How to Apply for a Part 107 Waiver
Knowing which regulations are waivable (Lesson Q) is only half the picture ? this lesson covers the practical mechanics of actually submitting a waiver application through FAA DroneZone, what makes a safety case strong enough to be approved, and how to think about the process's timeline realistically.
Where waiver applications are submitted
Part 107 waiver applications are submitted through the FAA DroneZone system ? the same portal used for aircraft registration (Module 2, Lesson B) and, as covered in Module 3, airspace authorization requests. There is no separate paper form or third-party vendor involved, and submitting an application does not cost a fee.
Before applying, review the FAA's official Part 107 Waivers page, which lists the current application requirements and any specific guidance the agency has published for particular waiver types.
What makes a strong safety case
Since 107.200 requires the FAA to find that the proposed operation can be conducted safely, the core of any application is a clear description of exactly what the operation will involve ? aircraft, location, timing, and procedures ? paired with a specific explanation of how the applicant will mitigate the particular risk created by deviating from the standard rule. A vague statement like "we will be careful" is not a safety case; a strong application identifies the specific hazard the waived regulation exists to control, and explains concretely how that hazard will still be managed without following the standard rule.
- Concept of operations (CONOPS): A clear narrative description of the proposed flight ? what, where, when, and how.
- Specific risk mitigations: Technology, procedures, or personnel measures that replace the safety function the waived rule normally provides.
- Relevant experience or safety record: Prior operational history that supports the applicant's ability to execute the mitigations described.
Processing time is not fixed ? plan ahead
Part 107 does not set a specific processing deadline for waiver applications, and review time can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the requested deviation and the strength of the submitted safety case. A straightforward request may move faster than a novel or high-risk one. Applicants should submit well in advance of when the waived operation is actually needed, rather than assuming a quick turnaround.
A granted waiver isn't necessarily permanent or unconditional
Recall from Lesson Q that the Administrator may prescribe additional limitations as a condition of granting a waiver ? these can include specific operating conditions, restrictions narrower than what was originally requested, or a defined validity period rather than an indefinite one. Operators must comply with every condition specified in the certificate of waiver, not just the underlying regulation being deviated from.
Real-world scenario: applying for the night-lighting waiver
Continuing the public-safety scenario from Lesson Q, the agency's waiver application for a deviation from 107.29's anti-collision lighting requirement includes a detailed CONOPS describing the specific mission type, the controlled airspace and personnel involved, and concrete risk mitigations ? such as operating only within a tightly defined, cleared area with dedicated visual observers maintaining continuous awareness of any other air traffic, replacing the collision-avoidance function the lighting would otherwise serve. The application is submitted through FAA DroneZone well ahead of the operation's planned date, since the agency understands processing time isn't guaranteed to be fast for a request this specific.
Applying for a Part 107 waiver, from safety-case preparation to FAA DroneZone submission.
View Larger| Element | What it should include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Operation description | Aircraft, location, timing, procedures | Gives the FAA a concrete picture of exactly what's being proposed |
| Specific regulation(s) requested | Exact 107.205 citation(s) needing deviation | Waivers are granted per specific regulation, not generally |
| Risk mitigations | Concrete measures replacing the waived rule's safety function | This is the core of the safety case the FAA evaluates |
| Supporting experience | Relevant operational history or qualifications | Supports credibility of the applicant's ability to execute the plan |
Submitting a Part 107 waiver application
Start well before the operation's planned date.
Confirm the regulation you need waived appears on the 107.205 list
Review Lesson Q's reference table ? if the rule isn't listed, no waiver application will succeed.
Draft a clear concept of operations
Describe exactly what the flight will involve, in enough detail that someone unfamiliar with the operation could picture it accurately.
Identify the specific hazard the waived rule addresses and how you'll mitigate it
Be concrete ? vague safety assurances are the most common reason applications fail to demonstrate an adequate safety case.
Submit the complete application through FAA DroneZone
Ensure all required fields and supporting documentation are included before submitting.
Plan for variable processing time
Do not schedule the waived operation until the waiver is actually granted, and build in a buffer given the FAA's review time is not fixed by regulation.
Comply with every condition in the granted certificate of waiver
A granted waiver may include additional limitations beyond simply excusing the underlying regulation ? all stated conditions are binding.
Where do I submit a Part 107 waiver application?
Through FAA DroneZone, the same portal used for aircraft registration and airspace authorization requests.
How long does a waiver take to process?
There is no fixed processing deadline under Part 107 ? timelines vary based on the complexity of the request and the strength of the safety case. Apply well ahead of when the operation is actually needed.
Is a granted waiver always unconditional and permanent?
Not necessarily. The FAA may attach additional limitations or a defined validity period as conditions of the waiver, all of which the holder must comply with.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer the questions below to check your understanding. Every answer can be found in the lesson above.