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 4 operations over people?
The small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21 and be operated within the limitations in its approved Flight Manual or as the Administrator specifies. Those limitations must not prohibit operations over human beings. Maintenance and inspections must follow 107.140(c).
Source: 14 CFR 107.140
What the regulation says
§ 107.140 Category 4 operations.
(a) Remote pilot in command requirements. To conduct Category 4 operations— (1) A remote pilot in command— (i) Must use a small unmanned aircraft that is eligible for Category 4 operations pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section; and (ii) Must operate the small unmanned aircraft in accordance with all operating limitations that apply to the small unmanned aircraft, as specified by the Administrator. (2) 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.
(b) Small unmanned aircraft requirements for Category 4. To be eligible to operate over human beings under this section, the small unmanned aircraft must— (1) Have an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21 of this chapter. (2) Be operated in accordance with the operating limitations specified in the approved Flight Manual or as otherwise specified by the Administrator. The operating limitations must not prohibit operations over human beings. (3) Have maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, or inspections performed in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
Read all of § 107.140
(c) Maintenance requirements for Category 4. The owner must (unless the owner enters into an agreement with an operator to meet the requirements of this paragraph (c), then the operator must) meet the requirements of this paragraph (c): (1) Ensure the person performing any maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, or inspections: (i) Uses the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the manufacturer's current maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness that are acceptable to the Administrator, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) Has the knowledge, skill, and appropriate equipment to perform the work; (iii) Performs the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations on the small unmanned aircraft in a manner using the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the manufacturer's current maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator; (iv) Inspects the small unmanned aircraft in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or other instructions acceptable to the Administrator; and (v) Performs the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations using parts of such a quality that the condition of the aircraft will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition. (2) Maintain all records of maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations performed on the aircraft and ensure the records are documented in a manner acceptable to the Administrator. The records must contain the description of the work performed, the date the work was completed, and the name of the person who performed the work. (3) Maintain all records containing— (i) The status of life-limited parts that are installed on, or part of, the small unmanned aircraft; (ii) The inspection status of the aircraft; and (iii) The status of applicable airworthiness directives including the method of compliance, the airworthiness directive number, and revision date. If the airworthiness directive involves recurring action, the record must contain the time and date of the next required action. (4) Retain the records required under paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section, as follows: (i) The records documenting maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations performed must be retained for 1 year from when the work is completed or until the maintenance is repeated or superseded by other work. (ii) The records documenting the status of life-limited parts, compliance with airworthiness directives, and inspection status of the small unmanned aircraft must be retained and transferred with the aircraft upon change in ownership. (5) Ensure all records under paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section are available for inspection upon request from the Administrator or any authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
(d) Compliance with parts 43 and 91 of this chapter. Compliance with part 43 and part 91, subpart E, of this chapter fulfills the requirements in paragraphs (b)(3) and (c) of this section.
[Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4383, Jan. 15, 2021; 86 FR 13633, Mar. 10, 2021]
AC 107-2A, 8.3.7 Category 4 Operations
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.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.140 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · AC 107-2A, 8.3.7 Category 4 Operations
Exam traps
- Category 4 requires an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21, not a declaration of compliance.
- The operating limitations in the approved Flight Manual, or as otherwise specified by the Administrator, must not prohibit operations over human beings.
- The owner must ensure maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations and inspections follow 107.140(c), and must keep the records.
- Sustained flight over open-air assemblies of human beings is allowed only if the operation meets 89.110 or 89.115(a).
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
To conduct Category 4 operations, the RPIC must use a small UA that:
- A does not contain any exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skins upon impact.
- B has an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21.
- C is labeled as Category 4.
Show the answer
Answer: B. has an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21.(To conduct Category 4 operations, the RPIC must use a small UA that: has an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21, be operated in accordance with the operating limitations, have maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, and inspections There are no requirements for rotating parts or labeling for Category 4.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.140(b)(1)
Practice question 2
Category 4 aircraft are required to
- A have an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21.
- B have remote ID for all operations over human beings.
- C be operated by a Part 61 pilot.
Show the answer
Answer: A. have an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21.To be eligible for Category 4, the small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21 (14 CFR 107.140(b)(1)). The Remote ID option is tempting, but Remote ID is required only for sustained flight over open-air assemblies (107.140(a)(2)), not for all operations over people. No Part 61 pilot certificate is required; Category 4 is flown by a Part 107 remote pilot.
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.140(b)(1)
Practice question 3
Who must retain maintenance records of Category 4 aircraft?
- A The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC).
- B The owner of the aircraft.
- C The FAA.
Show the answer
Who keeps the maintenance records for a Category 4 aircraft?
The owner must meet the 107.140(c) requirements, unless the owner enters into an agreement with an operator to meet them, in which case the operator must.
Source: 14 CFR 107.140(c)