Federal regulations
14 CFR Part 107, section by section
The whole rule in plain English, in the order the Code of Federal Regulations prints it, plus the two other parts every remote pilot lives with: Part 89 (Remote ID) and Part 48 (registration). Section numbers are what the test and the FAA cite. The current legal text is always at ecfr.gov.
Subpart A: General
Applicability
Part 107 applies to civil small unmanned aircraft (under 55 lb) operated in the United States, except air carrier operations, aircraft flown under the recreational exception (49 U.S.C. 44809), amateur rockets, moored balloons, and public aircraft that choose other rules.
Definitions
Control station: the equipment used to control the aircraft. Small unmanned aircraft: weighs less than 55 lb on takeoff including everything on board or attached. Visual line of sight: the unaided ability to see the aircraft well enough to know where it is and what it is doing. Visual observer: a person designated to help the remote PIC see and avoid traffic and hazards.
Falsification, reproduction, or alteration
No false statements on any application, report, or record. Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of any certificate.
Inspection, testing, and demonstration of compliance
On request from the FAA, NTSB, TSA, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, the remote PIC must present the remote pilot certificate, the aircraft registration, and any other required document, and must make the aircraft and records available for inspection or testing.
Accident reporting
Report to the FAA within 10 calendar days any operation that causes serious injury or loss of consciousness to any person, or damage to property other than the aircraft of $500 or more (repair cost or fair market value, whichever is lower).
Subpart B: Operating rules
Applicability
Subpart B applies to every small unmanned aircraft operation under Part 107.
Requirement for a remote pilot certificate
The remote PIC must hold a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating and meet the recency requirement of 107.65. Anyone else manipulating the controls must be under the remote PIC's direct supervision.
Registration
The aircraft must be registered as required by Part 47 or Part 48.
Condition for safe operation
Only operate an aircraft that is in a condition for safe operation. Check before flight, and discontinue the flight if continuing would be hazardous.
Medical condition
No participation by anyone who knows, or has reason to know, of a physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation.
Remote pilot in command
A remote PIC must be designated before or during the flight. The remote PIC is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation, must ensure the aircraft poses no undue hazard if control is lost, and must ensure compliance with all of Part 107.
In-flight emergency
In an emergency the remote PIC may deviate from any rule of Part 107 to the extent needed to meet it. Send a written report if the FAA asks.
Hazardous operation
No careless or reckless operation that endangers life or property. No dropping objects in a way that creates an undue hazard.
Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft
No operation from a moving aircraft. Operation from a moving land or water vehicle is allowed only over a sparsely populated area and not while carrying another person's property for compensation or hire.
Alcohol and drugs
Sections 91.17 and 91.19 apply: no acting as a crewmember within 8 hours of drinking, while under the influence, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more, or while using any drug that affects safety. No knowingly carrying illegal drugs.
Operation at night and in civil twilight
At night the remote PIC must have completed the current initial test or recurrent training, and the aircraft must have anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The same lighting is required during civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset in the contiguous United States; Alaska uses the Air Almanac). Intensity may be reduced only in the interest of safety.
Visual line of sight
The remote PIC, the person on the controls, or a VO must be able to see the aircraft throughout the flight with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, well enough to know its location, attitude, altitude, and direction, to observe the airspace for traffic and hazards, and to ensure it does not endanger anyone. Vision aids such as binoculars may be used only momentarily.
Visual observer
If a VO is used, the remote PIC, control operator, and VO must maintain effective communication at all times, and the VO must be able to see the aircraft unaided and keep the remote PIC informed of its position and of hazards.
Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft
One person may not act as remote PIC, control operator, or VO for more than one aircraft at a time.
Carriage of hazardous material
Prohibited. Not waivable.
Operation near aircraft; right-of-way rules
Yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles. Yielding means giving way and not passing over, under, or ahead unless well clear. No operating so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
Operation over human beings
No flight over a person unless that person is directly participating, is under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can protect them, or the operation meets Subpart D (Category 1, 2, 3, or 4).
Operation in certain airspace
Prior ATC authorization is required in Class B, C, or D airspace and within the lateral boundaries of a Class E surface area designated for an airport.
Operation in the vicinity of airports
No interference with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.
Operation in prohibited or restricted areas
Permission from the using or controlling agency is required.
Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by NOTAM
Comply with the special security instructions of 99.7 and the TFRs of 91.137 through 91.145, including the standing stadium restriction.
Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation
Before every flight: assess weather, airspace and flight restrictions, the location of people and property, and ground hazards; brief all participants on conditions, emergency and contingency procedures, roles, and hazards; ensure control links work, there is enough power, and any payload is secure and does not affect controllability.
Operating limitations
Groundspeed no more than 87 knots (100 mph). Altitude no more than 400 ft AGL, unless within a 400 ft radius of a structure and no more than 400 ft above its top. Visibility at least 3 statute miles from the control station. Stay 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds.
Subpart C: Remote pilot certification
Applicability
Subpart C sets the requirements for the remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
Offenses involving alcohol or drugs
A conviction for growing, processing, selling, possessing, or using drugs, or a conviction involving alcohol or drugs while operating an aircraft or motor vehicle, is grounds for denial of an application for up to one year and for suspension or revocation.
Refusal to submit to an alcohol test
Refusing a test or refusing to release results is grounds for denial for up to one year and for suspension or revocation.
Eligibility
At least 16 years old; able to read, speak, write, and understand English; no condition that would interfere with safe operation; and a passing knowledge test score within the previous 24 calendar months, or for current Part 61 pilots, completion of the FAA's online initial training.
Issuance of a remote pilot certificate
Apply on FAA Form 8710-13 (through IACRA) with the knowledge test report or training certificate. TSA security vetting applies.
