Why Part 107 Certification Matters

Why Part 107 Certification Matters

That is the real value of Part 107 certification. It is a requirement, a credential, and something worth putting on a résumé. But behind those words is something more important: a pilot has demonstrated knowledge of the rules, operating requirements, and responsibilities that come with conducting a drone operation.

What does a Part 107 pilot have to know?

Earning a Remote Pilot Certificate takes more than just knowing how to fly a drone. A pilot has to understand the rules and the environment the flight is taking place in.

That includes things like airspace, weather, aircraft performance, emergency procedures, operating limitations, and the regulations that apply to small unmanned aircraft.

The goal is not just to pass a test. It is to know enough to recognize when a flight is straightforward, when more planning or authorization is needed, and when the right answer is simply not to fly.

Why should a client care?

Because when you hire someone to fly a drone for a project, you are not just hiring a camera operator with a flying camera.

You are hiring someone who is responsible for the flight.

That means understanding where the operation can take place, what rules apply, whether airspace authorization is needed, whether there are restrictions on launch and landing, and whether the conditions are right to conduct the flight safely.

Part 107 is a great starting point because knowing the rules — and knowing how to apply them — makes you a better pilot. It gives you a framework for planning the flight, spotting problems before they become problems, and making better decisions once the aircraft is in the air.

What Part 107 doesn’t do

Having a Part 107 certificate does not mean you can simply fly anywhere you want.

A flight may still require airspace authorization. The property owner or manager may have something to say about where you launch and land. Parks, municipalities, schools, or other organizations may have their own rules. Weather, people on the ground, nearby obstacles, and the specifics of the job can all change what is practical.

That is why I look at Part 107 as the beginning of the decision-making process, not the end of it.

The certificate gives you the foundation. The rest is figuring out how the rules, the location, and the job fit together for that particular flight — and, when something is not straightforward, understanding where the next conversation needs to happen.

Staying current

Getting the certificate is only the first step. Part 107 pilots also have to keep their aeronautical knowledge current through recurrent FAA training.

That matters because the rules and operating environment do change, and because some of the things a pilot needs to think about are easy to get rusty on if they are not used regularly.

For me, staying current is part of the same process as flight planning: keep learning, keep checking, and do not assume that what was true the last time you flew is automatically true today.

The bottom line

Part 107 does not tell you everything about a pilot, but it tells you something important: they have taken the time to learn the rules, demonstrate that knowledge, and keep it current.

If you are hiring someone to put an aircraft in the air on your behalf, that seems like a pretty reasonable place to start.

About Adam

Adam Luther is an FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot and the founder of Icarus Drones. Read more about his background, approach, and the story behind the company on the Founder Bio.