Part 107 Drone Certification: The Remote Pilot Guide
Flying a drone for any commercial purpose in the United States requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. Here is what the certification involves, who needs it, and what the exam covers.
QUICK ANSWER
The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate authorizes commercial drone operation in the United States. It requires passing an aeronautical knowledge exam covering airspace, weather, regulations, and operations. Anyone flying a drone for work, from real estate photos to inspections, needs it. Recreational flying follows separate, lighter rules.
Who Needs Part 107
If you fly a drone for any business purpose, real estate photography, roof inspections, mapping, agriculture, you need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers follow separate rules, but the moment money or a commercial deliverable is involved, Part 107 applies.
What the Exam Covers
- Airspace: reading sectional charts and understanding controlled airspace.
- Regulations: operating limits, waivers, and remote pilot responsibilities.
- Weather: how conditions affect flight and performance.
- Operations: loading, performance, and emergency procedures.
Airspace is the hard part
Most Part 107 study time goes to reading airspace and sectional charts. It is where new pilots struggle, and where safe commercial operations begin.
Beyond the Certificate
Passing the exam is the start. Safe, profitable operations require flight proficiency, mission planning, and often integration with inspection or mapping workflows. That practical skill is where hands-on training matters most.
WE BUILD THIS IN VR — THE PRIME VR
We build drone operations into VR, so pilots rehearse airspace decisions, mission planning, and emergency procedures before flying a real aircraft near people or property. Immersive practice turns exam knowledge into safe, repeatable flight skill.
Book a discovery callFrequently Asked Questions
Who needs an FAA Part 107 certificate? +
Anyone operating a drone for a commercial or business purpose in the United States, such as photography, inspections, or mapping. Purely recreational flying follows separate, lighter requirements.
What does the Part 107 exam cover? +
The aeronautical knowledge exam covers airspace and sectional charts, regulations, weather, drone performance, and operations. Airspace interpretation is typically the most challenging section.
Is Part 107 the same as a pilot license? +
No. Part 107 is a Remote Pilot Certificate specific to small unmanned aircraft. It is not a manned-aircraft pilot license, though both involve FAA airspace knowledge.
Fly the mission before the aircraft
We build drone operations into immersive, scored VR practice.