The rules that bound every flight
[PART107-F##] tag that resolves to a fact in our store. Each fact holds a pinpoint citation into 14 CFR Part 107 or the FAA's published Airman Certification Standards. Both sources are public domain, so you can read every word of them yourself. This is study guidance, not a ruling on your own operation.Four numbers
Eighty-seven knots of groundspeed [PART107-F19]. Four hundred feet above the ground [PART107-F19].
Three statute miles of visibility, judged from where you are standing [PART107-F21]. Five hundred feet below cloud and two thousand feet away from it [PART107-F22].
Learn those four before anything else on this page. Almost every operations question turns on one of them.
The ceiling lifts near tall things [PART107-F20]. Stay within four hundred feet of a structure and you may climb four hundred feet above its top [PART107-F20].
Keep it in sight
The aircraft stays visible to your unaided eye from launch to landing [PART107-F23]. Corrective lenses are the only aid allowed [PART107-F23].
A visual observer can hold that view instead of you [PART107-F23]. If one is used, the crew keeps effective communication going throughout [PART107-F42].
One person, one aircraft [PART107-F26]. You may not fly, command or observe two at the same time [PART107-F26].
Night, vehicles, and other people's airspace
Night flying is permitted [PART107-F24]. It needs recent enough training and anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles [PART107-F24].
You may never launch from a moving aircraft [PART107-F25]. From a moving vehicle you may, but only over a sparsely populated area [PART107-F25].
Controlled airspace near an airport needs prior authorisation from air traffic control [PART107-F28]. Classes B, C and D are covered, and so is Class E where it reaches the ground [PART107-F28].
Right of way never belongs to your aircraft [PART107-F27]. It gives way to each class of craft the rule names [PART107-F27].
Before you launch
The aircraft must be fit to fly, and you check it before each flight [PART107-F34].
The rule names what your assessment covers [PART107-F33]. Weather, airspace and restrictions, people and property below, and other hazards on the ground [PART107-F33].
Your aircraft may carry no hazardous material [PART107-F29]. Nothing may be dropped in a way that creates an undue hazard [PART107-F30].
Careless or reckless operation is barred outright [PART107-F30].
Who is answerable
Responsibility and the last word rest with whoever commands the flight [PART107-F31]. That is the sentence the whole certificate rests on.
Flight over people runs through four categories, each with its own section [PART107-F40]. Flying over someone inside a moving vehicle is barred unless those conditions are met [PART107-F39].
Two ways out
An in-flight emergency lets you set aside the rules here, as far as it actually requires [PART107-F32]. The FAA may then ask you for a written report [PART107-F32].
A waiver is the planned version [PART107-F37]. It authorises a deviation, but only from the regulations section 107.205 enumerates [PART107-F37].
That list is enumerated by section, and 107.25 opens it [PART107-F38].
Reporting afterwards
Some events must reach the FAA within ten calendar days [PART107-F35].
The triggers are serious injury or a loss of consciousness, and property damage above a five hundred dollar threshold [PART107-F36].
What to do next
Commit the four numbers to memory first, then read subpart B straight through.
Then ask, for your own intended flight, which single rule you are closest to breaking. That is the one to study hardest.
Check yourself
Answer before you open each one. Retrieving an answer from memory is what makes it stick.
What are the speed and altitude limits?
Eighty-seven knots of groundspeed and four hundred feet above ground level [PART107-F19].
You want to inspect a two-hundred-foot tower. How high may you fly?
Six hundred feet, if you stay within four hundred feet of the structure — four hundred above its top [PART107-F20].
Can you fly at night?
Yes, with recent enough training and anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles [PART107-F24].
Who decides whether the flight goes ahead?
Whoever commands it — they carry the responsibility and the last word [PART107-F31].
A rotor strike damages a parked car. Must you report it?
Yes, if the repair or the value exceeds five hundred dollars — within ten calendar days [PART107-F35][PART107-F36].
Which rules can a waiver reach?
Only the ones section 107.205 enumerates [PART107-F37][PART107-F38].
Evidence for this lesson
Every tag above resolves here. Each entry names the section and page to check in your own copy, with the short quote we relied on — we link the source and never reproduce it.
Two hard numbers bound every flight: 87 knots of groundspeed and 400 feet above ground level.