Temporary certificate
A temporary certificate is valid for up to 120 days, or until the permanent certificate arrives, or until notice that the certificate is denied.
Aeronautical knowledge recency
To act as remote PIC you must have, within the previous 24 calendar months, passed the initial knowledge test, completed the FAA recurrent training, or (for Part 61 pilots with a current flight review) completed the applicable online training.
Knowledge tests: general procedures and passing grades
Bring acceptable identification with your name, photo, date of birth, and signature. The FAA sets the passing grade.
Knowledge tests: cheating or other unauthorized conduct
Copying, helping, using unauthorized materials, or removing test material makes the applicant ineligible for any certificate or rating for one year and is grounds for suspension or revocation of any certificate held.
Retesting after failure
Wait 14 calendar days after a failed test before retaking it.
Knowledge and training
The initial test covers: regulations; airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions; aviation weather sources and effects of weather; loading and performance; emergency procedures; crew resource management; radio communication procedures; determining aircraft performance; physiological effects of drugs and alcohol; aeronautical decision-making and judgment; airport operations; maintenance and preflight inspection; and operation at night.
Recurrent training areas
The recurrent course covers regulations, airspace and flight restrictions, emergency procedures, CRM, ADM, airport operations, maintenance and preflight inspection, and night operations.
Change of name or address
Name changes go through the Airmen Certification Branch with documentation. After a change of permanent mailing address, the holder may not exercise privileges after 30 days unless the FAA has been notified.
Voluntary surrender of certificate
A certificate may be surrendered for cancellation with a written request.
Subpart D: Operations over human beings
Applicability and limitations
Subpart D sets the aircraft and operating requirements that let a remote PIC fly over people without a waiver. The remote PIC must comply with all other operating rules and any operating limitations in the aircraft's declaration of compliance or airworthiness certificate.
Category 1
Aircraft of 0.55 lb or less, including everything attached, with no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin, and no safety defects. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies requires Remote ID.
Category 2
Aircraft with an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance showing it will not cause injury more severe than 11 ft-lb of kinetic energy on impact, with no exposed lacerating parts and no safety defects. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies requires Remote ID.
Category 3
Same as Category 2 but at the 25 ft-lb level. No sustained flight over open-air assemblies. Over people only within a closed or restricted-access site where everyone has been notified, or with no sustained flight over any person not under cover.
Category 4
Aircraft with an airworthiness certificate under Part 21, operated within its limitations and maintained under an approved program. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies requires Remote ID.
Operations over moving vehicles
Categories 1, 2, and 3: only within a closed or restricted-access site where people are on notice, or with no sustained flight over the moving vehicle. Category 4: under the aircraft's operating limitations.
Declarations of compliance and means of compliance
How manufacturers establish that an aircraft meets Category 2 or 3: an FAA-accepted means of compliance, a declaration of compliance, labeling, and record keeping.
Subpart E: Waivers
Waiver policy and requirements
The FAA may issue a certificate of waiver if the applicant shows the operation can be safely conducted under its terms. Apply through FAADroneZone. The remote PIC must comply with every condition in the waiver.
List of regulations subject to waiver
107.25 (moving vehicle), 107.29(a)(2) and (b) (night, in part), 107.31 (VLOS), 107.33 (VO), 107.35 (multiple aircraft), 107.37(a) (yielding right of way), 107.39 (over people), 107.41 (certain airspace), 107.51 (operating limitations), and 107.145 (over moving vehicles). Everything else, including 107.27 alcohol and 107.36 hazmat, cannot be waived.
Part 89: Remote identification
Operating requirements
Since September 16, 2023, every unmanned aircraft that requires registration must broadcast Remote ID: either standard Remote ID built into the aircraft (aircraft and control station location, altitude, velocity, identity, time, emergency status) or a broadcast module listed on the registration (broadcasts the takeoff location; the aircraft must stay within VLOS of the operator). Remote ID must be working from takeoff to shutdown and may not be disabled. The FAA's enforcement discretion period ended March 16, 2024.
FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs)
The one exception to broadcasting: aircraft without Remote ID may be flown within VLOS inside a FRIA. FRIAs are requested by community-based organizations and educational institutions and are shown on the FAA's UAS data map.
Part 48: Registration
Who must register, and the fee
Aircraft over 0.55 lb must be registered; under Part 107 every aircraft must be registered regardless of weight, because the small-aircraft exemption applies only to the recreational exception. $5 per aircraft, valid 3 years, through FAADroneZone.
Registration details
Part 107 aircraft are registered individually (recreational flyers register once for all their aircraft). The registrant must be 13 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or a foreign operator may receive a recognition of ownership.
Marking
Display the registration number legibly on an external surface of the aircraft, by any method that stays affixed for the life of the aircraft.
Rules borrowed from elsewhere
Alcohol and drugs
The 8 hour, 0.04 percent, under-the-influence, and impairing-drug rules, applied to Part 107 crews by 107.27.
Temporary flight restrictions and special security instructions
Disaster and hazard areas, presidential and VIP movements, space operations, major sporting events, and national security restrictions. Applied to Part 107 by 107.47. Published by NOTAM.
Exception for limited recreational operations
Recreational flyers follow this statute instead of Part 107: fly for fun only, within a community-based organization's guidelines, pass the free TRUST test, stay in Class G or get authorization, 400 ft, VLOS, and register if over 0.55 lb. The moment a flight has a business purpose, Part 107 applies.
National parks
The National Park Service prohibits launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft within park boundaries without a special use permit. Other federal land managers (Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife) have their own rules, as do states, counties, and cities for their property.