Definition of Sustained Flight Over Open-Air Assemblies

In plain language

Under FAA Part 107 guidance, 'sustained flight' over an open-air assembly means hovering, flying back and forth, or circling above the assembly so that the drone remains over some part of it. It does not include a brief, one-time transit over a portion of the assembly if the flight is unrelated to the gathering.

Requirement as structured

Defines 'sustained flight' over an open-air assembly of people to include hovering, flying back and forth, or circling above the assembly, while excluding brief, one-time transits unrelated to the assembly.

Original regulatory text

“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 does not include a brief, one-time transiting over a portion of the assembled gathering, where the flight is 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