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Not at all. You can fly recreationally without the P107 certification. The FAA definition of recreational is pretty narrow though. If you're flying strictly for fun, then you're good to go. However (there's always one of those isn't there), the regs are getting tighter, you'll still have to register your drone with the FAA (minor cost), and starting next year there will be a requirement for the drone to broadcast an identification code. That will start showing up on new equipment soon, and there will be after market add-ons that will be compliant, probably ~$50, for legacy equipment. The FAA has a pretty useful general info site here: https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/#/One of the most important things to know is where you can fly and how high. The default ceiling is 400 ft above ground level (AGL) defined as where you took off in "uncontrolled" airspace. But as you get closer to airports, the ceiling drops down and you have to get a specific clearance depending on the airport and your distance from it. That clearance is call a LAANC authorization (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), but even as a recreational flyer you can get LAANC authorization for free from a 3rd party provider of that service. The physical ceiling of many drones is much much higher (my Phantom 4 Pro can be easily fly at 15000 ft) than you're allowed to fly, which sets up lots of potential for irresponsible flyers giving lawful drone pilots a bad name. Here's a handy national map to show you what the altitude levels and LAANC authorization areas are located. Just enter the street address or LAT/LONG enter the search field in the top left corner here: [URL unfurl="true"]https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad[/URL]There are lots of other things to know if you're going to be a responsible drone flyer. For example you can readily buy equipment that will give you control and good downlink data/pictures from miles away. But legally you have to keep the drone in sight (VLOS: visual line of sight) , which might be as much as 1/2 mile if your eyesight is good and conditions are right. There are provisions for use of a VO (visual observer) to help with that VLOS limit. You can't fly over people, or in state or national parks (that's a bummer), and there are others. There are right-of-way rules of the road that basically says that the drone pilot is the lowest of low on the totem pole of who gives way to who. Most everything you need to know can be found on the FAA web site. If you have specific questions, drop me a line at rrussell@comporium.net, and I'll do what I can to help you out. Regards.......... Bob R.
Not at all. You can fly recreationally without the P107 certification. The FAA definition of recreational is pretty narrow though. If you're flying strictly for fun, then you're good to go. However (there's always one of those isn't there), the regs are getting tighter, you'll still have to register your drone with the FAA (minor cost), and starting next year there will be a requirement for the drone to broadcast an identification code. That will start showing up on new equipment soon, and there will be after market add-ons that will be compliant, probably ~$50, for legacy equipment.
The FAA has a pretty useful general info site here: https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/#/
One of the most important things to know is where you can fly and how high. The default ceiling is 400 ft above ground level (AGL) defined as where you took off in "uncontrolled" airspace. But as you get closer to airports, the ceiling drops down and you have to get a specific clearance depending on the airport and your distance from it. That clearance is call a LAANC authorization (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), but even as a recreational flyer you can get LAANC authorization for free from a 3rd party provider of that service. The physical ceiling of many drones is much much higher (my Phantom 4 Pro can be easily fly at 15000 ft) than you're allowed to fly, which sets up lots of potential for irresponsible flyers giving lawful drone pilots a bad name. Here's a handy national map to show you what the altitude levels and LAANC authorization areas are located. Just enter the street address or LAT/LONG enter the search field in the top left corner here:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad[/URL]
There are lots of other things to know if you're going to be a responsible drone flyer. For example you can readily buy equipment that will give you control and good downlink data/pictures from miles away. But legally you have to keep the drone in sight (VLOS: visual line of sight) , which might be as much as 1/2 mile if your eyesight is good and conditions are right. There are provisions for use of a VO (visual observer) to help with that VLOS limit. You can't fly over people, or in state or national parks (that's a bummer), and there are others. There are right-of-way rules of the road that basically says that the drone pilot is the lowest of low on the totem pole of who gives way to who. Most everything you need to know can be found on the FAA web site.
If you have specific questions, drop me a line at rrussell@comporium.net, and I'll do what I can to help you out. Regards.......... Bob R.
