Part 107 Study Guide

Organized by FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) knowledge areas. Master each section to pass the knowledge test.

1. Regulations (15–25%)

14 CFR Part 107 governs all civil (non-recreational) small unmanned aircraft operations in the National Airspace System. The ACS tests your knowledge of Subparts A through D, plus Remote ID requirements.

Key Definitions

Small Unmanned Aircraft: Weighs less than 55 lbs (25 kg) at takeoff, including payload. (14 CFR §107.3)

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): The remote PIC and/or visual observer must maintain unaided visual contact with the aircraft at all times. Corrective lenses are allowed. (14 CFR §107.31)

Remote Pilot Certification

Requirement	Detail
Minimum age	16 years old
Language	Read, speak, write, and understand English
Test	Pass the initial knowledge test (Unmanned Aircraft General – UAG) at an FAA-approved PSI center
Certificate validity	24 calendar months
Currency	Complete free FAA online recurrent training every 24 months (no re-test required)
Medical	No medical certificate required. Self-certify physical and mental fitness before each flight.

Operating Rules

Maximum Altitude: 400 ft AGL. May fly up to 400 ft above a structure's top if within 400 ft horizontally of that structure. (§107.51)

Maximum Speed: 100 mph groundspeed (87 knots). (§107.51)

Right-of-Way: sUAS must yield right-of-way to ALL manned aircraft. (§107.37)

Careless/Reckless: Prohibited under both §107.23 and §91.13.

Night Operations

Allowed without a waiver if the sUAS has anti-collision lights visible for at least 3 statute miles and the pilot has completed updated training. Civil twilight includes 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. (§107.29)

Operations Over People — Categories 1–4

Category	Requirements
Category 1	sUAS < 0.55 lb with no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate skin
Category 2	≤ 11 ft-lbs impact energy, no exposed rotating parts
Category 3	≤ 25 ft-lbs impact energy, no exposed rotating parts. No sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless over participants or covered structures
Category 4	Airworthiness certificate under Part 21. Operate per operating limitations.

Remote ID

Most sUAS must broadcast Remote ID messages including: drone ID, location, altitude, velocity, control station location, time mark, and emergency status.

Exceptions: sUAS under 250g (0.55 lb) for recreational use, or operations in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).

Alcohol & Drugs

8 hours bottle to throttle. BAC must be below 0.04%.

No person may serve as remote PIC within 8 hours of consuming alcohol or with a BAC ≥0.04%. Over-the-counter medications that impair safe operation are also prohibited. (§107.27)

Accident Reporting

Report to FAA within 10 calendar days if the operation results in: serious injury to any person, loss of consciousness, or property damage exceeding $500 (excluding the drone). (§107.9)

Waivers

Part 107 rules that can be waived per §107.200 include: BVLOS, night ops (pre-2021 rule), operations over people (outside categories), operations from moving vehicles, operations in certain airspace, and more.

Registration

All sUAS >0.55 lb must be registered with the FAA before operation. The registration number must be legibly displayed on an exterior surface. (§107.12, Part 48)

2. Airspace Classification & Operating Requirements (15–25%)

Airspace Classes — Quick Reference

Class	Description	sUAS Authorization
Class A	18,000 ft MSL to FL600	Prohibited for sUAS
Class B	Surface to 10,000 ft MSL around major airports (solid blue lines)	LAANC or waiver required
Class C	Surface to 4,000 ft AGL around medium airports (magenta solid lines)	LAANC or waiver required
Class D	Surface to 2,500 ft AGL around smaller towered airports (dashed blue)	LAANC or waiver required
Class E	Controlled airspace not A, B, C, or D — surface areas (magenta dashed), 700 ft transition (magenta shaded), en route	Authorization required for surface Class E only. No auth needed above 700 ft if below 400 ft AGL.
Class G	Uncontrolled — everywhere else below controlled airspace	No authorization needed below 400 ft AGL (unless under surface Class E)

Sectional Chart Symbols

Symbol	Meaning
Solid blue line	Class B surface area
Dashed blue line	Class D boundary
Solid magenta line	Class C surface area
Dashed magenta line	Class E surface area
Magenta shaded area	Class E from 700 ft AGL
Blue shaded area	Class B shelf
Magenta Mode C veil circle	30 NM radius around Class B primary airport

