The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Part 107 regulations establish the operating rules and limitations for commercial drone pilots in the United States. These rules are designed to ensure the safety of both the airspace and people on the ground. As a remote pilot, understanding these regulations is critical not only for legal compliance but also for conducting safe and responsible operations. This section will elaborate on the key operational limitations, rules, and the processes for obtaining necessary waivers and authorizations.

Operating Limitations

Operating limitations under Part 107 are designed to keep drone operations within safe bounds, particularly in relation to manned aircraft and the surrounding environment. These limitations are fundamental to ensuring that drones do not interfere with other airspace users and that they operate safely in various conditions.

Key Points:

1. Maximum Altitude: 400 Feet Above Ground Level (AGL):

   • The FAA mandates that drones must not be flown higher than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). This limitation is crucial for several reasons, primarily to avoid conflicts with manned aircraft, which typically operate at altitudes higher than 500 feet AGL, except during takeoff and landing.

   • Exceptions to the Rule: The 400-foot limit can be exceeded when a drone is flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure and does not go more than 400 feet above the structure's uppermost limit. This exception is often utilized in operations such as inspections of tall buildings, towers, and other structures.

   • Enforcement and Penalties: Violating the 400-foot altitude limit can result in severe penalties, including fines and the potential revocation of the Remote Pilot Certificate. This rule is strictly enforced to maintain a safe separation between drones and manned aircraft.

2. Maximum Ground Speed: 87 Knots (100 mph):

   • The maximum allowable ground speed for drones under Part 107 is 87 knots, which equates to approximately 100 miles per hour. This speed limit is set to ensure that the drone remains within the control of the remote pilot, particularly in situations where quick maneuvers are necessary to avoid obstacles or other aircraft.

   • Impact on Operations: For most commercial operations, such as aerial photography, surveying, and inspections, flying at 100 mph is unnecessary and could increase the risk of accidents. However, understanding this limit is important for specific scenarios, such as racing drones or conducting operations that require fast coverage of large areas.

   • Wind Considerations: Groundspeed is affected by wind. When flying with a tailwind, the drone’s groundspeed will be higher than its airspeed. Pilots need to account for this when planning operations to ensure they do not inadvertently exceed the speed limit.

3. Minimum Visibility: 3 Statute Miles:

   • Part 107 requires that drone operations occur only when the visibility is at least 3 statute miles. This visibility requirement ensures that the remote pilot can see the drone at all times and react appropriately to any potential hazards.

   • Daylight and Night Operations: Visibility can be influenced by weather conditions, lighting, and terrain. During daylight, visibility is generally easier to maintain, but during twilight or night operations (if permitted with a waiver), additional considerations such as the use of anti-collision lights become necessary to maintain visibility.

   • Environmental Factors: Conditions like fog, heavy rain, or smoke can significantly reduce visibility, making it unsafe to operate the drone. Pilots must be able to judge visibility accurately and postpone or cancel flights when conditions do not meet the minimum requirement.

Operational Rules

Beyond the basic limitations, Part 107 outlines specific rules that govern how and when drones can be operated. These rules are designed to mitigate risks associated with drone flights and to ensure the safety of both the pilot and the public.

Key Points:

1. Visual Line of Sight (VLOS):

   • The FAA requires that the drone must always remain within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the remote pilot or a designated visual observer (VO). This rule ensures that the pilot can directly observe the drone's position, attitude, and movement, and react to any potential hazards in real time.

   • Role of the Visual Observer: If a visual observer is used, they must maintain constant communication with the remote pilot. The observer’s role is to watch the drone and its surroundings, particularly when the pilot is focused on operating the drone or monitoring the live video feed.

   • Importance of VLOS: Losing visual contact with the drone can lead to dangerous situations, such as flying into restricted airspace, colliding with obstacles, or losing control of the aircraft. Even in cases where the drone has advanced sensors and cameras, VLOS is a critical safety measure.

2. Daylight Operations:

   • Part 107 generally restricts drone operations to daylight hours, which are defined as the time from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time. During these times, the natural light is sufficient to see the drone and its surroundings clearly.

   • Civil Twilight Operations: Drones may be operated during civil twilight (the period just before sunrise and just after sunset) if they are equipped with anti-collision lighting that is visible for at least 3 statute miles. This lighting helps maintain visibility and prevents collisions with other aircraft.

