Quick answer: Part 107 waiver requirements come down to one thing: proof your operation is safe without the rule you want waived. As of October 2026, you apply in the FAA's Aviation Safety Hub, name the specific sections, describe the operation, aircraft, location, and crew, and pair each risk with a mitigation. Apply at least 90 days ahead.
A utility wants three miles of power line flown next month, beyond visual line of sight. Part 107 says no. A waiver can say yes, but only if your request does the convincing. If you searched for Part 107 waiver requirements, this is what the FAA actually looks for, and where most applications fall short.
New to the series? Start with what to do after passing Part 107, which covers when a waiver comes up in the first place.
What are the Part 107 waiver requirements?
14 CFR 107.200As of Oct 2026Source: eCFR
The FAA will issue a waiver only if it finds your operation can be done safely under the waiver's terms. That's the whole test, set out in 14 CFR 107.200. Your request has to include a full description of the operation and a justification showing it will be safe.
The burden is on you. Write it so a reviewer who has never seen your site can follow along.
Which Part 107 rules can be waived?
14 CFR 107.205As of Oct 2026Source: eCFR, FAA
Only the rules listed in 14 CFR 107.205. Two of the old favorites mostly don't need waivers anymore.
| Section | What it covers and what to know |
|---|---|
| 107.31 Visual line of sight | The big one for BVLOS work. Can't be waived to carry someone else's property for hire. |
| 107.33 Visual observer | Visual observer rules. Often paired with 107.31. |
| 107.25 Moving vehicle | Flying from a moving vehicle or aircraft. Same property-for-hire limit as 107.31. |
| 107.35 Multiple drones | One pilot flying more than one aircraft. Light shows live here. |
| 107.51 Operating limits | Altitude, speed, visibility, and cloud clearance. |
| 107.145 Over moving vehicles | Flying over people inside moving vehicles. |
| 107.37(a) Right of way | Listed in the regulation. |
| 107.41 Airspace | Listed, but in practice you get an airspace authorization through LAANC or FAADroneZone. |
| 107.39 Over people | Usually not needed. Subpart D allows many operations over people by drone category. |
| 107.29 Night | Only the anti-collision lighting piece. Night flying itself is allowed with lights visible for 3 statute miles and current training. |
What does the FAA want to see in a waiver request?
As of Oct 2026Source: FAA
Specifics. The FAA's waiver page asks you to cover five things: the operation and its location, the risks and how you'll handle each one, the aircraft (type, weight, speed, and how any payload stays attached), your crew's experience and training, and what you'll do when something unusual happens.
The FAA's own trend analysis says many applications it sees are a couple of sentences long. Those don't get far. Reviewers want a concept of operations (CONOPS), a risk analysis showing severity and likelihood before and after your mitigations, and ideally an operations manual that points to where each mitigation lives.
| Weak answer | Answer a reviewer can evaluate |
|---|---|
| "Our pilot is highly experienced." | Logged hours, hours on this airframe, and the training each crew member completes before flying the mission. |
| "We will avoid other aircraft." | How you detect cooperative and non-cooperative traffic, and how many seconds you need to get out of the way. |
| "The area is remote." | Coordinates, a map of the operating area, and how you keep people out of it. |
| "The drone is very reliable." | What happens on lost link, low battery, or GPS loss, and where the aircraft goes. |
For BVLOS requests specifically, the FAA's section-specific evaluation guide asks how the pilot knows the aircraft's position and altitude at all times, how you'll detect and avoid other aircraft, and how solid your command-and-control link is, including its FCC authorization. Visual observers need to be able to spot traffic around 1.5 statute miles out. Adjectives don't count as mitigations. We've checked.
Your aircraft choice shows up in these answers too. Our enterprise drones list the spec details reviewers ask about.
How do you apply for a Part 107 waiver in 2026?
As of Oct 2026Source: FAA Aviation Safety Hub guide, July 2026
New waiver applications go through the FAA's Aviation Safety Hub, which replaced FAADroneZone for waivers. Applications already filed in DroneZone keep processing there, and airspace authorizations still go through DroneZone. Per the FAA's July 2026 user guide, the order looks like this:
- 1Create your accountSign in through Login.gov and complete identity verification.
- 2Enter operator informationYour organization, a responsible person, and operator type.
- 3Describe the operationAircraft make, model, and quantity, dates, coordinates, an area map, and 19 operational questions.
- 4Confirm the requested waiversThe Hub suggests sections based on your answers. Check them against your plan.
- 5Upload your CONOPSPlus manuals, risk analysis, and equipment specs.
- 6Complete the safety evaluationAnswer each Waiver Safety Explanation Guideline prompt for your operation.
If you upload a CONOPS, the Aviation Safety Hub uses AI to draft your safety evaluation responses, according to the FAA's July 2026 guide. Treat that draft as a starting point. You're the one submitting it, and a reviewer will notice when an answer doesn't match your actual aircraft or site.
How long does a Part 107 waiver take?
As of Oct 2026Source: FAA
Plan on up to 90 days. The FAA says it tries to approve or disapprove waiver requests within 90 days, and its guide recommends picking operation dates at least 90 days after you submit. If the FAA needs more information, you get 30 days to respond. A client's "next Tuesday" and the FAA's "90 days" are not measured in the same units.
Emergency responders have a faster path: the FAA's Special Governmental Interest process, for work like firefighting and search and rescue. Visual line of sight approvals can come in minutes; BVLOS takes longer. For time-sensitive requests, the FAA's System Operations Support Center is at 202-267-8276.
Should you wait for Part 108 instead of applying for a waiver?
PendingStatus as of October 2026
- Proposed ruleAug 2025
- Comment period reopenedJan 2026
- Final review at OIRANow
- Final rule publishedFAA target: end of 2026
Not if you have work lined up. Part 108 would allow routine BVLOS without a waiver, but it's still a proposal. The rule was proposed in August 2025, the comment period was reopened in January 2026, and as of mid-September 2026 the final rule was at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. An FAA official told The Flight Brief the agency hopes to publish by the end of 2026.
Until a final rule takes effect, BVLOS jobs still need a waiver. The risk thinking in a good CONOPS won't go to waste either way.
Want a second set of eyes on the plan?
We can't file your waiver for you, but we can help match the aircraft and equipment to what you're asking the FAA for. Reach us through our contact page or call our team at 888-560-8737.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Part 107 waiver take to get approved?
The FAA aims to decide within 90 days and recommends requesting operation dates at least 90 days after you apply.
Where do I apply for a Part 107 waiver?
In the FAA's Aviation Safety Hub, as of October 2026. Airspace authorizations still go through LAANC or FAADroneZone.
Do I need a waiver to fly at night?
No, if your drone has anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles and your training is current. A waiver only covers the lighting requirement.
Do I need a waiver to fly over people?
Usually not. Subpart D allows many operations over people based on the drone's category, and the FAA recommends following that rule.
Can I get a fast waiver for an emergency response?
Yes, through the FAA's Special Governmental Interest process. For time-sensitive requests, call the System Operations Support Center at 202-267-8276.
Will Part 108 replace BVLOS waivers?
It may for many operations, but as of October 2026 it is still a proposed rule. Until a final rule takes effect, BVLOS work needs a waiver.
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