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7.3.5 Benefits of Recordkeeping. Small UAS owners and operators may find recordkeeping to be beneficial. This may be done by documenting any repair, modification, overhaul, or replacement of a system component resulting from normal flight operations, and recording the time-in-service for that component at the time of the maintenance procedure. The operator would then be able to establish a reliable maintenance schedule for the small UAS and its components. The use of hardcopy and/or electronic logbook format for recordkeeping, inclusive of all periodic inspections, maintenance, preventative maintenance, repairs, and alterations performed on the small UAS, is useful in documenting the history of the small UAS. Recordkeeping would include all components of the small UAS, including: small unmanned aircraft, CS, launch and recovery equipment, Command and Control (C2) link equipment, payload, and any other components required to safely operate the small UAS. Recordkeeping of documented maintenance and inspection events reinforces owner/operator responsibility through a systematic means to determine that the small UAS is in a condition for safe flight.
Maintenance and inspection recordkeeping provides retrievable evidence of vital safety assessment data defining the condition of safety-critical systems and components supporting the decision to launch. For operators that rapidly accumulate flight operational hours/cycles, recordkeeping of a small UAS may provide an essential safety support.
Methodical maintenance and inspection data collection can prove to be very helpful in the tracking of small UAS component service life, as well as systemic component, equipage, and structural failure events.
8-1 CHAPTER 8. SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OVER PEOPLE
8.1 Applicability. This chapter provides guidance concerning small unmanned aircraft eligibility requirements and remote pilot responsibilities for small unmanned aircraft operations over people.
8.2 Category of Operations. Part 107 establishes four categories of permissible operations over people. Category 1 is limited to a maximum weight of 0.55 pounds, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft at the time of takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation. In addition, the small unmanned aircraft must not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being. Category 2 or 3 operations may only be conducted with small unmanned aircraft that fulfill performance-based safety requirements, which limit the risk and severity of injuries based on potential hazards. Category 4 allows small unmanned aircraft issued an airworthiness certificate under 14 CFR part 21 to operate over people in accordance with part 107, so long as the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual, or as otherwise specified by the Administrator, do not prohibit operations over people.
8.3 Operations Over People. Section 107.39 prohibits operations of a small unmanned aircraft over a person who is not under a safe cover, such as a protective structure or a stationary vehicle, unless the operation is conducted in accordance with one of the four categories listed in part 107 subpart D. A remote pilot may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a person who is directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft. Direct participants include the remote pilot in command (PIC), another person who may be manipulating the controls, a visual observer (VO), or crewmembers necessary for the safety of the small unmanned aircraft operation. A direct participant should be directly involved in the small unmanned aircraft flight operation. The remote pilot assigns and briefs the direct participants in preparation for the operation. The remote pilot may comply with the requirements prohibiting operation over people in several ways. For example:
• Selecting an operational location where there are no people and none are expected to be present for the duration of the operation. If the remote pilot selects a location where people are present, the remote pilot should have a plan of action to ensure human beings remain clear of the operating area. The remote pilot may be able to direct people to remain indoors or remain under safe cover until the small unmanned aircraft flight operation has ended. Safe cover is a structure or stationary vehicle that protects a person from harm if the small unmanned aircraft impacts that structure or vehicle.
• Maintaining a safe distance from people who are not directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft.
• Ensuring the small unmanned aircraft will not be operated over any moving vehicles.
Note: The remote pilot should consider risk mitigations, and needs to take into account the small unmanned aircraft’s course, speed, and trajectory, including the
8-2 possibility of a failure, to determine whether the small unmanned aircraft would go over or strike a person who is not directly participating in the flight operation.
8.3.1 Minimum Distances from a Person. P art 107 does not impose a specific stand-off distance requirement from people when operating a small unmanned aircraft. The remote pilot may elect to observe a minimum stand-off distance to ensure the safety of the operation. When determining an appropriate stand-off distance, the remote pilot should consider the following factors:
• The small unmanned aircraft’s performance, to include course, speed, trajector y, and maneuverability.
• Environmental conditions such as wind, including gusts, precipitation, and visibility.
• Operational area conditions such as the location and movement of people, vessels, or vehicles, as well as terrain features, including structures or any other item that could affect the operational area where the small unmanned aircraft is being maneuvered.
• Probable failures and the ability to perform emergency maneuvers, including emergency landings.
• The remote pilot’s familiarity with and ability to maneuver the small unmanned aircraft.
Note: When conducting the small unmanned aircraft operation, the remote pilot should evaluate and make adjustments to this minimum distance from people as conditions change.
