Rules
Part 107 operating rules: altitude, speed, visibility and clouds
Under 14 CFR 107.51 a small drone may not exceed 87 knots (100 mph) groundspeed or 400 ft above ground level, with a structure exception, and needs at least 3 statute miles of flight visibility and 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds. You must also keep the aircraft in visual line of sight.
What are the 107.51 operating limits?
| Limit | Rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Groundspeed | No more than 87 knots (100 mph) | 107.51(a) |
| Altitude | No higher than 400 ft AGL, unless within a 400 ft radius of a structure and no higher than 400 ft above its immediate uppermost limit | 107.51(b) |
| Flight visibility | At least 3 statute miles from the control station | 107.51(c) |
| Cloud clearance | At least 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds | 107.51(d) |
Sources (checked 2026-11-12): 14 CFR 107.51 (eCFR); FAA: Part 107 Waivers.
What does flight visibility mean?
14 CFR 107.51(c) defines it as the average slant distance from the control station at which prominent unlighted objects can be seen and identified by day, and prominent lighted objects by night. It is not the same as the visibility in an airport weather report, which is measured elsewhere. See how to read a METAR.
What is visual line of sight?
Under 107.31 the remote pilot in command and the person at the controls, or a visual observer, must see the aircraft with vision unaided except for corrective lenses, throughout the flight, to know its location, attitude, altitude and direction, observe the airspace, and confirm it does not endanger anyone. A visual observer can share this duty under 107.33. Source: eCFR 107.31.
Who has right of way?
Under 107.37 the small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft and avoid other air traffic, and no one may fly so as to create a collision hazard. Do not operate from a moving aircraft, and operation from a moving land or water vehicle is limited by 107.25.
Who is responsible for the flight?
The remote pilot in command is directly responsible and the final authority for the operation (107.19(b)), must ensure no undue hazard if control is lost, and holds a certificate that must be available when flying (107.7). An uncertified person may touch the controls only under direct supervision by a remote pilot who can take control immediately (107.12).
Can I get relief from these limits?
Yes, for the rules the FAA lists as waivable, through a waiver. See waivers and authorizations.
Free practice questions on this topic
8 original questions from the Sectional Cue bank. Try each one, then open the answer.
Groundspeed in mph
1. A drone's app shows a groundspeed of 105 mph during a straight run. Is this within Part 107 limits?
- Yes, because 87 knots is about 115 mph
- Yes, because groundspeed limits apply only above 400 feet AGL
- No, the limit is 100 mph (87 knots)
Show answer and explanation
C. No, the limit is 100 mph (87 knots)
Section 107.51(a) limits groundspeed to 87 knots, or 100 mph, so 105 mph exceeds it. A knot is about 1.15 mph, so 87 knots is about 100 mph, not 115 mph. The speed limit applies at all altitudes.
Source: 14 CFR 107.51(a)
Flight visibility definition
2. How does 107.51 define flight visibility?
- The prevailing horizontal visibility reported by the nearest automated weather station
- The average slant distance at which prominent objects can be seen and identified from the control station
- The farthest distance at which the drone itself can be seen from the control station
Show answer and explanation
B. The average slant distance at which prominent objects can be seen and identified from the control station
Section 107.51(c) defines flight visibility as the average slant distance from the control station at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects by night. A weather station report is reported visibility, not flight visibility. Visibility is about prominent objects, not how far away the small drone can be seen.
Source: 14 CFR 107.51(c)
Who exercises visual line of sight
3. Under 107.31(b), who may exercise the visual line of sight ability during the flight?
- Only the visual observer, whenever an observer has been assigned to the flight by the pilot
- Either the remote pilot in command and the person at the controls, or a visual observer
- Any bystander at the site who agrees to watch the aircraft for the crew
Show answer and explanation
B. Either the remote pilot in command and the person at the controls, or a visual observer
Section 107.31(b) says the ability must be exercised by either the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the controls, or a visual observer. Assigning an observer does not take the option away from the pilot. A random bystander is not a designated visual observer under 107.3 and 107.33.
