Who Can Fly the Drone Under Your Part 107?

A person without a remote pilot certificate can manipulate the controls during a Part 107 operation. The condition is strict: they must be under the direct supervision of the remote pilot in command, and that pilot must be able to take direct control of the flight immediately. Handing over the sticks does not hand over the responsibility.

Can someone without a certificate fly the drone?

Yes, under one condition. 14 CFR §107.12(a) says no one may manipulate the flight controls unless they either hold a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating and meet the recency rule, or are under the direct supervision of a remote pilot in command who has the ability to immediately take direct control of the flight.

Acting as remote pilot in command is different. §107.12(b) requires the certificate and current recency for that role, with no supervision alternative.

What does "able to take direct control immediately" mean in practice?

The rule does not prescribe equipment, so this is our reading. The test is whether you, standing there, can take over the flight right away. A setup that lets you do that, such as staying beside the person with the controller within reach, or a dual-controller arrangement that gives you priority, fits the rule's wording. A setup where taking over would mean walking over, asking for the controller back or reconnecting does not obviously fit it.

Who is responsible while someone else is flying?

You are. §107.19 says a remote pilot in command must be designated before or during the flight, is directly responsible for and the final authority as to the operation, must make sure the operation complies with all applicable regulations, and must make sure a loss of control would cause no undue hazard to people, aircraft or property.

Seeing the aircraft does not move either. Under §107.31, the ability to see it must be kept by the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the controls together, or by a visual observer. The VLOS post explains that either-or.

Does the person at the controls have any obligations?

Yes, some apply to them directly. §107.17 bars anyone from manipulating the controls if they know or have reason to know of a physical or mental condition that would interfere with safe operation. §107.27 applies the alcohol and drug rules of §91.17 to the person manipulating the controls as well, including the 8-hour rule and the 0.04 alcohol concentration limit. The fitness rules post covers both.

A worked example

You are on a roof inspection job and the property manager asks to try flying. Under §107.12(a)(2) that is allowed if you supervise directly and can take over immediately. You remain the remote pilot in command under §107.19, so the airspace, the people below and every other rule are still yours to handle. If the manager mentions they had a drink at lunch, §107.27 means they may not manipulate the controls at all for 8 hours after consuming it.

What this means for the exam

The trap is a scenario where someone without a certificate is flying and the question asks whether the operation is legal. The answer turns on two facts: direct supervision by a remote pilot in command, and that pilot's ability to take control immediately. If both are there, a non-certificated person may manipulate the controls. If either is missing, they may not.

The handbook covers this under UA.I.B.K4 and UA.I.B.K22.

Whether a flight needs Part 107 at all is a separate question; for creators, the YouTube post applies the FAA's recreational guidance to a monetized channel.