Drone laws
Preflight authority map
Drone Preflight Authority Map and Checklist
Use this non-geographic checklist to identify which official authority owns each preflight question and what that check does not prove.
Start with the operating path, then move through pilot proof, aircraft, airspace, location, mission, weather and readiness checks. This is not a live map.
Authority stack
Authority stack
Start with the operating path, then move through pilot proof, aircraft, airspace, location, mission, weather and readiness checks. This is not a live map.
Am I flying under the recreational exception or under Part 107?
Operating path
- Owner
- Pilot; FAA defines the operating path
- Action
- Start with FAA recreational guidance, FAA Part 107 pilot guidance, 49 U.S.C. 44809 and the dated eCFR Part 107 snapshot.
- What this proves
- Which operating path the rest of the preflight checks should follow.
- What this does not prove
- It does not approve a flight, aircraft, airspace, location, mission, safety outcome or legal clearance.
- Safest reader instruction
- Start by identifying the operating path; the rest of the checks depend on that path.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA recreational guidance, FAA Part 107 guidance, 49 U.S.C. 44809 or eCFR Part 107 changes.
- Primary sources
- S03
- S20
- S17
- S14
What proof does my operating path require me to carry?
Pilot proof
- Owner
- Pilot; FAA controls TRUST and Remote Pilot Certificate pathways
- Action
- Use FAA Recreational Flyers/TRUST guidance and FAA Become a Drone Pilot guidance.
- What this proves
- TRUST proof or Remote Pilot Certificate/recency expectations for the selected path.
- What this does not prove
- It does not prove aircraft registration, Remote ID, airspace authorization, site permission or safe conditions.
- Safest reader instruction
- Carry the proof your operating path requires; proof is not flight clearance.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA TRUST, recreational flyer, testing, recency or certificate guidance changes.
- Primary sources
- S03
- S20
Use this only from the recreational qualification row.
Open the detailed TRUST guideDoes this aircraft need FAA registration and marking before flight?
Aircraft registration
- Owner
- Aircraft owner/operator; FAA DroneZone controls registration
- Action
- Use FAA Register Drone and the dated eCFR Part 48 snapshot. Do not use a registry or public-registration source unless a separate reviewed source row is added.
- What this proves
- Whether a registration path and marking/proof checks are needed.
- What this does not prove
- It does not prove Remote ID broadcast, LAANC approval, local permission, safe conditions or that registration authorizes flight.
- Safest reader instruction
- Confirm the aircraft registration path before checking airspace.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA registration, DroneZone, eCFR Part 48, fee or threshold guidance changes.
- Primary sources
- S04
- S16
Use this only from the aircraft registration row.
Open the detailed registration guideWhich Remote ID category applies before this flight?
Remote ID
- Owner
- Pilot/operator; FAA controls Remote ID rules and accepted paths
- Action
- Use FAA Remote ID guidance and the dated eCFR Part 89 snapshot. Do not make aircraft-specific DOC, serial-number, FRIA or manufacturer-compliance claims without a separate reviewed source row.
- What this proves
- Remote ID compliance paths at category level: Standard Remote ID, broadcast module or FRIA.
- What this does not prove
- It does not prove a specific serial, DOC, manufacturer compliance, FRIA status or airspace authorization.
- Safest reader instruction
- Remote ID is an aircraft/equipment check, not an airspace authorization.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA Remote ID, Part 89, FRIA or DOC source-row status changes.
- Primary sources
- S05
- S15
Use this only from the Remote ID row.
Open the detailed Remote ID guideDo I need FAA controlled-airspace authorization?
Controlled airspace
- Owner
- FAA/ATC via LAANC or DroneZone; pilot submits the request
- Action
- Use FAA LAANC, UAS Facility Maps, UASFM FAQ, Flying Near Airports and Part 107 Airspace Authorizations.
- What this proves
- Whether controlled-airspace authorization may be required and where FAA says to request it.
- What this does not prove
- It does not grant local launch or landing permission, waive operating rules, or clear TFRs/NOTAMs outside authorization conditions.
- Safest reader instruction
- Use LAANC or DroneZone for controlled airspace; then still check the rest of the authority stack.
- Freshness
- Recheck if LAANC supplier coverage, UASFM, DroneZone or FAA airspace authorization processes change.
- Primary sources
- S06
- S07
- S08
- S09
- S19
Use this only from the controlled-airspace row.
Open the detailed LAANC guideIs there restricted, prohibited, special-use or security-sensitive airspace to consider?
Special airspace layers
- Owner
- FAA and issuing federal authorities; pilot checks current official sources
- Action
- Use FAA Airspace Restrictions, the FAA SUA portal, FAA AIP ENR 8.4 and B4UFLY as awareness surfaces.