Special Use Airspace

Type	Label	Meaning
Prohibited	P-xxxx	National security — no flights without waiver
Restricted	R-xxxx	Military activities — check NOTAMs for active status
Military Operations Area	MOA	Military training — check NOTAMs for activity
Alert Area	A-xxxx	High pilot training volume — caution, not prohibited
Warning Area	W-xxxx	Over water — similar to restricted
TFR	Various	Temporary Flight Restriction — check NOTAMs before EVERY flight

LAANC

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability — provides near-real-time authorization for controlled airspace at or below 400 ft AGL. Available through FAA-approved apps (AirMap, Kittyhawk, etc.). Not available in all areas.

MEF — Maximum Elevation Figure

MEF: Highest known obstacle or terrain in a sectional chart quadrant, rounded up to the nearest 100 ft, plus a buffer. Use to plan safe obstacle clearance. Not a regulatory limit.

CTAF

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency — used at non-towered airports for self-announcing position and intentions. Monitor CTAF (typically 122.8 or 122.9 MHz) near non-towered airports for manned traffic awareness. Not required but strongly recommended.

3. Weather (11–16%)

Weather Sources

Source	Type	Coverage
METAR	Current observation	Specific airport, updated hourly (or SPECI for significant changes)
TAF	Forecast	5 SM radius around airport, typically 24–30 hours
AIRMET	Advisory	Moderate hazards — turbulence, icing, mountain obscuration, IFR conditions
SIGMET	Advisory	Severe hazards — severe turbulence, severe icing, embedded thunderstorms
Convective SIGMET	Advisory	Thunderstorms — embedded, line, or severe
Winds Aloft	Forecast	Wind direction/speed at various altitudes

METAR Decoding

Example: METAR KLAX 121852Z 25004KT 6SM BR SCT007 SCT250 16/15 A2991

Code	Meaning
KLAX	Airport identifier (Los Angeles International)
121852Z	12th day, 18:52 UTC
25004KT	Wind from 250° at 4 knots
6SM	Visibility 6 statute miles
BR	Mist
SCT007	Scattered clouds at 700 ft AGL
SCT250	Scattered clouds at 25,000 ft AGL
16/15	Temperature 16°C / Dew point 15°C
A2991	Altimeter setting 29.91 inHg

Common METAR Codes

Code	Meaning
SKC	Sky clear
FEW	Few clouds (1/8–2/8)
SCT	Scattered (3/8–4/8)
BKN	Broken (5/8–7/8) — ceiling if lowest BKN or OVC
OVC	Overcast (8/8)
RA	Rain
FG	Fog
BR	Mist
TS	Thunderstorm
CB	Cumulonimbus clouds

TAF Decoding

Example: TAF KMEM 121720Z 1218/1318 18010KT P6SM SCT040 BKN100

Code	Meaning
121720Z	Issued 12th day at 17:20 UTC
1218/1318	Valid from 12th 1800Z to 13th 1800Z
18010KT	Wind from 180° at 10 knots
P6SM	Prevailing visibility greater than 6 SM
SCT040	Scattered clouds at 4,000 ft AGL
BKN100	Broken ceiling at 10,000 ft AGL

Density Altitude

Density Altitude = pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature and humidity. High DA = thinner air = reduced aircraft performance.

Factors that increase DA (reduce performance):

High air temperature
High altitude (elevation above sea level)
High humidity (water vapor displaces denser N₂/O₂)
Low barometric pressure

Effects on sUAS: Decreased propeller efficiency, reduced lift, reduced climb rate, reduced hover time, reduced battery endurance.

Atmospheric Stability

Stable Air	Unstable Air
Poor visibility	Good visibility
Steady precipitation	Showery precipitation
Smooth flying	Turbulence
Stratus clouds	Cumulus clouds

Temperature Inversion

Temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing (the reverse of normal lapse rate). Traps pollutants, smoke, and moisture near the surface — poor visibility results.

Thunderstorms

Avoid thunderstorms by at least 20 NM. Hazards extend far beyond the visible cloud.

