M1 Regulations I (certification, registration, Remote ID, operating limits)

Two ways to fly

• Recreational (44809): pure hobby, TRUST certificate, community-based guidelines
• Part 107: anything else, including paid work and work for your employer
• Intent and purpose decide it, not whether money changed hands

Getting the certificate

• Age 16+, read/speak/write/understand English, physically and mentally fit
• Pass the knowledge test, apply in IACRA, TSA vets you
• Recurrent training online every 24 calendar months (free)

Carrying and showing it

• Certificate in your physical possession and readily accessible when flying
• Present certificate and ID on request to FAA, NTSB, TSA, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer
• Change of permanent mailing address: notify FAA within 30 days or lose privileges until you do

Registration

• Every Part 107 drone, regardless of weight
• $5, valid 3 years, via FAADroneZone
• Registration number marked on an external surface
• Update the registration within 14 days of an address change, sale, or loss (Part 48). Do not confuse with the 30-day certificate address rule (107.77)

Remote ID

• Standard Remote ID drone: built in, broadcasts drone and control station position
• Broadcast module: bolt-on, broadcasts takeoff location, drone must stay in VLOS
• No Remote ID: only inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), within VLOS

The crew

• Remote pilot in command (RPIC): final authority and responsibility
• Person manipulating the controls: may be uncertificated if directly supervised by an RPIC who can immediately take over
• Visual observer: optional, helps see and avoid, must keep effective communication

Visual line of sight

• RPIC or VO sees the drone with unaided eyes (glasses OK, binoculars and FPV goggles are not)
• Even with a VO, RPIC must be able to see it if needed
• One drone per person at a time

The numbers (107.51)

• Under 55 lb takeoff weight including payload
• 400 ft AGL max, or within 400 ft of a structure and no more than 400 ft above its top
• 100 mph (87 kt) groundspeed
• 3 SM visibility from control station; 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds

General rules

• Yield right of way to all aircraft
• No careless or reckless operation; drop objects only without undue hazard
• No hazardous materials; alcohol: 8 hours, BAC under 0.04

Preflight (107.49)

• Assess environment: weather, airspace, people and property, hazards
• Brief all crew; check control link; secure payload; confirm enough power

Legal or not? 1 of 15

A private pilot with a current flight review, but no Part 107 certificate, shoots paid real estate photos with a 2 lb drone.

Legal or not? 2 of 15

You inspect a 600 ft AGL cell tower, staying within 50 ft of it, and climb to 950 ft AGL to see the top antennas.

Legal or not? 3 of 15

Same tower. You drift 500 ft horizontally away from it while at 700 ft AGL.

Legal or not? 4 of 15

Haze has reduced visibility to 2 SM. You fly a paid roof survey.

Legal or not? 5 of 15

The cloud base is 800 ft AGL. You fly at 400 ft AGL.

Legal or not? 6 of 15

You fly from a moving pickup truck while surveying fence lines on a rural farm. No property is being carried for hire.

Legal or not? 7 of 15

You fly wearing FPV goggles the entire flight. A visual observer next to you keeps the drone in sight and talks to you throughout.

Legal or not? 8 of 15

You fly two drones at once for a small paid light show, no waiver.

Legal or not? 9 of 15

You had two beers 6 hours ago. Your BAC is 0.02.

Legal or not? 10 of 15

Your paid-photo drone weighs 0.4 lb, so you never registered it.

Legal or not? 11 of 15

With a strong tailwind, your drone reaches 95 mph groundspeed.

Legal or not? 12 of 15

A swimmer is struggling. Over an otherwise empty beach, you drop a flotation device from 50 ft.

Legal or not? 13 of 15

Your client's warehouse is inside Class D airspace. You fly at 200 ft AGL without an authorization because you are "under 400 ft."

Legal or not? 14 of 15

You moved 6 weeks ago and haven't updated your address with the FAA. You fly a paid job today.

Legal or not? 15 of 15

You fly a paid sunset-to-dark job. Your drone has an anti-collision light visible for 3 SM, and you have completed the current training.

Check for understanding

1. A drone weighs 0.4 lb and will be used for a paid roof inspection. Register it?

   Reveal answer

   Yes. All Part 107 drones are registered regardless of weight.

2. You moved last week. How long until you must notify the FAA?

   Reveal answer

   30 days after the change, or you cannot exercise certificate privileges until you do.

3. Cloud base is 1,000 ft AGL. What is your max altitude?

   Reveal answer

   500 ft below the clouds, so 500 ft AGL, and the 400 ft AGL limit is lower, so 400 ft AGL (absent a structure).