The free, modern Part 107 study hub.

What is Part 107? #

14 CFR Part 107 is the FAA rule that governs the commercial operation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) under 55 lb in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

Who needs the certificate?

Anyone who flies a drone for any non-recreational purpose - paid photography, mapping, real estate, inspections, even unpaid commercial-adjacent work or content posted on a monetized channel - must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a sUAS rating.

Who doesn't?

Strictly recreational flyers operate under 49 USC §44809 and must instead pass the free TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test). TRUST is not a substitute for Part 107.

Eligibility

• At least 16 years old
• Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Physically and mentally fit to safely operate a sUAS
• Pass the Part 107 initial knowledge test ("UAG")
• Apply via IACRA -> FAA issues a temporary, then permanent certificate

How to study (proven, free path) #

A realistic 2-3 week plan that has worked for thousands of pilots.

1. Day 1-2 - Frame the test. Read the FAA Remote Pilot ACS cover-to-cover. This is the official roadmap - every question on the exam maps to a task in this PDF.
2. Day 3-10 - Learn the content. Work through the 14 modules below (or a free YouTube course like Tony Northrup's). Focus on airspace, sectional charts, and weather; together they make up roughly 35-45% of the test.
3. Day 11-14 - Drill practice questions. The single biggest predictor of passing is reps. Use this hub's quiz plus the official FAA sample questions and the free practice links below. Score 85%+ consistently before booking the test.
4. Day 15 - Review weak spots. Re-read sections of the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide for any topic where you're under 80%.
5. Day 16 - Take the exam. Bring two forms of ID. Allow ~90 minutes. You'll get an immediate score.

Exam basics #

Approximate topic weight

Knowledge modules #

Click a tile to jump to that section. Modules are sequenced from foundational rules to scenario-based ops.

1. Regulations & Certification #

The hard limits that define a Part 107 operation. Memorize these - they're easy points.

Core operating limitations (14 CFR §107.51, .29, .31, .35)

Eligibility & certificate path

1. Be ≥ 16 years old, English-proficient, mentally/physically fit.
2. Pass the FAA Part 107 initial knowledge test (UAG) at a PSI center.
3. Complete FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA.
4. TSA background check runs automatically.
5. FAA emails a temporary certificate (valid ~120 days); permanent card mailed within ~6-8 weeks.

Recurrent training (every 24 calendar months)

Since 2021, recurrent currency is maintained by completing the free online ALC-677 course on FAASafety.gov - no testing center, no fee. Save your completion certificate; you must carry it (or have it accessible) when flying.

2. Airspace classification #

Roughly a fifth of the test. Master the shape of each class and what's required to fly there.

How airspace appears on a sectional

• Class B - solid blue lines
• Class C - solid magenta lines
• Class D - dashed blue lines
• Class E to surface - dashed magenta lines
• Class E starting at 700 AGL - magenta vignette (fuzzy edge)
• Class E starting at 1,200 AGL - blue vignette
• Class G - everything that isn't otherwise marked, up to the base of E

Special-use airspace

• Prohibited Area (P-) - flight prohibited (e.g., P-56 over the White House).
• Restricted Area (R-) - flight restricted when active; check NOTAMs.
• MOA - military training; use extreme caution; not prohibited for Part 107 in most cases.
• Warning Area (W-) - over international water beyond 3 nm.
• Alert Area (A-) - high concentration of training; both pilots responsible.
• National Security UAS Flight Restrictions - many federal facilities (DOE, Coast Guard, military bases). Always check B4UFLY.

TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions)

• Stadium TFR - 1 hour before to 1 hour after major sporting events: 3 nautical-mile radius, surface to 3,000 ft AGL. NFL, MLB, NCAA Div I, NASCAR/Indy.
• VIP movement (presidential, etc.) - typically 30 nm with a 10 nm inner core.
• Disaster/firefighting - published as NOTAMs; violating one is a federal offense.
• Always brief tfr.faa.gov and B4UFLY before launch.

3. Sectional charts #

If you can fluently read a VFR sectional, you've already won 20% of the test. Practice with real charts via SkyVector or VFRMap.

