FAAWhich Category of small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA?
- ✅A:4.
- ❌B:3.
- ❌C:2.
Explanations
- A: Correct. Category 4 operations require an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate. This is a critical regulatory requirement for businesses operating in this category. Non-compliance can result in safety risks, regulatory fines, and potential damage to business reputation.
- B: Incorrect. Category 3 has operational limitations but does not require an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate. Misunderstanding this could lead to unnecessary certification efforts, wasting valuable business resources.
- C: Incorrect. Category 2 requires a manufacturer declaration of compliance, not an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate. Misinterpretation can lead to regulatory non-compliance and potential business disruptions.
🧭 Instructor Note
Why This Matters for Your Business
Understanding the specific FAA requirements for each category of small unmanned aircraft operations is crucial for your business. Non-compliance can lead to safety risks, regulatory fines, and potential damage to your business reputation. Specifically, Category 4 operations require an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate, a critical requirement that businesses operating in this category must meet.
Safety & Liability Considerations
Operating a Category 4 small unmanned aircraft without the required airworthiness certificate can pose significant safety risks, including potential equipment failure or malfunction. This could result in accidents, causing property damage or personal injury. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to substantial regulatory fines and potential legal action, increasing your business liability.
Consider This Scenario
A commercial drone service provider specializing in infrastructure inspection decides to expand their operations to include flights over people. They purchase a Category 4 drone for this purpose. However, they fail to obtain the required FAA-issued airworthiness certificate before commencing operations. During an operation, the drone malfunctions and crashes into a populated area, causing property damage. The FAA investigates and discovers the lack of an airworthiness certificate, resulting in hefty fines for the company and damage to their business reputation.
What the FAA is Testing
The FAA is testing your understanding of the specific requirements for each category of small unmanned aircraft operations. Specifically, they want to ensure you know that Category 4 operations require an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate.
Business Success Strategy
Ensure your business is fully compliant with all FAA requirements for the category of operations you are conducting. If you are operating in Category 4, make sure you obtain the necessary airworthiness certificate before commencing operations. Regularly review the FAA's compliance pathways and stay updated on any changes to ensure your business remains compliant and avoids unnecessary disruptions.
Memory Aid
"Category 4 requires more"
Enhanced References
FAA's UAS Categories of Operations Over People, FAA's Airworthiness Certification Process, FAA Compliance Pathways.
Related Concepts
- Categories of operations over people
- Airworthiness certification process
- FAA compliance pathways
ACS Code: UA.I.E.K3d
Difficulty: intermediate