Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone? | FAA Part 107

2cofly
3 days ago
3 min read

If you’re a realtor, a small business owner, a videographer, or just someone who enjoys flying drones, there’s one question that always comes up:

Do I need a drone license?

The answer is simple: yes. But which one you need depends on why you’re flying.

Two Types of Drone Pilots

The FAA sees drone pilots in two groups:

Recreational flyers, and
Commercial flyers.

Each has its own certification. Think of it like this: every driver needs a license, but a race car driver needs a special one.

Flying for Fun? You Need TRUST Certification

If you’re flying purely for fun, you need the TRUST Certification. TRUST stands for The Recreational UAS Safety Test.

It’s free, takes about 15 minutes, and you can take it online. Once you pass, you’re cleared to fly your drone recreationally.

That’s it. No paperwork, no fees. Just a bit of learning to keep our skies safe.

Flying for Work? You Need Part 107 Certification

If you fly drones for any business reason, you need your FAA Part 107 Certification.

This is your professional drone license. It’s for anyone who uses a drone to make money or support a business.

This includes realtors, photographers, construction workers, content creators, and even employees who fly a company drone for internal use.

Getting certified means you understand the rules, airspace, weather, and safety protocols. But more importantly, it means you’re flying legally.

What Counts as “Commercial”?

Here’s where most people get it wrong. You don’t have to be paid for a flight to make it “commercial.” The FAA looks at intent.

If your flight benefits a business in any way, it’s considered commercial.

Let’s look at a few examples.

Example 1: Real Estate

You’re hired to take photos of a home that’s for sale. You’re getting paid. It’s for a business. That’s commercial. You need Part 107.

Example 2: The Realtor

You’re a realtor taking your own listing photos. You’re not paying yourself extra. Still commercial. You’re using the drone to sell a property.

Example 3: The Photographer or Videographer

You use drones to create content or build your portfolio. That supports your business. Commercial.

Example 4: The Employee

Your boss asks you to take aerial photos for a project. Even if you don’t get paid extra, you’re doing it for work. Commercial.

Example 5: The Family Favor

Your auntie asks you to take drone shots of her restaurant. She gives you a free meal as a thank-you. You’re helping her business. Commercial.

Example 6: The Church Volunteer

You fly your drone to make a video for your church. It’s for an organization, not for recreation. Commercial.

Example 7: Selling a Fun Shot

You fly at Gun Beach for fun as a TRUST-certified pilot, post a photo online, and a company offers to buy it. You can sell it, because your original flight was recreational. But if you start doing this often, the FAA may see a pattern and classify you as commercial.

Here’s the Rule of Thumb

Before every flight, ask yourself: “What’s the purpose of this flight?”

If it’s for fun, TRUST is enough. If it’s for work, even a little bit, you need Part 107.

When in doubt, just get certified. You’ll never have to worry about crossing the line.

Why Getting Certified Is Worth It

Getting your Part 107 isn’t just about staying legal. It’s about opening doors.

Once you’re certified, you can:

Take on paid drone work
Work with construction and real estate firms
Bid on government and corporate projects
Fly confidently, knowing you’re on the right side of the law

You’ll also understand weather, airspace, and flight safety better than most. That makes you a smarter, more professional pilot — and it helps keep Guam’s airspace safe for everyone.

How to Get Certified

At 2cofly, we make it easy.

You can:

Study at your own pace through our online course: learn.2cofly.com
Or join our hands-on workshop: 2cofly.com/training

We’ve trained hundreds of pilots across Guam and Micronesia. Whether you’re brand new or already flying, we’ll help you pass the test and fly legally.