- What this proves
- Whether a special airspace layer may restrict or condition operations.
- What this does not prove
- It does not replace live TFR/NOTAM checks, local land-use approval or current site-specific permission.
- Safest reader instruction
- Treat special-use and security layers as separate from ordinary airport controlled-airspace checks.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA airspace restrictions, SUA, AIP or B4UFLY information changes; check before release.
- Primary sources
- S13
- S22
- S21
- S02
Could a time-limited TFR, NOTAM or event restriction affect this place and time?
TFRs and NOTAMs
- Owner
- FAA NOTAM/TFR system; pilot checks before each flight
- Action
- Use FAA TFR guidance, the FAA NOTAM/TFR portal, and B4UFLY/LAANC only as awareness surfaces.
- What this proves
- Whether a time-limited FAA restriction may affect the planned place and time.
- What this does not prove
- A static Drone Home page cannot prove current TFR status or permission.
- Safest reader instruction
- Check current TFRs and NOTAMs immediately before flight; expired or old examples are not current clearance.
- Freshness
- Check for every flight date and time; recheck if FAA NOTAM/TFR or event-restriction sources change.
- Primary sources
- S10
- S11
- S02
- S06
Which operating rules and authorization conditions still apply?
Operating rules and conditions
- Owner
- Pilot/RPIC; FAA/eCFR controls rules; authorization may add conditions
- Action
- Use the dated eCFR Part 107 snapshot, FAA Recreational Flyers, FAA LAANC and Part 107 Airspace Authorizations.
- What this proves
- Baseline operating rules and authorization-condition separation for the selected operating path.
- What this does not prove
- It does not decide local property, weather judgment, aircraft readiness, mission waiver or full legality.
- Safest reader instruction
- An authorization can add conditions; it does not erase the operating rules.
- Freshness
- Recheck if eCFR Part 107, FAA recreational guidance or authorization-condition processes change.
- Primary sources
- S14
- S03
- S06
- S19
Who controls takeoff, landing or operation from this location?
Launch, landing and property authority
- Owner
- State, local, tribal, territorial agency, land manager or property owner; FAA owns the airspace distinction
- Action
- Use FAA No Drone Zone, FAA AIP ENR 8.4 and NPS UAS policy for authority separation.
- What this proves
- Airspace permission and land-use/property authority are separate checks.
- What this does not prove
- It does not create FAA airspace restrictions unless FAA/TFR sources say so, and it does not list every local ordinance or property rule.
- Safest reader instruction
- Airspace authorization is not land-use permission.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA No Drone Zone guidance, FAA AIP, NPS policy or applicable land-manager policy changes.
- Primary sources
- S12
- S21
- S24
Does this mission go beyond ordinary operating rules?
Mission-specific requirements
- Owner
- Pilot/RPIC; FAA or a mission-specific authority controls any required process
- Action
- Use FAA Part 107 Waivers and the dated eCFR Part 107 snapshot. Add a separate reviewed primary source row before naming any agricultural, public-aircraft/public-safety, infrastructure, client, site or other mission-specific process.
- What this proves
- Whether the mission may require a general Part 107 waiver or rule-exception review.
- What this does not prove
- It does not approve ordinary flight, insurance, client or site contracts, or any specific agricultural, public-aircraft, public-safety, infrastructure, client, site or mission-specific process.
- Safest reader instruction
- If the mission exceeds ordinary rules, stop and identify the specific waiver or process.
- Freshness
- Recheck if FAA waiver guidance or eCFR Part 107 changes; add an explicit source row before any mission-specific program claim.
- Primary sources
- S18
- S14
Use this only for Part 107 qualification context and never as flight clearance.
Open official Part 107 study resourcesDo weather and operating conditions support a go/no-go decision?
Weather and risk judgment
- Owner
- Pilot/RPIC; NOAA/NWS supplies weather data; FAA requires risk assessment for Part 107
- Action
- Use eCFR 107.49 in the dated Part 107 snapshot and NOAA Aviation Weather Center.
- What this proves
- Weather and operating-environment inputs for pilot judgment.
- What this does not prove
- It does not authorize flight or guarantee safe conditions.
- Safest reader instruction
- Weather is a go/no-go judgment input, not a permit.
- Freshness
- Check before each flight; recheck if NOAA/AWC products or Part 107 rules change.
- Primary sources
- S14
- S23
Is the aircraft, site and crew briefing ready for the planned operation?
Aircraft and site readiness
- Owner
- Pilot/RPIC; FAA Part 107 controls baseline preflight duties; manufacturer/manual checks require separate source review
- Action
- Use eCFR 107.49 in the dated Part 107 snapshot and FAA Part 107 pages. Do not add model-specific manual claims without a separate reviewed manufacturer source.
