FAA Part 107 (drones)
FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rule (14 CFR Part 107)
United States · 14 C.F.R. Part 107
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 29, 2016
- Applies to
- Commercial and most recreational small-UAS operators in U.S. airspace
- Enforced by
- Federal Aviation Administration
The core federal rulebook for commercial and recreational small drones (under 55 lb). Operators need a Remote Pilot Certificate, must keep the drone within visual line of sight, fly below 400 ft, avoid most airspace without authorization, and follow operations-over-people limits. Waivers and Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) approvals exist for advanced operators.
Who is protected: The general public, people overflown, and persons whose privacy or safety could be affected by drone operations
Legal detail
14 C.F.R. Part 107 governs civil small-UAS operations; supplements 49 U.S.C. § 44809 (recreational) and Part 89 (Remote ID). Performance categories 1–4 for operations over people; Part 108 BVLOS framework under FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Pub. L. 118-63) in rulemaking.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | June 21, 2016 |
| Citation | 14 C.F.R. Part 107 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | FAA civil penalties up to ~$32,666 per violation; certificate suspension/revocation; criminal referral for endangerment |
| Topics | consumer protection · government use of AI · consumer data privacy |
| Agency page | 14 CFR Part 107 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (eCFR) |
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