UA.I.A.K8: Previously manufactured sUAS.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task A: General References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 89 and 107, subpart A; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Why “previously manufactured” matters under Part 107

For the test, interpret “previously manufactured sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it.” as aircraft produced before newer standards and guidance were issued. No matter when a small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. was built, if you operate under 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 107, you must follow current operating rules. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s primary guidance document for remote pilots—ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2A—exists to bridge the regulations and practical application, providing “guidance for conducting small unmanned aircraft systems (UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components.) operations in the National Airspace System (NASNational Airspace SystemCloseThe shared U.S. airspace system that drones must operate within.) in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live.) part 107.” A key exam takeaway: date of manufacture does not exempt you from present-day Part 107 operational requirements.^[1]

Congressional direction in 2012 led to the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.’s June 2016 final rule adding part 107 to integrate civil small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. into the NASNational Airspace SystemCloseThe shared U.S. airspace system that drones must operate within.. Many popular drones on the market predated or straddled that regulatory transition, which is why the exam expects you to connect older aircraft to today’s compliance pathways (e.g., registration, operational limitations, and any applicable equipment or documentation expectations).^[3]

Compliance checkpoints for older sUAS

Know where compliance “lives” in the rules and guidance you’ll use on the job and on the exam:

• Registration and marking: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 47 and 48 establish aircraft registration and marking requirements for small unmanned aircraft. A previously manufactured aircraft still needs to be registered and marked consistent with these parts before legal operation in the NASNational Airspace SystemCloseThe shared U.S. airspace system that drones must operate within..^[2]
• Remote identification framework: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 89 addresses Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. If you fly an older aircraft, evaluate whether and how Part 89 applies to your operation and equipment. The exam often tests recognition of which CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts govern which subjects.^[2]
• Operational rules: All sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it.—new or old—must be flown in accordance with 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 107’s general operating rules. ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2A is your practical “road map” for applying these rules in real-world missions.^[1]

Chapter 8 of ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2A collects topics you should associate with aircraft design, documentation, and pilot responsibilities that can affect whether and how a previously manufactured sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. may be used. These topics include FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-provided Means of Compliance (MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements.), Voluntary Consensus Standards Body MOCMeans of ComplianceCloseFAA-accepted method a manufacturer uses to show a drone meets certain rule requirements., Declarations of Compliance (DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.), accountability for DOCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. holders, product labeling, and Remote Pilot Operating Instructions. ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2A also includes sections on Remote Pilot responsibilities when conducting operations over people and operations over people at night. As a pilot, learn to check what the manufacturer provides (labels, instructions) and align your operation with the documented capabilities and limitations of your aircraft.^[4]

Practical implication: When you inherit, purchase used, or continue operating an older platform, verify you have the proper registration and markings, determine whether any Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. provisions apply, review any manufacturer-provided instructions, and confirm that the aircraft’s labeling and documentation support the operations you intend to conduct.

Accident reporting applies regardless of manufacture date

Accident reporting requirements in § 107.9 apply to all Part 107 operations. If an operation results in property damage below $500 based on repair cost and fair market value, it is “not required to be reported.” When a report is required, it must be made “within 10 calendar-days of the operation that created the injury or damage,” submitted electronically via the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. site or by telephone to the appropriate FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. Regional Operations Center, and include items such as the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.’s name and certificate number, aircraft registration number, accident location, date, local time, whether any serious injury or fatality occurred, property damaged and extent, and a description of what happened. Memorize the $500 threshold and 10-day timeline for the exam.^[6]

Know the difference: regulations vs. guidance

You will see both CFRs and Advisory Circulars on the test. CFRs are the binding regulations; Advisory Circulars provide nonregulatory guidance and are “not binding on the public” unless incorporated by reference. Use ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2A to understand best practices and FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. interpretations, but cite the CFRs when answering legal authority questions.^[5] For quick recall, Part 107 governs small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operations; Part 89 covers Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.; Parts 47 and 48 address registration; other related parts include 1, 43, 71, 73, 91, 93, and 99, plus Title 47 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. Part 87 (Aviation Services) and 49 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. Part 830 (NTSBNational Transportation Safety BoardCloseThe U.S. agency that investigates transportation accidents and certain serious incidents. reporting).^[2]