Remote PIC responsibility
The remote pilot in command is directly responsible for the operation and has final authority. Another person may manipulate the controls only under the required direct supervision or when independently certificated and current. The remote PIC must be able to take direct control when supervising.
Before flight
- Assess the operating environment, airspace, weather, people, property, and hazards.
- Ensure the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.
- Brief directly participating persons on conditions, roles, emergency and contingency procedures, and hazards.
- Confirm that no required crewmember has a known condition that would interfere with safe performance.
Core operating limits
| Limit | Standard rule | Exam trap |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Less than 55 lb at takeoff, including attachments and payload | “55 lb or less” is not the wording |
| Altitude | 400 ft AGL, with the structure provision | Do not confuse AGL and MSL |
| Groundspeed | 87 knots / 100 mph | It is groundspeed, not indicated airspeed |
| Visibility | 3 statute miles from the control station | A camera view is not the visibility measurement |
| Cloud clearance | 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontally | “Clear of clouds” alone is insufficient |
Night, people, moving vehicles, and hazardous material
Night flight requires current knowledge and anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles, with limited remote-PIC discretion to reduce intensity for safety. Operations over people and moving vehicles depend on current categories and conditions; do not assume every small drone qualifies. Standard Part 107 does not permit carriage of hazardous material.
Accidents and emergency authority
Report qualifying accidents to the FAA within 10 days. A qualifying event includes serious injury, loss of consciousness, or more than $500 damage to property other than the small UAS, subject to the rule's property exception. In an in-flight emergency, the remote PIC may deviate from Part 107 to the extent necessary and must submit a report if the FAA requests one.
Waiver thinking
A waiver does not erase Part 107. It authorizes a specific deviation under listed conditions. Strong waiver preparation identifies the exact rule, operation, hazard, crew, equipment, procedures, and mitigations that create an equivalent level of safety.