The Chain of Authority

Drone regulation isn't one document. It's a chain, and each link has a different legal weight. Understanding that weight is what separates a pilot who memorizes rules from one who can defend a decision after the flight.

1. TIER 1 — STATUTE United States Code (49 U.S.C.)

   Law passed by Congress. It gives the FAA its authority over the National Airspace System and establishes exceptions such as §44809 for recreational flyers. Binding.

2. TIER 2 — REGULATION Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)

   The rules the FAA writes to carry out that statute. Part 107 lives here. Violating a CFR section is a violation of federal law. Binding.

3. TIER 3 — GUIDANCE Advisory Circulars (AC 107-2A)

   The FAA's explanation of how to comply — acceptable methods, examples, recommended practices. Not binding, but it shows you what the FAA considers acceptable.

4. TIER 4 — SUPPORTING Orders, InFO/SAFO bulletins, manufacturer manuals, CBO guidelines

   Internal FAA procedures, safety alerts, and operational material. Useful and sometimes required by reference, but not the regulation itself.

Decoding a Regulation Citation

Every requirement you'll be tested on has an address. Learn to read it once and the entire CFR opens up.

Statutory citations read differently: 49 U.S.C. §44809 is Title 49 of the U.S. Code, Section 44809. Advisory Circulars use a subject-based number — AC 107-2A is the second AC written for Part 107, revision A.

The Five Subparts

Part 107 is organized into five subparts. Knowing which subpart a topic belongs to makes the whole rule navigable — and makes scenario questions much faster to answer.

The Operating Rules You Will Be Tested On

The Four Operating Limitations

These four numbers appear on nearly every Part 107 knowledge test. Commit them to memory in this exact form.

Accident Reporting

The remote pilot in command must report an accident to the FAA within 10 calendar days if either of these thresholds is met:

• Serious injury to any person, or any loss of consciousness
• Damage to any property other than the small unmanned aircraft, if the cost to repair or replace it exceeds $500 — using fair market value if it isn't repaired

Waivers vs. Authorizations

These two are constantly confused, and the exam knows it. They solve different problems.

What can and cannot be waived

Other Rules That Apply to Your Flight

Part 107 is the center of the framework, not the whole of it. A legal commercial flight typically touches several parts at once.

What the Advisory Circular Actually Does

AC 107-2A, Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Small UAS), issued February 1, 2021, is the FAA's plain-language companion to Part 107. It does not create requirements. It explains how to meet them, and it fills in the operational detail the regulation leaves open.

• Remote pilot certification — how to apply, how eligibility is assessed, and how the certificate is maintained
• Registration, marking, and airworthiness — how the FAA expects you to document and identify the aircraft
• Operating in the NAS — airspace access, authorizations, and coordination with air traffic
• Aeronautical decision-making and crew resource management — structured risk assessment, hazard identification, and mitigation, including sample severity and likelihood criteria
• Maintenance and inspection — building a scheduled maintenance program and preflight inspection procedure when the manufacturer provides none
• Emergency procedures and accident reporting — what to do and what to document

Compliance and Enforcement

The FAA's stated preference is to correct unintentional deviations through education and counseling rather than punishment. That approach depends on the pilot being cooperative, qualified, and willing to fix the problem. It does not extend to intentional, reckless, or repeated conduct.

• Compliance actions — counseling, additional training, or on-the-spot correction for honest mistakes
• Certificate action — suspension or revocation of the remote pilot certificate
• Civil penalties — monetary fines for serious or willful violations
• Criminal referral — reserved for the most severe cases, including falsification under 107.5

Remember 107.19: the remote pilot in command is the final authority. That authority is exactly why responsibility lands there when an operation goes wrong.

A Framework That Is Still Moving

The FAA has proposed a new Part 108 to create a standing framework for beyond visual line of sight operations, replacing today's case-by-case waiver path. The proposed rule was published in August 2025 and drew thousands of public comments.