Part 107 Operating Rules

Part 107’s operating rules compress to a handful of numbers — 55 pounds, 400 feet, 87 knots, 3 statute miles, 500 and 2,000 feet — plus the post-2021 night rules that changed everything: since April 21, 2021, night flight requires no waiver, just current training and a 3-SM anti-collision light. Regulations make up 15–25% of the exam, and the FAA tests the same limits with the same traps. Learn each rule with its section number here and the citations become answers.

Why Regulations Matter Most

Regulations are the foundation everything else builds on. Many questions test whether you know the specific limits and exceptions in 14 CFR Part 107 — and the good news is that once you know the numbers, most regulation questions are straightforward.

Aircraft Requirements

Your drone must weigh less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything on board or attached (§107.3 definition of small unmanned aircraft). Heavier aircraft need a different pathway (Part 91 exemption territory).

Altitude Limits (§107.51(b))

The basic rule: maximum 400 feet AGL.

The structure exception, verbatim conditions:

• The aircraft is flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure, and
• does not fly higher than 400 feet above the structure’s immediate uppermost limit

A 500-foot cell tower: up to 900 ft AGL within 400 ft laterally.

Speed Limit (§107.51(a))

Maximum groundspeed 87 knots (100 mph) — groundspeed, not airspeed, which is why a tailwind matters on fast transitions.

Night and Civil Twilight Operations (§107.29) — The 2021 Rules

This is the most-changed rule in Part 107, and outdated courses still teach the old waiver system. Current rules:

Civil Twilight (§107.29(b), (c))

Civil twilight is the period beginning 30 minutes before official sunrise and ending at sunrise, and from official sunset until 30 minutes after sunset (Alaska uses the Air Almanac definition). Flight in civil twilight requires only anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. You may reduce the intensity if safety favors it — but you may not extinguish it.

Night (§107.29(a))

Night flight is legal without a waiver when two conditions are met:

1. The remote PIC has completed the initial knowledge test or recurrent training after April 6, 2021 (the updated curricula that include night material), and
2. The aircraft carries the same anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, flash rate sufficient to avoid collision — again, dimmable but never extinguishable

The pre-April 2021 night waivers terminated May 17, 2021 (§107.29(d)) — nobody flies night ops “on an old waiver” anymore.

Visual Line of Sight (§107.31)

The remote PIC, the person manipulating the controls, or a visual observer must be able to see the aircraft throughout the entire flight, with vision unaided by anything but corrective lenses — and for four purposes the reg names: know its location, determine attitude/altitude/direction, scan for traffic and hazards, and confirm it endangers no one.

That means:

• No flying by binoculars
• No FPV-only flight (goggles require a VO holding direct VLOS)
• No operating “by camera feed” beyond visual range

Using a Visual Observer (§107.33)

A VO is optional. If used: effective communication among PIC, manipulator, and VO at all times; the PIC must ensure the VO can see the aircraft per §107.31; and all three coordinate to scan for collision hazards and maintain position awareness.

One Drone Per Person (§107.35)

“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.” One aircraft per person, full stop — the 2021 amendment removed the old waiver-friendly phrasing. Swarm operations need a waiver under §107.205(e).

Right-of-Way (§107.37)

Drones always yield to “all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles.” The reg even defines yielding: give way and “may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.” And separately: no operating so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.

Weather Minimums (§107.51(c)–(d))

• 3 statute miles flight visibility, observed from the control station
• 500 feet below clouds
• 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

Operating Restrictions

• Moving vehicles (§107.25): no operating from a moving aircraft, ever; from a moving land/water vehicle only over a sparsely populated area and not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire
• Alcohol and drugs (§107.27): PIC, manipulator, and VO must comply with §§91.17 and 91.19 — the manned-world limits, including the 8-hour bottle-to-throttle and 0.04 BAC rules
• Careless or reckless operation: prohibited (§107.23(a))
• Dropping objects (§107.23(b)): prohibited if it creates an undue hazard to persons or property
• Over people (§107.39): prohibited unless the person is directly participating, under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle, or the flight fits Categories 1–4 (lesson 05)
• Over moving vehicles (§107.145): people inside moving vehicles get the same protection as everyone else — Category 1–3 operations must either stay within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where vehicle occupants are on notice, or not maintain sustained flight over moving vehicles; Category 4 requires an airworthiness certificate whose Flight Manual permits it
• Airports (§107.43): no interfering with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base
• Prohibited/restricted areas (§107.45): no entry without permission from the using or controlling agency
• TFRs (§107.47): remote PICs must comply with §§91.137–91.145 and §99.7

Transportation of Property (ACS I.B.K26)

Part 107 permits carrying property — including for compensation or hire, across state lines — subject to the operating rules. The two property rules to know cold:

1. Hazardous material is banned entirely (§107.36): “A small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material,” as defined in 49 CFR 171.8
2. The moving-vehicle restriction (§107.25(b)) specifically prohibits transporting another person’s property for compensation from a moving vehicle

The Equipment Prohibitions (§§107.52, 107.53)

Two short rules from the 2021 Remote ID era, and the exam quotes them almost verbatim:

• §107.52 — ATC transponder equipment prohibition: unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no operating a small UAS with a transponder on
• §107.53 — ADS-B Out prohibition: unless otherwise authorized, no operating a small UAS with ADS-B Out equipment in transmit mode

The logic: those frequencies and interrogation systems exist to keep manned aircraft from colliding. A sky full of drones squawking would poison the system. If you need to be seen, Remote ID is your channel — and §89.125 says ADS-B can’t substitute for it either.

Key Facts to Walk In With

ACS Area I references: I.B.K6–K22, K23–K28

• Under 55 lb; 400 ft AGL (structure: +400 over top within 400-ft radius); 87 kt groundspeed
• Night: current post-April-2021 training + 3-SM anti-collision light, no waiver; civil twilight: light only; old night waivers dead May 17, 2021
• VLOS unaided (corrective lenses OK); VO optional with communication
• One aircraft per person (§107.35)
• Yield to everything that flies; never pass over/under/ahead unless well clear
• 3 SM / 500 below / 2,000 horizontal
• No hazmat (§107.36); property-for-hire OK but not from a moving vehicle
• Transponder OFF (§107.52); ADS-B not transmitting (§107.53)

Quick Check

Q: What is the maximum altitude you can fly under Part 107? A: 400 feet AGL, unless within a 400-foot radius of a structure (then 400 ft above its top).

Q: Can you fly 30 minutes after sunset? A: Yes — that’s the edge of civil twilight, with anti-collision lights visible 3 SM.

Q: Can you fly at 11 PM under Part 107? A: Yes, without a waiver: current post-April-2021 training plus a 3-SM anti-collision light with a sufficient flash rate (§107.29(a)).

Q: Can one pilot fly two drones simultaneously? A: No — §107.35 prohibits operating more than one unmanned aircraft at a time as PIC, manipulator, or VO.

Q: May you deliver a customer’s package for payment from a moving car? A: No. Moving-vehicle operation requires a sparsely populated area AND no property transported for compensation or hire (§107.25(b)).

Q: Your drone has an ADS-B Out unit installed. Legal status? A: Installed is fine; transmitting is not — §107.53 prohibits operating with ADS-B Out in transmit mode absent FAA authorization.

What’s Next?

Now that you know the operating rules, let’s look at who’s responsible for following them: the Remote PIC and crew roles.

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This free course covers the essential knowledge, but if you want video walkthroughs, practice exams, and instructor support, Pilot Institute’s Part 107 course is the most comprehensive option available.