Latitude & longitude

• Latitude - horizontal lines running E-W, measured N/S of the equator (0° -> 90°).
• Longitude - vertical lines running N-S, measured E/W of the Prime Meridian.
• The U.S. is in the Northern and Western hemispheres.
• Tick marks on a sectional are 1 minute apart; 60 minutes = 1 degree.

Reading airspace ceilings & floors

Class B/C/D segments are labeled with a fraction: top number = ceiling, bottom number = floor, both in hundreds of feet MSL. Examples:

• 100 / SFC - surface to 10,000 ft MSL
• 50 / 20 - 2,000 ft MSL to 5,000 ft MSL
• T bottom = "top of underlying class"

Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF)

Each quadrangle on a sectional shows a large number representing the highest obstacle or terrain in that area, in hundreds of feet MSL (e.g., 25 = 2,500 ft MSL). Use it for terrain awareness - not directly for the 400 ft AGL limit (AGL ≠ MSL).

Common symbols to recognize

• Airports - magenta or blue circle/runway shape. Magenta = non-towered; blue = towered.
• Star symbol - airport beacon operates sunset to sunrise.
• Obstacle - single tower = tower symbol shape; group = double towers; lit obstacle has lightning bolts.
• Parachute jumping - open parachute symbol.
• Ultralight - winged symbol.
• Glider - gliding symbol.
• Hang glider - kite shape.
• VOR - hexagonal compass rose.
• MTR (Military Training Route) - gray line; 3-digit = above 1,500 AGL, 4-digit = at/below.

Airport data block

For a typical sectional airport block: CTAF · Runway length (×100 ft) · L (lighting) · Frequencies. Example: 118.4 · 50 L 122.95 = CTAF 118.4 MHz, 5,000 ft runway, lighted, Unicom 122.95.

4. Weather #

Decode aviation weather products, anticipate hazards, know your sources.

Primary sources

• Aviation Weather Center (AWC) - METARs, TAFs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, PIREPs.
• 1800wxbrief.com - Leidos Flight Service for full briefings.
• FSS (Flight Service Station) - 1-800-WX-BRIEF.
• NOAA, weather.gov for general public products.

METAR - current observation

Format: KSFO 121656Z 28012G18KT 10SM FEW020 SCT250 15/09 A3012 RMK …

• Station ID -> KSFO
• Day/time UTC ("Zulu") -> 12th @ 16:56 UTC
• Wind -> 280° at 12 kt, gusting 18 kt
• Visibility -> 10 statute miles
• Clouds -> FEW (1-2 oktas) 2,000 AGL; SCT (3-4 oktas) 25,000 AGL
• Temp/dew point -> 15°C / 9°C
• Altimeter -> 30.12 inHg

Cloud coverage: SKC/CLR (clear) · FEW (1-2/8) · SCT (3-4/8) · BKN (5-7/8) · OVC (8/8). A "ceiling" is the lowest BKN or OVC layer.

TAF - forecast (24-30 hr, large airports)

Reads like a METAR but with time groups: FM2200 22015G25KT 5SM BR … means "from 22:00Z conditions become …".

AIRMET vs. SIGMET

PIREP

Pilot Report - actual conditions reported by another pilot. Useful for icing, turbulence, cloud tops. Format includes UA (routine) or UUA (urgent).

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. High DA = thin air = degraded performance. A "high, hot, humid" day reduces lift and motor thrust. Critical for high-altitude or summer ops.

Common micro-scale hazards

• Thunderstorms - never operate within 20 nm of a TS. Hazards: severe turbulence, hail, lightning, microbursts. Stages: cumulus -> mature -> dissipating.
• Microburst - small, intense downdraft (1-2 mi diameter); can last 5-15 min with 6,000 fpm downdrafts.
• Wind shear - sudden change in wind speed/direction; common near fronts, TS, and inversions.
• Inversion - temperature increases with altitude (opposite of normal); traps haze, smoke, smog.
• Mountain wave - turbulence downwind of ridges; lenticular clouds are a marker.

