🇺🇸 Flying your drone in United States
Authority: FAA · reviewed 2026-07-16
Home rules: Part 107 for commercial ops, registration for ≥250 g, Remote ID broadcast, night ops need lighting + recurrent training.
The rules
- Commercial operations require a current Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
- Registration ($5, per aircraft for Part 107; per pilot for recreational) required for drones 250 g and over — and for ALL drones flown under Part 107 regardless of weight.
- Remote ID: standard or broadcast module required for registered aircraft.
- Night operations: anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles + current recurrent training.
- Controlled airspace requires LAANC or FAA authorization.
- Returning from abroad: register gear with CBP as Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457) before departure to avoid import questions.
Documents to carry
- Part 107 certificate
- FAA registration certificate(s)
- Remote ID compliance
- CBP Form 4457 for international round trips
Batteries on the flight over
Carry-on only for lithium batteries. Under 100 Wh: no approval needed. 100–160 Wh: airline approval, max 2 spares.
Traveling to United States?SkyDocket pilots generate a border packet for this destination from their own document vault — registrations, certificates, insurance, and battery specs in one printable page.
Generate border packet Preparation guidance reviewed against public sources on 2026-07-16 — not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm with FAA before flying.