Commercial drone requirements checker

Part 107 is only the starting point. Some paid missions add airspace authorization, night-operation rules, operations-over-people analysis, waivers, Part 137, or a heavy-aircraft exemption path.

Commercial requirements

Build the compliance stack before you sell the mission.

Choose the work type, then add the operation conditions. The output is a source-linked checklist to verify before launch.

Readiness band

Standard Part 107 lane

The easiest paid lane to understand, but also the easiest to underprice. The work is usually legal, fast-turnaround aerial photos and short clips for listings or local marketing.

Mission type

Operation conditions

Checklist

3 items to verify

Source-linked

Baseline

Part 107 remote pilot certificate

Paid, business, client, inspection, media, mapping, and data-capture missions normally require a certificated remote pilot operating under Part 107.

FAA source

Baseline

Aircraft registration and Remote ID

Aircraft used under Part 107 must be registered, and registered drones generally need Standard Remote ID, a broadcast module, or an FAA-recognized exception path.

FAA source

Operational

Mission scope, site permission, and local restrictions

The FAA credential does not grant property access, park permission, utility access, film permits, privacy clearance, or client authorization. Get the non-FAA permission in writing.

FAA source

This is not authorization.

Use this as a planning checklist, then use official FAA systems, client permission, and local rules before flying.

If a box is uncertain, quote the admin.

Approvals, documentation, and insurance checks are part of the job, not free pre-work for the client.

Mission map

The same drone can trigger very different paperwork.

Mission	Baseline	Common escalation
Real estate and property media	Part 107, Registered drone, Remote ID	Agent asks for commercial work but suggests recreational rules
Roof and insurance inspection	Part 107, Drone insurance, Platform onboarding	Platform asks for unpaid test work
Construction progress	Part 107, Jobsite permission, PPE	Client expects survey-grade output without a licensed surveyor
Mapping and survey support	Part 107, RTK or GCP workflow, Coordinate system discipline	Client asks for a legal survey
Agriculture spraying	Part 107, Part 137 path, State pesticide checks	Assuming aerial label language automatically allows drones
Public safety program	Part 107 or public COA path, Agency policy, Training records	No privacy policy for public-facing operations
Utility, telecom, and solar inspection	Part 107, Insurance, Asset-owner permission	Operating near energized infrastructure without site controls
Production and cinematography	Part 107, Production insurance, Location permission	Client wants flight over people without aircraft category review

Pricing tie-in

Requirements change margin, not just legality.

If a mission requires airspace paperwork, extra insurance, a waiver, a spotter, specialized capture software, or agency approval, that time belongs in the bid.

Run the profit calculator