Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
How does Part 107 define a small unmanned aircraft, a control station and a visual observer?
Part 107 defines a small unmanned aircraft as one weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything on board or attached. A control station is the interface the remote pilot uses to control the flight path. A visual observer is a person the remote pilot in command designates to help see and avoid other traffic or objects.
Source: 14 CFR 107.3
What the regulation says
§ 107.3 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this part. If there is a conflict between the definitions of this part and definitions specified in § 1.1 of this chapter, the definitions in this part control for purposes of this part:
Control station means an interface used by the remote pilot to control the flight path of the small unmanned aircraft.
Read all of § 107.3
Corrective lenses means spectacles or contact lenses.
Declaration of compliance means a record submitted to the FAA that certifies the small unmanned aircraft conforms to the Category 2 or Category 3 requirements under subpart D of this part.
Small unmanned aircraft means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.
Small unmanned aircraft system (small UAS) means a small unmanned aircraft and its associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the small unmanned aircraft) that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the small unmanned aircraft in the national airspace system.
Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
Visual observer means a person who is designated by the remote pilot in command to assist the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.
[Docket FAA-2015-0150, Amdt. 107-1, 81 FR 42209, June 28, 2016, as amended by Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4381, Jan. 15, 2021]
Source: 14 CFR 107.3 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21)
Exam traps
- The 55-pound limit is weight on takeoff, counting everything on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.
- A small unmanned aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds, so an aircraft at exactly 55 pounds does not fit the definition.
- If 107.3 conflicts with a definition in 14 CFR 1.1, the Part 107 definition controls for Part 107.
- A visual observer is designated by the remote pilot in command to assist the pilot and the person manipulating the flight controls to see and avoid other air traffic or objects.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
You purchased a new quadcopter that weights 0.43 lbs (195 grams) to complete roof inspections. Is this operation subject to 14 CFR Part 107?
- A No, 14 CFR Part 107 only applies to sUAS weighing less than 0.55 lbs.
- B Yes, there is no lower weight limit for operating under 14 CFR Part 107.
- C No, roof inspections don’t require operation under 14 CFR Part 107.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Yes, there is no lower weight limit for operating under 14 CFR Part 107.(14 CFR 107.3 states that “small unmanned aircraft means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.” There is no lower limit for weight.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.3, Small unmanned aircraft
Practice question 2
A person whose sole task is watching the sUAS to report hazards to the rest of the crew is called:
- A Visual observer.
- B Person manipulating the controls.
- C Remote PIC.
Show the answer
Answer: A. Visual observer.(14 CFR Part 107.3 states that a “visual observer means a person who is designated by the remote pilot in command to assist the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.”)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.3, Visual observer
Practice question 3
According to 14 CFR Part 107, an sUAS is an unmanned aircraft system weighing
- A 55 lbs. or less.
- B 55 kg or less.
- C Less than 55 lbs.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Less than 55 lbs.(14 CFR Part 107.3 states that a “small unmanned aircraft means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.” Note that a UAS weighing exactly 55 lbs would not be included.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.3, Small unmanned aircraft
What is a small UAS under Part 107?
A small unmanned aircraft system is a small unmanned aircraft and its associated elements, including communication links and the components that control the aircraft, that are required for safe and efficient operation in the national airspace system.
Source: 14 CFR 107.3
What is an unmanned aircraft?
An unmanned aircraft is an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
Source: 14 CFR 107.3