8.3.2 Operations Over Open-A ir Assemblies of Persons. Remote pilots are prohibited from operating a small unmanned aircraft as a Category 1, 2, or 4 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8.3.2.1 “Sustained flight” over an open-ai r assembly of persons in a Category 1, 2, or 4 operation does not include a brief, one-time transiting over a portion of the assembled gathering where the transit is merely incidental to a point-to-point operation unrelated to the assembly.
8.3.2.2 Category 3 operations are not allowed over an open-air assembly of persons.
8.3.3 Operations Over Moving Vehicles. Part 107 allows small unmanned aircraft operations over people inside moving vehicles with a small unmanned aircraft that meets the eligibility requirements for a Category 1, 2, 3, or 4 operation subject to one of the following conditions:
8.3.3.1 For Categories 1, 2, and 3 small unmanned aircraft, the operation must be conducted within or over a closed- or restricted-access site. Any person located inside a moving vehicle within the closed- or restricted-access site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them; or
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8.3.3.2 If the operation is not conducted within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, the small unmanned aircraft must not maintain sustained flight over any moving vehicle.
Note: Category 4 small unmanned aircraft may be eligible to operate over moving vehicles as long as the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual, or as otherwise specified by the Administrator, do not prohibit such operation.
Table 8-1. Operations Over Moving Vehicles – Over or Within a Closed/Restricted Access Site OPERATIONS OVER MOVING VEHICLES – OVER OR WITHIN
CLOSED/RESTRICTED ACCESS SITE Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Directly Participating Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Directly Participating Must be on Notice Must be on Notice Must be on Notice *Operating Limitations * Category 4 eligible small unmanned aircraft may conduct operations over human beings and moving vehicles if not prohibited by the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual or as otherwise prescribed by the Administrator.
Table 8-2. Operations Over Moving Vehicles – Not Over or Within a Closed/Restricted Access Site OPERATIONS OVER MOVING VEHICLES – NOT OVER OR WITHIN
CLOSED/RESTRICTED ACCESS SITE Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Directly Participating Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Directly Participating Transit Only, No Sustained Flight Transit Only, No Sustained Flight Transit Only, No Sustained Flight *Operating Limitations * Category 4 eligible small unmanned aircraft may conduct operations over human beings and moving vehicles if not prohibited by the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual or as otherwise prescribed by the Administrator.
8.3.4 Category 1 Operations. Part 107 establishes a category of operations over people using small unmanned aircraft that weigh 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of flight, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft. In addition to weight limits, Category 1 small unmanned aircraft must not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact.
Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 1 operation in sustained flight
8-4 over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8.3.4.1 The remote pilot is responsible for determining that the small unmanned aircraft does not exceed the weight threshold and must ensure that the small unmanned aircraft does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin. These requirements are in addition to the already existing pilot requirements of part 107, such as the preflight responsibilities listed in § 107.49 (see paragraph 8.11.1).
8.3.4.2 There are no applicant requirements for Category 1.
8.3.5 Category 2 Opera tions. To conduct Category 2 operations over people, the small unmanned aircraft must meet the requirements of § 107.120. To confirm such eligibility, the small unmanned aircraft must be listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance (DOC).
8.3.5.1 It is the remote pilot’s responsibility to ensure that the small unmanned aircraft is listed on an FAA-accepted DOC as eligible for Category 2 operations and labeled as eligible to conduct Category 2 operations. A remote pilot can accomplish these things by checking the FAA’s DOC Portal at https://uasdoc.faa.gov to see if the DOC i s valid and by visually inspecting the aircraft to ensure a label identifying the aircraft as Category 2 is affixed to the aircraft. These requirements are in addition to the already existing pilot requirements of part 107, such as the preflight responsibilities listed in § 107.49.
8.3.5.2 Addi tionally, the small unmanned aircraft must display a label indicating eligibility to conduct Category 2 operations; have current remote pilot operating instructions that apply to the operation of the small unmanned aircraft, which are described below in paragraph 8.12; and be subject to a product support and notification process. (The applicant must submit the DOC containing specific information to affirm that the aircraft meets the safety requirements through an FAA-accepted means of compliance (MOC). See paragraph 8.9 for a detailed description of the DOC and the process for submitting the DOC.)
8.3.5.3 Re mote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 2 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8.3.6 Category 3 Operations. To conduct Category 3 operations over people, a small unmanned aircraft must meet the safety requirements of § 107.130. To confirm such eligibility, the small unmanned aircraft must be listed on an FAA-accepted DOC.
