What FAA Part 107 Certification Means and Why It Matters for Your Production

What Is Part 107?

The FAA Part 107 certification is the federal license required for any drone pilot operating commercially in the United States. It is not a registration or a hobby permit. It is a knowledge-based certification that requires passing an FAA aeronautical knowledge test covering airspace classification, weather, drone operations, and federal aviation regulations. I hold an FAA Part 107 certification, and it covers every commercial production Alpha Sky Media executes.

If you have ever worked with or considered working with a drone operator who was not certified, it is worth understanding what that actually means. Flying a drone commercially without Part 107 is a federal violation. More importantly for clients, it means the operator has no legal airspace authorization, and your brand is associated with a non-compliant production if the footage is used commercially.

What Part 107 Covers in Practice

• Airspace knowledge: understanding which airspace requires authorization before flight and how to obtain it.
• Weather assessment: evaluating wind, visibility, and atmospheric conditions to determine whether flight conditions are safe.
• Emergency procedures: knowing how to handle equipment malfunctions, unexpected airspace conflicts, and other on-site situations.
• Regulatory compliance: understanding altitude limits, distance restrictions, and operational requirements for commercial flights.

How This Affects Your Production

For most productions in open areas outside of controlled airspace, Part 107 certification means the flight can proceed without additional approval. For productions near airports, in urban centers with dense airspace, or in designated restricted zones, certification means I can apply for and obtain the required LAANC authorization through the FAA before we ever show up on site.

This matters for clients in a few specific ways. It means productions in downtown Chicago, near Midway or O'Hare, or in any controlled airspace zone are still possible with proper planning and authorization. You are not limited to flying only in rural or open areas. And it means the production has full legal standing when the footage is used commercially.

Why I Think Certification Matters Beyond Compliance

The knowledge test for Part 107 is not just about legal compliance. It builds a foundation of understanding about how airspace works, how to assess risk on a production, and how to operate safely in complex environments. Every production I run is informed by that training. When I am flying over a commercial property in a controlled airspace corridor or navigating interior FPV through a large showroom, the training matters in ways that show up in the work.

"Certification is the baseline. Everything built on top of that is experience, preparation, and the commitment to bring back footage that works."

Working With a Certified Pilot

If you are evaluating drone operators for an upcoming production and you are not sure whether they hold a Part 107 certification, ask. It is a simple question with an important answer. At Alpha Sky Media, every production is legally compliant, fully authorized, and backed by FAA Part 107 certification. Reach out through the contact page to get started.