14 CFR 107.1

What does Part 107 apply to?

Part 107 is the rulebook for civil small drones flown in the United States, and it has four listed exclusions. Here is the rule, the exam traps and practice questions, with the FAA source under each answer.

Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

What does 14 CFR Part 107 cover, and what does it not cover?

Part 107 applies to the registration, airman certification, and operation of civil small unmanned aircraft systems within the United States, and to whether those aircraft may operate over human beings. It does not apply to air carrier operations, aircraft under 49 U.S.C. 44809, certain exemption operations, or part 91 operations with an airworthiness certificate.

Source: 14 CFR 107.1

What the regulation says

§ 107.1 Applicability.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to the registration, airman certification, and operation of civil small unmanned aircraft systems within the United States. This part also applies to the eligibility of civil small unmanned aircraft systems to operate over human beings in the United States.

(b) This part does not apply to the following: (1) Air carrier operations; (2) Any aircraft subject to the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 44809; (3) Any operation that the holder of an exemption under section 333 of Public Law 112-95 or 49 U.S.C. 44807 elects to conduct pursuant to the exemption, unless otherwise specified in the exemption; or (4) Any operation that a person elects to conduct under part 91 of this chapter with a small unmanned aircraft system that has been issued an airworthiness certificate.

[Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4381, Jan. 15, 2021]

Source: 14 CFR 107.1 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21)

Exam traps

  • Part 107 applies to civil small unmanned aircraft systems operated within the United States.
  • The rule also covers the registration and airman certification of those systems, not only how they are flown.
  • Air carrier operations and aircraft subject to 49 U.S.C. 44809 are outside Part 107.
  • A person who elects to fly under part 91 with a small UAS that has been issued an airworthiness certificate is also outside Part 107.

Try it: practice questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.

Practice question 1

Which of the following operations would be regulated by 14 CFR 107?

  1. A Operating your sUAS for an imagery company.
  2. B Flying for enjoyment with family and friends.
  3. C Conducting public operations during a search mission.
Show the answer
Answer: A. Operating your sUAS for an imagery company.

(This is a somewhat tricky question by the FAA. While conducting sUAS operations for an imagery company definitely falls under Part 107. However, part 107 does not apply to “public” operation, only civil, so “conducting public S&R operation” would not fall under Part 107. )

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.1(a)

Practice question 2

Which operations must comply with 14 CFR Part 107?

  1. A Civil and public aircraft operations.
  2. B Public and military operations.
  3. C Civil operations.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Civil operations.

(According to 14 CFR Part 107.1(a), “except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to the (…) operation of civil small unmanned aircraft systems within the United States.”)

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.1(a)

Practice question 3

You plan to operate a 33 lb. sUAS to capture aerial imagery over real estate for use in sales listings. Is this sUAS operation subject to 14 CFR Part 107?

  1. A No, this sUAS operation is not subject to Part 107.
  2. B No, this sUAS operation requires a Section 333 exemption.
  3. C Yes, this sUAS operation is subject to Part 107.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Yes, this sUAS operation is subject to Part 107.

(This operation would be subject to Part 107 since it is not a flight for enjoyment or fun. Also, since the aircraft weights 33 pounds, it falls under the limits of 55 lbs set by the FAA. Note that even if the sUAS weighted less than .55 pounds, it would still be required to follow Part 107 rules.)

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.1(a)

Does Part 107 apply to the eligibility to fly over people?

Yes. Section 107.1(a) says the part also applies to the eligibility of civil small unmanned aircraft systems to operate over human beings in the United States.

Source: 14 CFR 107.1(a)

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