Quick reference · Study · Updated September 2026

Part 107 High-Yield Cheat Sheet

The numbers and rules that come up again and again in the Remote Pilot ACS, the FAA's sample questions and our practice bank. The FAA does not publish how often each topic appears on the test, so treat this as a last-minute review aid, not a replacement for 14 CFR Part 107.

Memorize exact numbers, limits and deadlines   Understand rules you apply to a scenario

Numbers worth memorizing

• 400 ftMaximum altitude AGLHigher only while within a 400-ft radius of a structure, and never more than 400 ft above the structure's immediate uppermost limit. §107.51
• 87 ktMaximum groundspeed (100 mph)Groundspeed, not airspeed. §107.51
• 3 SMMinimum flight visibilityMeasured from the control station. §107.51
• 500 / 2,000Feet below / horizontally from clouds500 ft below the cloud and 2,000 ft horizontally from it. §107.51
• < 55 lbSmall unmanned aircraftLess than 55 lb at takeoff, including everything on board or attached. §107.3
• 16Minimum age for the certificateYou must also read, speak, write and understand English (with limited medical exceptions). §107.61
• 24Calendar months of currencyYou must have passed the initial test or completed recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months. §107.65
• 10 daysCalendar days to report an accidentReport within 10 calendar days for serious injury, any loss of consciousness, or damage to property other than the drone costing more than $500 to repair (or worth more than $500 if destroyed). §107.9
• 8 hr / 0.04AlcoholNo flying within 8 hours of drinking, while under the influence, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more. §107.27
• 3 SMAnti-collision lights at night and in civil twilightLit anti-collision lights visible for at least 3 statute miles, with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The remote pilot in command may reduce the light's intensity for safety, but may not extinguish it. §107.29
• 120 daysTemporary certificateThe temporary certificate is valid for up to 120 days while the permanent card is issued. §107.64
• 14 daysWait before retestingAfter failing the knowledge test you must wait 14 calendar days to retest. §107.71
• 30 daysTo report a change of addressAfter 30 days you may not exercise the certificate's privileges until the FAA has your new permanent mailing address. §107.77
• $5 / 3 yrDrone registrationPer aircraft for Part 107, through FAA DroneZone. FAA DroneZone
• 60 + 5Questions on the UAG test60 scored plus 5 unscored validation questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass. FAA: Knowledge Testing Centers

Airspace and charts

• Understand
  Controlled airspace needs prior authorization. Class B, C and D airspace, and the surface area of Class E designated for an airport, need ATC authorization before you fly, usually through LAANC or DroneZone. Class G needs none. §107.41
• Understand
  Authorization does not override flight restrictions. Check TFRs and other NOTAM flight restrictions before every flight. A LAANC approval does not clear you through a TFR. §107.47
• Understand
  Prohibited and restricted areas need the controlling agency's permission. Do not fly in them without permission from the using or controlling agency. §107.45
• Memorize
  Chart boundaries. Class B: solid blue. Class C: solid magenta. Class D: dashed blue. Class E to the surface: dashed magenta. A magenta vignette normally depicts Class E beginning at 700 ft AGL. A blue vignette commonly depicts Class E beginning at 1,200 ft AGL; check for charted floor annotations. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Memorize
  Chart altitudes are MSL unless otherwise indicated. A number in brackets for a Class D ceiling is shown in hundreds of feet MSL: [25] means 2,500 ft MSL. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Memorize
  Runways and traffic patterns. Runway numbers are the magnetic heading divided by 10 (runway 27 is about 270° magnetic). Traffic pattern turns are to the left unless the chart shows right traffic. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)

Operating rules

• Understand
  Always yield the right of way. Give way to all aircraft, and do not pass over, under or ahead of one unless well clear. §107.37
• Understand
  Visual line of sight. The remote pilot in command, the person on the controls and any visual observer must all be able to see the drone with unaided vision (glasses and contacts are fine). An observer may be the one actually watching it, but does not let the drone go beyond what the pilot could see. FPV goggles do not count. §107.31
• Understand
  One drone at a time. No one may be remote pilot in command, person on the controls or visual observer for more than one drone at the same time. §107.35
• Understand
  Moving vehicles. Never from a moving aircraft. From a moving land or water vehicle only over a sparsely populated area, and not while carrying someone else's property for pay. §107.25
• Understand
  No hazardous materials. Carrying hazardous material is prohibited. §107.36
• Understand
  Flying over people uses four categories. Category 1: 0.55 lb or less, including everything attached, with no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin. Categories 2 and 3 use performance-based eligibility requirements and require an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance and applicable aircraft labeling. Category 4 uses an eligible aircraft with an airworthiness certificate and applicable operating limitations. Category 3 may not operate over an open-air assembly. Sustained flight over an open-air assembly under Categories 1, 2 or 4 requires applicable Remote ID compliance. 14 CFR Part 107 Subpart D · §107.110 — Category 1 · §§107.115–107.120 — Category 2 · §§107.125–107.130 — Category 3 · §107.140 — Category 4
• Understand
  Emergencies. In an in-flight emergency the remote pilot in command may deviate from Part 107 as far as needed, and must send the FAA a report if asked. §107.21
• Understand
  Preflight. Assess the operating area and hazards, brief everyone involved, check the control link, and make sure there is enough power for the flight. §107.49
• Understand
  Medical fitness. Do not fly if you know, or have reason to know, of a condition that would interfere with safe operation. §107.17
• Understand
  Show your certificate on request. Carry your remote pilot certificate and photo ID and present them if asked by the FAA, NTSB, TSA or a federal, state or local law enforcement officer. §107.7
• Understand
  Registration. Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered, whatever it weighs, with the registration number marked on an exterior surface. §107.13 · §48.205
• Understand
  Remote ID. Generally, comply by using a Standard Remote ID drone, adding a Remote ID broadcast module, or operating within a FRIA under the applicable FRIA requirements. §89.105

Weather and performance

• Memorize
  Reading a METAR. Times are UTC (Z). Wind direction is true, speed in knots. Visibility is in statute miles. Cloud heights are AGL in hundreds of feet. The ceiling is the lowest broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC) layer, or vertical visibility (VV). Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Memorize
  TAF coverage. A TAF forecasts conditions within 5 statute miles of the airport, normally for 24 hours (30 at some airports). Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Understand
  Density altitude. High, hot and humid conditions raise density altitude, which reduces the lift and thrust the propellers can produce. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Memorize
  Load factor in a turn. In a coordinated, level 60° banked turn, load factor is 2 G, and stall speed increases as load factor increases. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)

Decision making

• Memorize
  IMSAFE. Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion: a personal check before every flight. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)
• Memorize
  Five hazardous attitudes and their antidotes. Anti-authority: follow the rules. Impulsivity: not so fast, think first. Invulnerability: it could happen to me. Macho: taking chances is foolish. Resignation: I'm not helpless. Remote Pilot ACS (PDF)

Common traps

Section links go to the current text of 14 CFR on eCFR. Always check the current rules before you fly.