Are you trying to learn about the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 drone regulations (sometimes called the small unmanned aircraft rule) so you can fly your drone? If so, this article is for you. Show The FAA’s Part 107 provides regulations for the (1) issuance of a remote pilot certificate as well as (2) operating rules for drone operators such as will be line of sight, under 55 pounds, less than 100 MPH, and below 400ft. However, Part 107, by itself, is not a complete fix for all drone operations. Some operations are ineligible from operating under Part 107 and some Part 107 operations can operate under Part 107 but also need waivers or exemptions to fix certain regulatory problems. On top of that, some operators have options and can operate under different regulatory options. For example, government drone operators can fly as civil aircraft under Part 107 or fly as public aircraft under Part 91. They have different tools in their toolbox. See my article on 107 v public COA for a much more in-depth discussion. Moreover, Part 107 is not the only regulation that could apply to your flight. It isn’t like your “little world” where all regulations that could apply to your flight reside in this one location. There are many other laws that could apply. I created an ultimate guide to U.S. Drone Regulations Guide here which talks about other drone regulations. The FAA released Part 107 on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 but was later amended on January 15, 2021 to allow for night flying and flying over people without waivers. The FAA wants to regulate by regulation, not by granting waivers. Non-Part 107 OperationsWhile many might think all drone operations operate under part 107, there are some operations that do not. Part 107 does not apply to: So if you don’t fall into one of those drone operations, then you would be eligible for Part 107 drone operations. Part 107 Operational Limitations:
Remote Pilot in Command Certification and Responsibilities
A remote pilot in command must:
Part 107 Aircraft Requirements
For any of the operations listed below, a drone operator could NOT fly purely under the FAA’s Part 107 operating rules but would need to be authorized via a waiver, Public COA, a special Section 44807 Exemption (formerly called a Section 333 exemption), or a SAC/COA combo. Contact me if you are interested in any of these types of operations.
Actual Text of Part 107 with Guidance MaterialI have created pages for almost all of the regulations below. The pages were designed to help people study the regulations. Each page has the (1) actual text of the law, (2) my commentary on the law and maybe supporting links, (3) relevant portions of the FAA’s advisory circular on the particular regulation, and (4) the FAA’s discussion on the topic or particular regulation from the preambles of final rule. PART 107Subpart A—General107.1 Applicability. 107.2 Applicability of certification procedures for products and articles. 107.3 Definitions. 107.5 Falsification, reproduction or alteration. 107.7 Inspection, testing, and demonstration of compliance. 107.9 Accident reporting. Subpart B—Operating Rules107.11 Applicability. 107.12 Requirement for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating. 107.13 Registration. 107.15 Condition for safe operation. 107.17 Medical condition. 107.19 Remote pilot in command. 107.21 In-flight emergency. 107.23 Hazardous operation. 107.25 Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft. 107.27 Alcohol or drugs. 107.29 Daylight operation. 107.31 Visual line of sight aircraft operation. 107.33 Visual observer. 107.35 Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft. 107.36 Carriage of hazardous material. 107.37 Operation near aircraft; right-of-way rules. 107.39 Operation over human beings. 107.41 Operation in certain airspace. 107.43 Operation in the vicinity of airports. 107.45 Operation in prohibited or restricted areas. 107.47 Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen. 107.49 Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation. 107.51 Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft. Subpart C—Remote Pilot Certification107.52 ATC transponder equipment prohibition. 107.53 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out prohibition. 107.56 Applicability. 107.57 Offenses involving alcohol or drugs. 107.59 Refusal to submit to an alcohol test or to furnish test results. 107.61 Eligibility. 107.63 Issuance of a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating. 107.64 Temporary certificate. 107.65 Aeronautical knowledge recency. 107.67 Knowledge tests: General procedures and passing grades. 107.69 Knowledge tests: Cheating or other unauthorized conduct. 107.71 Retesting after failure. 107.73 Initial and recurrent knowledge tests. 107.74 Small unmanned aircraft system training. 107.77 Change of name or address. 107.79 Voluntary surrender of certificate. Subpart D—Operations Over Human Beings107.100 Applicability. 107.105 Limitations on operations over human beings. 107.110 Category 1 operations. 107.115 Category 2 operations: Operating requirements. 107.120 Category 2 operations: Eligibility of small unmanned aircraft and other applicant requirements. 107.125 Category 3 operations: Operating requirements. 107.130 Category 3 operations: Eligibility of small unmanned aircraft and other applicant requirements. 107.135 Labeling by remote pilot in command for Category 2 and 3 operations. 107.140 Category 4 operations. 107.145 Operations over moving vehicles. 107.150 Variable mode and variable configuration of small unmanned aircraft. 107.155 Means of compliance. 107.160 Declaration of compliance. 107.165 Record retention. Subpart E- Waivers107.200 Waiver policy and requirements. 107.205 List of regulations subject to waiver. Important Articles on Part 107: |