Part 107 rules and limits: the numbers that matter
Under 14 CFR 107.51 a small drone flown for work stays at or below 400 feet above ground level (higher only within 400 feet of a structure), at or below 87 knots groundspeed, with at least 3 statute miles of visibility from the control station, and at least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds. Every one of those can be waived under 107.205; none is changed by an airspace authorization.
The hard numbers in 107.51
- Groundspeed: 87 knots, which is 100 miles per hour.
- Altitude: 400 feet above ground level. Within a 400-foot radius of a structure you may climb to 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit.
- Flight visibility: 3 statute miles, measured from the control station.
- Cloud clearance: 500 feet below the cloud and 2,000 feet horizontally from it.
All four can be waived under 14 CFR 107.205. An airspace authorization tells you where you may fly and how high in that grid; it doesn't change these limits (14 CFR 107.51).
Visual line of sight
14 CFR 107.31 requires the remote pilot in command, or the person on the controls, to see the aircraft throughout the flight with nothing but corrective lenses. Binoculars and the camera feed don't count. A visual observer (14 CFR 107.33) can help you watch, but doesn't replace your own line of sight, and you must be able to talk to each other the whole time.
Night and civil twilight
Night flight needs no waiver. 14 CFR 107.29 requires that you've completed the current knowledge test or recurrent training, and that the aircraft carries anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. The same lighting is required during civil twilight. You may dim it for safety; you may not switch it off.
Other rules the test loves
- Right of way (14 CFR 107.37): you yield to all aircraft and never pass over, under or ahead of one unless well clear.
- One aircraft per person (14 CFR 107.35): waivable.
- Moving vehicles (14 CFR 107.25): never from a moving aircraft; from a moving land or water vehicle only over a sparsely populated area, and not while carrying someone else's property for pay.
- Hazardous material (14 CFR 107.36): prohibited and not waivable.
- Controlled airspace (14 CFR 107.41): Class B, C, D and Class E surface areas at airports need prior ATC authorization. See airspace classes.
- Emergencies (14 CFR 107.21): you may deviate from any rule to the extent an in-flight emergency requires; the FAA may ask for a written report.
- Accidents (14 CFR 107.9): report to the FAA within 10 days if anyone is seriously injured or loses consciousness, or property other than the aircraft suffers more than $500 of damage.