When you’re flying UAs, especially over crowds or at big events, the rules get pretty specific.

UAs are grouped based on things like their weight, how much damage they could cause if they crash, and if they have risky spinning parts. These categories help set clear limits on where and when you can fly to keep things safe.

Heavier drones usually need a special certificate to prove they’re safe to fly. Lighter drones are considered less risky because they’re smaller and simpler, so they don’t face as many strict rules.

In drone operations, different categories define the level of risk and corresponding safety requirements based on specific operational scenarios and drone characteristics.

These categories determine the rules for various aspects of flight, such as flying over bystanders, operating in open-air assemblies, requiring restricted access areas, the weight of the unmanned aircraft (UA), and the kinetic energy it possesses.

Depending on the category, pilots may need specific certifications and must comply with various safety measures to ensure responsible and secure drone usage.

Here’s a breakdown of key considerations and requirements for UA operations based on their category:

• Flight Over Bystanders
• Flight Over Open-Air Assembly
• Flight Mandating Restricted Access Area
• Weigh of UA
• Kinetic Energy of UA
• Certificates and Compliance for Different Categories

Before we dive into the specifics, here’s a quick overview of the four categories of drone operations, ranging from low-risk to high-risk, each with its own set of safety requirements and pilot certifications.

Category 1: Low-risk operations, typically involving small drones with minimal risk to people and property.

Category 2: Slightly higher risk operations, usually requiring more safety measures and possibly a higher level of pilot certification.

Category 3: Higher-risk operations, often involving larger drones or more complex missions with strict operational and safety requirements.

Category 4: High-risk operations, usually involving large drones or those used in critical applications, requiring the highest levels of certification and compliance.

Your UA’s Flight Manual contains operating limitations and guidelines that specify how the drone should be operated to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. It will cover the following:

• Operating Limits:
  What your drone can and can’t do—like its maximum altitude, speed, and where it can fly.

• Regulations:
  Ensures you’re up to date with all the legal requirements for flying.

• Safety Guidelines:
  Tips and rules to keep your flights smooth and accident-free.

Yes, your drone can fit into different categories depending on how you use it.

Everyday Tasks: If you’re using a 1 pound drone for simple, low-risk tasks like casual photography or hobby flying, it might fit into a lower category, like Category 2.

Demanding Operations: If the same drone is used for more complex tasks, like surveying or inspections in challenging environments, it might need to be classified as Category 3 or even Category 4 due to the increased risk and safety requirements.

Risk Level: The category might change based on how risky the operation is. For instance, flying in densely populated areas or near airports might require a higher category classification due to the increased risk.

Safety Requirements: Higher categories often come with stricter safety measures and equipment requirements.

Imagine you have a drone that weighs 2 pounds (Category 2). If you’re using it for basic aerial shots in your backyard, it remains in Category 2. But if you use that same drone for a commercial project that involves flying over people or in challenging conditions, it might need to meet the requirements of Category 3, even though the drone itself hasn’t changed.

Operator’s Role: Since commercial surveying can be a higher-risk operation, you need to review the FAA guidelines and determine that it fits into Category 3 due to the complexity and risk of the operation.

Authority’s Role: You would then follow the FAA’s guidelines for Category 3 operations, which might involve additional requirements like specific safety protocols or equipment. If your operation requires a waiver or special permission, you would request that from the FAA.

Certification and Waivers: For operations that fall into higher-risk categories, operators might need to obtain specific certifications, permissions, or waivers from the FAA. For example, if a drone operation requires flying over people, the operator may need a specific waiver to operate under Category 3 or 4 conditions.

An “open-air assembly” is basically any outdoor, unenclosed event where people gather, like concerts, festivals, or sports games.

An “open-air assembly” refers to any outdoor, unenclosed event where people gather, such as concerts, festivals, or sports games.

For these events, there are stricter rules for drone operations. Particularly, Category 3 and 4 drones are not allowed to fly over these crowds due to the high risk of causing serious harm if an incident occurs.

There can be exceptions to the rules for flying drones over open-air assemblies, but they usually involve getting special permissions. Here’s how it works:

Special Permissions or Waivers:

You may be able to fly a Category 3 drone over an open-air assembly if you get special permission from the FAA, usually by showing you have good safety measures.

If granted, these permissions come with strict conditions to ensure safety. For example, you might need to have a safety team on-site or limit the UA’s flight path.

For example, if you want to use a Category 3 UA for filming a large outdoor festival, you would need to apply for a waiver from the FAA. You’d have to demonstrate that you can manage the risks effectively, such as by using a drone with enhanced safety features and having a detailed safety plan.

Controlled Scenarios:

Pre-Approved Events: Sometimes, certain events or locations might have pre-approved arrangements that allow UA flights of higher risk categories under specific conditions.

Low-Risk Operations: In some cases, flying smaller UAs (like those in Category 1 or 2) might be allowed if the risk is deemed low and you adhere to additional safety requirements.

Imagine you’re a UA operator with a Category 3 UA, and you want to capture aerial footage of a large outdoor music festival.

What You’ll Need to Do:

1. Get Permission: First, you’d need to get special permission from the FAA. Flying a large UA over a big crowd is high-risk, so you’ll need a waiver to do it legally.
2. Notify the Crowd: You’ll need to make sure everyone at the music festival knows there’s a UA overhead. This could mean working with the event organizers to announce it or using signs to inform the crowd.
3. Set Up Safety Measures: This might include:

• • Establish No-Fly Zones: Areas within the festival’s area to keep the drone away from sensitive spots.
  • Limit Altitude and Distance: Keep the UA at a specific altitude and distance from the crowd to minimize risk if something goes wrong.
  • Monitor: Have a dedicated team to monitor the UA’s flight and ensure everything stays on track and safe.

Here we break down the FAA’s specific requirements for Category 1, 2, 3, and 4 drones, highlighting the distinctions in certification and compliance processes.

Certificates and compliance refer to the specific approvals and regulations required for operating drones in different categories. Each UA category has distinct certification requirements and adherence to regulations.

These drones require the following two formal FAA approvals due to higher risks.

• Means of Compliance (MOC): Demonstrate that their UA meets specific safety criteria. This process involves technical specifications, testing, and analysis.
• Declaration of Compliance (DOC): After completing the MOC, operators must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) to the FAA. This is a document that affirms that the UA conforms to the approved safety standards and regulations, with either Remote ID requirements or OOP Requirements.

** Flight Over Small Groups: As long as your UA has a listed Declaration of Compliance on the FAA website, you legally are allowed to fly over small groups without written consent, such as a small wedding, a small group at a park.

Category 4 drones face the strictest regulations due to their size and risk, requiring:

• Type Certificate under Part 21: These drones must go through a detailed certification process involving thorough testing and documentation to ensure safety and airworthiness. This is referred to as Category 4 Part 21 Type Certification.

• Community Garden: You want to capture some aerial shots of a community garden where a few people are working. If your drone has the FAA’s Declaration of Compliance, you can fly over them written permission. Informing them beforehand is nice, but not required.
• Neighborhood Block Party: You’re filming a small neighborhood block party with a few families gathered. With your drone’s FAA Declaration of Compliance, you’re cleared to fly over the gathering.
• Sports Practice: You’re filming a local youth soccer practice with a few kids and coaches on the field. As long as your drone is FAA-compliant, you can operate it over the field.
• Outdoor Fitness Class: You’re recording an outdoor fitness class with a small group of participants. With the proper FAA Declaration of Compliance, you can fly over the class without issues.