Source: 14 CFR 107.31(b)
Operating from an aircraft
4. Without a waiver, may a remote pilot operate a small UAS from the cabin of a helicopter in flight over open farmland?
- No, the sparsely populated exception covers only land and water vehicles, not aircraft
- Yes, because the open farmland below the helicopter is a sparsely populated area
- Yes, if the helicopter pilot agrees to act as remote pilot in command for the drone as well
Show answer and explanation
A. No, the sparsely populated exception covers only land and water vehicles, not aircraft
Section 107.25(a) prohibits operating a small UAS from a moving aircraft. The sparsely populated exception in 107.25(b) applies only to moving land or water-borne vehicles. Having the helicopter pilot serve as remote pilot in command does not change the prohibition.
Source: 14 CFR 107.25(a)
Remote pilot in command authority
5. On a news shoot, the visual observer told the pilot the airspace was clear, but the drone came close to a news helicopter. Under Part 107, who is responsible for the operation?
- The visual observer, because the observer called the airspace clear
- The remote pilot in command, who is directly responsible for and the final authority on the operation
- The station owner, because the flight was for the station's broadcast
Show answer and explanation
B. The remote pilot in command, who is directly responsible for and the final authority on the operation
Section 107.19(b) makes the remote pilot in command directly responsible for, and the final authority as to, the operation of the small UAS. A visual observer assists, but that role does not move responsibility away from the remote pilot in command. The employer does not become the responsible person under Part 107.
Source: 14 CFR 107.19(b)
Direct supervision
6. During a paid listing shoot, the homeowner, who has no certificate, asks to fly one pass. The remote pilot in command stands beside the homeowner and can take the controls instantly. Is this allowed?
- No, because only certificated pilots may fly paid jobs
- Yes, because the remote pilot in command supervises directly and can take direct control immediately
- Yes, but only if the homeowner registers the aircraft first
Show answer and explanation
B. Yes, because the remote pilot in command supervises directly and can take direct control immediately
Section 107.12(a)(2) lets a person without a certificate manipulate the controls under the direct supervision of a remote pilot in command who can immediately take direct control. The rule does not exclude paid operations. Registration belongs to the aircraft owner and gives no one permission to fly.
Source: 14 CFR 107.12(a)(2)
Aircraft of 55 lb or more
7. An unmanned aircraft weighs 70 lb at takeoff. Can a Part 107 certificate of waiver allow it to fly under Part 107?
- Yes, by waiving 107.51 operating limitations
- Yes, by waiving the 55 lb limit in the 107.3 definition
- No, it is not a small unmanned aircraft, so it needs other authority such as an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 44807
Show answer and explanation
C. No, it is not a small unmanned aircraft, so it needs other authority such as an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 44807
Part 107 covers only aircraft under 55 lb as defined in 107.3, and that definition is not on the 107.205 list. Heavier unmanned aircraft need other authority, such as an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 44807. A waiver of 107.51 changes operating limits, not the weight that defines a small UA.
Source: 14 CFR 107.3; 14 CFR 107.205; 49 U.S.C. 44807
Part 107 applicability
8. Section 107.1 lists operations to which Part 107 does not apply. Which is on that list?
- Air carrier operations
- Operations at night
- Operations in Class B airspace
Show answer and explanation
A. Air carrier operations
Under 14 CFR 107.1(b)(1), Part 107 does not apply to air carrier operations. Night flight is allowed under Part 107 with the conditions in 107.29, so it remains a Part 107 operation. Class B flights also stay under Part 107 and need ATC authorization under 107.41.
Source: 14 CFR 107.1(b)(1)
Related guides
- Part 107 waivers and airspace authorizations
- Part 107 night operations: lights, twilight and training
- Operations over people: Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4
- MSL vs AGL: altitude math on a sectional chart
- All Part 107 guides
Study the charts on your phone
Sectional Cue has 1150+ original questions with explanations, 27 FAA figures you can tap to read, and timed 60-question rehearsals. About 152 questions and three chart lessons are free.
Sources
- 14 CFR 107.51 (eCFR), checked 2026-11-12
- 14 CFR 107.31 (eCFR), checked 2026-11-12
- 14 CFR Part 107 (eCFR), checked 2026-11-12
- FAA: Part 107 Waivers, checked 2026-11-12
How this page was made: written by Certloom Learning from the sources above, with the rules checked against the current regulation text. Practice items are original questions from the app's reviewed bank. Spot an error? certloomlearning@gmail.com.