Implementing Section 927 Waiver Process for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Operations
Read the official document (2026-06297)
Who should care: Operators who want relief beyond the standard Part 107 limits.
No operational change for most remote pilots — this is a process notice, not a rule.
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Who this affectsWhat the document saysWhat changes in practiceWhat it does not doDoes this affect the Part 107 exam?Who this affects
Operators seeking regulatory relief for unmanned aircraft operations, including those who would otherwise apply for an exemption. Not a change for pilots operating within current Part 107 limits.
What the document says
Congress, in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, authorized the FAA to enable unmanned aircraft operations through waivers to applicable federal aviation regulations, in place of initiating new regulations or requiring operators to seek regulatory exemptions. This notice explains how the FAA will implement that authority.
What changes in practice
Nothing changes operationally on its own. The notice describes an additional regulatory-relief application pathway: applicants submit their eligibility justification, the relief requested and a safety case to [email protected], and FAA determines the appropriate pathway. Existing exemptions remain available, but you may not apply for an exemption and a Section 927 waiver at the same time. It does not expand what you are allowed to do until a specific waiver is granted.
What it does not do
It does not change any regulation. It does not grant any waiver. It does not create new operational authority (e.g., BVLOS, over people, night operations). It does not amend Part 107 or any other part. It is a process notice, not a final rule or a proposed rule.
Does this affect the Part 107 exam?
The notice does not amend Part 107 operating or certification requirements. Continue preparing from current FAA testing guidance.
Gear mentioned on this page
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- Amazon · search results
High-end camera drones, such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro
An optional example of a camera drone designed for aerial photography and video. It is not connected to the notice on this page.See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed and updated September 2026.
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