What type of flight operations does a Certificate of Waiver allow?

A Certificate of Waiver grants permission for operators to deviate from specific FAA regulations while ensuring that safety measures are in place. This flexibility is crucial for those conducting operations that may not fit neatly within existing regulations, allowing for innovation and adaptation in various flight scenarios. The FAA requires the operator to demonstrate that their proposed operation will maintain a level of safety equal to the existing regulations from which they are seeking a waiver.

This choice highlights the FAA's focus on safety while also acknowledging the need for flexibility in the ever-evolving field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The ability to apply for a waiver can help facilitate more advanced applications of drone technology under controlled and monitored conditions, rather than being restricted strictly to predefined regulatory boundaries.

In contrast, other options describe scenarios that do not align with the purpose of a Certificate of Waiver. For instance, on-demand commercial operations, recreational UAV activities, and night operations can all be subject to standard regulations or require specific authorizations rather than waivers.