Fronts

• Cold front - fast, narrow band of TS/showers, brief but violent.
• Warm front - slow, wide area of low ceilings, drizzle, fog, possibly icing.
• Occluded - overtaking cold front; mixed conditions.
• Stationary - front not moving; extended adverse weather.

5. Loading & performance #

Why your drone flies differently with a payload, in heat, or at altitude.

Weight & balance basics

• Center of gravity (CG) - the point at which the aircraft would balance. An off-CG drone is unstable and consumes more battery.
• Adding payload shifts CG; mount loads as close to the geometric center as possible.
• Heavier aircraft -> higher stall speed (fixed-wing), higher power demand, less endurance, longer braking/yaw stop time.

Density altitude impacts

Performance decreases when any of these go up: altitude, temperature, humidity. The combined effect is captured by density altitude.

• Rotor/propeller efficiency drops -> reduced thrust headroom.
• Battery voltage sag becomes more punishing.
• Plan for shorter flight times, reduced payload capacity, and longer takeoff distances (for fixed-wing UAS).

Battery considerations

• LiPo - high energy density, fragile, fire risk if punctured, overcharged, or overdischarged.
• Cold reduces capacity sharply - warm packs to ~70°F before flight.
• Land with ≥ 20-30% reserve. RTH-on-low-battery is a feature, not a flight plan.
• Store at storage charge (~3.8 V/cell, ~50%) when not flying for > 3 days.

Wind & performance

A drone's max wind tolerance is usually published in m/s; convert to kt (1 m/s ≈ 1.94 kt). Headwinds increase ground reference but reduce groundspeed; tailwinds the opposite. Crosswinds increase battery draw as the FCS corrects.

6. Emergency procedures #

You're the PIC. The FAA expects you to brief contingencies before takeoff.

Lost link

If the C2 link drops, most consumer/prosumer aircraft execute a programmed Return-to-Home (RTH). Before flight: confirm Home Point set, RTH altitude clears all obstacles, and the aircraft has GPS lock.

Flyaway

• Switch to manual / Atti mode if available.
• Toggle RTH.
• If unrecoverable, attempt to ditch in an unpopulated area; never let it drift over crowds, traffic, or buildings.
• Notify ATC if in/near controlled airspace; report per §107.9 if damage/injury occurs.

LiPo fire

• Do not use water (lithium reacts).
• Smother with sand, salt, or a Class D extinguisher; isolate from combustibles.
• Use a LiPo bag for transport and a fireproof container for charging.

In-flight failure modes to brief

• GPS loss - switch to Atti, fly visually, land soon.
• Single motor failure - most multirotors will yaw uncontrollably; cut throttle to minimize property damage.
• Compass interference - recalibrate away from metal/rebar; abort if persists.
• Video link loss with control still active - fly by VLOS to recover.

7. Crew Resource Management & ADM #

Heavily tested. The FAA wants pilots who think about decisions, not just rules.

The 5 hazardous attitudes & antidotes

PAVE - preflight risk checklist

• Pilot - fit to fly? Recent? Rest, IMSAFE.
• Aircraft - airworthy? Battery, props, FW current?
• enVironment - weather, airspace, terrain, lighting?
• External pressures - client deadline? Get-the-shot-itis?

IMSAFE - pilot self-assessment

Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion / Eating. If any are flagged, no-go.

DECIDE - in-flight decision loop

Detect -> Estimate -> Choose -> Identify -> Do -> Evaluate. Iterate every time conditions change.

3 P's

Perceive (the hazards) -> Process (their consequences) -> Perform (mitigations).

8. Radio communications #

Part 107 doesn't require radio use - but you must understand pilot calls to maintain situational awareness near non-towered fields.

CTAF procedure (non-towered)

Self-announcement format: "[Airport name] traffic, [callsign], [position], [intentions], [airport name]." Standard reporting points: 10 mi out, entering pattern (45° to downwind), downwind, base, final, clear of runway.

Phonetic alphabet (selected)

A-Alpha, B-Bravo, C-Charlie, D-Delta, E-Echo, F-Foxtrot, G-Golf, H-Hotel, I-India, J-Juliet, K-Kilo, L-Lima, M-Mike, N-November, O-Oscar, P-Papa, Q-Quebec, R-Romeo, S-Sierra, T-Tango, U-Uniform, V-Victor, W-Whiskey, X-Xray, Y-Yankee, Z-Zulu.