- What this proves
- Control links, power, secured payload, people/property/ground hazards and participant briefing for Part 107 readiness categories.
- What this does not prove
- It does not replace a model-specific manual, maintenance judgment, airspace/legal checks, emergency procedures or all-aircraft readiness proof.
- Safest reader instruction
- Checklist completion means you checked readiness; it is not a legal determination.
- Freshness
- Recheck if eCFR 107.49, FAA Part 107 pages, manufacturer manual, mission or aircraft conditions change.
- Primary sources
- S14
- S18
- S20
Use this as beginner context only, not as a duplicate checklist.
Review beginner drone law contextChecklist
Checklist
Use the checklist as local, temporary state for your own review. It is not saved, submitted, or treated as clearance.
Checklist state stays on this page while it is open and is not saved or submitted.
Source table
Source table
Open the official sources behind each authority row and read the checked-date and limitation before relying on a row.
These are the official sources behind the authority map. Checked date means Drone Home last checked the source for this packet on 2026-08-11; it is not a live status result or flight clearance.
Dynamic source: check the official source again before relying on current status.
| Source ID | Source | Source date or version | Checked date | What this source supports | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S01 | FAA Where Can I FlyFAA | Last updated 2024-03-08 | 2026-08-11 | FAA umbrella where-can-I-fly routing page. | General routing only; not flight clearance and not live local status. |
| S02 | FAA B4UFLYFAA | Last updated 2025-07-31 | 2026-08-11 | B4UFLY situational-awareness provider/list and feature scope. | Awareness/tool route only; no provider ranking, endorsement, or complete-legality implication. |
| S03 | FAA Recreational FlyersFAA | Last updated 2026-03-18 | 2026-08-11 | Recreational flyer path, TRUST, registration, Remote ID and basic recreational rules. | Recreational-only; not Part 107 completion, airspace clearance, local permission, or safety decision. |
| S04 | FAA Register DroneFAA | Last updated 2024-03-18 | 2026-08-11 | Registration threshold/path, fee/term context, certificate and marking duty. | Does not prove Remote ID, LAANC, local permission, safety, or that registration authorizes flight. |
| S05 | FAA Remote IDFAA | Last updated 2025-03-19 | 2026-08-11 | Remote ID overview and compliance paths. | Does not prove a specific aircraft serial, DOC, manufacturer status, FRIA status, or airspace authorization. |
| S06 | FAA LAANCFAA | Last updated 2024-12-05 | 2026-08-11 | LAANC / FAA UAS Data Exchange process and USS boundary. | Controlled-airspace authorization route only; not registration, Remote ID, TFR, local permission, waiver, or weather clearance. |
| S07 | FAA UAS Facility MapsFAA | Last updated 2023-04-12 | 2026-08-11 | UAS Facility Maps / altitude planning. | Informational planning surface; not authorization and not current flight clearance. |
| S08 | FAA UAS Facility Maps FAQFAA | Last updated 2025-06-05 | 2026-08-11 | UASFM limitations, cycle and TFR responsibility context. | Explanatory FAQ only; no authorization or live status. |
| S09 | FAA Flying Near AirportsFAA | Last updated 2024-04-25 | 2026-08-11 | Controlled-airspace/airport authorization distinction. | Does not replace actual LAANC/DroneZone request, authorization conditions, or other layers. |
| S10 | FAA Temporary Flight RestrictionsFAA | Last updated 2025-03-10 | 2026-08-11 | TFR explanation and drone-specific restriction pathway. | Static explainer; not a live TFR result. |
| S11 | FAA NOTAMs and TFRsFAA | Last updated 2026-06-04 | 2026-08-11 | FAA NOTAM/TFR safety entry point. | Portal route only; reader must check current data before each flight. |
| S12 | FAA No Drone ZoneFAA | Last updated 2025-01-27 | 2026-08-11 | No Drone Zone distinction among airspace, TFR and local takeoff/landing restrictions. | Does not identify every local ordinance, property rule, or site-specific permission. |
| S13 | FAA Airspace RestrictionsFAA | Last updated 2025-12-11 | 2026-08-11 | Airspace restriction overview. | Overview only; not exhaustive, not clearance. |
| S14 | eCFR Part 107 snapshoteCFR | Title 14 issue snapshot 2026-08-05; metadata up-to-date-as-of 2026-08-07 | 2026-08-11 | Official Part 107 rule text snapshot, including operating rules and preflight familiarization. | Dated rule-text snapshot; not FAA guidance, not reader-specific advice, and not proof of later amendments. |
