Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
What do closed- or restricted-access site and on notice mean for flying over people?
For Category 3, one allowed option is flying within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where every person is on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them (107.125(c)(1)). The same site-and-notice test lets Categories 1, 2 and 3 fly over people in moving vehicles (107.145(b)(1)).
The rule text does not define the phrases. AC 107-2A says the remote pilot must prevent inadvertent or unauthorized access, for example with barricades, fencing or monitoring personnel, and that people performing functions at the site must be on notice and advised of precautions.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.125(c)(1) · 14 CFR 107.145(b)(1) · AC 107-2A, 8.3.6.6
What the regulation says
§ 107.125 Category 3 operations: Operating requirements.
To conduct Category 3 operations, a remote pilot in command—
(a) Must use a small unmanned aircraft that— (1) Is eligible for Category 3 operations pursuant to § 107.130(a); (2) Is listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance as eligible for Category 3 operations in accordance with § 107.160; and (3) Is labeled as eligible for Category 3 operations in accordance with § 107.130(b)(1);
Read all of § 107.125
(b) Must not operate the small unmanned aircraft over open-air assemblies of human beings; and
(c) May only operate the small unmanned aircraft above any human being if operation meets one of the following conditions: (1) The operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site and all human beings located within the closed- or restricted-access site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them; or (2) The small unmanned aircraft does not maintain sustained flight over any human being unless that human being is— (i) Directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft; or (ii) Located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft.
[Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4382, Jan. 15, 2021, as amended by 86 FR 62473, Nov. 10, 2021]
§ 107.145 Operations over moving vehicles.
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a human being located inside a moving vehicle unless the following conditions are met:
(a) The operation occurs in accordance with § 107.110 for Category 1 operations; § 107.115 for Category 2 operations; § 107.125 for Category 3 operations; or § 107.140 for Category 4 operations.
Read all of § 107.145
(b) For an operation under Category 1, Category 2, or Category 3, the small unmanned aircraft, throughout the operation— (1) Must remain within or over a closed- or restricted-access site, and all human beings 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 (2) Must not maintain sustained flight over moving vehicles.
(c) For a Category 4 operation, 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 located inside moving vehicles.
14 CFR 107.125(c)(1)
The operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site and all human beings located within the closed- or restricted-access site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over them; or
AC 107-2A, 8.3.6.6 Closed- or Restricted-Access Sites
Remote pilots are responsible for ensuring no inadvertent or unauthorized access to the site occur.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.125 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.145 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.125(c)(1) · AC 107-2A, 8.3.6.6 Closed- or Restricted-Access Sites
Exam traps
- A Category 3 aircraft must not be operated over open-air assemblies of human beings, even at a closed site.
- Outside a closed site, Category 3 may not maintain sustained flight over any human being unless that person is directly participating or is under a covered structure or in a stationary vehicle.
- Over moving vehicles outside a closed site, Categories 1, 2 and 3 must not maintain sustained flight over moving vehicles.
- Category 4 over moving vehicles needs an airworthiness certificate and operating limitations that do not prohibit the operation.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
You notice a cruise ship in the distance with people on the deck. You fly out to get a top-down view of the deck while the boat is getting in port. Is this legal under Part 107, assuming you are certified and current?
- A Yes, the deck is considered a closed site.
- B Yes, as long as I have a Category 1 or 2 sUAS equipped with Remote ID.
- C No, the people on the deck are not on notice.
Show the answer
Answer: C. No, the people on the deck are not on notice.(This is tricky. A ship is considered a moving vehicle, so a Category 1 or 2 sUAS is not enough, you must either: – remain within or over a closed/restricted access site and everyone in moving vehicles inside the area must be on notice, or – The UAS must not maintain sustained flight over moving vehicles.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.145(b)(1)
Practice question 2
You purchased a new sUAS that is labeled as Category 3. After checking the FAA website, you verified it is indeed approved to fly over people. You plan to fly over a private race track. What must you do to ensure that the operation is compliant with Part 107?
- A Ensure the aircraft is equipped with a parachute.
- B Ensure that the area is restricted-access and that everyone inside moving vehicles inside the area are on notice.
- C Ensure that everyone inside moving vehicles inside the area are on notice.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Ensure that the area is restricted-access and that everyone inside moving vehicles inside the area are on notice.(In order to fly over moving vehicles, you must have a sUAS approved under Category 1 through 3, and you must ensure that you either: – Must remain within or over a closed/restricted access site and everyone in moving vehicles inside the area must be on notice, or – The UAS must not maintain sustained flight over moving vehicles.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.145(b)(1)
Practice question 3
Your company purchased a Category 3-approved sUAS. Because of time constraints, you have not been able to notify everyone on the construction site that you will be flying. What should you do?
- A ensure that the human beings who are not participating in the operation are under a covered structure or inside a non-moving vehicle.
- B ensure the sUAS is equipped with a parachute
- C make sure the area is closed or restricted-access.
Show the answer
Answer: A. ensure that the human beings who are not participating in the operation are under a covered structure or inside a non-moving vehicle.FAA source: 14 CFR 107.125(c)(2)(ii)
What is sustained flight over a person?
AC 107-2A says it includes hovering above any person's head, flying back and forth over a person, or circling above an uninvolved person so the aircraft stays above some part of that person.
Source: AC 107-2A, 8.3.6.7
Do people at a closed site still need to be told?
Yes. Everyone located within the site must be on notice, and AC 107-2A says people who are not participating but perform functions there should also be advised of precautions.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.125(c)(1) · AC 107-2A, 8.3.6.6