14 CFR § 107.120 - Category 2 operations: Eligibility of small unmanned aircraft and other applicant requirements. (2024)

FAQs

What are the requirements for a category 2 operation? ›

GENERAL. Approval for Category II operations will require regulatory compliance in three major areas. These areas are airborne equipment and systems approval, crew qualification, and the approval of a Category II manual which includes a maintenance program.

To operate in Category 2, drones can weigh more than 0.55 pounds, but they can't be capable of causing injury to a human being that is greater than or equal to the severity of an injury caused by transferring 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to the registration, airman certification, and operation of civil small unmanned aircraft systems within the United States.

No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace, or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Triage category 2

People with serious chest pains, difficulty in breathing or severe fractures are included in this category.

Category 2

"Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks."

All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations. Drones registered under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations cannot be flown under Part 107.

Countries are listed as either Category 1 - the FAA has found that the country meets ICAO standards for safety oversight of civil aviation, or Category 2 - the FAA has found that the country does not meet those standards.

Certification: Part 107 requires remote pilots to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate through a knowledge test, while recreational drone pilots do not need this certification.

Part 107 sUAS and Recreational Flyers

A regulatory first step for civil non-recreational UAS operations. To fly under 14 CFR Part 107, the UAS must weigh less than 55 pounds and the operator (called a remote pilot) must pass a knowledge test. Also, the UAS must be registered.

What types of operations are excluded from the requirements in Part 107? ›

Part 107 does not apply to operations outside of the United States, to public aircraft operations, and to aircraft 55 pounds or heavier a small unmanned aircraft must be UNDER 55 pounds. The Department of Transportation put out a notice for those wanting to do drone cargo delivery in “air transportation.”

In order to fly your drone under the FAA 's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA . This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.

Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. The maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).

While there is a process to request authorization for flying in controlled airspace, the 400-foot rule remains unwavering, with no provision for waivers. Recreational pilots must adhere strictly to this altitude limit. On the other hand, commercial drone pilots licensed under Part 107 have a bit more leeway.

Drone pilots operating under Part 107 may fly at night, over people and moving vehicles without a waiver as long as they meet the requirements defined in the rule. Airspace authorizations are still required for night operations in controlled airspace under 400 feet.

The minimum for ILS approaches to CAT II runways is 100 feet DH/RVR 1200, regardless of published lower minimums. Passengers or property cannot be carried for compensation or hire. The LOA requires an operational check of the ILS equipment within the last 15 flight hours and 15 calendar days before flight.

CAT II operating minimums are those minimums which specify a decision height (DH) lower than the equivalent of 200 feet (60 meters) above the touchdown zone but not lower than 100 feet (30 meters) above this elevation and a controlling runway visual range (RVR) below RVR 1800 (550 meters), but not less than RVR 1000 ( ...

Category Two:

Winds 96 to 110 mph. Considerable damage to tree and shrubbery foliage. Some trees blown down. Major damage to poorly constructed items and some damage to other structures (such as roofing material) .

Triage category 1 (need for resuscitation): requires treatment immediately. Triage category 2 (emergency): requires treatment within 10 minutes. Triage category 3 (urgent): requires treatment within 30 minutes. Triage category 4 (semi-urgent): requires treatment within 1 hour.