FAA Approves First Category 2 Drone for Flying Over People

AVSS PRS-M3DT Parachute Enables DJI Dock 2 Flights Without Waivers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the first Category 2 drone for operations over people. Commercial drone operators using the DJI Dock 2 equipped with the AVSS PRS-M3DT drone parachute can now fly over people without needing to submit an FAA 107.39 flight over people waiver.

Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. (AVSS) announced that the FAA has granted the Category 2 and Category 3 Declaration of Compliance (DOC) for their PRS-M3DT drone parachute for the DJI Dock 2. With this approval, operators can legally fly over people using the DJI M3D or DJI M3TD platforms equipped with the AVSS PRS-M3DT.

This is the first Category 2 drone approval by the FAA, which also includes higher wind limitations for the DJI Dock 2 when operating under Category 3 conditions. AVSS leveraged their previously approved FAA Means of Compliance (MOC) for this DOC approval.

“After several years of working to receive approval for the MOC with key partners and the recent completion of ASTM F3322 and ASTM F3389 for the DJI Dock 2, these Category 2 and Category 3 Declaration of Compliance approvals by the FAA is a major milestone for AVSS. The work for the MOC and DOC required our team to adapt and innovate to ensure our drone parachute product lines could enable flight over people in the USA. With these DOC in hand, AVSS looks forward to bringing more drones to the DOC approval list, including the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise, Skydio X10, and Brinc Responder,” said Mariah Murray, V.P. of Operations at AVSS.

Category 2 and Category 3 classifications set performance-based eligibility and operational criteria for conducting drone operations over people using unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds without an airworthiness certificate under part 21. Category 2 allows for sustained flight over open-air gatherings, while Category 3 imposes additional safety limitations. Under Category 3, drone operations over human assemblies are prohibited unless conducted within or over closed- or restricted-access areas where individuals are notified of potential drone flights, or if the drone maintains flight over individuals who are directly involved in the operation or are situated under protective structures or stationary vehicles.

About AVSS: Founded in 2017, AVSS – Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. (AVSS) is a Canadian aerospace company specializing in drone technology for Urban Air Mobility. AVSS’s products include ASTM F3322 parachute recovery systems for commercial drones, independent flight termination systems, and precision-guided delivery systems for last-mile delivery.

AVSS’s retrofit products (DJI M3D and M3TD for Dock 2, DJI M200, DJI MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE, DJI M300 RTK, DJI M350 RTK) are distributed worldwide through their network of over 50 authorized dealers and sold directly to drone manufacturers. AVSS also provides direct support to drone manufacturers and pilots integrating the PRS product line for flight over people and BVLOS compliance, including Skydio X10 and Brinc Responder.