14 CFR Part 107: Drone Regulations and Remote Pilot rules

Part 107, titled "Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems," took effect on August 29, 2016, and established the first comprehensive regulatory framework for commercial drone operations in the United States. It governs the certification of remote pilots and the operation of small UAS — unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything onboard or otherwise attached.

Before Part 107, commercial drone operators needed a Section 333 exemption and a manned aircraft pilot certificate — an expensive and time-consuming process. Part 107 created a streamlined path with its own knowledge test and certificate, making commercial drone operations accessible to a much broader range of professionals including photographers, surveyors, inspectors, and agricultural operators.

Part 107 applies to all non-recreational UAS operations. If you fly a drone for any commercial purpose — even posting monetized content — you need a Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers operate under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (49 USC 44809), which has its own set of requirements including flying within visual line of sight and following community-based organization safety guidelines.

To operate commercially under Part 107, you must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating. The process begins with passing the UAG (Unmanned Aircraft General) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering airspace classification, weather, loading and performance, operations, and regulations. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass.

After passing, applicants complete the IACRA application (FAA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application), undergo a TSA security background check, and receive their temporary certificate — typically within 7-10 business days. The permanent plastic certificate follows by mail. Holders of existing Part 61 pilot certificates (private or higher, current flight review) may complete an online training course through the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) instead of the knowledge test.

Recurrent training is required every 24 calendar months. Certificate holders complete the recurrent training course online through the FAA Safety Team website at no cost. Failure to complete recurrent training on time means the certificate is no longer valid for exercising remote pilot privileges until training is completed.

Part 107 imposes specific operating limitations that define the boundaries of standard operations. The small UAS must weigh less than 55 lbs at takeoff. Maximum groundspeed is 100 mph (87 knots). Maximum altitude is 400 feet AGL, or within 400 feet of a structure if flown within its immediate vicinity. Minimum visibility is 3 statute miles from the control station.

The remote PIC must maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with the aircraft at all times — unaided except by corrective lenses. A visual observer may be used to supplement but not replace the remote PIC's VLOS requirement unless operating under a waiver. Operations from a moving vehicle are permitted over sparsely populated areas, but not from a moving aircraft.

Only one UAS may be operated at a time per remote PIC. Operations may not interfere with manned aircraft, and the remote PIC must yield right-of-way to all manned aircraft. External loads are permitted if securely attached and the total weight remains under 55 lbs. Carriage of hazardous materials is prohibited.

Preflight requirements: Before each flight, the remote PIC must assess weather, airspace, ground hazards, and the location of persons in the operating area. The UAS must be in a condition for safe operation — a preflight inspection covering all components, including control links between the control station and the aircraft, is mandatory.

Part 107 operations in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface-area Class E) require prior authorization from ATC. The primary mechanism for obtaining this authorization is LAANC — Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability — a collaboration between the FAA and private UAS service suppliers (USS).

LAANC provides near-real-time automated airspace authorization using UAS Facility Maps (UASFM) that define pre-approved altitude ceilings for grid cells around controlled airports. If your planned flight altitude is at or below the UASFM ceiling for your location, LAANC can approve the request within seconds. If your altitude exceeds the map ceiling, the request is forwarded to the FAA for manual review and may take up to 90 days.

For operations in uncontrolled airspace (Class G), no ATC authorization is required, but all other Part 107 rules still apply. Operations above 400 feet AGL in Class G airspace require no waiver — the 400-foot limit applies unless the aircraft is within 400 feet of a structure. However, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and other NOTAMs apply regardless of airspace class and must be checked before every flight.

Night operations: The Operations Over People final rule (effective April 21, 2021) eliminated the blanket prohibition on night operations. Remote PICs may now fly at night without a waiver, provided the small UAS has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles and the remote PIC has completed updated initial or recurrent training that includes night operations topics.

Operations over people: The same 2021 rule established four categories for operations over people. Category 1 covers small drones weighing 0.55 lbs or less. Category 2 requires the drone not cause injury exceeding a severity threshold (11 ft-lbs kinetic energy) and have no exposed rotating parts. Category 3 allows larger drones but restricts operations to areas where people have been notified or are within a restricted-access site. Category 4 requires an FAA-issued airworthiness certificate.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): BVLOS operations remain the most restricted category and require an FAA waiver under 107.31. The waiver application must demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to VLOS operations, typically through detect-and-avoid technology, ground-based radar, or observers. BVLOS waivers have historically had low approval rates, but the FAA has been expanding pathways through the BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations and updated policy.

Registration (Part 48): All drones weighing 0.55 lbs (250 grams) or more must be registered with the FAA through the DroneZone portal before flight. Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years. The registration number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft (marking on an enclosed compartment accessible without tools is no longer sufficient as of February 2019). Part 107 operators register under Part 48, receiving an N-number-style registration.

Remote ID (Part 89):The Remote ID rule, effective September 16, 2023, requires all drones weighing 0.55 lbs or more to broadcast identification and location information during flight. Standard Remote ID is built into the drone by the manufacturer and broadcasts the drone's identity, location, altitude, velocity, the control station location, and a time stamp. Alternatively, operators may attach an FAA-approved Remote ID broadcast module to an existing drone.

Drones without Remote ID capability may only be operated at FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs) — fixed sites such as model aircraft fields where Remote ID is not required. The list of FRIAs is published and maintained by the FAA. Non-compliance with Remote ID can result in certificate action and civil penalties.