| S15 | eCFR Part 89 snapshoteCFR | Title 14 issue snapshot 2026-08-05; metadata up-to-date-as-of 2026-08-07 | 2026-08-11 | Official Remote ID Part 89 rule text snapshot. | Dated rule-text snapshot; not aircraft-specific DOC/serial/FRIA proof. |
| S16 | eCFR Part 48 snapshoteCFR | Title 14 issue snapshot 2026-08-05; metadata up-to-date-as-of 2026-08-07 | 2026-08-11 | Official small-UA registration Part 48 rule text snapshot. | Dated rule-text snapshot; not DroneZone account state or live registry proof. |
| S17 | 49 U.S.C. 44809 preliminary pageU.S. House OLRC | Preliminary U.S. Code page; no page update date used | 2026-08-11 | Statutory recreational exception source. | Statutory text is not a complete operational guide and must be bounded by FAA guidance. |
| S18 | FAA Part 107 WaiversFAA | Last updated 2026-06-22 | 2026-08-11 | Part 107 waiver path and operations needing waivers. | Does not approve any operation and is not airspace authorization by itself. |
| S19 | FAA Part 107 Airspace AuthorizationsFAA | Last updated 2025-03-26 | 2026-08-11 | Manual Part 107 airspace authorization path. | Part 107 airspace authorization only; not recreational timing, general waiver, or local permission. |
| S20 | FAA Become a Drone PilotFAA | Last updated 2026-06-09 | 2026-08-11 | Part 107 certificate eligibility and recency pathway. | Does not cover aircraft, airspace, local launch, Remote ID, mission approval, or safety decision. |
| S21 | FAA AIP ENR 8.4FAA AIP | AIP page current as opened; Remote ID reference dated September 16, 2022 present | 2026-08-11 | FAA AIP UAS airspace-access context, controlled/uncontrolled, state/local preemption and No Drone Zone boundary. | Dense aviation reference; not operation-specific authorization and not a live map result. |
| S22 | FAA Special Use Airspace portalFAA SUA | Dynamic FAA SUA/ATCAA map surface as opened 2026-08-11; no stable page date used | 2026-08-11 | Official Special Use Airspace / ATCAA graphical portal destination. | Link-only destination; do not copy UI/map/results, cache location outputs, or imply current local status.Dynamic source: check the official source again before relying on current status. |
| S23 | Aviation Weather CenterNOAA/NWS Aviation Weather Center | Dynamic NOAA/NWS Aviation Weather Center surface; no stable page date used | 2026-08-11 | Official aviation weather product entry point. | Weather is operational judgment support, not legal authorization or safe-flight guarantee.Dynamic source: check the official source again before relying on current status. |
| S24 | NPS Uncrewed Aircraft SystemsNational Park Service | Last updated 2025-05-23 | 2026-08-11 | NPS UAS policy for NPS-administered lands. | NPS-specific only; not all parks/local/property rules and not FAA airspace clearance. |
Print view
Drone Preflight Authority Map and Checklist
Planning aid only — not flight clearance
This printed checklist is general information, not legal advice, not flight clearance and not a complete legality or safety determination.
- A01Identify operating pathNot checked
Am I flying under the recreational exception or under Part 107?
S03, S20, S17, S14
- A02Confirm required pilot proofNot checked
What proof does my operating path require me to carry?
S03, S20
- A03Check registration pathNot checked
Does this aircraft need FAA registration and marking before flight?
S04, S16
- A04Check Remote ID pathNot checked
Which Remote ID category applies before this flight?
S05, S15
- A05Check controlled-airspace authorizationNot checked
Do I need FAA controlled-airspace authorization?
S06, S07, S08, S09, S19
- A06Check special airspace layersNot checked
Is there restricted, prohibited, special-use or security-sensitive airspace to consider?
S13, S22, S21, S02
- A07Check current TFRs and NOTAMsNot checked
Could a time-limited TFR, NOTAM or event restriction affect this place and time?
S10, S11, S02, S06
- A08Review operating rules and conditionsNot checked
Which operating rules and authorization conditions still apply?
S14, S03, S06, S19
- A09Check launch and landing authorityNot checked
Who controls takeoff, landing or operation from this location?
S12, S21, S24
- A10Check mission-specific requirementsNot checked
Does this mission go beyond ordinary operating rules?
S18, S14
- A11Check weather and risk inputsNot checked
Do weather and operating conditions support a go/no-go decision?
S14, S23
- A12Check aircraft and site readinessNot checked
Is the aircraft, site and crew briefing ready for the planned operation?
S14, S18, S20
Sources checked 2026-08-11. Recheck official sources before flight. Drone Home does not determine legality, safety, authorization, local permission or mission approval.
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