Here’s the short and simple good news: you don’t need a Part 107 certification to fly drones recreationally! The FAA’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is only required if you’re flying drones commercially. Commercial drone flying means you’re getting paid for your drone work or using your drone for business purposes.
What counts as recreational drone flying?
Recreational drone flying means you’re flying purely for fun or as a hobby. You’re taking scenic photos for your personal Instagram, racing drones with friends or just enjoying the thrill of flight. If there’s no money involved and you’re not providing a service, you’re flying drones recreationally.
What you need to fly drones recreationally
Instead of Part 107, recreational drone pilots in the United States need to follow a simpler set of rules. Here’s what’s required:
Register your drone with the FAA
If your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams), you must register it with the FAA. This costs just $5 and is valid for three years. You’ll receive a registration number that must be displayed on your drone.
Mark that drone registration number on the outside of the aircraft, and carry proof of registration with you.
Pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
The FAA requires all recreational drone pilots to pass TRUST, a free online test that covers basic safety guidelines. Unlike Part 107, TRUST is much simpler and takes about 30 minutes to complete. You don’t need to study for weeks or visit a testing center. Just take the test online, and you’ll receive a completion certificate to keep with you when flying.
Follow recreational flying rules
Recreational pilots must fly under the FAA’s rules, which include flying only for fun, keeping your drone within visual line of sight, flying at or below 400 feet, never flying near other aircraft, and respecting airspace restrictions around airports and controlled airspace. You also need to fly in accordance with a community-based organization’s safety guidelines.
There are a whole bunch of other rules too around flying drones recreationally, but they’re basically common sense (e.g. never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol).
When you need Part 107 instead
The line between recreational and commercial flying isn’t always obvious, but here’s the key: if you’re earning any money or providing any service with your drone, you need Part 107. This includes getting paid to take real estate photos, filming weddings, inspecting roofs or buildings for clients, posting drone footage on YouTube channels that are monetized or selling your drone photos or videos.
Even if you start flying recreationally and later decide to make money from your drone work, you’ll need to get your Part 107 certification before accepting any payment.
To do this, you’ll need to take and pass the Part 107 drone license test, which is admittedly quite challenging (yes, the average Part 107 test score is a C). Passing the Part 107 test will require loads of studying and taking an exam in person.
Most people enroll in a Part 107 online course to gain the skills needed to pass.
Why some recreational pilots get Part 107 anyway
While not required for recreational flying, some hobby pilots choose to get their Part 107 certification for several reasons. The certification provides comprehensive knowledge about airspace, weather, and drone regulations that makes you a safer and more knowledgeable pilot. It also opens doors if you ever want to turn your hobby into a side hustle or full-time career. Plus, having Part 107 gives you more flexibility in where and how you can fly, including requesting airspace authorizations more easily.
The bottom line on flying drones recreationally
If you’re flying purely for fun with no business purpose, stick with TRUST and recreational rules. Save yourself the time, money, and effort of Part 107 unless you’re planning to fly commercially. But if there’s any chance you’ll want to monetize your drone footage or offer drone services down the road, getting Part 107 is the way to go.
Keep your drone registered, your TRUST certificate handy, and enjoy flying!
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