Definition of Sustained Flight

In plain language

'Sustained flight' means hovering, circling, or flying back and forth directly over people's heads. It does not include quickly crossing over a crowd once as part of a straight flight to get from point A to point B.

Requirement as structured

Defines sustained flight over an open-air assembly as hovering, flying back and forth, or circling above the assembly, excluding brief, one-time incidental transits.

Original regulatory text

Note: Sustained flight over an open-air assembly includes hovering above the heads of persons gathered in an open-air assembly, flying back and forth over an open-air assembly, or circling above the assembly in such a way that the small unmanned aircraft remains above some part the assembly. ‘Sustained flight’ over an open-air assembly of people in a Category 1, 2, or 4 operation does not include a brief, one-time transiting over a portion of the assembled gathering, where the transit is merely incidental to a point-to-point operation unrelated to the assembly.

Applies when

country

United States

operation

Part 107 small UAS operation

operation regime

part_107

aircraft category

small unmanned aircraft (under 55 lb)

regulatory category

General