   • Night Operations: Night operations are not permitted under standard Part 107 rules unless the operator has obtained a waiver. Night flights pose additional risks due to the reduced visibility and the increased difficulty in maintaining VLOS.

3. No Operations Over People:

   • One of the critical safety rules under Part 107 is the prohibition against flying over people who are not directly involved in the drone operation. This rule is in place to prevent injuries in the event of a drone malfunction or crash.

   • Involved Participants: Individuals directly involved in the operation, such as crew members or subjects of a photo shoot who are briefed on the risks, may be flown over. However, the pilot must still ensure that the flight is conducted safely and that all involved are aware of the potential dangers.

   • Waivers for Flying Over People: In certain cases, a waiver can be obtained to fly over people, but this requires demonstrating that the operation can be conducted safely, typically by using a drone with protective features or by adhering to strict operational protocols.

4. Right of Way:

   • Drones must always yield the right of way to manned aircraft. This rule is fundamental to ensuring that drones do not interfere with other aircraft, which are often traveling at much higher speeds and may not be able to see or avoid a small drone.

   • Situational Awareness: Pilots must maintain awareness of their surroundings and be prepared to take evasive action if a manned aircraft approaches. This may involve descending, landing, or moving the drone out of the way as quickly as possible.

   • Communication: In controlled airspace, maintaining communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) can help ensure that drone operations do not conflict with manned aircraft. Even in uncontrolled airspace, monitoring common frequencies can provide valuable information about nearby aircraft.

Waivers and Authorizations

Certain operations that go beyond the standard rules of Part 107 require obtaining waivers or special authorizations from the FAA. These waivers allow for more complex operations that, while riskier, can be conducted safely with the right precautions.

Key Points:

1. Types of Waivers:

   • Flying Over People: Waivers for flying over people are among the most commonly sought. To obtain this waiver, the operator must demonstrate that the operation can be conducted safely, often by using a drone equipped with safety features such as parachutes or protective shrouds.

   • Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): BVLOS operations allow the drone to be flown beyond the pilot's visual line of sight. This is typically used for long-range missions such as pipeline inspections or agricultural surveys. Obtaining a BVLOS waiver requires advanced planning, including the use of detect-and-avoid technology and detailed risk assessments.

   • Night Operations Without Anti-Collision Lighting: While night operations generally require anti-collision lighting, a waiver can be obtained to fly without it under certain conditions. This might be applicable in environments where lighting could interfere with the mission, such as wildlife monitoring.

2. Obtaining Waivers:

   • Application Process: Waivers are obtained by applying through the FAA’s DroneZone portal. The application process involves providing detailed information about the proposed operation, including the location, duration, and specific risks involved.

   • Safety Case: Applicants must present a strong safety case, demonstrating that all potential risks have been identified and mitigated. This often includes outlining contingency plans, emergency procedures, and the use of advanced technologies or additional personnel to enhance safety.

   • Approval Timeline: The approval process for waivers can take several weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the request. It’s important to apply well in advance of the planned operation to ensure that all necessary permissions are in place.

3. LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability):

   • Real-Time Airspace Authorizations: LAANC is an automated system that provides near real-time airspace authorizations for drone operations in controlled airspace. This system allows pilots to quickly obtain permission to fly in areas that would otherwise require manual authorization from ATC.

   • How It Works: Pilots submit a request through a LAANC-enabled app, specifying the location, altitude, and duration of the flight. The system checks the request against current airspace data and, if safe, grants authorization almost instantly.

   • Benefits: LAANC significantly speeds up the process of obtaining airspace authorizations, making it easier for commercial operators to conduct missions in busy airspace while still ensuring compliance with FAA regulations.

Conclusion:

Understanding and adhering to the regulations and operating rules set forth in Part 107 is essential for anyone operating a drone commercially in the United States. These rules are in place to protect the safety of the national airspace and the people on the ground. By staying within the operational limitations, following the established rules, and obtaining the necessary waivers and authorizations for more complex operations, remote pilots can conduct their missions safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with the law. Whether you are conducting routine operations or planning a complex mission that requires a waiver, thorough knowledge of Part 107 is the foundation of responsible drone operation.