Compliance for Non-Conforming Operations

Verified from official sources
49 U.S.C. § 44809Version 1Effective -Verified 22 August 2026

In plain language

If you cannot meet every single one of the recreational rules (like flying for fun, staying under 400 feet, or passing the test), you must fly under the commercial rules (Part 107) instead.

Requirement as structured

Unmanned aircraft operations that do not conform to the recreational limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft.

Original regulatory text

Unmanned aircraft operations that do not conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.

Applies when

country
United States
operation
recreational
operation regime
recreational
regulatory category
General