Part 107 applies to small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything on board or attached, such as cameras, payloads, batteries and liquid in a spray tank. Fly anything 55 lb or heavier and you're outside Part 107: you need an FAA exemption under 49 U.S.C. 44807, and the drone is registered through the regular aircraft registry. At the other end, the 250 g (0.55 lb) line decides whether a recreational drone needs registration.
The two weight lines that matter
| Line | What it decides |
|---|---|
| 250 g (0.55 lb) | Recreational drones at or under it don't need FAA registration. Every Part 107 drone needs registration, whatever it weighs. |
| 55 lb | Under it, Part 107 applies. At or over it, you need an exemption, and the drone registers through the FAA aircraft registry, not FAADroneZone. |
The FAA counts takeoff weight with everything attached. Adding a payload, a bigger battery or a full tank can push a drone over a line. A DJI Mini at 249 g with the standard battery can go over 250 g with a Plus battery. See sub-250 g drone rules.
Where common drones fall
- Consumer drones: the Mini 4 Pro weighs 249 g and the Air 3S 724 g, far under 55 lb.
- Enterprise drones: the Matrice 400 weighs 9.74 kg (about 21.5 lb) at takeoff in our listing, still well under 55 lb with a payload.
- Spray drones: the Agras T25 has a max takeoff weight of 52 kg (about 115 lb) when spraying, and the Agras T50 92 kg (about 203 lb). Both are over the limit once loaded.
Spray drones under 55 lb
Some smaller spray drones are built to stay under 55 lb when loaded. That keeps them inside Part 107 for weight, but it doesn't remove the other requirements for spraying for hire: a Part 137 agricultural aircraft operator certificate from the FAA and a state pesticide applicator license. Dispensing chemicals is the trigger, not just weight. See spray drone license.
Flying 55 lb or more
- Exemption under 49 U.S.C. 44807. The FAA grants conditions for operating heavier drones. Agricultural operators often file it alongside Part 137.
- Registration through the FAA aircraft registry.
- Operating conditions set in the exemption, such as pilot qualifications, maintenance and operating areas.
The proposed Part 108 rule for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations may change some of this for larger drones, but it wasn't final in early October 2026.
Other weight-related limits
- Operations over people: Part 107's over-people categories depend partly on weight and impact energy. Category 1 is for drones of 0.55 lb or less without exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin. See flying over people.
- Performance: heavier payloads mean shorter flight times and less wind resistance. The Part 107 test covers loading and performance, too.
Import rules for heavy drones
Since September 3, 2026, imported drones over 25 kg carry a 100% Section 232 tariff, and a July 2026 FCC proposal would stop further import and sale of foreign drones of 55 lb or more and spray drones. Drones already owned aren't affected. See is DJI banned in the US.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Planning crop work? Compare the Agras T25 vs T50, or browse agriculture drones.
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