Visual line of sight for drones14 CFR 107.31 Visual line of sight aircraft operation
The remote pilot in command, the visual observer if one is used, and the person manipulating the controls must be able to see the small unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. That ability must be exercised throughout the flight by the remote pilot in command and the person on the controls, or by a visual observer.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Vision must be unaided by any device other than corrective lenses (a).
- The remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used) and the person manipulating the flight controls must be able to see the aircraft throughout the entire flight (a).
- Seeing it must let them know its location, determine its attitude, altitude and direction of flight, observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards, and determine that it does not endanger the life or property of another (a)(1) through (a)(4).
- Throughout the flight, that ability must be exercised by the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the controls (b)(1), or by a visual observer (b)(2).
In plain English
Section 107.31 is the visual line of sight rule. With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer if one is used, and the person manipulating the flight controls must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight (a). Corrective lenses are the only device the text allows for this.
Paragraph (a) also says why the aircraft must be visible: to know its location, to determine its attitude, altitude and direction of flight, to observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards, and to determine that it does not endanger the life or property of another. The standard is tied to those four purposes, not just to having the aircraft somewhere in view.
Paragraph (b) says who must actually use that ability. Throughout the entire flight it must be exercised either by the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls, or by a visual observer. A visual observer can carry the watch under (b)(2), while (a) still requires the remote pilot in command and the person on the controls to be able to see the aircraft throughout the flight.
Common mistakes
- Using binoculars or a camera feed to keep line of sight. The vision must be unaided by any device other than corrective lenses (a).
- Thinking a visual observer replaces the requirement in (a). The remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the controls must still be able to see the aircraft; (b) only says who exercises that ability.
- Treating line of sight as just spotting the aircraft. It must be seen well enough to serve the four purposes in (a)(1) through (a)(4).
The official text
14 CFR 107.31 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(a) With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the person manipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight in order to:
(1) Know the unmanned aircraft's location;
(2) Determine the unmanned aircraft's attitude, altitude, and direction of flight;
(3) Observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards; and
(4) Determine that the unmanned aircraft does not endanger the life or property of another.
(b) Throughout the entire flight of the small unmanned aircraft, the ability described in paragraph (a) of this section must be exercised by either:
(1) The remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system; or
(2) A visual observer.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 107.31.
Part 107 Drone
The visual line of sight requirement means the remote pilot in command or visual observer must be able to see the aircraft:
- A. with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, throughout the entire flight.
- B. with binoculars or a spotting scope if necessary.
- C. on the control station's live video feed.
- D. at least once every 30 seconds.
Show answer
A. with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, throughout the entire flight. Unaided vision, except for glasses or contact lenses. Binoculars, a video downlink, and first-person-view goggles do not satisfy the requirement. FPV flying requires a visual observer who can see the aircraft directly.
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Questions pilots ask
Does flying by the camera screen count as visual line of sight?
A camera view does not meet the standard by itself. The remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if used) and the person manipulating the controls must be able to see the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses throughout the entire flight (107.31(a)), and that ability must be exercised by the pilot and the person on the controls or by a visual observer (107.31(b)).
Can I wear glasses to keep visual line of sight?
Yes. Corrective lenses are the one device 107.31(a) allows.
What does a visual observer do under Part 107?
Under 107.31(b)(2), a visual observer may be the one who exercises the visual line of sight ability throughout the flight, instead of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls. Those two must still be able to see the aircraft under 107.31(a).