Recreational Pilots

• • Everyone flying under the recreational pilot rules needs to take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST to fly legally. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and it’s free. Carry proof of test passage.

 

• • Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people

 

• • The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes.

 

• • Follow all FAA airspace restrictions, including special security instructions and temporary flight restrictions

 

• • Never fly near emergency response activities

 

• • Avoid flying near or over critical infrastructure.

 

• • Have a current registration number on your drone on the outside, and carry proof of registration with you.

 

• • Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO). Note: The FAA has not yet begun officially recognizing CBOs. Recreational flyers should follow the safety guidelines of existing aeromodelling organizations or use the FAA-provided safety guidelines.

 

• Must be 13 years old or older.

Commercial Pilots (part 107)

• • You need to be at least 16 years old to get a Part 107 license.

 

• • You need to be able to read English.

 

• • You need to pass a TSA background check

 

• • You must fly your drone 100 MPH or slower.

 

• • You must fly farther 500 feet horizontally from clouds.

 

• You cannot fly from a moving vehicle unless you are in a sparsely populated area.

Rules For ALL Pilots

• • If your drone weighs more then 250 grams it needs to be registered with the FAA BEFORE you fly it. It costs $5 to register your drone and registration is valid for 3 years,  a part 107 license is good for 2 years. You can use the same registration number for all of your drones.

 

• • Make sure you get authorization before flying in controlled airspace.

 

• • You must be physically and mentally able to fly an UAS.

 

• • You must fly within visual line of sight at all times, meaning that you or your visual observer can see your drone at all times.

 

• • Your drone must weigh under 55 pounds, this includes any added attachments.

 

• • You MUST give way and yield to ALL manned aircraft.

 

• • You cannot fly your drone “recklessly” or “carelessly”.

 

• You can now fly at night. However, drones flying at night need to be equipped with appropriate anti-collision lights that are visible up to a distance of three statute miles.

What is a Recreational Flight?

Many people assume that a recreational flight is one that is not operated for a business or any form of compensation. But, that’s not always the case. Financial compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if the flight is recreational or commercial. The following information can be used to help you determine what rules you should be operating under. Remember, the default regulation for drones weighing under 55 pounds is Part 107. The exception for recreational flyers only applies to flights that are purely for fun or personal enjoyment. When in doubt, fly under Part 107.

 

• Note: Non-recreational purposes include things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school’s website. Goodwill or other non-monetary value can also be considered indirect compensation. This would include things like volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization. Recreational flight is simply flying for fun or personal enjoyment.

Commonly Asked Questions

• • Can I fly my drone on my own property without being registered or being TRUST certified? According to the FAA, your property is the ground ONLY. The FAA controls the air. So, you MUST still be registered and pass the TRUST safety test.

 

• • Can I shoot or knock a drone out of the sky for flying over my property or any other reason? Absolutely NOT. The FAA, drones are classified the same as airplanes. Interfering with a flight in progress is no different then walking up to a parked plane and slashing its tires.

 

• Can I fly my drone on my own property to advertise my own business? NO, you need a part 107 license