| Operation | Recreational | Part 107 |
|---|---|---|
| Over people | Prohibited. No waiver pathway available for recreational fliers. | Allowed with Category 1, 2, 3, or 4 compliance. Category 4 or waiver required over open-air assemblies. |
| Moving vehicles | Prohibited over moving vehicles on public roads. No waiver pathway. | Prohibited over moving vehicles on public roads without waiver. Allowed over moving vehicles in restricted-access sites with Category 2, 3, or 4 compliance. |
| Night flight | Allowed. Anti-collision lighting visible to 3 statute miles required throughout the operation. | Allowed since 2021 rule change — waiver no longer required. Anti-collision lighting visible to 3 statute miles required. |
| BVLOS | Prohibited. No waiver pathway available for recreational fliers. | Prohibited by default. FAA Part 107.31 waiver available — requires a detailed safety case. BVLOS waivers are rarely granted and involve extensive review. |
| Category | Weight / Kinetic Energy | Requirements | Where Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | < 0.55 lbs (250 g) | No exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin. No FAA declaration required. | Over people. Not over open-air assemblies. |
| 2 | Any weight; impact kinetic energy ≤ 11 ft-lbs | No exposed rotating parts that could lacerate. FAA Declaration of Compliance required. No operating modes that could cause injury exceeding Category 2 limits. | Over people. Not over open-air assemblies. |
| 3 | Any weight; impact kinetic energy ≤ 25 ft-lbs | FAA Declaration of Compliance required. Remote ID required. Operating modes that could exceed Category 2 limits must be disabled. | Over people only in restricted-access sites or when all people in the area are directly participating in the operation. Not over open-air assemblies. |
| 4 | Any weight | FAA Airworthiness Certificate required. Must be operated in accordance with the certificate's operating limitations. | Over people anywhere, including open-air assemblies. |
| Recreational | Part 107 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max altitude | 400 ft AGL | 400 ft AGL above a structure within 400 ft horizontally |
| Max speed | — | 87 knots (100 mph) groundspeed |
| VLOS | Required | Required (waiver available) |
| Min visibility | — | 3 statute miles |
| Cloud clearance | — | 500 ft below clouds; 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Right of way | Must yield to all manned aircraft | Must yield to all manned aircraft |
| Over people | Prohibited | Prohibited without waiver or Category 1/2/3/4 compliance |
| Moving vehicles | Prohibited | Prohibited without waiver |
| Night flight | Anti-collision lighting visible to 3 SM | Anti-collision lighting visible to 3 SM |
| Emergency ops | Cannot fly near active operations | Cannot fly near active operations |
| Alcohol | 8-hr bottle-to-throttle; BAC < 0.04% | 8-hr bottle-to-throttle; BAC < 0.04% |
| Certification | FAA TRUST | Remote Pilot Certificate |
| Registration | Required if aircraft > 250g | Required for all aircraft |
| Airspace auth | Required in Class B/C/D/E — B4UFLY | Required in Class B/C/D/E — LAANC or waiver |
| Weight | Registration | Remote ID | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 0.55 lbs (250 g) | Not required | Not required | May qualify as Category 1 for operations over people. All other flight rules still apply. |
| 0.55 – 55 lbs (250 g – 25 kg) | Required (recreational & Part 107) | Required if manufactured after Sept 16, 2023 | Standard operating envelope for most consumer and commercial drones. Registration number must be marked on the aircraft. |
| > 55 lbs (25 kg) | Required | Required | Cannot operate under standard Part 107. Requires a Section 44807 exemption or special authority. Typically applies to large commercial UAS. |
| Class | Altitude | Description | Drone Authorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 18,000 ft MSL – FL600 | High-altitude IFR airspace. All aircraft require ATC clearance. | Effectively prohibited — FAA waiver required; no LAANC coverage. |
| B | Surface to ~10,000 ft MSL (varies) | Surrounds the busiest commercial airports. Layered "upside-down wedding cake" shape. ATC clearance required for all aircraft. | Authorization required via LAANC or FAA waiver. |
| C | Surface to ~4,000 ft AGL (inner ring surface–1,200 ft; outer ring to 4,000 ft) | Surrounds airports with radar approach control and moderate traffic. Two concentric rings. ATC communication required. | Authorization required via LAANC or FAA waiver. |
| D | Surface to ~2,500 ft AGL | Surrounds airports with an operating control tower not designated Class B or C. Relatively small area. ATC communication required. | Authorization required via LAANC or FAA waiver. |
| E — Surface Area | Surface upward (at designated airports) | Controlled airspace around non-towered airports with instrument approaches. Shown as dashed magenta circle on sectionals. | Authorization required via LAANC or FAA waiver. |
