Tools
Free drone tools
Work through licensing, registration, airspace, exam readiness, mission planning, aircraft choice, and job economics with the source beside the answer.
18 toolsChoose a question
Start where the uncertainty is.
Each tool narrows a real pilot decision and points to the official FAA system, rule, or source that controls the final answer.
- 01
Part 107 practice exam
282 original practice questions with the current FAA/PSI topic blueprint and explanations. Not the actual FAA exam items.
Replaces: Paid test-prep apps when you only need a readiness check.
- 02
Do I need a license?
Two questions → exactly what the FAA requires: Part 107, the free TRUST test, registration, and Remote ID.
Replaces: Paid course orientation and confusing FAA flowcharts.
- 03
Can I fly here?
Pin the launch point, describe the mission, and record the live FAA, weather, aircraft, pilot, and ground-permission checks in one packet.
Replaces: Treating a green map color as blanket permission to launch.
- 04
Can I fly over people or moving vehicles?
Test aircraft category, crowd, sustained-flight, site, notice, Remote ID, and moving-vehicle conditions against the Part 107 path.
Replaces: Treating one aircraft weight or prop guard as automatic permission to fly over anyone.
- 05
Do I need to register?
Weight + how you fly → whether you must register, how many registrations, and the steps.
Replaces: Third-party registration upsells above the FAA's $5 fee.
- 06
Drone operations planner
Build a mission brief, assess hazards, print the preflight plan, and keep local flight and maintenance records.
Replaces: Scattered notes, generic checklists, and disconnected flight-log spreadsheets.
- 07
Commercial requirements checker
Build the likely requirement stack for paid missions: Part 107, registration, Remote ID, LAANC, waivers, Part 137, and heavy UAS.
Replaces: Assuming Part 107 automatically covers every commercial drone job.
- 08
Drone job profit calculator
Estimate net hourly pay after platform fees, drive time, editing, insurance, gear reserve, taxes, and reshoot risk.
Replaces: Accepting a low-margin drone gig because the gross pay looked fine.
- 09
My drone crashed. Now what?
Six questions → whether you owe the FAA a report within 10 days, the NTSB a call right now, or neither. Recreational and Part 107 duties differ, and most advice merges them.
Replaces: Forum threads that cite a repealed 300-pound NTSB threshold.
- 10
Which DJI goggles work with my drone?
DJI's own compatibility matrix, 14 devices against 17 aircraft, plus the firmware minimums and the pairings where intelligent flight modes are switched off.
Replaces: A 2023 DJI PDF that predates Goggles 3, Goggles N3, and RC Motion 3.
- 11
International drone rules
Search country-by-country travel rules: import traps, registration, permits, commercial rules, official links, and airspace maps.
Replaces: Outdated forum posts before an international drone trip.
- 12
Drone finder
Match a reviewed aircraft to your mission, experience, budget, weight preference, and DJI supply tolerance.
Replaces: Buying the highest-scored drone without checking whether it fits the work.
- 13
Find a place to fly
Explore source-labeled fixed sites, FRIAs, and flying fields, then verify airspace, access, land-manager rules, and current conditions before launch.
Replaces: Treating a generic map pin as permission or flight clearance.
- 14
Find a drone community
Search MultiGP FPV chapters, AMA clubs and flying sites, and FAA-recognized community organizations by location and discipline.
Replaces: Digging through old Facebook posts, abandoned directories, and mixed RC listings.
- 15
Is my drone banned?
Pick the aircraft → what is final, what is only proposed, and what it means for owning, buying, or procuring it, each with its dated FCC or White House source.
Replaces: Undated 'DJI ban' threads and rumor.
| Question | Free path | When to pay |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need Part 107? | Use the license checker first. | Pay for a course if you want video lessons or instructor support. |
| Do I need to register? | Use the checker, then register directly at FAADroneZone. | Do not pay a third party just to file the basic FAA registration. |
| Can I fly here? | Read the airspace flow, then use B4UFLY or an FAA-approved LAANC app. | Pay only if you need fleet logging, team management, or business features. |
| Can I fly over people or traffic? | Use the people and moving-vehicle decision lab, then verify the aircraft eligibility documents and live mission conditions. | Seek waiver or aviation counsel support only when the standard rule path cannot support the operation. |
| Where can I meet pilots? | Use Places to Fly as a source-labeled directory, then verify the listing and airspace. | Pay only for club dues, field access, or event fees when the source requires it. |
| Is this drone job worth it? | Run the profit calculator before accepting the mission. | Pay for bookkeeping, tax, or legal support once work volume justifies it. |
| What approvals does paid work need? | Use the commercial requirements checker before quoting specialized work. | Pay for professional help when the job involves waivers, public agencies, spraying, or heavy UAS. |
| Am I ready for the exam? | Take the free practice test and drill the free flashcards. | Pay for a pass guarantee if failing would cost you more than the course. |
Free study hub
Five Part 107 modules with flashcards, quizzes, and matching audio.
Paid course picks
Honest ranking for pilots who want structure, support, or guarantees.
Rule library
Federal rules, state pages, Remote ID, registration, and LAANC.
Common questions
Are Drone Authority tools free?
Yes. The license checker, registration checker, airspace guide, and Part 107 practice test are free to use and do not require a signup.
Do these tools replace official FAA systems?
No. They help you understand what applies to you. For live airspace authorization, use an FAA-approved LAANC app. For registration, use FAADroneZone directly.
Do I need to pay for a Part 107 course?
Not always. Many pilots can start with free study modules, flashcards, practice questions, charts, and the study podcast. A paid course makes sense if you want video lessons, instructor support, or a pass guarantee.
Can these tools tell me whether a drone job is worth taking?
The profit calculator estimates net hourly pay after costs and reserves. It is a planning tool, not tax, legal, or client pricing advice.
Can the mapping calculator build a flight plan?
No. It estimates GSD, overlap spacing, photos, route distance, batteries, and field time for scoping. Build and verify the actual mission in compatible flight-planning software.
Can the spray-drone calculator choose an application rate?
No. It estimates coverage and field time from the values you enter. The current product label, calibrated spray system, operator credentials, FAA approvals, state rules, and field conditions control the operation.
Can the inspection builder diagnose a defect?
No. It builds a structure-specific capture and handoff scope. A qualified roofer, adjuster, thermographer, PV specialist, bridge team leader, tower owner, architect, engineer, or envelope consultant owns the professional conclusion.
Can Drone Authority register my drone for me?
No. The safest path is to register directly with the FAA at FAADroneZone. Drone Authority explains the requirement and points you to the official $5 registration flow.