Part 107 Operating Rules
The core operating limits for drone flights under Part 107 — altitude, speed, visual line of sight, weather minimums, and the current rules for night and operations over people.
Part 107 sets the operating limits every remote pilot must know. Most live in 14 CFR 107.51 (limitations) and the surrounding sections.
Altitude, speed and visibility
- Maximum altitude: 400 feet AGL — or, when inspecting a structure, within 400 feet of that structure.
- Maximum groundspeed: 100 mph (87 knots).
- Minimum flight visibility: 3 statute miles from the control station.
- Cloud clearance: stay at least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
Visual line of sight
Under 14 CFR 107.31 the remote pilot (or a visual observer) must keep the drone within unaided visual line of sight at all times — close enough to know its location, attitude and altitude and to see other aircraft. You may operate only one small unmanned aircraft at a time.
Day, twilight and night
This is where old guidance is wrong. Since the 2021 rule change, Part 107 permits operations by day, during civil twilight, and at night — provided the aircraft has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles and the remote pilot has completed the updated training. Night is no longer prohibited (14 CFR 107.29).
Over people and moving vehicles
Operations over people and over moving vehicles are allowed only if the operation meets one of the four Operated Over People categories, which depend on the drone's weight and injury-risk protections (14 CFR 107.39).
Always
Yield right of way to crewed aircraft, never operate carelessly or recklessly, and never fly from a moving vehicle except over sparsely populated areas. To fly in controlled airspace you also need airspace authorization.
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*Reference and training only — not for navigation or as legal advice. Always consult the current 14 CFR, the AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM and a certificated flight instructor.*