Understanding FAA Part 107 Recordkeeping Requirements
Professional drone operations demand meticulous documentation. While FAA Part 107 regulations establish baseline requirements for remote pilot certificate holders, maintaining comprehensive flight logs and maintenance records protects you legally, improves operational safety, and demonstrates professionalism to clients and authorities alike.
Understanding what records to keep, how long to retain them, and the best methods for documentation separates amateur operators from true professionals. This guide covers everything Part 107 pilots need to know about recordkeeping requirements.
What Part 107 Actually Requires
The FAA Part 107 regulations are surprisingly minimal regarding recordkeeping. The regulation itself does not explicitly mandate flight logs for routine operations. However, Section 107.9 requires remote pilots to make available to the FAA, upon request, the remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating. Additionally, pilots must provide any documentation required for waivers or exemptions.
That said, several scenarios create implicit recordkeeping requirements:
- Accident reporting: Section 107.9 requires reporting serious injuries, loss of consciousness, or property damage exceeding $500 to the FAA within 10 days
- Waiver operations: Most Part 107 waivers require detailed flight logs as a condition of approval
- Commercial contracts: Many clients require flight documentation for insurance and liability purposes
- Airworthiness: While not explicitly required, demonstrating your aircraft was properly maintained supports safe operation claims
What to Include in Your Flight Logs
A comprehensive flight log should capture essential information about each operation. Consider including the following elements:
Basic Flight Information
- Date and time of operation
- Location (GPS coordinates and general description)
- Aircraft identification (serial number, registration if applicable)
- Remote pilot in command name and certificate number
- Visual observer name (if used)
- Total flight time
- Purpose of flight (training, commercial, recreational)
Operational Details
- Weather conditions (wind speed, visibility, cloud cover)
- Maximum altitude achieved
- Airspace class and any authorizations obtained
- Battery serial numbers and starting/ending voltage
- Any anomalies or incidents observed
- Pre-flight checklist completion confirmation
Maintenance Documentation Requirements
While Part 107 does not specify maintenance record requirements like Part 91 does for manned aircraft, prudent operators document all maintenance activities. This practice serves multiple purposes: tracking component lifecycles, establishing patterns of proper care, and providing evidence of airworthiness if questions arise.
Essential Maintenance Records
Your maintenance log should document:
- Routine maintenance: Propeller replacements, motor inspections, gimbal calibrations
- Repairs: What was damaged, how it was repaired, parts used
- Firmware updates: Version numbers, dates, any issues encountered
- Battery cycles: Charge/discharge counts, storage voltage checks, capacity tests
- Component replacements: Date, reason, part numbers, source
- Calibration records: Compass, IMU, gimbal calibrations with dates
Record Retention Periods
The FAA does not specify how long Part 107 operators must retain records, but industry best practices and legal considerations suggest the following minimums:
- Flight logs: Minimum 3 years, preferably 5 years or longer
- Accident/incident reports: Permanently retain all documentation
- Maintenance records: Life of the aircraft plus 3 years
- Training records: Duration of certificate validity plus 2 years
- Waiver documentation: Duration of waiver plus 3 years
Many commercial operators retain records indefinitely, as digital storage costs are minimal and historical data can prove invaluable.
Digital vs. Paper Logs: Choosing Your System
Both digital and paper logging systems have merit. The best choice depends on your operation style and preferences.
Paper Logs
Advantages: No technology failures, instant access in the field, no subscription costs, accepted universally
Disadvantages: Can be lost or damaged, difficult to search, no automatic backups, harder to share
Digital Logs
Advantages: Automatic GPS logging, searchable records, cloud backups, easy report generation, integration with flight planning apps
Disadvantages: Requires charged devices, potential subscription costs, data privacy considerations, technology learning curve
Many professional operators use hybrid systems: digital apps for automatic flight data capture with paper backup checklists in the field.
Pre-Flight Checklist Documentation
Documenting pre-flight checklist completion provides evidence of due diligence. Your records should confirm that before each flight you verified:
- Aircraft condition and airworthiness
- Battery charge levels and condition
- Weather conditions within operational limits
- Airspace authorization obtained (if required)
- NOTAMs reviewed for the area
- Ground equipment functionality verified
- Emergency procedures reviewed
Accident and Incident Reporting Requirements
Section 107.9 mandates reporting to the FAA within 10 calendar days when your UAS operation results in:
- Serious injury to any person
- Loss of consciousness of any person
- Damage to any property (other than the UAS) exceeding $500 in repair or fair market value
Reports must be submitted through the FAA’s online reporting system. Document the incident thoroughly, including photographs, witness statements, flight log data, and any communications. Retain this documentation permanently.
Best Practices for Professional Recordkeeping
Develop consistent habits that make documentation automatic:
- Complete logs immediately after each flight while details are fresh
- Use standardized templates for consistency
- Back up digital records to multiple locations
- Review logs periodically to identify patterns or recurring issues
- Keep records organized by aircraft, date, or project for easy retrieval
Thorough recordkeeping may seem tedious, but it demonstrates professionalism, supports insurance claims, and protects you legally. The few minutes spent documenting each flight pays dividends when questions arise months or years later.
