Part 107Edit
Part 107 is the U.S. regulatory framework governing the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for civil purposes. Implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it establishes the baseline rules for drone use in the national airspace, balancing safety with practical, market-driven applications across industries such as film and media, agriculture, inspections, and emergency response. The rule defines a small UAS as one weighing up to 55 pounds at takeoff and lays out the conditions under which it can be piloted by a licensed operator. It also created a pathway for more advanced or riskier operations through waivers, and it has been progressively augmented by infrastructure and identification requirements to support broader use.
The Part 107 regime sits within a broader push to integrate unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS) without imposing prohibitive hurdles. Since its introduction in 2016, the framework has helped unlock a wide array of commercial opportunities, while attempting to preserve safety for traditional aviation users and the general public. Tools like the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) streamline airspace access, and the later Remote Identification requirement (Remote Identification) aims to provide accountability for drone operations. For many operators, the combination of a relatively light-touch license regime and targeted safety measures has created a workable platform for innovation, efficiency, and job creation in sectors such as agriculture, aerial photography, and real estate visualization. The regulatory structure also covers enforcement mechanisms and the processes by which operators can request waivers to operate outside standard limits through instruments like the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization pathways.
Regulatory framework and scope
Part 107 governs the operation of small UAS in both public and private sectors, with emphasis on risk-based, practical controls. It defines who may operate (a Remote Pilot in Command who holds a Remote Pilot Certificate), what aircraft may be used (UAS weighing no more than 55 pounds at takeoff), where they may fly (primarily within the National Airspace System under clearly defined conditions), and how safety must be managed. Operators must also ensure their drone is registered with the FAA if it meets the weight threshold, and they must comply with airspace authorization requirements when flying in controlled airspace.
A key feature of Part 107 is its integration with the NAS through systems like LAANC, which provides near real-time authorization to operate in controlled airspace. In places and times where LAANC isn’t available, operators may pursue a COA or other FAA-approved authorization. The rule’s scope is deliberately narrow—designed for small, lower-risk platforms—while leaving room for safe expansion through waivers (for example, operations over people or beyond visual line of sight when countervailing safety measures are in place).
The law also imposes a number of operational limits intended to minimize risk. Flights must generally be conducted within visual line of sight of the remote pilot, during daylight or civil twilight with appropriate lighting, and not above 400 feet above ground level (AGL) except under a waiver. Speed, flight over people, and flight from moving vehicles are restricted, with waivers available where a safety case can be demonstrated. These constraints reflect a conservative, safety-first approach that aims to permit broad use without inviting undue risk to manned aviation or people on the ground.
Core terminology and pathways related to Part 107 are connected to a number of related pages and topics, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s broader airspace framework, unmanned aircraft system law, and the regulatory mechanisms that enable or limit operations. For instance, the Remote Pilot Certificate is a prerequisite for most commercial operations, while LAANC enables access to relevant airspace. In cases where standard limits cannot be met, operators can seek a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization to pursue a wider range of activities, often at the cost of increased regulatory scrutiny and documentation.
Core requirements and practical implications
Remote Pilot Certificate: Operators must be trained and tested to demonstrate the knowledge required to operate a UAS safely under Part 107. The certificate is issued by the FAA and covers airspace rules, weather, aircraft performance, and emergency procedures.
Aircraft certification and registration: The UAS must weigh 55 pounds or less and is typically registered with the FAA if the aircraft exceeds 0.55 pounds (250 grams) in weight. Registration creates accountability for the operator and the platform.
Operating rules:
- Visual line of sight: The remote pilot must maintain direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft during flight.
- Daylight and twilight operations: Flights conducted in daylight are standard; civil twilight may be allowed with proper lighting and conditions.
- Maximum altitude and speed: Typical limits cap altitude at 400 feet AGL and restrict speed to a moderate, controllable range to minimize risk to manned aviation.
- Airspace access: In controlled airspace, authorization is required through LAANC or other FAA-approved means; otherwise, operations are restricted to uncontrolled airspace.
Safety and privacy safeguards: Operators are expected to conduct preflight inspections, follow weather guidelines, maintain situational awareness, and adhere to restrictions regarding flight over people or moving vehicles. Remote ID requirements help authorities identify drones in the event of unsafe or unlawful operation.
Waivers and alternatives: When standard rules would unduly constrain legitimate operations, pilots can pursue waivers under Part 107. These waivers can address issues such as operating over people, night operations, or flying beyond visual line of sight, provided the operator can present a compelling safety case. See also Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for more on the process and standards.
Compliance ecosystem: The Part 107 regime interacts with broader infrastructure and policy, including LAANC for airspace access, Remote Identification for accountability, and industry best practices for safe drone operation in areas such as real estate, construction, and utilities. It also interfaces with state and local regulations that sometimes address privacy, nuisance concerns, or specific use cases.
Technology, economy, and practical effects
Part 107 helped unlock a broad spectrum of commercial drone use by providing predictable rules and a pathway to legality. Industries such as agriculture agriculture for crop monitoring and spraying (where legal and compliant), film and media production for aerial footage aerial photography, infrastructure inspection of assets like wind turbines or pipelines, and public safety applications benefited from a clear regulatory baseline. The system also incentivized the development of supporting technology—autonomous waypoint planning, better obstacle avoidance, and more robust geofencing—so operators can reliably stay within permitted operations.
Supporters emphasize that the framework protects the public and traditional aviation while avoiding the all-or-nothing approach that can stifle innovation. The use of waivers is presented as a risk-managed route to expand capabilities where the safety case is strong, rather than a blanket exemption. Proponents also point to the resilience of the private sector in adapting to the rules, the job growth in drone-related fields, and the potential for cost savings and efficiency across industries.
Critics within the broader policy debate contend that the regulatory regime can impose significant compliance costs on small businesses and rural operators, particularly when navigating airspace restrictions, registration, and the process to obtain waivers. Some argue for a more streamlined, risk-based approach that relies more on private safety practices, best-practice standardization, and targeted oversight, while maintaining essential safeguards. In this view, overemphasis on certain safety or privacy narratives can delay beneficial innovations or reduce the competitiveness of U.S. drone-enabled services.
Controversies surrounding Part 107 often revolve around balance and scope. Critics from some policy circles contend that the regime is either too permissive in some contexts (risking public safety) or too restrictive in others (stifling innovation and economic activity). Proponents argue that the rule reflects a prudent compromise that prioritizes basic safety, provides a clear framework for legitimate business use, and keeps government control narrowly tailored to risk. Debates about airspace control, privacy, and future BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations continue, with many expecting further evolution of the system as technology and needs evolve.
Global context and future directions
Drones operate in a global market, and Part 107 sits alongside international frameworks that govern unmanned aircraft use. In Europe, for example, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) sets its own UAS rules, which influence cross-border operations and international projects. Other countries have implemented parallel schemes for registration, pilot certification, and airspace access, with varying degrees of stringency. The U.S. approach—combining a formal certification path, eligibility for waivers, and reliable airspace access via LAANC—serves as a reference point for global operators and manufacturers seeking consistency across markets.
Looking ahead, the Part 107 regime is often discussed in conjunction with broader advances in UAS technology, such as BVLOS operations and more automated inspection and delivery capabilities. The ongoing refinement of airspace integration, Remote ID, and related safety standards will shape how quickly and safely drone services can scale across sectors. The balance between innovation and safety, and the administrative efficiency of authorization systems, are central to how quickly the U.S. drone economy can grow while maintaining confidence in public safety and national security.