FAA Part 107 Certification Explained: Hiring a Professional Drone Pilot in Utah

What FAA Part 107 is

Part 107 is the section of federal aviation rules that covers small drones flown for work, anything other than pure recreation. If someone is paid to fly, or the photos are used for a business, the flight falls under Part 107.

The rule covers who can fly, where, how high, and under what conditions. The FAA's official overview is at faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot.

What the Remote Pilot Certificate means

To fly under Part 107, a pilot must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Getting it requires passing an FAA knowledge test covering airspace, regulations, weather, aircraft performance, and operating procedures, and staying current with recurrent training.

It shows the pilot has been tested on the rules. It does not mean the pilot can fly anywhere, at any time, without further approval.

Why airspace knowledge matters

Airspace near airports is controlled. Flying there under Part 107 requires authorization, often through the FAA's LAANC system, which can approve requests in near real time for many locations up to set altitudes. Some areas need a longer approval process, and some are restricted entirely, such as temporary flight restrictions around certain events or emergencies.

In the Salt Lake Valley this comes up constantly because of Salt Lake City International Airport and other airfields. A pilot who checks this before booking saves you a cancelled shoot.

How weather and location affect flights

Part 107 sets visibility and cloud-clearance minimums, and the pilot has to keep the drone within visual line of sight. Wind, rain, snow, and low ceilings can ground a flight even when the airspace is clear. Utah adds afternoon canyon winds and winter inversions to the list.

Location matters too: flights over people, moving vehicles, and some public lands come with extra rules or require permission from the landowner or agency.

When additional authorization may be needed

Expect extra steps for controlled airspace near airports, flights above the standard altitude limit, night operations beyond what the rule allows by default, flights over people, and anything that needs a waiver. A professional pilot will tell you which of these apply before quoting a date.

What to ask when hiring a drone operator

Do you hold a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate? Have you checked the airspace at my site? What happens if weather cancels the flight? What exactly will I receive, and when? Can I see work similar to my project?

Clear, specific answers to those five questions tell you more than any portfolio reel.

Where certified drone work fits

Construction progress, commercial property marketing, land and acreage, events and tourism, and business promotion all fall under Part 107 when flown for work. Each comes with different planning: recurring angles for construction, crowd rules for events, access and parcel views for land.

Dane Oliver is an FAA Part 107 certified remote pilot serving Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. For a project outside home listings, the Drone Services page has a quote form.