Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governing body responsible for ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) in the United States. This includes the airspace used by manned aircraft, and increasingly, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones or small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). To operate a drone for commercial purposes, including construction applications, it’s crucial to understand and adhere to the FAA regulations outlined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 107.

Part 107 establishes a set of requirements for safe drone operation, promoting responsible integration of this technology into the airspace. The first step for drone use in construction is registering your drone with the FAA. Registration applies to all drones weighing between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds, and must be completed before the drone’s first flight. The registration process is quick and inexpensive, and can be done online through the FAA’s DroneZone website.

Beyond registration, Part 107 lays out operational restrictions to ensure safe drone flight. A crucial regulation is the weight limitation for sUAS under Part 107. Drones used for commercial purposes cannot exceed 55 pounds at takeoff weight, including any payloads attached. This weight restriction helps maintain safety in the airspace shared by manned aircraft.

Another critical aspect of Part 107 is maintaining a visual line of sight (VLOS) with your drone during operation. This means you, the remote pilot in command, must be able to see the drone with your own unaided eyes at all times. Flying solely based on a monitor or relying solely on first-person view (FPV) goggles is not permitted under Part 107. Maintaining VLOS allows for immediate response and course correction in case of any malfunctions or unexpected situations. Part 107 also imposes limitations on the maximum altitude a drone can reach. For most unrestricted airspace, the maximum altitude is 400 feet above the ground level. There may be exceptions in certain controlled airspace near airports, requiring authorization from air traffic control before operating. It’s important to check airspace restrictions using the FAA’s B4UFLY app or LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) system before each flight.

Understanding and following the FAA regulations outlined in Part 107 is essential for safe and legal drone operation in construction. By adhering to these guidelines, construction companies can leverage the benefits of drone technology while ensuring they operate within the National Airspace System responsibly.