Stage	Characteristics
Cumulus	Strong updrafts, building clouds
Mature	Updrafts and downdrafts, heavy rain, hail, lightning — most hazardous
Dissipating	Downdrafts dominate, light rain, storm weakens

Hazards: Lightning, hail, microbursts (powerful downdrafts), gust fronts, severe turbulence.

Lapse Rate

Standard: 2°C (3.5°F) decrease per 1,000 ft increase in altitude.

4. Loading & Performance (7–11%)

Center of Gravity (CG)

Forward CG: Nose-heavy — increased longitudinal stability, difficulty raising nose/flaring, reduced pitch authority.

Aft CG: Tail-heavy — decreased stability, pitch-up tendency, risk of stall, harder to control.

Always follow manufacturer loading instructions. CG must remain within the approved envelope.

Stall

A stall occurs when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack, not when exceeding a specific speed. The smooth airflow separates from the wing and lift collapses.

Load Factor

Maneuver	Approximate Load Factor
Straight and level flight	1G
30° banked turn	~1.15G
45° banked turn	~1.4G
60° banked turn	~2G

Load factor increases in turns, pull-ups, and during gust encounters.

Performance Factors

Weight: Higher weight = higher stall speed, reduced climb rate, reduced endurance
Density Altitude: Higher DA = reduced performance in all aspects
Wind: Headwind reduces ground distance; tailwind increases it. Crosswinds require correction.

Maximum Endurance

Achieved at minimum power required to maintain level flight — not maximum speed.

5. Operations (35–45%)

This is the largest section. It covers aeronautical decision-making (ADM), emergency procedures, crew resource management (CRM), physiology, airport operations, radio procedures, and maintenance.

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM)

3P Model: Perceive hazards → Process risks → Perform actions. Repeat the cycle continuously throughout the operation.

PAVE Checklist: Pilot (fitness, currency), Aircraft (airworthiness, performance), enVironment (weather, airspace, terrain), External pressures (client demands, deadlines).

Five Hazardous Attitudes

Attitude	Manifestation	Antidote
Anti-authority	"Rules don't apply to me"	Follow the rules. They are usually right.
Impulsivity	"Do it quickly — don't overthink"	Think first. Not so fast.
Invulnerability	"It won't happen to me"	It could happen to me.
Macho	"I'll show them I can do it"	Taking chances is foolish.
Resignation	"What's the use? Nothing I do matters"	I'm not helpless. I can make a difference.

Emergency Procedures

Lost Link: Pre-programmed return-to-home (RTH) or safe landing procedure
Flyaway: Attempt to regain control via failsafes; prioritize safety of people/property
Battery Failure: Land as soon as practicable in a safe area
General Emergency: Deviate from Part 107 rules to the extent required for safety. Report only if FAA requests.

IMSAFE Checklist

IMSAFE — Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating

Self-assess before every flight. If any factor is compromised, do not fly.

Physiological Factors

Night Vision: Rods need 20–30 minutes for full dark adaptation. Avoid bright lights before night ops.
Fatigue: Impairs judgment, reaction time, and attention.
Dehydration: Causes dizziness, fatigue, reduced mental performance.
Hypoxia: Rare at sUAS altitudes but possible at high-elevation launch sites.

Airport Operations

Feature	Description
Runway numbers	Magnetic azimuth rounded to nearest 10° (e.g., RWY 27 = ~270° magnetic)
Threshold markings	8 white longitudinal stripes — beginning of usable runway
Hold-short lines	4 yellow lines (2 solid, 2 dashed) across taxiway at runway entrance
Displaced threshold	White arrows to threshold bar — portion not usable for landing
Traffic pattern	Left turns standard unless right pattern specified. Entry at 45° to downwind.

Radio Procedures

CTAF: Monitor at non-towered airports for manned traffic self-announcements
Self-announce: State location, altitude, and intentions using plain English
Yield: Always give right-of-way to manned aircraft

Maintenance & Preflight

Before every flight, inspect:

Propellers for nicks, cracks, or imbalance
Battery charge level, swelling, or damage
Airframe integrity and control surface function
Firmware/software status
Remote ID equipment operational

If the manufacturer does not provide a maintenance schedule, establish your own based on usage and component life cycles.

Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)

Manage workload by prioritizing tasks: preflight planning → in-flight monitoring → post-flight procedures. Recognize task saturation and manage distractions.