4/20/23 

AIM 

Section 2.  Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) 

11

−

2

−

1.  Part 107 sUAS and Recreational Flyers 

a. 

Part 107 sUAS. A regulatory first step for civil non

−

recreational UAS operations. To fly under 14 CFR 

Part 107, the UAS must weigh less than 55 pounds and the operator (called a remote pilot) must pass a knowledge 

test. Also, the UAS must be registered. Part 107 enabled the vast majority of routine sUAS operations, allowing 

flight within VLOS while maintaining flexibility to accommodate future technological innovations. Part 107 

allows sUAS operations for many different purposes without requiring airworthiness certification, exemptions, 

or a COA for Class G airspace access. Part 107 includes the opportunity for individuals to request waivers for 

certain provisions of the rules, for example, Beyond Visual Line

−

Of

−

Sight (BVLOS). Part 107 also has specific 

restrictions which are not subject to waiver, such as the prohibition of the carriage or transport of Hazardous 

Materials (HAZMAT). 

b. 

Recreational flyer UAS: 

1. 

The FAA considers recreational UAS to be aircraft that fall within the statutory and regulatory definitions 

of an aircraft, in that they are devices that are used or intended to be used for flight in the air. As aircraft, these 

devices generally are subject to FAA oversight and enforcement. 

REFERENCE

−

 

49 USC 40102, Definitions. 
14 CFR Part 1

, 

Definitions and Abbreviations. 

2. 

Recreational aircraft may operate in Class G airspace where the aircraft is flown from the surface to not 

more than 400 feet AGL, and the operator must comply with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions. The only 

exception to this altitude restriction in Class G airspace is at FAA

−

 recognized fixed sites and sanctioned events, 

with specifically approved procedures for flights above 400 feet AGL. 

NOTE

−

 

Higher altitude airspace authorizations for Recreational Flyers are obtained through the FAA’s DroneZone website at: 
https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/ . 

3. 

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) module was developed in consultation with multiple UAS 

stakeholders and through interested party feedback. TRUST is available electronically, has no minimum age 

limit, and is provided by volunteer test administrators, vetted by the FAA. See AIM, paragraph 11

−

5

−

1, UAS 

Pilot Certification and Requirements for Part 107 and Recreational Flyers, for further information on TRUST. 

Also, additional information regarding TRUST is available at the FAA’s The Recreational UAS Safety Test 

website. 

NOTE

−

 

The FAA’s The Recreational UAS Safety Test website may be viewed at: 
https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/knowledge_test_updates/ . 

4. 

Recreational UAS weighing more than .55 lbs must be registered. This can be done electronically 

through the FAA’s DroneZone website. Owners must then label all model aircraft with their assigned registration 

number on the exterior of their aircraft so that the registration can be clearly seen and read from a reasonable 

distance. See paragraph 11

−

2

−

2, Registration Requirements, for more information on registering UAS. 

NOTE

−

 

The FAA’s DroneZone website may be viewed at: https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/ 

. 

11

−

2

−

2.  Registration Requirements 

a. 

Nearly all UAS flown in the NAS are required to be registered in the FAA aircraft registration database. 

UAS weighing 55 pounds MGOW or more must be registered under 14 CFR Part 47, Aircraft Registration, while 

UAS less than 55 pounds may be registered under the FAA’s newer 14 CFR Part 48 online system. 

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) 

11

−

2

−

1