Federal Drone Regulations
FAA Part 107, Remote ID, airspace rules, and everything else you need to know about flying drones legally in the United States.
14 CFR Part 107 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Governs commercial and certain recreational small UAS operations. Recent amendments added operations over human beings (Category 1-4), night operations with waiver, and expanded visual observer rules.
§107.3 - Definitions
Core UAS terminology; definitions in Part 107 control when conflicts with § 1.1
§107.12 - Remote Pilot Certificate Requirement
Remote pilot in command must hold valid certificate with small UAS rating; medical certification not required but must be fit to operate
§107.13 - Registration
Must comply with § 91.203(a)(2); small UAS registration required before operation
§107.29 - Night Operations
Operations only during daylight or civil twilight unless waiver obtained. Recent amendment (2021) enabled night WAIVER authority
§107.31 - Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Aircraft must remain within visual line of sight of remote pilot or visual observer at all times
§107.39 - Operations Over Human Beings
Baseline: only over small gatherings not under covered structure. Categories 1-4 with increasing restrictions enable broader operations
§107.100-107.165 - Category Operations Over Human Beings
Category 1 (existing exemptions), Category 2 (small UAS 25% payload), Category 3 (large UAS or distance), Category 4 (high altitude). Category 2 & 3 require declaration of compliance; Category 4 requires Part 21 airworthiness
§107.41 - Airspace Restrictions
No ops in Class B/C/D or airport surface area Class E without ATC authorization
§107.205 - Waiver Policy
FAA may waive most operational rules for public interest and safety justification
14 CFR Part 89 — Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft
Mandatory remote identification effective September 16, 2023. All UAS flying in US airspace must meet requirements via standard remote ID or alternative means.
§89.105 - Remote ID Requirement
After Sept 16, 2023: all unmanned aircraft must comply with § 89.110 or § 89.115 unless otherwise authorized
§89.110 - Standard Remote ID Operations
Standard remote ID aircraft must broadcast minimum message elements: aircraft ID, control station location, timestamp, aircraft location/altitude, and emergency status
§89.115 - Alternative Remote ID
Non-standard remote ID aircraft may use broadcast modules attached externally, or waive if aeronautical research
§89.305/§89.310 - Standard Remote ID Message Elements and Performance
Aircraft serial number or session ID, control station lat/lon (4-decimal precision), timestamp, aircraft lat/lon/altitude (3-decimal precision), emergency data. Range minimum 200 meters ground line-of-sight
§89.315/§89.320 - Broadcast Module Requirements
External broadcast modules must meet equivalent performance for non-standard aircraft lacking native remote ID capability
§89.501-§89.545 - Production Requirements
Manufacturers must assign ANSI/CTA-2063-A serial numbers, submit design approvals, maintain compliance declarations, retain records
§89.125 - ADS-B Out Prohibition
ADS-B Out cannot substitute for remote ID compliance
14 CFR Part 48 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration
UAS registration administered by FAA. Separate categories for commercial, recreational, and research operations.
§48.15 - Registration Requirement
No person may operate small UAS eligible under 49 USC 44101-44103 unless registered or exempted
§48.20 - Eligibility
Aircraft must weigh > 0.55 lbs, < 55 lbs, be U.S. citizen property, not registered foreign
§48.100 - Non-Recreational Registration
Individual aircraft registration required for commercial/business use; certificate valid for 3 years
§48.105 - Limited Recreational Registration
Blanket registration for all recreational aircraft owned by individual; single certificate covers multiple aircraft
§48.115 - Requirement to Maintain Current Information
Registrants must notify FAA of address/name changes within 10 days
§48.205 - Display and Location of Unique Identifier
Registration number must be affixed to outside of aircraft in legible manner
Enforcement and Compliance
FAA established expedited enforcement program targeting UAS violations with settlement incentives.
§107.9 - Safety Event Reporting
Operations resulting in injury or property damage > $500 must be reported within 10 calendar days
DETER Program (2026-07-585)
Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response: first-time noncertificated operators can settle with admission of liability for reduced fees; incentivizes compliance through expedited process
Important Notice
Federal regulations are the baseline. Many states and municipalities impose additional requirements. Always check your specific state's drone laws before flying.