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ModalAI Manufacturer's Safety Statement

Issued under Section 2203 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-190)

Document MODALAI-SEC2203-SS  |  Version 1.0
Date created:
Date last modified:

Purpose and applicability

ModalAI, Inc. provides this Safety Statement to the owner at the time of delivery of each small unmanned aircraft (sUA) it manufactures — that is, each complete unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds at gross take-off weight, including payload and attached equipment.

This statement accompanies ModalAI complete aircraft products. It does not accompany ModalAI components, subassemblies, or development modules (for example VOXL 2, VOXL 2 Mini, Flight Core v2, ESCs, image sensors, radios, and flight decks), which are not themselves small unmanned aircraft. Purchasers who integrate ModalAI components into an aircraft of their own design are the manufacturer of that aircraft and are responsible for issuing their own safety statement under Section 2203.

If you have received a ModalAI complete aircraft without this statement, contact us and we will provide one at no cost.

1. Operating pathways, airman testing, and enforcement

You may operate this small unmanned aircraft in one of two ways:

Recreationally, under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft, 49 U.S.C. § 44809. To fly under this exception you must, among other conditions, fly strictly for recreational purposes, follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization, keep the aircraft within visual line of sight, give way to and not interfere with manned aircraft, obtain prior authorization before operating in controlled airspace, fly at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, and pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of passage.

Otherwise in accordance with FAA authorization or regulation, principally 14 CFR Part 107 (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems). Operating under Part 107 requires you to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, which requires completion of the applicable FAA airman knowledge test (or, for existing Part 61 certificate holders, the FAA online training course).

  Recreational — 49 U.S.C. § 44809 Part 107 — 14 CFR Part 107
Purpose Strictly for recreation. Any business, compensation, or furtherance of a business is excluded. Any non-recreational purpose, including commercial, research, and public-agency civil operations.
Credential Pass TRUST and carry proof. Hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with small UAS rating (FAA airman knowledge test).
Altitude At or below 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace. At or below 400 ft AGL, or within 400 ft of a structure.
Controlled airspace Prior authorization required (LAANC or DroneZone). Prior authorization required (LAANC or DroneZone).
Line of sight Visual line of sight at all times. Visual line of sight unless waived.
Also required Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization. Comply with Part 107 operating rules, including Subpart D for operations over human beings.

Registration

Under 14 CFR Part 48, this aircraft must be registered with the FAA before flight if it weighs 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or more, including payload and attached equipment. All aircraft flown under Part 107 must be registered regardless of weight. Register at FAADroneZone. You must mark the aircraft with its registration number and carry proof of registration when flying.

Remote Identification

Under 14 CFR Part 89, this aircraft must comply with Remote ID requirements — either by broadcasting Remote ID as a Standard Remote ID aircraft or via a Remote ID broadcast module, or by operating exclusively within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).

Consequences of non-compliance

Operating a small unmanned aircraft outside the parameters described above is a violation of Federal Aviation Administration regulations. A person who violates those regulations may be subject to civil penalties under 49 U.S.C. § 46301(a). The FAA may pursue enforcement action against any person operating an unmanned aircraft in a manner that endangers the safety of the National Airspace System.

2. Applicable laws and regulations, and where to find them

Subject Authority Where to find it
Commercial / non-recreational operations 14 CFR Part 107 ecfr.gov • faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators
Recreational operations 49 U.S.C. § 44809 faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers
Recreational knowledge test TRUST faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates
Aircraft registration 14 CFR Part 48 faadronezone.faa.gov
Remote Identification 14 CFR Part 89 faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id
Airspace authorization LAANC / DroneZone faa.gov/uas/getting_started/laanc
Where you may and may not fly B4UFLY faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
Restricted / security airspace 14 CFR Part 99, NOTAMs, TFRs tfr.faa.gov
Safety statement requirement Sec. 2203, Pub. L. 114-190 faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/manufacturers_toolkit

State, local, and tribal governments may impose additional restrictions on where you launch, land, and operate, and on privacy and trespass. Federal, state, and military installations frequently prohibit unmanned aircraft operations entirely. Check local rules before you fly.

3. Recommendations for safe operation

Before every flight

  • Confirm the aircraft is registered, marked, and Remote ID compliant, and that you hold the certificate or test credential required for your operation.
  • Check airspace with B4UFLY or a LAANC provider, and check for TFRs at tfr.faa.gov. Obtain authorization before operating in controlled airspace.
  • Complete a preflight inspection: airframe integrity, propeller condition and seating, motor mounts, secure payload attachment, connector seating, and antenna condition.
  • Inspect batteries for swelling, puncture, or damage. Do not fly a damaged pack. Confirm charge state and set voltage failsafes.
  • Verify control link, telemetry link, and failsafe behavior (return-to-home, land, or hold) before takeoff.
  • Check weather, including wind at altitude, precipitation, and temperature limits for your battery chemistry.

During flight

  • Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times unless you hold a waiver authorizing otherwise.
  • Do not fly over people, over moving vehicles, or in a manner that endangers persons or property. Part 107 Subpart D governs operations over human beings and requires a specific operational category.
  • Do not fly near or over emergency response operations, including wildfires, law enforcement activity, and medical evacuation.
  • Yield right of way to all manned aircraft.
  • Never operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and never operate while impaired or fatigued.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the aircraft during arming, takeoff, and landing. Spinning propellers cause serious injury.

Indoor and bench operation

  • Wear eye protection whenever propellers are installed and the aircraft is powered.
  • Remove propellers for bench testing, software updates, and parameter changes.
  • Disable or reconfigure GPS-dependent failsafes such as return-to-home before flying indoors, where a GPS-driven return can drive the aircraft into structure.
  • Fly in an enclosed area, clear of obstacles and bystanders, that contains the aircraft in the event of a fly-away.

Batteries and energy

  • Charge lithium polymer batteries on a non-flammable surface, never unattended, and never in a vehicle passenger compartment.
  • Store packs at storage charge, away from combustibles, and dispose of damaged packs through a lithium battery recycler.
  • Follow the transportation rules for lithium batteries when shipping or flying commercially with the aircraft.

Payloads, modifications, and privacy

  • Adding payload changes gross take-off weight, center of gravity, flight time, and thermal margin. Revalidate registration thresholds and failsafe settings after any change.
  • Modifying firmware, flight control parameters, or airframe geometry may make the aircraft unairworthy. Test modifications incrementally, on the bench first, then in a controlled environment.
  • Be aware of the privacy expectations of people near your operating area, and of state and local law governing recording.

4. Additional ModalAI resources

5. Questions and contact

ModalAI, Inc.
8880 Rehco Rd, STE A
San Diego, CA 92121
modalai.com/pages/contact-us

Revision history

Version Date Change
1.0 August 13, 2026 Initial issue.

This Safety Statement is reviewed at least annually and upon any material change to applicable FAA regulation. Owners should consult faa.gov for the current requirements, which may change after the modification date above.