FAA Part 107
FAA Part 107 Explained: Legal Drone Photography for Real Estate
FAA Part 107 is the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification a pilot must hold to fly a drone commercially — including for real estate photography. It’s what makes paid aerial listing photos legal.
Reviewed by the Turnkey Media studio · FAA Part 107 certified · Updated July 2026
What Part 107 is
Part 107 is the FAA’s rule set for commercial small-drone operations. A pilot earns the Remote Pilot Certificate by passing an FAA knowledge exam covering airspace, weather, regulations, and safe operation. Any drone photography done for compensation — which includes shooting a listing — legally requires a Part 107 certified pilot. A hobbyist license does not cover paid work.
Why it matters for your listing
Hiring a Part 107 pilot isn’t just box-ticking. It means the operator carries the certification (and typically commercial liability insurance) that protects you and your seller if something goes wrong, and that they know how to operate legally near airports, over people, and within altitude limits. Uncertified aerial work exposes the listing and the agent to real regulatory and liability risk.
Controlled airspace and LAANC
Much of San Diego County sits under controlled airspace tied to airports like SAN, Montgomery-Gibbs (MYF), McClellan-Palomar (CRQ), and NAS North Island (NKX). Flying there requires prior authorization, which certified pilots obtain through LAANC — an automated system that grants approval, often within minutes to hours. A qualified pilot files this before the shoot, so a coastal or downtown property gets its aerials without scheduling surprises. Turnkey Media’s pilots are FAA Part 107 certified and handle all airspace coordination.
The short version
- Required for any paid drone photography in the US
- Earned by passing an FAA knowledge exam
- Certified pilots carry the credentials and insurance
- LAANC authorizes flights in controlled airspace
Common questions.
Do you need a license to fly a drone for real estate?
Yes. Any drone photography done for compensation requires an FAA Part 107 certified remote pilot. A recreational/hobbyist authorization does not cover commercial listing work.
Can drones legally fly near San Diego airports?
With authorization, yes. Controlled airspace around airports like SAN, MYF, CRQ, and NKX requires prior approval, which Part 107 pilots obtain through the FAA’s LAANC system before the flight.
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