8.3.6.1 It is the remote pilot’s responsibility to ensure the small unmanned aircraft is listed on an FAA-accepted DOC and labeled as eligible to conduct Category 3 operations. A remote pilot can accomplish these things by checking online at
8-5 https://uasdoc.faa.gov to see if the DOC is valid and by visually inspecting the aircraft to ensure a label identifying the aircraft as Category 3 is affixed to the aircraft. These requirements are in addition to the already existing pilot requirements of part 107, such as the preflight responsibilities listed in § 107.49.
8.3.6.2 Additionally, the small unmanned aircraft must display a label identifying eligibility to conduct Category 3 operations; have current remote pilot operating instructions that apply to the operation of the small unmanned aircraft, which are described below in paragraph 8.12; and be subject to a product support and notification process. (The applicant must submit the DOC containing specific information to affirm that the aircraft meets the safety requirements through an FAA-accepted MOC. See paragraph 8.9 for a detailed description of the DOC and the process for submitting the DOC.)
8.3.6.3 Location Requirements and Restrictions. Category 3 operations are allowed under the following conditions:
• The operation is conducted over a closed- or restricted-access site and everyone located within the site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them.
• The operation is not conducted within a closed- or restricted-access site, and the small unmanned aircraft does not sustain flight over any person unless that person is directly participating in the operation or located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft.
8.3.6.4 No Operations Over Open-Air Assemblies of People. Category 3 operations are not allowed over an open-air assembly of persons. While the FAA does not define open-air assembly by regulation, it employs a case-by-case approach in determining how to apply the term. Open-air assembly has to do with the density of people who are not directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft and the size of the operational area. An open-air assembly is generally understood as dense gatherings of people in the open, usually associated with concert venues, sporting events, parks, and beaches during certain events. Such assemblies are usually associated with public spaces. The FAA considers that 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. Some potential examples that are less likely to be considered open-air assemblies include individual persons or families exiting a shopping center, persons participating in casual sports in an open area without spectators, individuals or small groups taking leisure in a park or on a beach, or individuals walking or riding a bike along a bike path. Whether an open-air assembly exists depends on a case-by-case determination based on the facts and circumstances of each
8-6 case. The remote pilot must assess whether the operational area would be considered an open-air assembly prior to conducting flight operations.
8.3.6.5 Modifications. The remote pilot operating instructions may contain details concerning allowable modifications of the small unmanned aircraft.
Modifications not allowed by the remote pilot operating instructions may render the small unmanned aircraft ineligible for operations over people. Such modifications would require submission of a new DOC. Additionally, the small unmanned aircraft may need to be relabeled to reflect the category of operations it is eligible to conduct. In the case of the sale or transfer of the small unmanned aircraft, or use of the aircraft by someone other than the applicant, the applicant must provide remote pilot operating instructions that reflect the aircraft’s eligible category and acceptable modifications. Therefore, the FAA encourages manufacturers of small unmanned aircraft to keep track of modifications that would require an update to the remote pilot operating instructions.
8.3.6.6 Closed- or Restricted-Access Sites. Category 3 operations may take place over or within closed- or restricted-access sites where everyone located within the site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them, as long as the operational area is not considered an open-air assembly. People who are not directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft but who are performing functions at the closed- or restricted-access site must be on notice of potential small unmanned aircraft operations, and should be advised of precautions or other recommended actions to take, if necessary. Remote pilots are responsible for ensuring no inadvertent or unauthorized access to the site occur. Adequate assurance could include physical barriers such as barricading and fencing or monitoring personnel to ensure inadvertent or unauthorized access to the site does not occur.
Geographical boundaries, such as rivers, canals, cliffs, and heavily wooded areas may serve as effective barriers to restrict access.
8.3.6.7 No Sustained Flight Over People. In addition to closed- or restricted-access sites, Category 3 operations may take place outside of a closed- or restricted-access site as long as the small unmanned aircraft does not sustain flight over people not participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft. This allows the remote pilot to operate over people, but only for a brief period. The intent of the requirement is momentary exposure, without sustained exposure over one or more persons. Sustained flight includes hovering above any person’s head, flying back and forth over a person, or circling above an uninvolved person in such a way that the small unmanned aircraft remains above some part of that person. The remote pilot should adjust the flightpath of the small unmanned aircraft to ensure minimal exposure of the aircraft over people, and may need to discontinue the operation if the flightpaths would require sustained flight over people.
