Applicability

This regulation introduces the rules that allow drone operators to fly over people or moving vehicles beyond what's already permitted under basic Part 107 rules.

Under standard Part 107 operations (§107.39), you can only fly over people who are directly participating in the operation, under a covered structure, or inside a stationary vehicle. This subpart (§107.100 and following) establishes additional categories of operations that let you fly over uninvolved people and moving vehicles—but only if you meet specific aircraft and operational requirements.

In practical terms, this matters because it opens up commercial drone operations in populated areas, such as urban photography, infrastructure inspection, or delivery operations. However, you must comply with the detailed requirements in the rest of this subpart, which include aircraft categorization, equipment standards, and operational limitations based on the type of drone you're flying.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*