What are the rules to fly your drone in 2024?
157,478
Published 2024-01-30
If you are part 107 certified, you must choose which set of rules to operate under prior to your flight. You are not permitted to change rules halfway through your flight.
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00:00 Introduction
00:04 Rule 1: Fly strictly for recreational purposes.
00:49 Rule 2: Follow a Community Based Organization's guidelines.
01:31 Rule 3: Maintain visual line of sight.
02:00 Rule 4: Do not interfere with traditional aircraft.
02:29 Rule 5: Fly at or below 400ft.
03:18 Rule 6: Get authorization in controlled airspace.
04:15 Rule 7: Take your TRUST test.
05:34 Rule 8: Register your drone.
06:27 Rule 9: Remote ID.
07:08 Rule 10: Don't fly dangerously.
07:40 Part 107
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Rule #1: Fly your drone strictly for recreational purposes.
This is all about the intent of the flight, with recreation being the key.
Flying to record your kids and share with the family? That’s recreational.
Flying for a monetized Youtube channel? That isn’t recreational.
Flying as a volunteer for your local Search and Rescue group? This isn’t recreational either.
Rule #2: Follow a Community Based Organization’s guidelines.
First, let’s cover what a community based organization, or CBO, is.
A CBO is a non-profit RC aviation group that sets safety guidelines approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
You can find a list of current CBOs Here: www.faa.gov/uas/recreationalfliers/faa-recognized-…
Each CBO has a slightly different set of rules to follow and NO, you don’t need to join or pay these organizations to follow their rules.
We recommend Flite Test Community Association, FPV Freedom Coalition, and Stem+C
Rule #3: Maintain visual line of sight.
Visual line of sight means you can see your drone at all times to ensure you are able to follow the rules of your CBO.
You don’t need to stare at your drone, you do need to be sure you can avoid other aircraft and avoid flying over people.
If you fly FPV, with racing-style drones and goggles, be sure to use a visual observer to perform these duties while you fly.
Rule #7: Take your TRUST Test!
Oh no a test?
Not really, this is FREE training provided by the FAA through approved providers that covers topics you need to know to fly safely.
At the end of the training, you’ll get a TRUST certificate and number.
Your TRUST certificate is valid forever, there’s no minimum age, and the TRUST providers are required by federal law to delete your information after you get your certificate.
The training takes about a half hour, so it’s not a long course.
Head over to trust.pilotinstitute.com/ to get yours done!
If you’d like more info than just what’s in TRUST, head over to pilotinstitute.com/course/recreational-flying-made… and enroll in our free 2 hour Recreational Flying course!
Rule #9: Remote ID
Last up, there are two sets of rules you can use in the US to fly your drone: Part 107 and 49 USC 44809.
44809 is an exemption from part 107, IF you follow all the rules we just discussed.
If you fail to meet even one of these rules, you’ll be instead operating under Part 107, so be sure to follow the rules and fly safe!
All Comments (21)
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Why is it that I feel like those of us who fly just for fun are getting hosed harder and harder. And it's going to just keep getting worse the next few years.
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nobody follows line of sight
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its crazy how much control ppl give up to big brother, while they use drones and other surveillance equipment to monitor use with no oversight
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After being on the fence regarding buying a DJI mini drone, I have been convinced that it is just too much trouble to partake in this hobby. Unlocking a DJI drone to fly even in low risk situations is just simply too much of a hassle. Good luck to all of you in the future as the U.S. government continues to make this hobby harder and harder to pursue.
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Wow. It's just amazing how they can get involved to regulate something and turn it into a complete nightmare.
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Thanks for the update. I'm glad to see PI is still providing the nice registration stickers.
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This was a very, very informative video….thx! As you have probably seen, for DJI drone fliers, they have just significantly updated their DJI Fly app that allows the operator to find out about local flying rules and any existing flying limitations in the airspace. And it’s integrated right into the controller. For a version 1.0, it’s awesome. Looking forward to how it evolves but it’s already pretty functional.
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Great job again breaking it all down!
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I am a videographer and I have often been tempted to buy a drone; however, I don’t have confidence in law enforcement to be reasonable in this area. I have witnessed helicopters harassing wildlife in National Parks and giving climbers illegal access to climbing routes. I’m sure that these people never faced any consequences.
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Waiting on my regiatration stickers from you been almost 2 wlweeks... Hopefully its in the mailbox today. Fingers crossed.. also alomst done with.107 course yay🎉
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I passed my Part 107 on the second try yesterday because of you brother, Just wanted to say thank you so much.. the class was worth every penny.
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Thanks for the free stickers!
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What about the hover drones that dont fly high or far at all and is autonomous ?
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We are now regulated to the point that I will no longer follow the regulations and just use my own judgement to keep safe
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When I was flying back in 2015, it felt like I was the only one in my state who had one. Since then my drones have just sat on the shelf. Things are so different now.
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Well done Greg!!!
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This is the best source of information I've found. I've not purchased a drone yet because of all the rules and regulations. One question: for recreational, I can't fly in national parks? Seems a little odd....
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Good info. Thanks!
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Pilot Institute is awesome! (and no, I’m not employed by or in any way financially compensated by Pilot Institute) 😅
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I am doing studyies currently for my 107 , though it is a 60 question test there is 320 practice exam questions these faa test can cover making studies more difficult. Though my practice exams are all scoring between 93 to 100% it is the other questions i m having comcerens with at the moment. Hopefully i will be ready for the exam in a few weeks while getting more familiar with my drones i currently own. I just started to learn how to fly and looking forward to get proficient with them. Yesterday's flight was totally amazing!