Time references

All aviation weather/forecast products use UTC ("Zulu"). EST = UTC − 5; EDT = UTC − 4; PST = UTC − 8; PDT = UTC − 7.

Reading runway numbers

Runways are numbered by magnetic heading ÷ 10. Runway 09 ≈ 090° (east). Runway 27 ≈ 270° (west). A single runway has two numbers, 180° apart (e.g., 09/27).

9. Physiological factors #

Even ground-based pilots can be impaired. The FAA tests this seriously.

Vision

• Scanning - move eyes in 10° sectors, pause briefly to focus. Continuous sweeping prevents focus.
• Off-center viewing - at night, look ~10° off the object; rods (peripheral) outperform cones.
• Empty-field myopia - eyes default-focus a few feet ahead when there's nothing to focus on (haze, fog). Force focus by looking at distant terrain.
• Night adaptation - takes ~30 minutes. White light destroys it; use red light.

Hypoxia

Insufficient oxygen to the brain. Symptoms: cyanosis (blue fingertips), headache, decreased reaction time, impaired judgment, euphoria, tingling, dizziness. Most relevant for high-altitude operations (uncommon for Part 107 but tested).

Hyperventilation

Rapid/deep breathing -> low CO₂ -> tingling, lightheadedness, muscle spasms. Antidote: slow breathing, talk aloud, breathe into a bag if needed.

Dehydration & heat stress

Headache, fatigue, cramps, dizziness, decreased focus. Drink water; rest in shade.

Alcohol & drugs (14 CFR §91.17)

• 8 hours bottle-to-throttle minimum.
• Blood alcohol must be < 0.04%.
• No operating while under the influence of any drug that impairs faculties.
• Many OTC meds (antihistamines, sleep aids) impair - read labels for "may cause drowsiness."

Fatigue

Acute (one short night) vs. chronic (cumulative). Symptoms mirror alcohol intoxication. Mitigation: rest, naps, hydration, postponing flight.

10. Maintenance & preflight inspection #

Required before every flight under §107.49. No prescribed format - use the manufacturer's.

The §107.49 checklist (paraphrased)

• Assess operating environment - weather, airspace, hazards, persons not directly participating.
• Brief any crew (VO, payload operator) on intended op, contingencies, emergency procedures.
• Confirm all control links between control station and the sUAS are working.
• Verify there is enough power for the planned operation.
• Confirm any object attached/carried is secure and does not adversely affect flight characteristics or controllability.

Recordkeeping

Keep a flight log: aircraft S/N, FW version, flight time, battery cycles, anomalies. Not legally required for hobby flights but expected by clients and useful for incident investigation.

Maintenance cadence (typical)

• Pre-flight: visual inspection, prop integrity, firmware up to date, calibrations OK.
• Every 25 flight-hours: deep inspection of motors, gimbal, gimbal ribbon, props.
• Every 50-100 cycles: replace propellers, inspect bearings.
• Manufacturer-recommended intervals always override generic ones.

11. Operations #

The rules that change most often. As of 2026, here's the current state.

Visual line of sight (VLOS, §107.31)

The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC), person manipulating controls, or a Visual Observer must maintain VLOS with the aircraft at all times - sufficient to see orientation, attitude, and surroundings without aids beyond corrective lenses.

Night operations (post-April 2021)

Allowed without a waiver, provided:

• Pilot has completed the updated initial test (post-April 2021) or recurrent training that includes night ops.
• Aircraft has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.

"Civil twilight" rules no longer matter under the current rule - same lighting applies for all dark conditions.

Operations over people (§107.39, Category 1-4)

Operations over moving vehicles (§107.39(c))

Allowed under Categories 1-3 provided the aircraft remains within or over a closed/restricted access site, or makes only transient flight over moving vehicles. Category 4 must follow the operating limitations on its airworthiness cert.

