize exposure time and regain a route that is compliant with “no sustained flight” as soon as safely possible^[2].

Communication and Coordination During Abnormals

• Some UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. operations are conducted under FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-issued Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COACertificate of Waiver or AuthorizationCloseFAA authorization often used by public aircraft operators or special operations.) or special airworthiness certificates. These approvals define geographic/altitude limits, usually require coordination with ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services., and typically require a NOTAMNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight.. They also require observers to provide see-and-avoid capability and compliance with 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. § 91.113—critical support in emergencies when deconfliction is paramount^[6].
• Near airports, approved UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. operations may occur at controlled or uncontrolled fields and are typically disseminated by NOTAMNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight.. At uncontrolled airports, UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. operations are advised to operate well clear of known manned traffic. At controlled airports, local ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. procedures handle UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. operations; plan who on your crew will coordinate with ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. if a contingency affects your flight path or altitude^[6].
• Crew resource management: Brief your visual observers on lost-link, flyaway, or off-nominal cues, and how they will help maintain see-and-avoid and communicate with ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. or other stakeholders when required by your approval basis^[6].

Weather and Hazard Triggers

• Electrical storms are a serious ignition and electrical hazard. Helicopter hot refueling procedures prohibit operations when thunderstorms are within 10 nautical miles and emphasize that lightning can travel great distances beyond the visible storm. While this reference is helicopter-specific, it underscores prudent UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. emergency planning: identify conservative weather avoidance triggers and be prepared to discontinue operations as storms approach^[7].