Drone Guides
Clear, practical guides for recreational drone pilots flying in the United States.
Registration & compliance
What the FAA requires before you fly, and how to stay compliant afterwards.
Everything you need to know about registering a drone with the FAA in 2026: who has to register, the $5 fee, recreational vs Part 107, marking, penalties, and TRUST.
Remote ID is required for most registered drones in the U.S. Learn the three ways to comply — built-in, broadcast module, or FRIA — and what the 2026 rules mean for recreational and Part 107 flyers.
TRUST is the free safety test every recreational drone flyer must pass, at any drone weight. What it covers, where to take it, and why losing the certificate means retaking it.
Where you can fly
Airspace classes, authorizations and the places drones are not allowed.
Where you can and cannot fly a drone in the United States: altitude limits, controlled airspace, LAANC, National Park Service bans, stadium TFRs, and the apps that keep you legal.
- Drone Airspace Classes Explained (B, C, D, E, G)
- LAANC Explained: Free Airspace Authorization
- Can You Fly a Drone in a National Park?
- Drone Rules Near Stadiums and Sporting Events
- Flying a Drone in Washington DC: The SFRA
- Flying Over People: Categories 1-4 Explained
- Flying a Drone at Night: Rules and Requirements
Flying as a professional
The Part 107 certificate and the rules that come with paid work.
Part 107 is required for any drone flight with a business purpose. The 60-question exam, $175 cost, IACRA application, and free recurrent training every 24 months.
Law changes & buying advice
The 2026 regulatory picture and which aircraft it makes sense to buy.
A concise overview of the major U.S. drone regulatory developments in 2026: the DJI/FCC Covered List situation, Part 108 BVLOS rulemaking, Remote ID enforcement, and the unchanged FAA registration rules.
A U.S. legal buyer's guide for drones in 2026: best sub-250 g models, beginner drones, prosumer, professional, and NDAA/Blue UAS alternatives. Includes the DJI FCC Covered List situation.
Pilot basics
Batteries, weather, maintenance, insurance and avoiding beginner mistakes.
A beginner's overview of flying a drone in the US: registration and TRUST, your first flight, accessories, pre-flight checklists, weather, batteries, travel, flyaways, privacy and insurance.
- Drone Accessories: What You Actually Need
- The Drone Pre-Flight Checklist
- Drone Flying Weather: Wind, Temperature and Conditions
- Drone Battery Care: Charging, Storage and Safety
- Flying With Your Drone: TSA and Airline Rules
- Drone Maintenance: Keeping Your Aircraft Airworthy
- What to Do If You Lose Your Drone
- How to Prevent a Drone Flyaway
- 10 Mistakes New Drone Pilots Make
- Drone Insurance: Do You Need It and What Does It Cost?
- Drone Privacy Laws: Filming People and Property
- How to Make Money With Your Drone
Free tools
Answer the common questions in a few taps instead of reading a full guide.
Skip the paperwork — we file your FAA registration for you
Complete the form in a few minutes and get your certificate by email within 24 hours.