Over a human being

"Open-air assembly" (concerts, parades, protests) requires Category 4 or a waiver. A single non-participant who briefly walks under flight ≠ assembly, but you should still minimize.

From a moving vehicle (§107.25)

Permitted only over sparsely populated areas, and never from an aircraft.

BVLOS

Beyond Visual Line of Sight requires a waiver under §107.205. The forthcoming Part 108 rulemaking (NPRM as of 2025) will normalize BVLOS but is not yet final; until then, waivers via DroneZone.

12. Remote ID & registration #

Often missed in older study guides - fully enforced as of September 16, 2023.

Registration (§48)

• Required for any drone > 0.55 lb (250 g) - and required for all Part 107 operations regardless of weight.
• Cost: $5 per aircraft, valid 3 years.
• Register at FAA DroneZone.
• Mark the registration number on the exterior of the aircraft.

Remote ID - three compliance paths

Broadcast data (what gets transmitted)

• Drone serial number / session ID
• Latitude, longitude, geometric altitude
• Velocity
• Control station lat/long (Standard RID) or takeoff lat/long (Broadcast Module)
• Time mark
• Emergency status

Broadcast range: ~1 mi. Anyone with a Remote ID receiver app can see your drone's broadcast (privacy implication).

13. Waivers, authorizations, & LAANC #

When you need to operate outside Part 107's defaults, here's the menu.

Airspace authorization vs. waiver

• Airspace authorization - permission to fly in controlled airspace (B/C/D/E-to-surface). Granted via LAANC or DroneZone. Routine, often instantaneous.
• Waiver - permission to deviate from a specific Part 107 rule (e.g., night ops pre-2021, BVLOS, over people). Granted only via DroneZone; takes weeks.

LAANC

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. Real-time airspace authorization via approved apps (Aloft Air Control, Skyward, AirHub, Avision). Uses UAS Facility Maps that list the maximum altitudes ATC has pre-approved at each grid square near a controlled airport. If you fly at or below the gridded altitude, you get an instant authorization.

Waivable sections (§107.205)

• §107.25 - Operation from a moving vehicle/aircraft
• §107.29 - Anti-collision lighting / lower visibility
• §107.31 - Visual line of sight
• §107.33 - Visual observer
• §107.35 - One aircraft per RP
• §107.37(a) - Yielding right of way
• §107.39 - Operation over people (limited)
• §107.41 - Operation in certain airspace
• §107.51 - Operating limitations

Non-waivable

You cannot get a waiver to: carry hazardous materials (§107.36), operate while impaired (§107.27/§91.17), exceed the 55 lb threshold (that moves you to Part 91 entirely).

14. Accident reporting #

A frequent test question - know the thresholds and the timeline.

§107.9 - when to report to the FAA

Within 10 calendar days of an operation that results in:

• Serious injury to any person - or any loss of consciousness; OR
• Damage to any property (other than the sUAS itself) with a fair-market value or repair cost exceeding $500.

File via DroneZone or by phone to the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

NTSB notification (49 CFR §830.5)

The NTSB requires immediate notification - separate from the FAA 10-day rule - for any accident involving substantial damage or serious injury, regardless of whether the sUAS is involved. For a typical Part 107 op this rarely triggers, but if it does, call the NTSB regional office immediately.

Registration & Remote ID checklist #

• Create an FAA DroneZone account at faadronezone-access.faa.gov
• Register the aircraft under Part 107 ($5 / 3 years)
• Receive registration number; mark it on the exterior of the drone (legible)
• Confirm Remote ID compliance path: Standard / Module / FRIA
• If using Standard RID, declare the aircraft's serial number / RID serial in DroneZone
• If using Broadcast Module, attach module and list its serial in DroneZone
• Verify Remote ID is broadcasting (test with a receiver app such as Drone Scanner or OpenDroneID)
• Carry Remote Pilot Certificate (digital OK) on every flight

