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FAA Information

Aircraft Registration

If your model aircraft weighs more than .55 pounds (lbs) (250 grams), you must register your drone through the FAA’s Drone Zone. For recreational flyers, the registration costs $5, covers all aircraft in your inventory, and is valid for three (3) years. Other rules apply to Part 107 pilots (commercial use). Once you register your aircraft, you will receive an FAA registration certificate. You must have your registration certificate (either a paper copy or digital copy) in your possession when you fly. If another individual operates your aircraft, they must have your registration certificate (either a paper or digital copy) in their possession. Federal law requires pilots flying aircraft that require registration, to show their certificate of registration to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer if asked. The FAA requires that you label all aircraft with your registration number before you fly them.

What is a Recreational Flight?

Many people assume that a recreational flight simply means not flying for a business or being compensated. But, that’s not always the case. Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not. Before you fly your aircraft, you need to know which regulations apply to your flight.

The default regulation for aircraft weighing under 55.0 pounds is Part 107. Almost all non-recreational aircraft flying is regulated by Part 107.

  • Note: Non-recreational aircraft flying include things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school’s website. Goodwill can also be considered non-recreational. This would include things like volunteering to use your aircraft to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization.

Remember, if you’re not sure which rules apply to your flight, fly under Part 107.

Congress created the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft to allow those flying aircraft purely for fun or personal enjoyment to operate without complying with Part 107. People flying under this Exception are required to comply with all rules for recreational flyers.
 

What are the Rules for Recreational Flyers?

The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly UAVs (RC Gliders, planes and drones) for recreational purposes. Following these rules helps keep people, your aircraft and our airspace safe:

  1. Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
  2. Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO).
    For more information on how to become an FAA-recognized CBO, read Advisory Circular 91-57D.
  3. Keep your aircraft within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
  4. Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
  5. Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
  6. Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
    Note: Anyone flying an aircraft in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) is responsible for flying within the FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to you as a pilot to know the rules: Where Can I Fly? 
  7. Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
  8. Have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your aircraft on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.
    Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your aircraft requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information (unless flown within a FRIA). For more information on registration, visit How to Register Your Aircraft.
  9. Do not operate your aircraft in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.


The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)

What is TRUST?

The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement. 

TRUST provides education and testing on important safety and regulatory information. If you fly your aircraft recreationally under the Exception for Recreational Flyers, you must pass the test before you fly. 

TRUST was developed in collaboration with aircraft stakeholders to determine content, and how it would be administered. Since June 2021, we have worked with a group of approved Test Administrators to provide TRUST as an online test. We in the FAA provide the TRUST content to the approved test administrators who, in turn, provide the online test to you, the recreational flyer. 

You can take the test here

Before you fly your Aircraft

Note: If your aircraft weighs more than .55 pounds (lbs), you must register your through the FAA‘s Drone Zone.

To fly your aircraft as a recreational flyer, it’s as easy as 1-2-3

  1. Understand recreational flying requirements
  2. Take TRUST
    • You may take the free online test through any of the FAA approved test administrators.
    • All FAA-approved TRUST test administrators offer the test free.
    • All test questions are correctable to 100% prior to issuing your completion certificate.
    • After completing TRUST, you’ll need to download, save or print your completion certificate.
    • If you lose your certificate, you will need to re-take TRUST.
    • View a list of TRUST Test Administrators
  3. Receive your certificate
    • After you pass the test, you will receive a certificate from the test administrator you selected.
    • Test administrators will not keep a record of your certificate. You must present a copy of your certificate if asked by law enforcement officers.