THE BASICS OF PART 107 REGULATIONS 

Eligibility for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating 

● Be at least 16 years of age. 

● Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. However, the FAA may make an exception if the person is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, such as a hearing impairment.

 ● Be in a physical and mental condition that would not interfere with the safe operation of an sUAS. 

● Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center (KTC). 

● Pass a background check by the Transportation Security Administration (this is done automatically when you submit your application for a Remote Pilot Certificate).

Maintaining Your Remote Pilot Certificate 

● Pass a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test every 24 months.

● Conduct a preflight inspection that includes specific aircraft and control station systems checks, to ensure the small UAS is safe for operation. 

● Report an accident to the FAA within 10 calendar days of any operation that results in serious injury or property damage over $500. 

● Make available to the FAA, upon request, the small UAS for inspection or testing, and any associated documents/records required to be kept under the proposed rule. 

Definitions Used in 14 CFR Part 107 Next, here are a few defined terms that you’ll see throughout 

Unmanned Aircraft (UA). An aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. 

Small Unmanned Aircraft. A UA weighing less than 55 pounds, including everything that is onboard or otherwise attached to the aircraft, and can be flown without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. 

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). A small UA and its associated elements, including communication links and the components that control the small UA, that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the small UA in the National Airspace System (NAS). To reiterate, the difference between the Small Unmanned Aircraft and the Small Unmanned Aircraft System is simply that the system is the aircraft PLUS all the other equipment and components, such as the remote control / transmitter. 

Who the rules don’t apply to. 

● Model aircraft that are flown strictly for hobby or recreational use and operating in accordance with the Part 101 Subpart E, Model Aircraft rules. 

● Operations conducted outside the United States 

● Amateur rockets 

● Moored balloons 

● Unmanned free balloons 

● Kites 

● Public aircraft operations 

● Air carrier operations 

So Part 107 explicitly regulates commercial (or civil) sUAS activities. Everything else on this list doesn’t fall under Part 107. That’s not to say these things aren’t regulated. They just don’t fall under the Part 107 regulations.

Change of Address 

One more thing to know is that if you’re already certified and you change your address, you have 30 days to notify the FAA of your change of address.