Dec 12, 2025 9:14:27 AM | Lidar What You Need to Know About FAA Part 107 for Commercial Surveying Work

Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification. There's no workaround, no exemption for small projects, and no grace period for operators who "didn't know." Firms that hire uncertified pilots can be held liable for violations, and operating without proper credentials can result in expensive civil penalties.

Whether you're evaluating drone surveying services or building an in-house program, Part 107 compliance directly affects project timelines, operational constraints, and insurance. Here's what you need to know.

What Part 107 Actually Regulates

The FAA established Part 107 in 2016 to create clear rules for commercial drone operations. Any business-related flight falls under these regulations, whether you're conducting topographic mapping, documenting construction progress, or collecting site data for clients.

The regulation covers small unmanned aircraft systems under 55 pounds, which includes essentially every platform used for surveying work. Anyone flying drones for compensation or business purposes needs a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That includes survey firms running their own flights, contractors hired to collect data, and operators working on behalf of commercial entities.

Getting Certified

FAA Part 107 certification means passing an aeronautical knowledge test administered at FAA-approved centers nationwide. The 60-question multiple-choice test costs $175 and provides immediate results. You need 70% to pass. There's no flight time minimum, no practical exam, and no experience threshold.

You must be at least 16 years old, able to read and understand English, and physically and mentally capable of operating aircraft safely. The FAA provides free study materials covering airspace structure, weather interpretation, aircraft loading and performance, emergency procedures, and operational regulations. Most people need 10 to 20 hours of study.

After passing, you apply for your certificate through the FAA's online system. Certificates last 24 months before needing renewal through a shorter recurrent knowledge test.

Operating Rules That Shape Surveying Work

Part 107 sets baseline operational constraints that directly affect how and when surveying happens:

• Flights must occur during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting.
• Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level unless you're within 400 feet of a structure.
• Aircraft must stay within the visual line of sight.
• Maximum groundspeed is 100 mph.

What Gets Tested and Why It Matters

The knowledge test verifies that you understand these rules and can apply them to real scenarios. A substantial portion covers airspace classifications because they determine where you can fly without authorization.

Controlled airspace near airports restricts operations unless you secure approval first. Most surveying projects in urban and suburban areas involve controlled airspace, so knowing authorization procedures during project planning prevents delays that push back deliverables.

READ MORE: When Drone Platforms Make Sense for Your PLS Project

Weather knowledge questions cover reading METARs and TAFs (aviation weather reports), recognizing dangerous conditions, and knowing how wind affects small aircraft. For surveying work, this determines when conditions support accurate data collection and when they create unacceptable risk.

Remote pilots must conduct preflight checks, assess weather conditions, verify airspace status, and monitor other aircraft. They're responsible for determining whether conditions support safe flight and must stop operations when safety becomes questionable. This means pilots need actual authority to delay or cancel flights based on conditions, not just permission to voice concerns before getting overruled.

READ MORE: 5 Common Drone Surveying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Airspace Authorization and Project Delays

Controlled airspace near airports needs authorization before you fly. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) provides instant authorization in covered areas. The system displays predefined altitude limits for specific locations and processes requests within seconds when your operation meets those limits. Most urban and suburban controlled airspace now has LAANC coverage.

Areas without LAANC mean manual authorization through the FAA's DroneZone portal. You submit detailed plans, including exact coordinates, altitude specifications, flight times, and safety justifications. Processing takes up to 90 days, though some requests move faster.

A project that looks straightforward on paper turns into a three-month waiting game if it's in controlled airspace without LAANC coverage. Experienced providers check airspace status during initial project evaluation, not after you've committed to a schedule.

Registration and Remote ID Compliance

Part 107 certification isn't the only box to check. Aircraft must be registered with the FAA, and as of 2023, nearly all professional land surveying drone platforms must broadcast Remote ID information during flight. Remote ID transmits location, altitude, and identification information in real time.

Drones manufactured after September 2023 come with built-in Remote ID. Older aircraft can use external Remote ID modules. Compliance deadlines have passed. Operating without proper Remote ID violates regulations and creates enforcement risk.

What Certification Doesn't Guarantee

Part 107 certification verifies aeronautical knowledge and legal authority to fly commercially. It doesn't confirm competence in surveying or the ability to produce high-quality data.

Licensed pilots might lack knowledge of survey-grade accuracy standards, ground control procedures, or deliverable specifications that engineering projects demand. They may know how to fly safely and legally, but have no experience producing CAD-ready data or maintaining tolerances that design work needs.

When evaluating drone service providers, Part 107 certification is the starting point, not the finish line. Actual capability means surveying expertise, quality control procedures, and proven performance on projects similar to yours.

Insurance and Liability Transfer

Most commercial general liability policies exclude aviation activities. You need separate drone liability insurance, and carriers verify Part 107 certification before issuing coverage. Operating without certification voids insurance even when policies exist.

For firms hiring drone services, this creates liability exposure. When operators lack proper credentials or coverage, liability can transfer to clients who contracted the work. For firms building internal capabilities, securing insurance means demonstrating Part 107 compliance, established safety procedures, and operational protocols.

Conclusion

Part 107 certification opens the door to legal drone operations, but it doesn't guarantee the surveying competence, airspace coordination, or quality control that professional projects demand. When you're evaluating providers or building in-house programs, certification is just the baseline. 

What matters is whether pilots understand survey-grade workflows, check airspace before you've locked in a timeline, and deliver data that engineers can actually use.

SmartDrone operates nationwide with certified, insured pilots and survey-focused execution. We check airspace status during project evaluation, implement ground control, and deliver survey-grade data that meets engineering specifications.

Working on a project that needs compliant drone surveying? Contact SmartDrone with your site location and timeline. We'll confirm airspace status and provide specifics on what we can deliver.