US Fly for Fun under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft You don't need permission from the FAA to fly your UAS under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, but you must always fly safely. You may elect to register your UAS to help in the recovery of lost equipment. FAA Safety Guidelines Fly at or below 400 feet Be aware of airspace requirements and restrictions Stay away from surrounding obstacles Keep your UAS within sight Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports Never fly over groups of people Never fly over stadiums or sports events Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol Flying under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft The Special Rule for Model Aircraft (P.L. 112-95, Section 336) (PDF) provides the definition and operating rules for flying a model aircraft. Note: Model aircraft operators that comply with all of these operational requirements during flight do not have to register their UAS with the FAA. Model aircraft operators must follow these rules to fly under this Rule: the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use
the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower [when an air traffic facility is located at the airport]) A model aircraft is defined as an unmanned aircraft that: capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft flown for hobby or recreational purposes. UAS Registration If you do not operate exclusively under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, you must: Register your UAS if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds Label your UAS (PDF) with your registration number Read and understand all safety guidelines
Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years. If you are flying under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and you wish to register voluntarily, you should register as a "modeler." If you are flying under part 107, Section 333, part 91, a public COA, or for non-recreational purposes in general, you should register as a "non-modeler." In order to register, you must be: 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 small unmanned aircraft) A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident In order to register, you'll need: Email address Credit or debit card Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address) Make and model of your UAS (non-modeler registration only) Fly for Work/Business Below are the basic things an operator must know for flying under the small UAS rule (14 CFR part 107): Pilot Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old Must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center+ Must be vetted by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) Aircraft Requirements: Less than 55 lbs.
Must be registered Operating Rules: Class G airspace Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight) Must fly under 400 feet Must fly during the day Must fly at or below 100 mph Must yield right of way to manned aircraft Must NOT fly over people Must NOT fly from a moving vehicle U.S. Code Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION Subtitle VII - AVIATION PROGRAMS Part A - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY SUBPART i - general ( 40101 to 40130) SUBPART iii - safety ( 44101 to 45305)
Notes 1 This is the Aeronautics Act under American traffic law, without any contents directly regulating drone uses. But it has served as the background for the drone legislation; part of its contents have been amended by the Public Law 112-95 below. 2 In the United States Code, there are also some clauses about drones in those parts involving national defense or security Public Law 112 95 - FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 TITLE III SAFETY Subtitle B - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sec. 331. Definitions. Sec. 332. Integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into national airspace system. Sec. 333. Special rules for certain unmanned aircraft systems. Sec. 334. Public unmanned aircraft systems. Sec. 335. Safety studies. Sec. 336. Special rule for model aircraft.
Notes 1 As a congress legislation, Public Law stipulates dronerelated terms, special rules for model drones and legislation tasks for DOT and FAA. 2 Public Law 112 95 offers reference for FAA s drone legislation principles and plans, and it can be used to sort out subsequent drone legislations in America. 14 CFR - Aeronautics and Space Title Volume Chapt er Browse Parts Regulatory Entity Title 14 1 I 1-59 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, Aeronautics and Space 2 60-109 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 3 110-199 4 II 200-399 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION PROCEEDINGS) III 400-1199 COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 5 V 1200-1299 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
VI 1300-1399 AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM STABILIZATION
14 CFR PART 107 - SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 14 CFR PART 48 - REGISTRATION AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT Notes 1 Apart from the drone legislation, 14 CFR is the Aeronautics legislation on administrative level, it applies to drones in principle. 2 PART 107 is the final draft of NPRM (the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, February 23, 2015) formulated by FAA. So the NPRM draft shall not be referred to. 3 PART 48 is about the registration and marking requirements for small unmanned aircrafts. But under certain situations, general requirements of PART 47 still apply to drones. Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (June 28, 2016) Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft (December 16, 2015) Notes These two files respectively introduce the legislation background and process of PART 107 and PART 48. Their detailed contents have high reference value.
107-2 - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (suas) Notes 107-2 is the advisory circulars issued by FAA about how to operate drones according to PART 107. Aviation Handbooks & Manuals Remote Pilot Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22) Notes This study guide introduces the knowledge required to pass the Remote Pilot Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification. Integration of Civil Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) Roadmap Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System Concept of Operations V2.0 Notes The Roadmap above is a five-year work plan made by FAA based on Public Law 112 95.