A drone, regardless of what you’re using it for, should not exceed 55lbs of weight at take-off (including payload). This applies even if you’re flying commercially and have a permit.
And most important of all, you cannot interfere with manned aircraft in any way. That means steering clear of airports.
Do I need a license to fly a drone recreationally?
Chances are you’re not looking to fly a drone for work, but just as a hobby.
You need a certification to fly a drone as a hobby. It’s called The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and it can be obtained, for free, in less than an hour by passing an online test.
You can learn more about TRUST from the official FAA website here.
If you want to pass the test, my personal recommendation is UAVcoach, they’re an FAA-approved test administrator.
Important!
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that the TRUST test be provided for free. Beware of anyone trying to charge you for this service.
Recreational drone rules in the US
Now let’s get into the rules of flying for fun in the US. I’m assuming you’ve passed the TRUST test. If you haven’t, please do. (seriously, it’s set up like corporate training… you can’t fail the test)
Register Your Drone
Having passed the test, now it’s time to register your drone. If your drone weighs more than 250g (and most consumer drones do), then you’ll have to register for an FAA registration number.
You can check the registration procedure here from the FAA themselves.
Once done, your registration number allows you to own and fly as many drones as you like for one price (a mere $5), for a period of three years.
You'll just need to place your newly assigned identification number on the exterior of your drone. (Mandated by the FAA)
Note that not every drone on the market needs to be registered. The DJI Mavic 2 for example has a 249g takeoff weight, so they're exempted. I’ve reviewed it in this article.
The rules of recreational drone flight in the US
In addition to registering your drone and obtaining your registration number. There are other rules for flying your drone as a hobby:
Flying altitude
You must fly at or below 400ft in class G airspace (uncontrolled). If you want to fly in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E) you’ll have to get a permit for that, which I’ll get to later in this article.
Note that even if you have a permit you cannot fly above 400ft.
Fly for recreation only
You cannot receive any form of compensation for your flying. Meaning no side-gigs or weekend hustle with your drone.
Visual line of sight
Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
This is likely for privacy reasons, but I don’t have concrete details from the FAA regarding this rule.
Night flying
In order to fly your drones, you are required to have lights on your drone. This is a recent regulation, before the flying of drones during the night was prohibited without a permit.
Right of way for airplanes
You must give way to and not interfere with manned aircraft.
Additional rules
In addition to these rules, there are other regulations that mandate not flying drones under substance use. You should also not fly over crowds or interfere with emergency situations.
A lot of these rules are honestly simply common sense. Also, it bears to note that in addition to these FAA rules, national parks across the country have banned drones.
Which is a shame, since these parks give the best drone videos/photos.
Note:
Airspace classes can be a little bit confusing. Here is a map that tells you what class the airspace you’re in is.
Rules for flying drones commercially in the US
Before we get into the rules of flying commercial drones, we should first look at what flying “commercially” means.
Before we get into the rules of flying commercial drones, we should first look at what flying “commercially” means.
The FAA views any drone activity that you’re compensated for as commercial.
That means not just jobs like shooting weddings, surveying crops, and the various other drone gigs… But also selling your drone footage as stock videos or photos. That too is regarded as “commercial” and you need a permit for it.
The part 107 test
First things first, the part 107 test. This is a test that you’ll have to study for and then take. Passing it gives you a permit that allows you to fly drones commercially.
Before you even look at other rules and regulations, know that you cannot fly drones commercially if you haven’t passed this test (at least not legally).
I have covered this test in depth in a complete guide on the Part 107 FAA license as well as in my previous article about drone careers.
Commercial Rules—Flying for Work
The rules for flying drones commercially in the US are as follows:
- You must register your UAV with the FAA on the FAADroneZone website.
- Your UAV must weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload, at takeoff.
- You must fly in Class G airspace. (Unless you have a permit to fly in controlled airspace)
- You must keep your UAV within visual line of sight.
- You must fly at or below 400 feet.
- You must fly at or under 100 mph.
- You must yield the right of way to manned aircraft.
- You cannot fly from a moving vehicle, unless in a sparsely populated area.
These are the general rules. There are various other case-specific rules in the 107-part certification. I’ve managed to find an official summary of all these rules from the FAA.
Certification Requirements for Flying a Drone in the United States of America
I spoke about the part 107 test and how you can’t start flying commercially without it. But that test is only part of the puzzle.
True, it’s the most important part, but to get the certification from the FAA there are other conditions that you must fulfill.
Understanding of English
You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (exceptions may be made if the person is unable to meet one of these requirements for a medical reason, such as a hearing impairment).
Good physical condition
You must be in good mental and physical health to be able to operate a UAS. Note that this is verified after a medical checkup.
Age
You must be over 16 to receive a commercial flight permit from the FAA.
Security screening
You must undergo Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) security screening.
For more information on how to obtain a remote pilot certificate, check this page on the FAA’s website.