| E — Transition Area | 700 ft AGL to 18,000 ft MSL | Begins 700 ft AGL around airports with instrument approaches. Shown as magenta shading on sectionals. Transitions traffic between en route and terminal environments. | No authorization required below 400 ft AGL (already in Class G). |
| E — En Route | 1,200 ft AGL to 18,000 ft MSL | Covers most of the continental US above 1,200 ft AGL. Provides controlled airspace for en route IFR traffic. | No authorization required below 400 ft AGL (already in Class G). |
| G | Surface to the floor of overlying Class E (typically 700 ft or 1,200 ft AGL) | Uncontrolled airspace. No ATC clearance or communication required. The primary operating environment for low-altitude drone flights. | No authorization required. Drones may operate freely up to 400 ft AGL (subject to other rules). |
| Type | Chart Depiction | Description | Drone Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited Area (P-xxx) | Blue hatched boundary | Flight of all aircraft is prohibited. Located over sensitive national security sites such as Camp David (P-40) and the Capitol (P-56). | No operations permitted. FAA waiver extremely unlikely. |
| Restricted Area (R-xxx) | Blue hatched boundary | Contains hazardous activities such as live fire, missiles, or high-speed aircraft. Entry requires permission from the controlling agency. | Prohibited without specific authorization. Contact the controlling agency listed in the Chart Supplement. |
| Warning Area (W-xxx) | Blue hatched boundary | Similar to a restricted area but located over international waters (3+ nm offshore). No authorization required but activity is hazardous. | No authorization required. Exercise extreme caution and check NOTAMs. |
| Military Operations Area (MOA) | Magenta hatched boundary, named label | Separates high-speed and aerobatic military training from IFR traffic. VFR flight permitted but pilots should be alert. | No authorization required. Check NOTAMs and contact the controlling agency for activity status before flying. |
| Alert Area (A-xxx) | Magenta hatched boundary | High volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity (e.g., parachute jumping). Pilots must be especially vigilant. | No authorization required. Exercise extra caution and see and avoid other traffic. |
| National Security Area (NSA) | Magenta hatched boundary, NSA label | Enhanced security around sensitive ground installations. Voluntary avoidance is requested. May be temporarily restricted by NOTAM. | Voluntary avoidance recommended. Always check NOTAMs — the area may be temporarily prohibited. |
| Controlled Firing Area (CFA) | Not depicted on charts | Hazardous activities conducted within, but operations are suspended whenever a spotter sees an aircraft approaching. Poses no hazard to other aircraft. | No restriction. Activities cease when aircraft or drones are detected in the area. |
| Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) | Not on sectionals — published as NOTAMs | Temporary restrictions around disasters, VIP movements, wildfires, and major sporting events. Duration and size vary widely. | Prohibited unless specifically authorized. Always check tfr.faa.gov before every flight. |
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Report must be submitted within 10 calendar days of the operation. |
| Who must report | Both recreational and Part 107 operators are required to report qualifying accidents. |
| Reportable — injury | Serious injury to any person, or any loss of consciousness. "Serious injury" includes hospitalization, fractures, severe lacerations requiring sutures, loss of limb, internal injuries, or second/third degree burns. |
| Reportable — property | Damage to property other than the drone exceeding $500 to repair or replace at fair market value. |
| Not reportable | Damage only to the drone itself, regardless of cost. Minor injuries not meeting the serious injury threshold. |
| How to report | Submit via FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov) or in writing to the appropriate FAA Regional Operations Center. |
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | DJI Matrice M30T | |
|---|---|---|
| Max speed | 36 mph | 51 mph |
| Wind resistance | Level 5: up to 31 mph | Level 7: up to 34 mph |
| IP rating | None | IP55 |
| Flight time | 34 min (standard); 51 min (Plus battery) | 41 min |
| Weight | 249 g | 3,770 g |
| Max takeoff weight | 249 g | 3,998 g |
| Camera sensor | 1/1.3" CMOS | Wide + Zoom: 1/2" CMOS; Thermal: 640×512 IR |
| Photo | 48 MP | Wide: 48 MP; Zoom: 48 MP |
| Video | 4K/60fps; 2.7K/60fps; 1080p/60fps | 4K/30fps (wide & zoom) |
| Aperture | f/1.7 (fixed) | Wide: f/2.8; Zoom: f/2.8–f/4.5 |
| Zoom | 2× lossless; 4× digital | 7× optical; 200× digital |
| Thermal | — | FLIR 640×512; -20°C to 550°C; 40° FOV |
| Laser rangefinder | — | ±1 m accuracy up to 1,200 m |