Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
What does visual line of sight mean under Part 107?
Throughout the entire flight, the drone must be seen with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, well enough to know where it is, judge its attitude, altitude and direction, watch the airspace for traffic and hazards, and make sure it endangers no one. The remote pilot, or a visual observer, does this.
If you use a visual observer, the remote pilot in command, the person on the controls and the observer must keep effective communication with each other at all times, and coordinate to scan the airspace and keep the drone in direct sight.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.31 · 14 CFR 107.33
What the regulation says
§ 107.31 Visual line of sight aircraft operation.
(a) With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the person manipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight in order to: (1) Know the unmanned aircraft's location; (2) Determine the unmanned aircraft's attitude, altitude, and direction of flight; (3) Observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards; and (4) Determine that the unmanned aircraft does not endanger the life or property of another.
(b) Throughout the entire flight of the small unmanned aircraft, the ability described in paragraph (a) of this section must be exercised by either: (1) The remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system; or (2) A visual observer.
§ 107.33 Visual observer.
If a visual observer is used during the aircraft operation, all of the following requirements must be met:
(a) The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system, and the visual observer must maintain effective communication with each other at all times.
Read all of § 107.33
(b) The remote pilot in command must ensure that the visual observer is able to see the unmanned aircraft in the manner specified in ยง 107.31.
(c) The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system, and the visual observer must coordinate to do the following: (1) Scan the airspace where the small unmanned aircraft is operating for any potential collision hazard; and (2) Maintain awareness of the position of the small unmanned aircraft through direct visual observation.
§ 107.35 Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft.
A person may not manipulate flight controls or act as a remote pilot in command or visual observer in the operation of more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time.
[Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4382, Jan. 15, 2021]
Sources: 14 CFR 107.31 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.33 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.35 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21)
Exam traps
- Binoculars, FPV goggles and the controller's video feed do not count: vision must be unaided by any device other than corrective lenses.
- Either the remote pilot in command and the person on the controls, or a visual observer, must keep the drone in sight throughout the flight.
- No one may act as remote pilot in command or visual observer for more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time (107.35).
- 107.31 and 107.33 are waivable under 107.205, but no VLOS waiver will be issued to carry another person's property for compensation or hire.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
Power company employees use an sUAS to inspect a long stretch of high voltage power lines. Due to muddy conditions, their vehicle must stay beside the road and the crew uses binoculars to maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft. Is this sUAS operation in compliance with 14 CFR Part 107?
- A Compliant with Part 107 when used with a first-person view (FPV) camera system.
- B Not compliant with Part 107.
- C Compliant with Part 107.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Not compliant with Part 107.(14 CFR Part 107.31 states that Remote Pilot-in-command and the visual observer (if used) must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight with vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. This includes the use of binoculars.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.31(a)
Practice question 2
How many unmanned aircraft can a visual observer be assigned to at the same time?
- A No more than three as long as the Remote PIC maintains visual line of sight.
- B As many as he/she can handle.
- C No more than one.
Show the answer
Answer: C. No more than one.(According to 107.35, a person may not operate, or act as remote PIC, or visual observer in the operation of more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.35
Practice question 3
It is possible for two remote Pilot in Command to transfer the controls as long as
- A They can maintain line of sight and without loss of control.
- B They briefed each other before the flight.
- C They are in radio contact the entire time.
Show the answer
Answer: A. They can maintain line of sight and without loss of control.(According to 107.19, it is possible for two Remote Pilots in Command to transfer the controls as long as they can maintain line of sight (LOS) and without loss of control (LOC).)
FAA source: AC 107-2A para. 5.2.1.1, Transfer of control
Can you fly FPV under Part 107?
Only if someone still sees the drone directly: the remote pilot in command and the person on the controls, or a visual observer, must keep it in unaided sight throughout the flight.
Source: 14 CFR 107.31(b)