Part 107

Overview

Part 107 is the section of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (Title 14) that governs commercial and other non-recreational flights of small unmanned aircraft, commonly called drones. Under it, a person who manipulates the controls of a small unmanned aircraft system must hold a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone who does. The certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This page is based on the text of the regulation as published on the eCFR. The FAA's own web pages could not be read when this page was written, so details such as the number of test questions, the passing score, the test fee and the booking process are not given here. Check the FAA website for those.

Who can apply

To be eligible for a remote pilot certificate, an applicant must:

• be at least 16 years old;

• be able to read, speak, write and understand English (the FAA can add operating limits where a medical condition prevents this);

• have no known physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small UAS;

• show aeronautical knowledge by passing the initial knowledge test, or, if already holding a pilot certificate other than a student certificate and with a current flight review, by completing the specific small UAS training the regulation describes.

Exam pattern

The initial aeronautical knowledge test is the route for most applicants. The regulation lists 13 areas it must cover. See the Syllabus section below.

Syllabus

The regulation names these areas of knowledge for the initial test:

• regulations on small UAS privileges, limitations and flight operations;

• airspace classification and operating requirements;

• aviation weather sources and their effect on performance;

• small UAS loading;

• emergency procedures;

• crew resource management;

• radio communication procedures;

• performance determination;

• physiological effects of drugs and alcohol;

• aeronautical decision-making and judgment;

• airport operations;

• maintenance and preflight inspection;

• operation at night.

Existing pilots who take the training route instead of the test are trained on eight of these areas, from regulations through to night operations.

Important dates

A temporary remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating can be issued for up to 120 calendar days. A permanent certificate is then issued to qualified applicants. The regulation as read does not set an expiry date for the permanent certificate.

After the exam

Certificate holders must show recent knowledge every 24 calendar months. They can do this by passing a recurrent knowledge test, or by completing recurrent training that covers the areas above. Holders of a Part 61 pilot certificate who meet flight review requirements can instead complete the training listed for existing pilots.

Key operating rules

These rules apply to Part 107 flights. The figures below come from the regulation as read.

• Keep the aircraft within unaided visual line of sight of the remote pilot or a visual observer.

• Maximum groundspeed is 87 knots (100 miles per hour).

• Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level, with an exception near structures.

• Minimum visibility is 3 statute miles.

• Stay at least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

• Night flights need anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles.

• Flying over people is allowed only in the situations the regulation lists.

Preparation tips

• Read the regulation sections that match each area of knowledge in the list above.

• Pay particular attention to airspace, weather, loading and night operations, since these are named test areas.

• Learn the operating limits in the previous section by heart.