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8.3.7 Category 4 Operations. Certification is how the FAA manages risk through safety assurance. It provides the FAA confidence that a proposed product or operation will meet FAA safety expectations to protect the public. Eligible Category 4 small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA under part 21 and must be operated in accordance with the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual or as otherwise specified by the Administrator. The airworthiness certificate allows small unmanned aircraft operations for compensation and hire.
8.3.7.1 The remote pilot conducting Category 4 operations over people must use an eligible small unmanned aircraft. To operate over people in accordance with § 107.140 and over moving vehicles in accordance with § 107.145(c), the remote pilot must operate the small unmanned aircraft in accordance with all operating limitations that apply to the small unmanned aircraft, as specified by the Administrator. These operating limitations must not prohibit operations over people.
8.3.7.2 Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 4 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8.3.7.3 Category 4 Maintenance. In order to preserve the continued airworthiness of the small unmanned aircraft and continue to meet a level of reliability that the FAA finds acceptable for flying over people in accordance with Category 4, the requirements of § 107.140(c) apply. Eligible Category 4 small unmanned aircraft must have maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations performed in a manner using the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the manufacturer’s current maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) prepared by its manufacturer, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator.
Additionally, Category 4 small unmanned aircraft must be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or other instructions acceptable to the Administrator and have maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations performed using parts of such a quality that the condition of the aircraft will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition.
8.3.7.3.1 The person performing any maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations must use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the manufacturer’s current maintenance manual or ICA that are acceptable to the Administrator, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator. The person who inspects the small unmanned aircraft must do so in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or other instructions acceptable to the Administrator. Additionally, the person must have the knowledge, skill, and appropriate equipment to perform the work. The person performing the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations must use parts of such a quality that the condition of the aircraft will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition.
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8.3.7.3.2 The owner or operator must maintain records of maintenance performed on the aircraft as well as records documenting the status of life-limited parts, compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD), and inspection compliance of the small unmanned aircraft. Owner and operator responsibilities are discussed in paragraph 8.3.7.4.1.
8.3.7.4 Applicability of Maintenance and Record Retention Requirements. When a remote pilot operates a small unmanned aircraft in accordance with part 107, having an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate under part 21, the requirements of parts 43 and 91 do not apply. However, a small unmanned aircraft issued an airworthiness certificate may be eligible to operate under part 91, under certain circumstances. Part 107 contains necessary updates to the regulatory text to reflect the applicability of operating rules. Category 4 does not prescribe as many maintenance and record retention requirements as are required by parts 43 and 91, respectively. Therefore, it may be difficult for an owner or operator to switch between operating rules. A small unmanned aircraft operated and maintained in accordance with part 107 may find it difficult to show compliance with the requirements of part 43 and 91. To address this concern, an owner or operator can elect to comply with the relevant parts 43 and 91 requirements, even while operating in accordance with part 107. Under these circumstances, electing to comply with the relevant parts 43 and 91 requirements may help facilitate moving back and forth between operational parts, if desired, because the requirements of parts 43 and 91 are more stringent than those of § 107.140 with regard to maintenance and airworthiness.
8.3.7.4.1 Consistent with other regulatory frameworks, such as parts 91 and 135, the owner is responsible for maintaining the small unmanned aircraft in accordance with the requirements of § 107.140(c). However, if the owner enters into an agreement with another entity to operate the small unmanned aircraft, the operator is responsible for the maintenance and records retention requirements for small unmanned aircraft operated in accordance with Category 4 under part 107. The FAA expects most operators of Category 4 small unmanned aircraft operating under part 107 will also be the owner, or operating under direction of the owner. In this case, the owner is responsible for compliance with the Category 4 small unmanned aircraft maintenance and records retention requirements. To maintain flexibility for those owners of Category 4 small unmanned aircraft who wish to enter into an agreement with another entity for the operation of their small unmanned aircraft without the owner’s intervention or control, § 107.140(c) provides the means for the responsibility of maintenance requirements and retention of records to be clearly defined in such an agreement. If so specified in the agreement, the FAA would hold the operator responsible for compliance with the Category 4 small unmanned aircraft maintenance and records retention requirements. An agreement between an owner and an operator may be in the form of a written lease or contract, verbal agreement, or other agreement. If any agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, then the owner has the responsibility to meet
8-9 these requirements. The provisions of any agreement should address, at a minimum, the requirements of § 107.140(c).
Table 8-3. Operations Over People – Over or Within a Closed/Restricted Access Site OPERATIONS OVER PEOPLE – OVER OR WITHIN CLOSED/RESTRICTED
ACCESS SITE Category 1 Category 2 ***Category 3 Category 4 Directly Participating Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Directly Participating *Allowed **Allowed Must be on Notice ****Operating Limitations * Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 1 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
** Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 2 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
*** Category 3 eligible small unmanned aircraft must not operate over open-air assemblies of human beings (§ 107.125(b)).
