Part 107 & COA/BVLOS Waivers
Revere Tactical Technologies
Rules & law
Part 107 & Waivers
Which FAA rules apply to your agency, and how to get approval for night, over-people and beyond-visual-line-of-sight work.
On this page
Two ways agencies flyPart 107 limits at a glanceThe 91.113 PAO/PSO waiver, step by stepThe Part 107 PSO shielded-ops waiverEmergencies and what's nextTwo ways agencies fly
Any operator can fly under 14 CFR Part 107 with a certificated remote pilot. Key limits include visual line of sight (107.31), operations over people (107.39) and over moving vehicles (107.145), each waivable. [1]
Pro tip
Volunteer departmentsFAA notes volunteer organizations (VFDs, SAR teams, 501(c)(3)s) are typically not eligible for public aircraft status, so Part 107 plus the PSO shielded-ops waiver is their route. [2]
A government entity that qualifies as a Public Aircraft Operator can fly under Part 91 with an FAA certificate of waiver or authorization. FAA's expedited 91.113 waiver is for entities that are both a PAO and a PSO. [3]
Part 107 limits at a glance
| Rule | Section | What it says (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 107.51 | No higher than 400 ft above ground level, unless within 400 ft of a structure |
| Speed | 107.51 | Groundspeed no more than 87 knots (100 mph) |
| Visual line of sight | 107.31 | The remote pilot or a visual observer must be able to see the aircraft |
| Over people | 107.39 | Allowed only under the conditions and categories in Subpart D |
| Moving vehicles | 107.145 | Limits on flying over moving vehicles |
| Night | 107.29 | Requires anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles |
| Accident reports | 107.9 | Report to FAA within 10 days for serious injury or loss of consciousness, or damage over $500 to property other than the drone |
| Pilot age | 107.61 | At least 16 years old to hold a remote pilot certificate |
| Recurrent knowledge | 107.65 | Within the previous 24 calendar months |
The 91.113 PAO/PSO waiver, step by step
-
Confirm eligibility
You must be a Public Aircraft Operator (49 USC 40102(a)(41)) and a Public Safety Organization (49 USC 44806(e)). -
Choose 200 ft or 400 ft
200 ft obstruction-shielded operations, or 400 ft using acceptable detect-and-avoid. FAA notes about 87% of departments choose the shielded option. -
Request the packet
Email 9-AVS-AFS-750-91.113Waivers@faa.gov and ask for a PAO/PSO 91.113 waiver packet (checklists, blank FAA Form 7711-2, sample letter). -
Complete and return
Fill in, sign and date the documents and return them to the same address. -
Track the term
Waivers are valid for 48 months. Set a renewal reminder.
Source for all steps: [3]
The Part 107 PSO shielded-ops waiver
-
Confirm you are a PSO
For public safety organizations that are not public aircraft, such as volunteer fire departments. -
Apply through FAA DroneZone
Request waivers of 107.31, 107.39 and 107.145 for shielded operations. -
Train to the waiver
Build crew training and records around the waiver's conditions.
Source: [2]
Emergencies and what's next
Emergency SGI
If you must fly BVLOS in an actual emergency without a waiver, FAA directs operators to the Special Governmental Interest process.
Source: [4]
Part 108 (proposed)
"Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations" was proposed Aug 7, 2025. Not final as of this review.
Source: [5]
Remote ID
FAA requires most drones to broadcast Remote ID. Check FAA's Remote ID page for your aircraft and operation.
Source: [6]
FAA Public Safety Toolkit
FAA's hub for public safety waivers, COAs, checklists and tethered operations guidance.
Source: [7]
Public Safety Wiki on Revere Tactical Technologies. Plain-language summaries, not legal advice. Talk to your counsel and the FAA for decisions about your program.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix the page and its source. If a rule or spec has changed, the linked source wins.