Post by @dronedoctorusa

Let’s be real: You’ve flown over people at a park, the beach, or an event without thinking twice to get that perfect shot. 🫵😮 For most drones, that’s a federal violation. But most pilots have no idea! Let’s break it down ➡️ For starters, you absolutely cannot fly over people if you don’t have your Part 107 license. 🙅 In 2021, the FAA created four categories for flying over people: ✈️ Category 1: drones 0.55 pounds or less with no exposed blades that could cut skin. Most sub-250g drones land here. 🚁 Categories 2 and 3: heavier drones that meet specific injury limits, backed by a manufacturer’s declaration of compliance. Category 3 adds restrictions like no sustained flight over open-air crowds. 🚀 Category 4: drones with a full FAA airworthiness certificate. Rare for typical operators. The part people miss is that unless your drone is Category 1 or has that declaration of compliance, you cannot hover or transit directly over people who aren’t part of your operation. Not at a park. Not over a crowd. You can fly near them and wait for them to clear, but not directly overhead. 🚩 It’s the same for moving vehicles. Brief transit might be allowed depending on your category, but sustained flight over traffic is off the table for most operators. ❌ If you made it this far, follow for more drone tips, fun drone content, and drone repair inquiries! We are DRONE DOCTOR 🚁🛠️🎰 #dronedoctor #dronetips #dronepilot #faa #lasvegas