**** Category 4 eligible small unmanned aircraft may conduct operations over human beings if not prohibited by the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual or as otherwise specified by the Administrator. Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 4 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8-10 Table 8-4. Operations Over People – Not Over or Within a Closed/Restricted Access Site OPERATIONS OVER PEOPLE – NOT OVER OR WITHIN CLOSED/RESTRICTED
ACCESS SITE Category 1 Category 2 ***Category 3 Category 4 Directly Participating Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Directly Participating *Allowed **Allowed Transit Only, No Sustained Flight ****Operating Limitations * Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 1 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
** Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 2 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
*** Category 3 eligible small unmanned aircraft must not operate over open-air assemblies of human beings (§ 107.125(b)).
**** Category 4 eligible small unmanned aircraft may conduct operations over human beings if not prohibited by the operating limitations specified in the FAA-approved Flight Manual or otherwise prescribed by the FAA. Remote pilots are prohibited from operating as a Category 4 operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies, unless the operation meets the requirements of § 89.110 or § 89.115(a). This prohibition is subject to waiver.
8.4 Applicant. An applicant includes any person who produces, designs, or modifies a small unmanned aircraft eligible to operate over people within the United States. An applicant may produce many small unmanned aircraft, sell kits from which to build small unmanned aircraft, or modify a small unmanned aircraft in a way that affects the eligibility of the small unmanned aircraft to conduct a different category of operations over people than it was previously eligible.
8.4.1 An applicant who manufactures and sells a kit that contains all the components and parts from which to build an operable small unmanned aircraft must comply with the requirements of part 107 subpart D, if the aircraft is intended for operations over people.
The kit must contain all the components necessary to build an operable small unmanned aircraft, and would not require the owner to purchase any additional materials. Before the kit is sold, the applicant must ensure that the completely assembled small unmanned aircraft, not only its individual component parts, complies with the performance-based safety requirements to determine eligibility using an FAA-accepted MOC and declare compliance. This will ensure that the small unmanned aircraft meets the requirements of part 107 subpart D.
8.4.2 Someone who builds a small unmanned aircraft from separate components and parts not from a kit is an applicant. For example, someone may purchase the parts of a small unmanned aircraft separately, and build the small unmanned aircraft. An applicant is required to submit a DOC in order to conduct Category 2 or 3 operations.
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8.4.3 An applicant may be a person who modifies a small unmanned aircraft listed on an existing DOC, resulting in noncompliance with the original declaration. A noncompliance means the small unmanned aircraft has been altered and is no longer in the same configuration as originally declared. If the small unmanned aircraft is changed so that it is no longer eligible for operations over people, a new DOC must be submitted prior to conducting operations over people or moving vehicles within that category. An applicant should specify allowable modifications in the remote pilot operating instructions (please see paragraph 8.12 below for information concerning remote pilot operating instructions). This ensures a remote pilot who may replace parts or otherwise modify the small unmanned aircraft is aware of which modifications would be allowable for the category of operation. An applicant may develop updates for a small unmanned aircraft after the remote pilot takes possession of it, such as a software update or hardware update. To communicate these updates to the remote pilots, the manufacturer should make operating instructions for the new capabilities of the small unmanned aircraft available.
8.4.4 Any person who makes a modification not permissible by the remote pilot operating instructions to a small unmanned aircraft eligible for Category 2 or Category 3 operations over people renders that small unmanned aircraft ineligible. If the person making the modification intends to conduct Category 2 or Category 3 operations over people with the modified small unmanned aircraft, that person is required to take on the responsibilities of an applicant. In this case, the applicant is required to determine the modified small unmanned aircraft meets the performance-based safety requirements for either Category 2 or Category 3, or both, using an FAA-accepted MOC and submit a new DOC. This principle applies to any person who modifies an existing ineligible small unmanned aircraft with the intention of conducting Category 2 or Category 3, or both, operations over people.
8.4.5 Maintenance actions performed on an eligible Category 2 or Category 3 aircraft that do not change the configuration or characteristics of the aircraft would not require a new DOC to be submitted. For example, if replacing propellers is listed as an allowed modification in the remote pilot operating instructions, a new DOC would not be required. However, replacing propellers not covered in the remote pilot operating instructions requires submission of a new DOC to conduct Category 2 or Category 3 operations over people. Remote pilot operating instructions should include a list of allowed modifications for the small unmanned aircraft to remain eligible.