How to Shoot Drone Video Under FAA Part 107
- Rules as of
- October 18, 2026 (FAA pages)
- Applies to
- Drones under 55 pounds flown for work in the U.S.
- You need
- A certificated remote pilot and a registered drone
On this page
Drone video flown for work or business in the United States falls under the FAA's Part 107 rules. That means a certificated remote pilot, a registered drone that broadcasts Remote ID, and authorization before flying in controlled airspace. It also means shots planned inside the FAA's limits on altitude, line of sight, people and light. This guide is part of our video production guide.
You'll need the pilot's certificate, the drone's registration and a way to request airspace authorization, such as an FAA-approved LAANC app.
What Part 107 covers
Part 107 is the FAA's rule for small drones, meaning those under 55 pounds, flown for work or business. A drone shot for a client video, an ad or a company's social channels falls under it.
The rule covers who may fly, how the drone is registered, where and when it may fly, and what the pilot must check before and after a flight. Some limits can be lifted with an FAA waiver or authorization, and some can't be lifted on the day at all. That's why drone shots belong in pre-production, not on a list of extras to grab if there's time.
Part 107 is federal aviation law. Property owners, venues and local authorities may have their own rules about where a drone can take off and land, so a shoot plan has to account for those too.
Part 107 limits at a glance
These are the core operating limits most video shots run into. Each comes from the FAA's published rules, and several can be waived for a specific operation.
| Limit | What the FAA says | What it means for the shot |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 400 ft above ground, more near a structure | Plan high reveals under the ceiling |
| Speed | 100 mph (87 knots) maximum | Rarely a limit for video moves |
| Line of sight | Pilot or observer keeps it in unaided sight | Long tracking shots need a nearby pilot |
| Light | Daylight, or night with anti-collision lights | Night needs updated test or training |
| Visibility | At least three miles from the control station | Haze or fog can cancel a flight |
| People | Not over non-participants unless FAA conditions are met | Brief cast; keep bystanders clear |
Steps
- Confirm who is flying under Part 107.
The person at the controls needs an FAA remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or must fly under the direct supervision of someone who holds one. To qualify, a pilot must be at least 16 and pass the FAA's initial knowledge test, and must complete online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to stay current. Ask to see the certificate when you book the pilot. It must be with the pilot whenever they fly.
- Register the drone and check Remote ID.
Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA, with the registration number marked on the drone. Registered drones must also comply with Remote ID: through built-in Remote ID, through an attached broadcast module, or by flying inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area. Part 107 pilots register each drone or module separately. Confirm this for every drone going to the shoot, including the backup.
- Check the airspace and request authorization.
Find out which airspace class covers the location. The FAA allows flights in Class G airspace without air traffic control permission, but Class B, C, D and E need ATC authorization. Near many airports, an FAA-approved LAANC app can grant authorization in near real time. Where LAANC isn't available, use the FAA's manual process through FAADroneZone, which takes longer. Request it well before the shoot.
- Check TFRs and NOTAMs before the day.
The FAA issues Temporary Flight Restrictions for reasons such as natural disasters, certain major sporting events and security situations. They're published as NOTAMs and can appear at short notice. Check the FAA's TFR list when you schedule, again the day before and again on site. If a TFR covers the location, the drone stays down unless you've coordinated with the controlling agency listed in the TFR.
- Design shots inside the operating limits.
Plan altitude, distance and timing against the FAA's limits: 400 feet above the ground, three miles of visibility, and daylight, or night with anti-collision lighting and the updated test or recurrent training. The drone must stay within sight of the pilot or a visual observer without binoculars. If the pilot flies with a first-person-view screen, a visual observer has to keep the drone in sight. Mark each drone shot on the storyboard with its height, path and start and end frames.
- Plan around people and vehicles.
The FAA's default is that a drone doesn't fly over people who aren't directly taking part in the operation. The Operations Over People rule allows more under set conditions that depend on the drone's category. Brief cast and crew that they're participants, keep bystanders out of the flight path, and choose angles that don't cross crowds or traffic. Flying from a moving vehicle is allowed only over sparsely populated areas, under the FAA's conditions.
- Plan night and twilight shots properly.
Routine night flights don't need a waiver if the pilot has completed the FAA's updated knowledge test or recurrent training, and the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles. Flights in controlled airspace still need authorization at night. Scout night locations in daylight first, so the pilot knows every obstacle before it gets dark.
- Request a waiver for anything outside the rules.
If a shot needs to go beyond a Part 107 limit, such as flying beyond visual line of sight or over people outside the categories, the operator must apply for a Part 107 waiver through the FAA's Aviation Safety Hub. The application has to describe the operation, its risks and how they'll be reduced. The FAA aims to decide within 90 days, so start early or plan a different shot.
