FAA UAS Categories

Under FAA Part 107 rules, small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are divided into four distinct categories that dictate how and when they can legally operate over people.

To conduct Category 1 operations, a Remote PIC must use a small unmanned aircraft that weighs 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation under this category, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.

Before conducting Category 1 operations, the Remote PIC must confirm that the aircraft and everything on board or attached meets the weight requirement (e.g., by using a kitchen scale).

Category 1 operations do not require additional labeling or a Declaration of Compliance (DOC).

For Category 2 and 3 operations, the sUAS must meet all three of the following safety-level criteria:

• Will not cause injury to a human being that is equivalent to or greater than the severity of injury caused by a transfer of designated foot-pounds of kinetic energy (specified below) upon impact from a rigid object:
  • Category 2 operations: 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy
  • Category 3 operations: 25 foot-pounds of kinetic energy
• Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that could lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being; AND
• Does not contain any safety defects identified by the Administrator

In addition to the safety-level criteria described on the previous screen, Category 3 operations are subject to additional requirements and restrictions.

Category 3 operations are allowed when:

• The operation is conducted over a closed- or restricted- access site when all persons accessing the site are on notice that sUAS operations may take place within the site (as long as the operational area is not considered an open-air assembly), OR
• The operation is not within a closed- or restricted-access site and the small unmanned aircraft does not sustain flight over any person who is not directly involved in the operation of the sUAS

For Category 1 operations, the FAA does not require a Declaration of Compliance (DoC).

For an sUAS to be eligible for Category 2 or 3 operations, the person who produces, designs, or modifies the sUAS must submit a DoC to the FAA via an electronic form on the FAA website.

The DoC involves certification of two key considerations:

• Means of compliance with sUAS safety level criteria
• Procedures for recordkeeping and owner notification

Each consideration is described in more detail on the next screens.

The DoC involves certification that the sUAS complies with the appropriate safety level for impact kinetic energy and exposed rotating parts standards through an FAA-accepted means of compliance.

Means of compliance generally consist of three types, summarized in the table below.

For Category 4 operations, sUAS that have obtained airworthiness certification under 14 CFR part 21 may operate over people or moving vehicles, so long as such operations are not prohibited by the airworthiness certificate or operating limitations.

The aircraft must be:

• Maintained or altered as prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
• Inspected in accordance with manufacturer instructions or instructions acceptable to the Administrator

The Remote PIC must:

• Operate the small UAS in accordance with the operating limitations specified in the approved Flight Manual
• Ensure any maintenance or alterations are performed by someone familiar with the manufacturer's instructions; who has the basic knowledge and skills appropriate to perform the work; who has the knowledge, skill, and appropriate equipment to perform the maintenance action; and who has not been found lacking in competence, knowledge, or skill by the Administrator
• Retain maintenance records for at least 1 year or until the maintenance is repeated or superseded by other work
• Retain and transfer records documenting the status of life-limited parts, compliance with airworthiness directives, and inspection status with ownership of the small UAS transfers

For Category 1, 2, or 4 operations, sustained flight over open-air assemblies is restricted to sUAS that meet the requirements of:

• 14 CFR § 89.110: Standard remote identification UAS, or
• 14 CFR § 89.115(a): Limited remote identification UAS

The Remote PIC must assess whether the operational area would be considered an open-air assembly prior to conducting flight operations.

FAA employs a case-by-case approach to determining how to apply the term "open-air assembly."

An open-air assembly typically includes large groups of people, usually 15 to 20 people or greater, and has to do with the density of people who are not involved in the operation of the sUAS and the size of the operational area. Some potential examples of open-air assemblies may include sporting events, concerts, parades, protests, political rallies, community festivals, or parks and beaches during certain events.

Sustained flight over an open-air assembly includes hovering overhead, flying back and forth, or circling in such a way that the sUAS remains above some part of the assembly.

Legal interpretations and opinions regarding open-air assemblies may be found on the FAA website.

Remote PIC Responsibilities When Operating Over People

In addition to the other operational requirements of part 107, a Remote PIC conducting operations over people must:

• Determine that he or she is using the right category of sUAS operation
• Perform all recommended preflight actions, including a preflight assessment that accounts for the additional risk inherent in operations over people
• Verify that the sUAS is properly labeled (for category 2 or 3 operations)
• Verify that the DoC has been accepted by the FAA (for category 2 or 3 operations)

Visit the Resources page for this training for the FAA UAS DoC website, where you can confirm that a UA serial number is listed in an FAA-approved Declaration of Compliance (DoC).

Type	Summary
FAA-Provided	An FAA-provided (pre-accepted) means of compliance
FAA-Approved	An FAA-accepted means of compliance developed by a voluntary consensus standards body or other entity
Custom	An FAA-accepted custom means of compliance developed independent of the FAA