What? Me thinks your FSDO is very wrong,
unless they are referring to aiming the UAS at the people
directly so that in case of malfunction momentum will carry the bird straight at them (that would be poor piloting skill, a PIC should never "aim" the UAS at any person but plan to fly parallel)). How far is "an angle away from people?" 500 feet? A mile? That is subjective FAA BS.
The burden is on the PIC to operate so that a "malfunction of the UAS will not cause injuries to non-participating persons on the ground." If you hurt someone then you are in deep kimshi, but if you give yourself a reasonable distance from the persons and a malfunction brings the UAS down safely away from the persons you violated no FAR. Keep in mind most FSDO staff is very good at manned aircraft issues. sUAS is new to them. My 2 cents
These are my go-to guys at the FAA for rules interpretation:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Try asking any of them and let us know what their answer is.
§ 107.39 Operation over human beings. No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a human being unless that human being is:
(a) Directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft; or
(b) Located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft.
In order to obtain a waiver, the applicant must meet this:
Performance-Based Standards
1. Applicant must provide a method such that any malfunction of the sUAS will not cause injuries to non-participating persons on the ground.
2. Applicant must mitigate risk to non-participants through an operational risk assessment, testing, and data, addressing design features, operational limitations, or a combination thereof specific to
the operation.
3. Applicant must address the risk from exposure to rotating parts and sharp edges which could injure a non-participating person.
4. Applicant must show the pilot in command, or person manipulating the controls, have adequate knowledge, experience, and ability to safely operate an unmanned aircraft over non-participating
persons including recent flight experience within last 30 days.