FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, and 14 CFR 107.47

What a NOTAM is and how a drone pilot checks it

A NOTAM carries flight information that is too new or too temporary for a chart. Section 107.47 makes the NOTAM-designated flight restrictions apply to remote pilots.

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

What is a NOTAM, and how do drone pilots check them?

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is time-critical aeronautical information that is temporary or not known far enough ahead to be printed on charts. Drone pilots check NOTAMs during flight planning: AC 107-2A points to 1800wxbrief.com and tfr.faa.gov. A flight data center NOTAM is how a TFR is issued.

The Study Guide lists reasons NOTAMs are issued: hazards such as air shows, parachute jumps, kite flying and rocket launches; flights by important people such as heads of state; inoperable lights on tall obstructions; temporary obstacles near airfields; and flocks of birds (a BIRDTAM).

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is designated by a flight data center (FDC) NOTAM. That NOTAM begins with the phrase "FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS" followed by the location, the effective time period, the area in statute miles and the altitudes affected, and it also gives the FAA coordination facility, the reason and other information. The Study Guide says pilots have undergone security investigations and certificate suspensions after entering TFRs, and that it is the pilot's responsibility to be aware of TFRs in the planned area of flight.

Under 14 CFR 107.47 a remote pilot in command must comply with 14 CFR 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7, the flight restrictions designated by NOTAM. The ACS lists the NOTAM system, including how to obtain an established NOTAM through Flight Service, as a knowledge element (UA.II.B.K5). The airspace authorization rule is explained on our 14 CFR 107.41 page.

Sources: FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Notices to Airmen · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions · AC 107-2A, 2.2 and 2.3.2 · 14 CFR 107.47 · 14 CFR 91.137 · ACS, Area II Task B

What the regulation says

§ 107.47 Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen.

A person acting as a remote pilot in command must comply with the provisions of §§ 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7 of this chapter.

FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Notices to Airmen

Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, are time-critical aeronautical information either temporary in nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on aeronautical charts or in other operational publications.

FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions

A flight data center (FDC) Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is issued to designate a TFR.

FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions

The pilot should check the NOTAMs as part of flight planning.

14 CFR 107.47

A person acting as a remote pilot in command must comply with the provisions of §§ 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7 of this chapter.

Sources: 14 CFR 107.47 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Notices to Airmen · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions · 14 CFR 107.47

Exam traps

  • A NOTAM carries information not sufficiently known in advance to publish on aeronautical charts, so a chart alone will not show it.
  • A TFR is designated by an FDC NOTAM, and the NOTAM begins with the phrase "FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS".
  • Section 107.47 applies the Part 91 flight restrictions in 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7 to the remote pilot in command.
  • The Study Guide says the pilot should check the NOTAMs as part of flight planning.

Quick quiz: 3 questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions. Each answer shows its FAA source.

Question 1 of 3

Why are NOTAMs of interest to remote pilots?

  1. A NOTAMs can activate Temporary Flight Restrictions.
  2. B NOTAMs detail control tower operating times.
  3. C NOTAMs give weather forecasts.
Show the answer
Answer: A. NOTAMs can activate Temporary Flight Restrictions.

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 2, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Question 2 of 3

Your surveying company is a title sponsor for a race team at the Indianapolis 500. To promote your new aerial surveying department, you decide to video part of the race using a small UA. The FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the race in the area you plan to fly. In this situation

  1. A you may fly your drone in the TFR since your company is sponsoring a team at the race.
  2. B flying your drone is allowed if you notify all non-participating people of the closed course UA operation.
  3. C the TFR applies to all aircraft; you may not fly in the area without a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.
Show the answer
Answer: C. the TFR applies to all aircraft; you may not fly in the area without a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

Under 14 CFR 107.47 a remote pilot must comply with NOTAM-designated flight restrictions (14 CFR 91.137-91.145 and 99.7), so a TFR over the race applies to your drone like any other aircraft. Sponsoring a team gives you no exemption. Notifying people about a "closed course" is an operations-over-people idea that does nothing to a TFR.

FAA source: 14 CFR 107.47 (applies 91.137-91.145 and 99.7)

Question 3 of 3

Refer to the chart excerpt. NEW CASTLE (ILG) shows a star after its tower frequency and the note See NOTAMs/Supplement for Class D eff hrs. A remote pilot wants to fly a small UA inside the dashed blue boundary at 2:00 a.m. local time, when the tower is closed. Which statement is correct?

FAA testing supplement figure for quiz question 3
Tap the figure to open it full size.
  1. A The airspace becomes a Class E surface area when the tower closes, so ATC authorization is still required.
  2. B The airspace reverts to Class G when the tower closes, so no ATC authorization is needed.
  3. C The Class D stays in effect around the clock, so ATC authorization is required because it is Class D.
Show the answer
Answer: A. The airspace becomes a Class E surface area when the tower closes, so ATC authorization is still required.

The star means the tower is part-time, and the note says the Class D hours are in the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs. For ILG the tower runs 0630-2300 local, and at other times the airspace becomes Class E that reaches the surface. 14 CFR 107.41 requires prior ATC authorization inside the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, so the answer does not change at night.

FAA sources: FAA VFR sectional: Washington Sectional, edition of Sep 03 2026 · 14 CFR 107.41 Operation in certain airspace · FAA Aeronautical Chart Users Guide (VFR terms and symbols, Jul 2026) · FAA-S-ACS-10B Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) ACS

Where do I check for a TFR before a drone flight?

AC 107-2A lists https://www.1800wxbrief.com and https://tfr.faa.gov for UAS flight planning, NOTAMs and TFRs. The Study Guide names www.tfr.faa.gov as one way to verify there is no TFR in the area.

Sources: AC 107-2A, 2.3.2 · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 2

Do NOTAMs apply to drones or only to manned aircraft?

They apply to drones flown under Part 107. Section 107.47 requires the remote pilot in command to comply with 14 CFR 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7, the restrictions designated by notice to airmen.

Source: 14 CFR 107.47

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More on this topic: Part 107 airspace and charts, task by task.