Required Documents for Commercial Drone Operations
It’s important to be prepared to demonstrate your authorization to conduct commercial drone operations to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. Here’s what you need to know:
Remote Pilot Certificate:
Make sure to have your Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating readily available. This certificate confirms your eligibility to fly drones commercially under Part 107.
Drone Registration Card:
Always carry your drone registration card, confirming that your drone is registered with the FAA.
(If applicable) Part 107 Waiver or LAANC Authorization:
Provide any FAA-issued Part 107 Waiver or LAANC authorization required for the specific operation. This authorization grants permission for specific activities, such as night operations or flying in controlled airspace.
(If applicable) Copy of Completion Certificate for Recurrent Training:
Have a copy of the completion certificate for your Recurrent training, as this demonstrates your compliance with the latest safety regulations and procedures.
Comparing Authorizations & Waivers
While they may sound like similar requests, authorizations and waivers differ in their purpose and where you need to apply for them.
Authorizations: permissions granted by the FAA to operate in controlled airspace.
Waivers: exemptions from certain regulations outlined in Part 107.
Authorizations:
Authorizations are typically for a specific area, altitude, and time frame, allowing drone operations in controlled airspace where air traffic control (ATC) permission is required.
Application Process:
Applications for authorizations are made through what is referred to as LAANCE (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability). LAANC is an automated system that provides drone pilots with near real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.
LAANC Authorization Examples:
- Flying in Controlled Airspace, such as near an airport
- Operations in a National Park
- Flying during a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), such as special events
- Night flight requests when in controlled airspace
Important Example: Night Flight in Controlled Airspace
- When you want to fly your drone at night in a controlled airspace, use LAANC.
Waivers:
Waivers are granted for specific operational needs not covered under Part 107, such as flying over people or flying multiple drones at once.
Application Process:
Waivers can be requested through the FAA’s online portal, FAA DroneZone.
DroneZone Waiver Request Examples:
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): Flying a drone beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight
- Higher Than 400 Feet Above Ground Level (AGL) (400ft AGL is the maximum altitude the FAA allows for drone flight in all airspace)
- Multiple UAS Operations: Operating multiple drones simultaneously
Note on Operating Multiple Drones Simultaneously:
Under Part 107, the remote pilot-in-command (PIC) is responsible for the safe operation of each drone. Each drone must have a designated PIC. In other words, one pilot cannot be the PIC for more than one drone at a time unless you can demonstrate you are able to maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with all drones and maintain safe control of each.
In certain cases, you can request a waiver from the FAA to allow the operation of multiple drones by a single pilot or remote PIC, but this is not standard practice and would require you to prove that you have adequate safety protocols and can maintain control of all drones. The FAA has granted waivers for things like coordinated drone fleets (e.g., for filming, surveying, or other specialized tasks), but these are specific and require additional safety measures.
