On Aug. 29, drone regulations changed for everyone in the US when the Federal Aviation Administration regulation titled Part 107 took effect. These new rules made it easier for businesses to use drones but also regulated some aspects of drone usage by the public. These rules are fairly simple and easy to understand. The majority of drone hobbyists will only be required to follow a few extra guidelines.
Drones Must Fly Below 400 Feet
While technically the FAA had rules against flying above 400 feet before now, that rule was a 1981 advisory covering model airplanes. As it was only an advisory, it wasn 't an official rule, though most people treated it as such.
Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations makes that advisory law. The FAA says …show more content…
Commercial Pilots must be 16 Years Old and Certified
While most people don 't have to worry about this, any commercial endeavor using a drone must be operated by a pilot who is both over the age of 16 and has received a pilot airman certificate. Alternatively, the commercial pilot operating the drone must be observed by a pilot who has received an airman certificate.
These certifications are not hard to obtain and are actually far easier than the old method of commercial piloting. The old regulations required a fully certified pilot, capable of flying manned aircraft, to fly any drone used commercially. This process took years in some cases, severely limiting the ability of smaller businesses to use drones.
The new regulations only require passing an aeronautical knowledge test to receive a certificate. However, the test itself can be challenging if one has not studied for it and impossible one is not familiar with aeronautical knowledge like weather sources and official radio communication procedures that even commercial drone pilots will be required to use in order to call air traffic control
Drones Must Fly Below 400 Feet
While technically the FAA had rules against flying above 400 feet before now, that rule was a 1981 advisory covering model airplanes. As it was only an advisory, it wasn 't an official rule, though most people treated it as such.
Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations makes that advisory law. The FAA says …show more content…
Commercial Pilots must be 16 Years Old and Certified
While most people don 't have to worry about this, any commercial endeavor using a drone must be operated by a pilot who is both over the age of 16 and has received a pilot airman certificate. Alternatively, the commercial pilot operating the drone must be observed by a pilot who has received an airman certificate.
These certifications are not hard to obtain and are actually far easier than the old method of commercial piloting. The old regulations required a fully certified pilot, capable of flying manned aircraft, to fly any drone used commercially. This process took years in some cases, severely limiting the ability of smaller businesses to use drones.
The new regulations only require passing an aeronautical knowledge test to receive a certificate. However, the test itself can be challenging if one has not studied for it and impossible one is not familiar with aeronautical knowledge like weather sources and official radio communication procedures that even commercial drone pilots will be required to use in order to call air traffic control