Learn About Commercial Drone Operations
Commercial drone operations are the business use of drones for work like aerial media, inspections, mapping, agriculture, and delivery. This page gives a simple overview for people who are new to the industry.
A Brief History
Early Growth
Commercial drone use expanded in the early 2010s as drones became more affordable, easier to fly, and more useful for business.
Part 107 Era
In 2016, the FAA created Part 107, giving businesses a clearer way to use small drones for commercial work.
Today
Drones are now common tools for inspections, real estate, construction, agriculture, media, public safety, and advanced delivery programs.
How Drones Are Used
Media
Photos, video, marketing, and real estate visuals.
Inspections
Roofs, towers, utilities, and hard-to-reach structures.
Mapping
Land surveys, construction progress, and site planning.
Agriculture
Crop monitoring, field analysis, and aerial application.
Public Safety
Search support, situational awareness, and scene review.
Delivery
Transporting goods in approved advanced operations.
Main Areas of Commercial Drone Operations
Click each area below for a simple explanation.
Part 107
Part 107 covers most standard small commercial drone work. This is the rule most people think of for jobs like photography, videography, inspections, and mapping.
- Most common commercial drone rule
- Used for many everyday business operations
- Usually requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
Part 108
Part 108 is the proposed framework for beyond visual line of sight operations, often called BVLOS. That means flying where the drone is farther away than the pilot can continuously see with normal vision.
- Focused on more advanced future operations
- Important for scaling larger drone programs
- Built around flights beyond normal visual range
Part 135
Part 135 applies to certain air carrier and delivery-type operations. In the drone world, it is often connected to transporting property in more advanced commercial delivery services.
- Used for some delivery and transport operations
- More complex than standard Part 107 work
- Requires additional FAA approvals
Part 137
Part 137 covers agricultural aircraft operations. For drones, this often means spraying or dispensing materials for crop and land management.
- Focused on agricultural application
- Common in farming and land-management services
- Often used with other FAA approvals
Simple Summary
Commercial drones help businesses do useful work safely and efficiently. Part 107 covers most standard jobs. Part 108 is the proposed path for broader BVLOS operations. Part 135 supports certain delivery and transport services. Part 137 applies to agricultural drone work.