FAA Part 107: What It Means and Why It Matters for Your Project

When you hire a drone operator for a commercial project, the most important credential to verify is FAA Part 107 certification. It is not a formality — it is the legal foundation for every commercial drone flight in the United States, and its absence exposes your project to real risk.

This article explains what Part 107 is, what it requires, and why it should be a non-negotiable requirement for any professional drone engagement.

Part 107 is the section of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 107) that governs the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) — commonly called drones — for commercial purposes. It was established by the FAA in August 2016 and replaced a patchwork of exemptions and waivers that had previously governed commercial drone use.

Under Part 107, any person operating a drone for commercial purposes must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA. This is distinct from recreational flying, which is governed by a separate set of rules.

To obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107, an applicant must:

1. Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test — a 60-question exam administered at an FAA-approved testing center covering airspace classifications, weather, drone performance, emergency procedures, and regulations
2. Be at least 16 years old
3. Pass a TSA security background check
4. Renew every 24 months via a recurrent knowledge test

The exam is not trivial. It covers the same airspace knowledge required of manned aircraft pilots, including reading sectional charts, understanding NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), and interpreting weather data.

Part 107 establishes specific operational limits for commercial drone flights:

• Maximum altitude of 400 feet AGL (above ground level) in uncontrolled airspace
• Operations in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E) require LAANC authorization or an FAA waiver
• Operations near airports require specific authorization

• The remote pilot must maintain visual line of sight with the drone at all times
• Operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) require a specific FAA waiver

• Flights are permitted during civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset) with appropriate anti-collision lighting
• Night operations require a waiver

• No operations over moving vehicles or people without a waiver
• Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph
• Minimum visibility of 3 statute miles from the control station
• No operations from a moving vehicle (except in sparsely populated areas)

Commercial drone operations without a Part 107 certificate are illegal. The FAA can impose civil penalties of up to $27,500 per violation for commercial operators. If an uncertified operator causes an incident on your project site, the liability exposure extends to everyone involved.

Most commercial liability insurance policies for drone operations require the operator to hold a valid Part 107 certificate. An uncertified operator is likely uninsured — or operating with a policy that will not pay out in the event of a claim.

Many project sites are located in or near controlled airspace — near airports, in Class D airspace, or in areas with temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). Only a Part 107 certified pilot can legally obtain LAANC authorization to fly in these areas. An uncertified operator simply cannot legally fly your project.

Part 107 certification is a proxy for professional competence. Pilots who have passed the knowledge test understand airspace, weather, and operational risk in ways that uncertified hobbyists do not. This knowledge translates directly into better mission planning, safer operations, and higher-quality data.

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is an FAA system that provides near-real-time airspace authorization for drone operations in controlled airspace. It is available through apps like AirMap, Kittyhawk, and DJI Fly.

For projects near airports or in urban areas, LAANC authorization is often required. Only Part 107 certified pilots can apply for and receive LAANC authorization.

Part 107 allows operators to apply for waivers to certain rules when safety can be demonstrated. Common waivers include:

• BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) — for long-range corridor mapping or infrastructure inspection
• Night operations — for projects requiring after-hours flights
• Operations over people — for urban mapping or event coverage

Waivers require detailed safety cases and are not automatically granted. They represent a significant investment in planning and documentation.

Before engaging any drone operator for a commercial project, verify:

1. Current Part 107 certificate — ask for the certificate number and verify it on the FAA DroneZone website
2. Commercial liability insurance — request a certificate of insurance naming your organization as an additional insured
3. Airspace authorization — confirm the operator has obtained any required LAANC authorization or waivers for your project location
4. Experience with your project type — Part 107 certification is a baseline, not a guarantee of expertise in mapping, inspection, or other specialized applications

At Blackridge Geospatial, every operator on our network holds an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. We verify credentials before every deployment and maintain commercial liability coverage across all project engagements.

FAA Part 107 is not bureaucratic overhead — it is the legal and professional foundation for safe, compliant commercial drone operations. For any project where data quality, liability, and airspace compliance matter, Part 107 certification should be a non-negotiable requirement.

If you are planning a drone mapping, inspection, or photography project, contact Blackridge Geospatial to discuss your requirements with a certified professional.