- Run the preflight and keep the drone in sight.
Before every flight, the FAA requires a preflight inspection, including the link between the controller and the drone. Check batteries, propellers, weather and the launch area, and confirm authorizations on the pilot's device. During the flight, the pilot avoids manned aircraft and flies one drone at a time. If the rules can't be met, the flight doesn't happen or ends safely and immediately.
If you'd rather leave the flying to a crew that plans it from the start, our in-house video production team includes a Part 107 certificated drone pilot and plans aerial shots alongside the rest of the shoot.
Making drone shots earn their place
A drone shot should do something a ground camera can't: show scale, reveal a location or connect places in one move. Plan it like any other camera move, with a reason, a start frame and an end frame. Our guide to camera movements covers the language that applies in the air as well.
Build each drone shot into the schedule with time for setup, authorization checks and weather. Keep a ground-based alternative on the shot list in case the drone can't fly. Aerial footage often looks different from the main camera's, so plan to match it in the color grade. Our pre-production checklist includes the drone checks to finish before shoot day.
Troubleshooting
LAANC isn't available or the request is denied
Cause: not every airport offers LAANC, and LAANC can only grant requests up to the altitude shown on the FAA's facility maps for that spot. Some locations sit near facilities that LAANC doesn't cover, and some requests need coordination with air traffic control that an automated app can't give in near real time.
Fix: check whether a lower altitude or a slightly different launch point fits inside what LAANC can approve. If the shot really needs more, Part 107 pilots can submit a further coordination request through LAANC up to 90 days ahead, or use the FAA's manual authorization process through FAADroneZone. Build that lead time into the schedule, and plan a ground-based version of the shot in case the answer is no.
The shot needs to fly over people
Cause: the creative calls for a drone over a crowd, an event or a busy street. The FAA's default rule doesn't allow flight over people who aren't directly participating, and the Operations Over People categories set conditions on the drone and the site. Over open-air gatherings, the FAA also separates sustained flight, such as hovering or circling, from a brief pass.
Fix: first ask whether the shot can be reframed: fly alongside the crowd, shoot from the edge or use a longer lens from a safe position. If people must be under the flight path, make them participants by casting and briefing them, or use a closed, restricted-access set where everyone knows a drone may fly overhead, if the drone's category allows it. Anything outside the rule needs an FAA waiver well in advance.
Weather or light changes on shoot day
Cause: the FAA requires at least three miles of visibility from the control station, and flights outside daylight need anti-collision lighting and a pilot qualified for night operations. Wind, rain, haze and low cloud can also make a flight unsafe even when it's technically allowed. The light you planned for can disappear while a crew waits.
Fix: schedule drone shots with a weather window and a backup slot, and check the forecast and visibility the day before and on site. Let the pilot make the final call without pressure, because they're responsible for the flight. Keep a ground-based alternative ready, and if the shot depends on sunset, confirm the drone's lighting and the pilot's night qualification in advance.
Common questions
Do I need a waiver to fly a drone at night under Part 107?
Not for routine night flights, according to the FAA. Since April 21, 2021, Part 107 pilots can fly at night without a waiver if they have completed the updated knowledge test or online recurrent training, and the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles. Flights in controlled airspace still need an airspace authorization, at night as in daylight.
Can a drone fly over the people appearing in my video?
People directly taking part in the operation are treated differently from bystanders. Under the FAA's Operations Over People rule, flying over non-participants depends on the drone's category, and each category has its own conditions. Some require a closed or restricted-access site where everyone has been told a drone may fly over them. If the drone doesn't qualify, plan the shot so it doesn't pass over anyone.
How long does a Part 107 waiver take?
The FAA says it aims to approve or disapprove waiver requests within 90 days, and that timing varies with how complex and complete the application is. If the FAA asks for more information and you don't respond within 30 days, the application is canceled. So if a shoot needs a waiver, apply as early as possible and build the plan around the answer.
Does every drone used for video need Remote ID?
Per the FAA, any drone that is required to be registered, or is registered, must comply with the Remote ID rule. You can comply by flying a drone with built-in Remote ID, by attaching a broadcast module, or by flying inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area. Part 107 pilots register each drone or broadcast module separately, and each gets its own registration number.
Does a LAANC authorization cover everything I need to check?
No. The FAA says LAANC provides airspace authorizations only. Pilots must still check NOTAMs and the weather, and follow every airspace restriction, including Temporary Flight Restrictions. LAANC apps do display TFR information, but the pilot is still responsible for the full preflight picture. A LAANC approval also doesn't replace permission from whoever controls the takeoff and landing spot.