Part 107 Weather Minimums for Drones

The short answer

Minimum flight visibility is 3 statute miles. Stay 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from them.

Part 107 sets minimum weather conditions for flying.

The three numbers

Visibility: at least 3 statute miles from the control station.
Distance below clouds: at least 500 feet.
Distance horizontally from clouds: at least 2,000 feet.

A simple memory trick: 3-500-2000.

Checking weather before you fly

Read the METAR and TAF for the nearest airport. Use our METAR decoder and TAF decoder, or the drone flight weather guide.

Other weather factors

Wind gusts can exceed your drone's limits.
Cold affects battery performance.
High density altitude reduces performance. Use the density altitude calculator.

On the test

Expect direct questions on these minimums and on interpreting METAR and TAF reports. Practice with the free practice test.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Part 107 weather minimums?

3 statute miles of visibility, 500 feet below clouds, and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

How far must a drone stay from clouds?

At least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally.

How much visibility is required to fly a drone?

At least 3 statute miles from the control station.

Where do I check weather for drone flights?

Use METAR and TAF reports from the nearest airport, plus local forecasts.

Related guides

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