14 CFR 107.110

Category 1 operations over people

Category 1 is the lightest of the four ways to fly over people. Here is the rule, the exam traps and practice questions, with the FAA source under each answer.

Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

What are the requirements for Category 1 operations over people?

The small unmanned aircraft must weigh 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff and throughout each operation, including everything on board or attached. It must also have no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin on impact. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies needs 89.110 or 89.115(a).

Source: 14 CFR 107.110

What the regulation says

§ 107.110 Category 1 operations.

To conduct Category 1 operations—

(a) A remote pilot in command must use a small unmanned aircraft that— (1) Weighs 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation under Category 1, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft; and (2) Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being.

Read all of § 107.110

(b) No remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft in sustained flight over open-air assemblies of human beings unless the operation meets the requirements of either § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) of this chapter.

[Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4382, Jan. 15, 2021, as amended by 86 FR 62473, Nov. 10, 2021]

AC 107-2A, 8.3.4.1 Category 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.

Sources: 14 CFR 107.110 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · AC 107-2A, 8.3.4.1 Category 1

Exam traps

  • The 0.55 pound limit applies on takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation, including everything on board or attached.
  • Exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin on impact make the aircraft ineligible for Category 1.
  • Sustained flight over open-air assemblies of human beings is allowed only if the operation meets 89.110 or 89.115(a).
  • Anything on board or attached counts toward the 0.55 pounds, so a payload is part of the weight.

Try it: practice questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.

Practice question 1

To conduct Category 1 operations, a Remote Pilot in Command must use a small unmanned aircraft that weighs

  1. A 0.55 pounds or less.
  2. B 0.75 pounds or less.
  3. C 0.65 pounds or less.
Show the answer
Answer: A. 0.55 pounds or less.

(Category 1 drones can only weigh 0.55 lbs (250 grams) or less, with everything included (including prop guards).)

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.110(a)(1)

Practice question 2

Other than the UAS weighing 0.55 lbs or less on takeoff, what are the other requirements to conduct Category 1 operations?

  1. A It must not contain exposed rotating parts that can lacerate.
  2. B It must not contain exposed rotating parts that can lacerate and must not cause injury equivalent to 11 ft-lb of kinetic energy.
  3. C It must not have safety defects and must be labeled as Category 1.
Show the answer
Answer: A. It must not contain exposed rotating parts that can lacerate.

(According to Part 107 Subpart D, to conduct Category 1 operations, the RPIC must use a small UA that: weighs 0.55 lbs or less on takeoff and throughout the duration of the flight does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skins upon impact.)

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.110(a)(2)

Practice question 3

Which statement about Category 1 operations over people is true?

  1. A Any aircraft weighing 0.55 lb or less qualifies, even with exposed propellers.
  2. B No Declaration of Compliance is needed; the aircraft must weigh 0.55 lb or less including everything on board and have no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin.
  3. C The aircraft must be listed on an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance and labeled "Category 1".
Show the answer
Answer: B. No Declaration of Compliance is needed; the aircraft must weigh 0.55 lb or less including everything on board and have no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin.

14 CFR 107.110(a): Category 1 needs a 0.55 lb-or-less aircraft (on takeoff and throughout the flight, everything attached) with no exposed lacerating rotating parts. Under 107.3 a Declaration of Compliance applies only to Category 2 or 3.

FAA sources: 14 CFR 107.110(a) · 14 CFR 107.3 (Declaration of compliance)

Does a Category 1 drone need a declaration of compliance?

107.110 does not require one. It requires only the weight limit and no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin. AC 107-2A also says there are no applicant requirements for Category 1.

Sources: 14 CFR 107.110 · AC 107-2A, 8.3.4.2

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