FAA Part 107 & Part 137 Drone Operation General Guide

Introduction

Two core FAA regulatory frameworks frequently come up for US commercial drone operators: FAA Part 107 and FAA Part 137. Many business owners easily mix up their applicable use cases. This post provides only high-level conceptual differentiation for quick reference. All detailed clauses and real-time policy revisions must be verified through official FAA channels.

1. Basic Overview of FAA Part 107

FAA Part 107 sets uniform rules for commercial operations of small unmanned aircraft weighing under 55 pounds.

Common business activities falling under the general Part 107 framework include:

• Aerial survey and mapping
• Infrastructure and power line inspection
• Real estate aerial photography
• Construction site scanning and progress monitoring
• Non-spray aerial imaging work

The widely recognized Remote Pilot Airman Certificate operates under this regulatory structure. All binding rules covering pilot certification, visual line-of-sight flight limits, airspace restrictions, night flight protocols, and crowd overflight prohibitions are subject to real-time updates on the official FAA portal.

2. Basic Overview of FAA Part 137

FAA Part 137 governs agricultural aircraft operations, covering both manned aircraft and UAS activity involving aerial chemical spraying, fertilizer spreading, seed distribution, and pest control applications.

A key industry distinction: Part 137 regulates the act of aerial dispensing materials, rather than just the drone aircraft itself. Holding a valid Part 107 remote pilot certificate alone does not satisfy full compliance standards for large-scale agricultural spray operations.

All certification requirements, chemical drift control standards, water buffer zone flight limits, operational record retention rules, and state-level environmental add-ons are fully detailed on FAA's dedicated agricultural aviation page.

3. Scenario Reference Table

For conceptual reference only — not a regulatory ruling.

Critical Note: Individual US states enforce additional local agricultural and environmental statutes that operate alongside federal FAA regulations.

4. Common Industry Misconceptions

Misconception 1: A Part 107 certificate permits all commercial drone activity

Aerial agricultural spraying carries separate regulatory oversight under Part 137. Operators are advised to cross-check official FAA guidelines before launching any spray operations involving pesticides, fertilizers or other materials.

Misconception 2: Uniform flight restrictions apply nationwide

The New York Metropolitan region contains extensive controlled and restricted airspace zones, with flight limitations subject to frequent adjustments. Always validate airspace status via official FAA drone tools prior to any flight. This is particularly relevant for operators based in New York and the Northeast.

Misconception 3: Required operational documentation may be filed retroactively

The FAA maintains explicit standards for flight log storage, operational filing, and equipment records. Mandatory archive specifications are published within official CFR resources. Retroactive filing is generally not an accepted practice under current FAA standards.

5. RPAS Hardware Selection & Business Planning

Commercial RPAS platforms are engineered for distinct industry use cases — matching either general inspection workflows (covered primarily under Part 107) or agricultural aerial dispensing operations (requiring Part 107 and Part 137 review).

Starstone RPAS specializes in supplying drone hardware built for North American commercial markets:

• Enterprise RPAS platforms — for inspection, public safety, mapping and survey operations
• Agricultural spray drones — for precision spraying, spreading and multispectral crop monitoring

If you are building a US-based commercial drone operation and need guidance on selecting appropriate hardware for your intended use case, our team can provide equipment recommendations aligned to your operational profile.

Official FAA Reference Links

Closing Remarks

The U.S. low-altitude economy and VTOL sector continue rapid expansion, and FAA regulatory frameworks undergo regular revisions. Consistent monitoring of official federal aviation resources is essential for stable, uninterrupted commercial drone operations.

To implement fully compliant flight workflows, access all primary rule text via FAA official websites or consult specialized aviation legal counsel. For hardware selection aligned to your specific operational requirements, contact the Starstone RPAS team.