Operating Rules

Performance Limitations

• Maximum groundspeed: 87 knots (100 mph)
• Maximum altitude: 400 feet AGL — unless flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure, in which case you may climb up to 400 ft above that structure's uppermost limit
• Minimum visibility: 3 statute miles from the control station
• Cloud clearance: 500 feet below clouds, 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

The Remote PIC and person manipulating the controls must be able to see the aircraft at all times — with vision unaided by anything other than corrective lenses. VOs (if used) are also bound by this requirement.

• You must be able to see the aircraft well enough to determine its location, altitude, direction of flight, and surrounding airspace, and to determine that it is not endangering persons or property
• Vision aids (binoculars) may be used only momentarily to enhance situational awareness — for example, to confirm that you are clear of people or other aircraft
• If you unintentionally lose sight of the aircraft, attempt to regain VLOS immediately
• If you intentionally lose sight (operational necessity), regain VLOS as soon as practicable

Civil Twilight & Night Operations

Operations during civil twilight or at night require additional steps. Night is the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight (per 14 CFR § 1.1, using The Air Almanac).

• In the contiguous US: Evening civil twilight is sunset to 30 minutes after sunset. Morning civil twilight is 30 minutes before sunrise to sunrise.
• Anti-collision lighting: Required for civil twilight and night operations. Must be visible for at least 3 statute miles from the control station, with a flash rate sufficient to avoid collision.
• Avoid self-imposed stressors that limit night vision: exhaustion, low blood sugar, tobacco use
• Use off-center viewing (look 5°–10° off the aircraft) to compensate for the night blind spot in the fovea
• Avoid bright lights after dark adapting — dim the control station display
• Designate VOs to scan for traffic if possible
• Establish a lit landing area
• Land immediately if you cannot determine your aircraft's position relative to other aircraft

Right of Way

Under Part 107, the Remote PIC has a duty to see and avoid. The sUAS has the lowest priority among all aircraft.

• Know the location and flight path of your aircraft at all times
• Be aware of other aircraft, persons, and property in the operating area
• Yield right of way to all other aircraft (manned or unmanned)
• Maneuver to avoid collision and prevent other aircraft from having to take evasive action
• Do not operate where presence of the sUAS would interfere with airport operations — approach corridors, taxiways, runways, helipads

Restricted, Prohibited, and Special-Use Airspace

You may not operate in prohibited or restricted airspace without permission from the controlling agency. Under 14 CFR § 107.47, the Remote PIC must comply with:

• 14 CFR § 99.7 — Special Security Instructions
• 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFRs in disaster/hazard areas
• 14 CFR § 91.138 — TFRs in Hawaii national disaster areas
• 14 CFR § 91.139 — Emergency air traffic rules
• 14 CFR § 91.141 — TFRs near the President or other VIPs
• 14 CFR § 91.143 — Flight limitations near space flight operations
• 14 CFR § 91.144 — Operations during abnormally high barometric pressure
• 14 CFR § 91.145 — Aerial demonstrations and major sporting events

Airspace Authorizations

• Do not contact ATC directly for an airspace authorization
• Apply via FAA DroneZone or LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) as appropriate
• Request authorization as early as possible before any operation in Class B, C, or D airspace, or within the lateral surface boundary of Class E airspace designated for an airport
• Class G airspace generally does not require authorization (verify with sectional chart)

Frequency Interference

• Many sUAS use unlicensed frequency bands shared with Wi-Fi and other wireless devices — congestion can affect command/control and video links
• Consult the manufacturer's manual for specific frequencies before operating
• Direct line of sight is required for radio link reliability — barriers between control station and aircraft can cause command loss

Operations Over People

14 CFR § 107.39 prohibits operations over a person unless they are directly involved in the operation, or under safe cover (inside a stationary vehicle or protective structure). Beyond that, four operational categories apply:

• Category 1: sUAS weighing 0.55 lbs (250 g) or less, with no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin and no FAA-identified safety defects. No DoC required.
• Category 2: Must not cause injury equivalent to or greater than 11 ft-lbs of kinetic energy on impact. No exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin. No safety defects. Requires DoC.
• Category 3: 25 ft-lbs maximum impact energy, plus the same exposed-part and safety requirements. Requires DoC. Operations only allowed: (a) over a closed/restricted-access site (not an open-air assembly) where everyone has been notified that sUAS operations may occur, OR (b) outside a closed site, but the aircraft must not sustain flight over any person who is not directly involved.
• Category 4: sUAS with FAA-issued airworthiness certificates. Operations conducted per the certificate's operating limitations.

Open-Air Assembly

An open-air assembly typically includes 15–20 or more people in a defined area. Examples: sporting events, concerts, parades, protests, political rallies, festivals, populated parks/beaches.

• Sustained flight over an open-air assembly = hovering overhead, flying back and forth, or circling such that the aircraft remains over part of the assembly
• Operations over an open-air assembly require either: a Standard Remote ID UAS (14 CFR § 89.110) or Limited Remote ID UAS (14 CFR § 89.115(a))
• Category 3 operations are not permitted over open-air assemblies

Moving Vehicles & Cargo

• Part 107 permits operation from a moving land or water-borne vehicle only over sparsely populated or unpopulated areas
• Operation from a moving aircraft is prohibited
• If transporting another person's property for compensation/hire, you may not operate from any moving vehicle

Transporting cargo for hire (additional requirements):

• Total weight (aircraft + cargo) must remain below 55 lbs
• Operation must be intrastate (within a single state's boundaries)
• No items may be dropped in a manner that creates undue hazard
• Aircraft may not have an experimental Airworthiness Certificate

Certificate of Waiver

If a planned operation can't fit within Part 107, the Remote PIC may apply for a Certificate of Waiver under 14 CFR § 107.200, proposing a safe alternative.

• Submit applications at least 90 days before the planned operation when possible
• The FAA aims to decide within 90 days, but timing varies with complexity
• Common waivers: night ops (now standard, no waiver needed since 2021), BVLOS, ops over people without meeting category requirements, ops above 400 ft AGL