“The groundspeed of the small unmanned aircraft may not exceed 87 knots (100 miles per hour). (b) The altitude of the small unmanned aircraft cannot be higher than 400 feet above ground level”
The ceiling rises near a tall structure: within 400 feet of it you may go 400 feet above its top.
“Is flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure; and (2) Does not fly higher than 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit.”
Visibility is measured from where you stand, and 3 statute miles is the floor.
“The minimum flight visibility, as observed from the location of the control station must be no less than 3 statute miles.”
Cloud clearance is 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally.
“The minimum distance of the small unmanned aircraft from clouds must be no less than: (1) 500 feet below the cloud; and (2) 2,000 feet horizontally from the cloud.”
The aircraft must stay visible to the naked eye for the whole flight; corrective lenses are the only aid allowed.
“With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the person manipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight”
Night flight is allowed, with two conditions: recent-enough training, and anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
“no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night unless— (1) The remote pilot in command of the small unmanned aircraft has completed an initial knowledge test or training, as applicable, under § 107.65 after April 6, 2021; and (2) The small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles”
You may not fly from a moving aircraft at all, and from a moving vehicle only over a sparsely populated area.
“No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system— (a) From a moving aircraft; or (b) From a moving land or water-borne vehicle unless the small unmanned aircraft is flown over a sparsely populated area”
One person, one aircraft — the rule bars flying, commanding or observing two at once.
“A person may not manipulate flight controls or act as a remote pilot in command or visual observer in the operation of more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time.”
Right of way never belongs to the drone: it gives way to each class of craft the rule names.
“Each small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles.”
Controlled airspace around airports needs prior authorisation from Air Traffic Control.
“No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).”
A small drone may not carry hazardous material.
“A small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material.”
Careless or reckless operation is prohibited, and so is dropping an object in a way that creates an undue hazard.
“No person may: (a) Operate a small unmanned aircraft system in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another; or (b) Allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard”
The remote pilot in command carries the responsibility and the final say.
“The remote pilot in command is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of the small unmanned aircraft system.”
An in-flight emergency lets you break any rule of this part as far as the emergency requires, and the FAA may ask for a written report.
“In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the remote pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent necessary to meet that emergency. (b) Each remote pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (a) of this section must, upon request of the Administrator, send a written report”
The preflight assessment is named in the rule: weather, airspace and restrictions, people and property below, and other ground hazards.
“Prior to flight, the remote pilot in command must: (a) Assess the operating environment, considering risks to persons and property in the immediate vicinity both on the surface and in the air. This assessment must include: (1) Local weather conditions; (2) Local airspace and any flight restrictions; (3) The location of persons and property on the surface; and (4) Other ground hazards.”
Every flight begins with a check that the aircraft is fit to fly.
“No person may operate a civil small unmanned aircraft system unless it is in a condition for safe operation. Prior to each flight, the remote pilot in command must check the small unmanned aircraft system to determine whether it is in a condition for safe operation.”
Some events must be reported to the FAA within 10 calendar days.
“No later than 10 calendar days after an operation that meets the criteria of either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, a remote pilot in command must report to the FAA”
The reportable events are serious injury or loss of consciousness, and property damage above a $500 threshold.
“Serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness; or (b) Damage to any property, other than the small unmanned aircraft, unless one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) The cost of repair (including materials and labor) does not exceed $500; or (2) The fair market value of the property does not exceed $500”
A waiver can authorise a deviation, but only from the regulations section 107.205 enumerates.
“The Administrator may issue a certificate of waiver authorizing a deviation from any regulation specified in § 107.205 if the Administrator finds that a proposed small UAS operation can safely be conducted under the terms of that certificate of waiver.”
The waivable rules are enumerated by section, and 107.25 is the first one listed.
“A certificate of waiver issued pursuant to § 107.200 may authorize a deviation from the following regulations of this part: (a) Section 107.25—Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft.”
Flying over someone inside a moving vehicle is barred unless specific conditions are met.
“No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a human being located inside a moving vehicle unless the following conditions are met”
Flight over people runs through four numbered categories, each with its own rule.
“a remote pilot in command may conduct operations over human beings only in accordance with the following, as applicable: § 107.110 for Category 1 operations; §§ 107.115 and 107.120 for Category 2 operations; §§ 107.125 and 107.130 for Category 3 operations; or § 107.140 for Category 4 operations.”
When a visual observer is used, the crew must stay in effective communication throughout.
“The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system, and the visual observer must maintain effective communication with each other at all times.”