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
Establishes rules for civil small UAS operations under 55 pounds. Core operational regulations covering pilot certification, operating limitations, airspace restrictions, and operations over people.
§ 107.12 - Remote Pilot Certification
Requires remote pilot certificate with small UAS rating for commercial operations. Recreational operations under 14 USC 44809 exempt.
§ 107.31 - Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Standard requirement for VLOS operations. Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations subject to FAA authorization or pending rulemaking (2025-14992).
§ 107.29 - Night Operations
Night operations prohibited unless waiver obtained or § 107.39(a)-(b) conditions met. Requires remote ID and anti-collision lighting.
§ 107.39 - Operations Over Human Beings
Categorized operations: Category 1 (over uninvolved persons at surface), Category 2 (near people under certain conditions), Category 3 (with Phase 2 limitations), Category 4 (specific aircraft types only). Requirements updated via Amendment 107-8 (2021).
§ 107.51 - Operating Limitations
Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL, airspeed 100 mph, line of sight requirement, daylight operations (unless waived), minimum 500 feet from buildings/people.
§ 107.41 - Airspace Authorization
Class B, C, D airspace and surface area Class E airspace require prior ATC authorization. LAANC system enables automated low-altitude authorizations.
14 CFR Part 89 — Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft
Mandates remote identification (Remote ID) for all UAS operations in U.S. airspace. Effective September 16, 2023 (compliance deadline passed with enforcement discretion through March 16, 2024).
§ 89.105 - Remote ID Requirement
All unmanned aircraft operating in U.S. airspace must meet Remote ID requirements after Sept 16, 2023. Exceptions: certain aeronautical research and compliance demonstrations.
§ 89.110 - Standard Remote ID Unmanned Aircraft
Aircraft equipped with Remote ID broadcast module meeting ANSI/CTA-2063-A serial number standard. Must broadcast aircraft location, control station location, aircraft serial number, and session ID.
§ 89.115 - Alternative Remote ID
Non-standard Remote ID aircraft may use broadcast modules or alternate means of compliance acceptable to FAA.
§ 89.305-89.320 - Minimum Performance Requirements
Standard Remote ID aircraft must broadcast: serial number, registration number (or session ID), location of control station, altitude, geodetic latitude/longitude. Range requirement: 440 feet (~133m) line of sight.
§ 89.201-89.230 - FAA-Recognized Identification Areas
Limited areas where non-Remote ID aircraft may operate under FAA-recognized identification area program. Deprecated in favor of Remote ID compliance.
14 CFR Part 48 — Registration of Small Unmanned Aircraft
Registration requirements for civil small UAS. Part 48 amended via Amendment 48-3 (2021) to clarify recreational vs. commercial registration pathways.
§ 48.15 - Registration Requirement
Small UAS eligible for registration under 49 USC 44101-44103 must be registered unless operating under part 107 limited recreational operations (14 USC 44809).
§ 48.100 - Non-Recreational Operations
Aircraft used for commercial operations or beyond purely recreational use require individual aircraft registration via Certificate of Aircraft Registration.
§ 48.105 - Limited Recreational Operations
Aircraft used exclusively for recreation under 14 USC 44809 and operated per Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) rules covered under single registration per owner.
§ 48.20 - Eligibility for Registration
Aircraft must be owned by U.S. citizen or U.S.-registered business. Non-resident foreign nationals may register with recognition of ownership (§ 48.125).
Important Notice
Federal regulations are the baseline. Many states and municipalities impose additional requirements. Always check your specific state's drone laws before flying.