UA.V.C.K6: Procedures for operations over people.

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

Regulatory framework and eligibility to operate over people

• §107.39 prohibits flight over a person unless the operation qualifies under one of four categories in subpart D. Direct participants (remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation., other control manipulators, VOVisual ObserverCloseA person who helps the remote PIC see and avoid hazards during a drone operation., or necessary crewmembers) may be flown over, but nonparticipants require category eligibility or safe cover (protective structure or stationary vehicle) ^[1].
• Categories and key thresholds:
  • Category 1: Small UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. at or below 0.55 pounds, including everything onboard or attached at takeoff and throughout the flight; no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin ^[1].
  • Categories 2 and 3: Eligible only if the aircraft meets performance-based safety requirements that limit injury risk; details are documented via manufacturer/FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. processes and reflected in the aircraft’s category labeling and operating instructions ^[1].
  • Category 4: Aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate under part 21 and be operated in accordance with all approved Flight Manual limitations; those limitations must not prohibit operations over human beings ^[5].
• 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 relabel the aircraft in English so it is legible, prominent, and remains on the aircraft for the duration of the operation, correctly identifying the eligible category(ies) before conducting operations over human beings (§107.135) ^[4].

Open-air assemblies and site control for people on the ground

• Open-air assemblies: Sustained flight over open-air assemblies is restricted across categories and may only occur if the operation meets Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. requirements in §89.110 or §89.115(a), with some prohibitions subject to waiver depending on the category ^[3][5].
• Over or within a closed/restricted-access site (people not directly participating):
  • Category 1: Allowed, but not for sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. conditions are met (waiver available for this prohibition) ^[3].
  • Category 2: Allowed, with the same open-air assembly Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. restriction (waiver available) ^[3].
  • Category 3: Persons not directly participating must be on notice ^[3].
  • Category 4: Operate per FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-approved Flight Manual/Administrator limitations; open-air assemblies require Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. compliance as above ^[3][5].
• Not over or within a closed/restricted-access site (people not directly participating):
  • Category 1: Allowed, with open-air assembly restriction as above ^[3].
  • Category 2: Allowed, with open-air assembly restriction as above ^[3].
  • Category 3: Transit only; no sustained flight over people ^[3].
  • Category 4: Operate per Flight Manual/Administrator limitations; open-air assemblies require Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. compliance as above ^[3][5].

Moving vehicles

• If not within or over a closed/restricted-access site, do not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle. Only transit is permitted over nonparticipants in moving vehicles for Categories 1–3; Category 4 may operate over moving vehicles only 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 or Administrator-imposed limitations ^[2].
• Over or within a closed/restricted-access site:
  • Direct participants: Allowed for Categories 1–4.
  • Not directly participating: Must be on notice for Categories 1–3; Category 4 subject to Flight Manual/Administrator limitations ^[2].
• Not over or within a closed/restricted-access site:
  • Direct participants: Allowed for Categories 1–4.
  • Not directly participating: Transit only, no sustained flight for Categories 1–3; Category 4 subject to Flight Manual/Administrator limitations ^[2].

Preflight and emergency planning for operations over people

• Preflight duties under §107.49 remain mandatory and should be more complex for operations over people, accounting for added risk. Specifically consider where people will be located and weather or other factors that may affect the risk of overflight ^[6].
• Before flight, assess the operating environment: local weather, local airspace and any flight restrictions, the location of persons and moving vehicles not directly participating, property on the surface, whether the UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. is eligible for the intended category of operations over people/moving vehicles, the potential for new persons/vehicles to enter the area, and whether the operation involves an open-air assembly ^[8].
• Crew briefings must cover operating conditions, hazards, emergency procedures, and contingency procedures. Verify control station location, takeoff/landing sites, and emergency or alternate landing sites. Ensure all required documentation is available and that all manufacturer-required components are present and operating as designed ^[7].
• Configuration and payload control: For eligible aircraft, follow the remote pilot operating instructions; only use permissible payloads and ensure they are securely attached, or the aircraft may become ineligible for Category 2/3 operations over people ^[6].
• Category 4 additional compliance: The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must operate per all Flight Manual/Administrator limitations, and the owner/operator must ensure maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, and inspections are performed per §107.140(c) ^[5].