Part 107 Test / Study guides

Part 107 or recreational? Which rules apply to your flight

Updated October 6, 2026 · 3 min read · Checked against the FAA's recreational flyer guidance and 14 CFR Part 107

In short: if you fly purely for fun, you can fly under the recreational exception (49 U.S.C. 44809): take the free TRUST test, register drones of 250 grams or more, and follow its rules. Anything else, including unpaid work and favors for a business or charity, falls under Part 107 and needs a Remote Pilot Certificate. When in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.

Getting paid is not the test

Many people assume a flight is recreational as long as nobody pays them. The FAA says that is not correct: "Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not." A recreational flight is one flown purely for fun or personal enjoyment.

The FAA's own examples of flights that need Part 107:

  • Taking photos to help sell a property or service.
  • Roof inspections.
  • Taking pictures of a high school football game for the school's website.
  • Volunteering to survey coastlines for a nonprofit. Goodwill flights count as non-recreational.

A quick test: if the flight serves a business, an organization, or anyone's purpose beyond your own enjoyment, plan on Part 107.

The two sets of rules side by side

Recreational (49 U.S.C. 44809)Part 107
PurposePurely for funEverything else
Knowledge requirementTRUST: free, online, carry proof when flyingFAA knowledge test at a testing center (about $175), then a free online recurrent course every 24 calendar months
CertificateNoneRemote Pilot Certificate, at least 16 years old
AltitudeAt or below 400 feet in Class G400 feet AGL, or within 400 feet of a structure up to 400 feet above it
Controlled airspacePrior authorization through LAANC or DroneZonePrior ATC authorization through LAANC or DroneZone
Safety guidelinesFollow an FAA-recognized community-based organizationThe operating rules of Part 107
Line of sightVisual line of sight, or a visual observer next to youVisual line of sight of the remote pilot or a visual observer
Remote IDRequired for registered drones (or fly in a FRIA)Required for registered drones (or fly in a FRIA)

Registration and Remote ID, for both

Recreational flyers must register drones that weigh 250 grams (0.55 pounds) or more and mark them with the registration number. Every drone that is registered must also comply with Remote ID, in one of three ways: a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID, a Remote ID broadcast module (and the drone kept in sight), or flying inside an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA). One difference: recreational flyers can use one registration number for all their drones, while Part 107 pilots register each drone separately.

What changes on the Part 107 test

The knowledge test assumes you are flying under Part 107, so its answers follow Part 107, not the recreational rules. Two classic traps:

  • Altitude: Part 107 allows more than 400 feet AGL near a structure: up to 400 feet above its top, within a 400-foot radius.
  • Who gives way: a small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft (§107.37). Being the smaller, slower one never gives you priority.

Check yourself

Five questions on the Part 107 operating limits:

Question 1 of 5 · Regulations

Without a waiver, what is the maximum altitude at which a small unmanned aircraft may be flown under Part 107?

  1. A400 feet AGL, or higher if flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure and no more than 400 feet above the structure's uppermost limit
  2. B400 feet MSL, regardless of nearby structures
  3. C500 feet AGL, or 1,000 feet AGL over congested areas
Show answer

A. 400 feet AGL, or higher if flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure and no more than 400 feet above the structure's uppermost limit

Part 107 limits altitude to 400 feet above ground level. The one exception: within a 400-foot radius of a structure you may fly up to 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit.

Source: 14 CFR §107.51(b)

Question 2 of 5 · Regulations

What minimum flight visibility, measured from the control station, does Part 107 require?

  1. A1 statute mile
  2. B3 statute miles
  3. C5 statute miles
Show answer

B. 3 statute miles

Flight visibility observed from the control station must be at least 3 statute miles. Flight visibility is the average slant distance at which prominent objects can be seen and identified.

Source: 14 CFR §107.51(c)

Question 3 of 5 · Regulations

What minimum distance from clouds must a small unmanned aircraft maintain?

  1. A500 feet below and 1,000 feet horizontally
  2. B1,000 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally
  3. C500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally
Show answer

C. 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally

The aircraft must stay at least 500 feet below a cloud and at least 2,000 feet horizontally from it.

Source: 14 CFR §107.51(d)

Question 4 of 5 · Regulations

What is the maximum groundspeed allowed for a small unmanned aircraft under Part 107?

  1. A87 knots (100 mph)
  2. B100 knots (115 mph)
  3. C55 knots (63 mph)
Show answer

A. 87 knots (100 mph)

Groundspeed may not exceed 87 knots, which is 100 miles per hour.

Source: 14 CFR §107.51(a)

Question 5 of 5 · Regulations

A manned helicopter approaches the area where your drone is operating. What is required?

  1. AThe helicopter must yield, because the drone was there first
  2. BThe drone must yield the right of way and may not pass over, under, or ahead of the helicopter unless well clear
  3. CThe drone may continue if it stays below 400 feet AGL
Show answer

B. The drone must yield the right of way and may not pass over, under, or ahead of the helicopter unless well clear

A small UA must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles, and may not pass over, under, or ahead of them unless well clear.

Source: 14 CFR §107.37(a)

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Part 107 Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the FAA. This guide summarizes FAA guidance; it is not legal advice.