FAA Regulations for RECREATIONAL UAS Flyers
What does FAA define as a drone?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or "drone," operations cover a broad spectrum of commercial and government uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
sUAS - Small Unmanned Aerial System:
An unmanned aerial vehicle weighing less the 55 lbs including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft and its control systems.
A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system. It is essentially a flying robot this is controlled remotely or can fly autonomously with software-controlled flight plans embedded in its system that work in conjunction with sensors and a global positioning system (GPS). Drones are of different types and sizes and are used for a variety of purposes.
Here's a list of the four main types of drones:
• Multi-Rotor Drones
• Fixed-Wing Drones
• Single-Rotor Drones
• Fixed-Wing Hybrid VTOL
What are the Rules for Recreational Flyers?
The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. Following these rules helps keep people, your drone and our airspace safe:
1. Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
2. Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
For more information on how to become an FAA-recognized CBO, read Advisory Circular 91-57C.
3. 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.
4. Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
5. Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
6. Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
Note: Anyone flying a drone in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) is responsible for flying within the FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to you as a drone pilot to know the rules: Where Can I Fly?
7. Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
8. Have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.
Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information (unless flown within a FRIA). For more information on drone registration, visit How to Register Your Drone.
9. Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.
How to Register Your Drone
Register your drone at FAADroneZone whether flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or Part 107. If you are not sure what kind of a drone flyer you are, check out our User Identification Tool or visit our Getting Started webpage to learn more.
• Drones registered under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations cannot be flown under Part 107.
Go to this link to find the under 250 gram exception
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone
Remote Identification and Your Drone
Beginning September 16, 2023, all drones requiring registration (more than 250 grams, or .55 lbs) must operate in accordance with the Remote ID rule.
How to Register
Information Needed to Register
• Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Make and model of your drone
• Specific Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer (if applicable)
• Credit or debit card
Note: If you are not sure how to locate your Remote ID serial number, please check with the manufacturer for assistance.
Registration Fees
• Part 107 registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three (3) years. • Once a drone is registered, its registration cannot be transferred between operation types (Part 107 or the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations).
Registration Requirements
• 13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the drone)
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
• For foreign operators, FAA will consider the certificate issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of U.S. aircraft registration.
Where to Register
After You Register
Once you register your drone, you will receive an FAA registration certificate. You must have your registration certificate (either a paper copy or digital copy) in your possession when you fly. If another individual operates your drone, they must have your drone registration certificate (either a paper or digital copy) in their possession. Federal law requires pilots flying drones that require registration, to show their certificate of registration to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer if asked. The FAA requires that you label all drones with your registration number before you fly them
Failure to register a drone that requires registration may result in regulatory and criminal penalties.
Registration
When your drone registration expires, you need to renew your registration through the FAADroneZone. If you are having trouble logging into the FAADroneZone, you may need to reset your password (PDF). Be sure to use the email address you used when you originally registered your drone with the FAA.
Got Questions? Contact the UAS Support Center
Resources
What is a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Areas) (FRIAs)
Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone doesn't have Remote ID, you may be able to operate within a FRIA.
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id/fria?fbclid=IwAR2KDkIzWa0_xcdomK1HEJOBtXTFcc587c3RFg-86tq2gr77Y3ALxiU2pHA
Examples of FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
The FPV Freedom Coalition
https://fpvfc.org/safety-guidelines
AMA Safety Program
https://www.modelaircraft.org/sites/default/files/documents/100.pdf
FliteTest FICA
https://ftca.flitetest.com/safety-guidelines/
Cheat Sheet from Pilot Institute: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3v6rmqy2w19h3va/Summary CBO.pdf?dl=0
AA Regulations for RECREATIONAL UAS Flyers
What does FAA define as a drone?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or "drone," operations cover a broad spectrum of commercial and government uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
sUAS - Small Unmanned Aerial System:
An unmanned aerial vehicle weighing less the 55 lbs including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft and its control systems.
A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system. It is essentially a flying robot this is controlled remotely or can fly autonomously with software-controlled flight plans embedded in its system that work in conjunction with sensors and a global positioning system (GPS). Drones are of different types and sizes and are used for a variety of purposes.
Here's a list of the four main types of drones:
• Multi-Rotor Drones
• Fixed-Wing Drones
• Single-Rotor Drones
• Fixed-Wing Hybrid VTOL
What are the Rules for Recreational Flyers?
The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. Following these rules helps keep people, your drone and our airspace safe:
1. Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
2. Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
For more information on how to become an FAA-recognized CBO, read Advisory Circular 91-57C.
3. 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.
4. Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
5. Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
6. Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
Note: Anyone flying a drone in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) is responsible for flying within the FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to you as a drone pilot to know the rules: Where Can I Fly?
7. Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
8. Have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.
Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information (unless flown within a FRIA). For more information on drone registration, visit How to Register Your Drone.
9. Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.
How to Register Your Drone
Register your drone at FAADroneZone whether flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or Part 107. If you are not sure what kind of a drone flyer you are, check out our User Identification Tool or visit our Getting Started webpage to learn more.
• Drones registered under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations cannot be flown under Part 107.
Go to this link to find the under 250 gram exception
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone
Remote Identification and Your Drone
Beginning September 16, 2023, all drones requiring registration (more than 250 grams, or .55 lbs) must operate in accordance with the Remote ID rule.
How to Register
Information Needed to Register
• Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Make and model of your drone
• Specific Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer (if applicable)
• Credit or debit card
Note: If you are not sure how to locate your Remote ID serial number, please check with the manufacturer for assistance.
Registration Fees
• Part 107 registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three (3) years. • Once a drone is registered, its registration cannot be transferred between operation types (Part 107 or the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations).
Registration Requirements
• 13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the drone)
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
• For foreign operators, FAA will consider the certificate issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of U.S. aircraft registration.
Where to Register
After You Register
Once you register your drone, you will receive an FAA registration certificate. You must have your registration certificate (either a paper copy or digital copy) in your possession when you fly. If another individual operates your drone, they must have your drone registration certificate (either a paper or digital copy) in their possession. Federal law requires pilots flying drones that require registration, to show their certificate of registration to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer if asked. The FAA requires that you label all drones with your registration number before you fly them
Failure to register a drone that requires registration may result in regulatory and criminal penalties.
Registration
When your drone registration expires, you need to renew your registration through the FAADroneZone. If you are having trouble logging into the FAADroneZone, you may need to reset your password (PDF). Be sure to use the email address you used when you originally registered your drone with the FAA.
Got Questions? Contact the UAS Support Center
Resources
What is a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Areas) (FRIAs)
Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone doesn't have Remote ID, you may be able to operate within a FRIA.
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id/fria?fbclid=IwAR2KDkIzWa0_xcdomK1HEJOBtXTFcc587c3RFg-86tq2gr77Y3ALxiU2pHA
Examples of FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
The FPV Freedom Coalition
https://fpvfc.org/safety-guidelines
AMA Safety Program
https://www.modelaircraft.org/sites/default/files/documents/100.pdf
FliteTest FICA
https://ftca.flitetest.com/safety-guidelines/
Cheat Sheet from Pilot Institute: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3v6rmqy2w19h3va/Summary CBO.pdf?dl=0
