| Category | I | II | III |
| Weight (lb) | ≤ 55 | 55-330 | > 330 |
| Airspeed (kt) | ≤ 70 | ≤ 200 | > 200 |
| Type | Model or sUAS | sUAS | UAS |
| Airworthiness & Flight Safety Review |
Ops in NAS: Must comply with NASA and FAA requirements.
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| Ops in special use airspace (SUA): Commercial off-the-shelf models and sUAS receive flight approval via NASA Center airworthiness and flight safety review process. All NASA and NASA hosted aircraft must have an airworthiness statement and flight release. | Ops in special use airspace (SUA): NASA Center airworthiness and flight safety review and a flight readiness review are required. Subsequent system modifications requires technical review and FRR/AFSRB in accordance with (IAW) Center requirements. All NASA and NASA hosted aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate and flight release. |
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| Maintenance | Only requirements levied by the FRR/AFSRB to correct deficiencies will be required for this category of aircraft. | sUAS aircraft in this category typically operate on a fly to failure maintenance schedule. Flight-critical parts will be inspected at least once per day, prior to flight activities--normally accomplished during the first preflight of the day. An appropriate maintenance inspection schedule will be developed for critical components. Individual aircraft log books will be maintained for each aircraft. | Aircraft maintenance will be accomplished, IAW NPR 7900 and applicable NASA guidance. |
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| Range Operations |
Ops in NAS: Must comply with NASA and FAA requirements.
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| All operations are visual line of sight (LOS) and will be conducted under approved local range safety authority or FAA model aircraft rules. | LOS flight operations at any authorized operations area or as identified and approved by local range safety authority. Beyond LOS flight operations IAW Center approved requirements. BLOS daisy chain flight operations are authorized if observer qualifications meet NASA requirements. | LOS and BLOS flight operations will be accomplished IAW Center- approved requirements. Range safety review and approval required. |
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| Mishap Reporting |
Ops in NAS: Must comply with NASA and FAA requirements
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| Only requirements levied by the FRR/AFSRB will be required for this category of aircraft, except for cases in which the aircraft caused injury to people or property reaching NPR 8621.1 cost thresholds. | System safety analysis will be an integral part of system operation. A hazard analysis and accepted risk list will be developed. The Center flight safety office will review and approve the analyses. Mishap reporting, IAW NPR 8621.1. | Accomplished IAW NPR 7900, NPR 8621.1 and applicable NASA and Center-developed reporting procedures. |
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| Flight Termination System | Not required with reliable commercial RC controller. | Required unless the command and control system has proven reliability using actual flight data or a proven, regularly exercised lost link capability. Commercial RC controllers do not require an FTS. |
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| Waiver Authority |
IAW NPR 7900 and applicable NASA HQ-approved Center guidelines.
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| Oversight Responsibilities |
IAW NPR 7900
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