Preflight checklist (§107.49 compliant) #

• Check weather: METAR, TAF, AIRMET/SIGMET, winds aloft, TFRs
• Check airspace on B4UFLY / Aloft; request LAANC if controlled
• Brief any crew (VO, payload op) on op plan, comms, contingencies
• Inspect airframe: arms, frame, motor mounts, props
• Inspect propellers for nicks, cracks, secure mounting
• Inspect battery: voltage, swelling, contacts; firmware/cell balance
• Power on aircraft + RC; confirm firmware current
• Verify GPS lock, compass calibration, IMU
• Confirm RTH altitude clears all obstacles in op area
• Confirm Remote ID is broadcasting
• Verify control link, video link, telemetry
• Hover test 10-15 ft for 30 seconds; check controls in all axes
• Maintain VLOS throughout op; reassess weather periodically

Exam day checklist #

• Sleep 7-8 hours the night before - do not cram
• Eat a real breakfast; hydrate; light caffeine
• Bring government-issued photo ID (with signature, current address)
• Bring a second form of ID (passport, credit card)
• Arrive 30 minutes early - find the building, restroom, parking
• Bring a simple, non-programmable calculator (or use the on-screen one)
• Bring a magnifying glass and plotter if you find sectional charts hard to read
• Use the FAA supplement booklet at the test center - do not bring your own charts
• During the test: flag uncertain questions, answer easy ones first, return to flags
• For sectional questions: locate by lat/long FIRST, then read the symbol
• For METAR/TAF: decode top-to-bottom; circle the keyword the question asks about
• After: save your printed score sheet - you'll need the exam ID for IACRA

Curated resource directory #

Every link below has been hand-picked and verified. Prefer official FAA sources first - they are the source of truth and (mostly) free.

Practice quiz #

Randomized FAA-style questions across all knowledge areas, with rationales. Score 80%+ consistently before booking your test.

Part 107 FAQ #

Quick answers to common FAA Remote Pilot Certificate study questions.

What is the FAA Part 107 certificate?

The FAA Part 107 certificate, formally the Remote Pilot Certificate, allows a person to operate small unmanned aircraft systems for non-recreational purposes in the United States.

How many questions are on the Part 107 test?

The initial FAA Part 107 knowledge test has 60 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 70 percent or higher.

How much does the Part 107 test cost?

The FAA Part 107 initial knowledge test is commonly listed at $175 at FAA-approved PSI testing centers.

What should I study most for the Part 107 test?

High-yield Part 107 study areas include airspace, sectional chart reading, weather reports and forecasts, Part 107 operating rules, Remote ID, crew resource management, and emergency procedures.

Are sectional charts on the Part 107 test?

Yes. Part 107 applicants should know how to read VFR sectional charts, including airspace boundaries, airport symbols, latitude and longitude, maximum elevation figures, and charted hazards.

How long is Part 107 recurrent training valid?

Remote pilots must maintain currency by completing recurrent training every 24 calendar months.

Glossary (high-yield terms) #

Quality control checklist (before publishing) #

If you're contributing or maintaining a fork, run through this before pushing.

• Every regulation cited matches the current eCFR (14 CFR Part 107)
• Every altitude / weight / distance / cost figure verified against FAA source
• Remote ID rules reflect the post-Sept 2023 enforcement state
• Night ops / Operations Over People rules reflect post-April 2021 amendments
• Every external link returns 200 and points to an authoritative source
• Every practice question has a rationale that cites the rule or principle
• Practice questions cross-checked against the Remote Pilot ACS task codes
• A second human (ideally a current Part 107 holder) has reviewed the question bank
• Mobile rendering verified (≤ 380px) - checklists, tables, quiz
• Print stylesheet works for the checklists and exam-day strategy
• Disclaimer present that this is unofficial study material
• Last-updated date is visible somewhere on the page

Contribute & fork #

This is a single self-contained index.html - drop it in a GitHub Pages repo and you're live. To extend it:

• Add questions - append objects to the QUESTIONS array in the script block at the bottom of the file.
• Add resources - add an <li> to the relevant .rescat.
• Add modules - duplicate any <section class="card">; add a corresponding entry to the sidebar and the module grid.
• Translate / localize - text strings are inline; fork and translate freely.

License philosophy: free as in freedom. Mirror it, fork it, improve it. Credit and a link back are appreciated but not required.