FAA 107 Commercial Applications & Business Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A drone services company wants to offer thermal imaging inspections of solar panels. Which Part 107 requirement is most critical to verify before accepting this contract?
- The remote pilot certificate holder must have an additional thermal imaging endorsement
- All operations must remain within visual line of sight and comply with airspace authorizations (Correct answer)
- Thermal payloads require separate FAA equipment certification
- The drone must be registered under the commercial use category
Correct answer: All operations must remain within visual line of sight and comply with airspace authorizations
Visual line of sight and airspace authorization are the core Part 107 operational requirements that must be met regardless of the payload type.
Question 2: When operating drones commercially for real estate photography, what is the maximum groundspeed permitted under standard Part 107 rules?
- 55 mph (87 knots) (Correct answer)
- 87 mph (100 knots)
- 100 mph (87 knots)
- 45 mph (65 knots)
Correct answer: 55 mph (87 knots)
Part 107 limits small UAS groundspeed to 87 knots (about 100 mph), which is commonly stated as 100 mph but the regulatory figure is 87 knots.
Question 3: A client asks your drone company to inspect a cell tower located in Class D airspace. What must you do before flying?
- File a NOTAM 72 hours before the flight
- Obtain authorization from the controlling ATC facility via LAANC or FAA DroneZone (Correct answer)
- Upgrade your certificate to a commercial endorsement
- No action needed if flying below 400 ft AGL
Correct answer: Obtain authorization from the controlling ATC facility via LAANC or FAA DroneZone
Operations in Class D airspace require ATC authorization, obtainable through LAANC or the FAA DroneZone portal.
Question 4: You are hired to perform a drone survey for a construction company. The site is near a hospital. Which additional concern must you evaluate?
- Construction sites automatically exempt drone operations from Part 107
- Hospitals are often near Class B or Class E surface airspace requiring authorization (Correct answer)
- Medical facilities grant automatic waivers for survey operations
- Survey drones are exempt from altitude restrictions near hospitals
Correct answer: Hospitals are often near Class B or Class E surface airspace requiring authorization
Hospitals are frequently located near controlled airspace that may require LAANC authorization before drone operations.
Question 5: Under Part 107, which of the following is a valid commercial operation WITHOUT a waiver?
- Flying at night over a populated area
- Delivering packages beyond visual line of sight
- Aerial photography in uncontrolled airspace during daylight with visual observers (Correct answer)
- Flying over moving vehicles on a public highway
Correct answer: Aerial photography in uncontrolled airspace during daylight with visual observers
Daytime aerial photography in Class G airspace within visual line of sight is a standard compliant Part 107 operation.
Question 6: A drone pilot is contracted for agricultural spraying. Under current FAA rules, what applies?
- Agricultural spraying is fully authorized under standard Part 107
- Chemical dispersal via drone is excluded from Part 107 and governed by other regulations (Correct answer)
- Only USDA-licensed pilots may perform aerial application
- Agricultural drones must fly under 100 ft AGL
Correct answer: Chemical dispersal via drone is excluded from Part 107 and governed by other regulations
Part 107 specifically excludes aircraft used for agricultural application; those operations fall under 14 CFR Part 137.
Question 7: What is the primary business purpose of obtaining a Part 107 waiver for nighttime operations?
- To allow higher altitudes during darkness
- To enable commercial services such as security surveillance or event coverage after sunset (Correct answer)
- To bypass airspace authorization requirements
- To operate heavier drones than Part 107 normally allows
Correct answer: To enable commercial services such as security surveillance or event coverage after sunset
A nighttime waiver (or anti-collision lighting compliance under the 2021 rule update) enables commercial services that must occur after sunset.
FAA 107 Commercial Applications & Business Operations 2
A drone services company wants to offer thermal imaging inspections of solar panels.
Which Part 107 requirement is most critical to verify before accepting this contract?