What is Section 107.31 (visual line of sight)?
14 CFR § 107.31 requires the remote pilot in command or a designated visual observer to maintain unaided visual contact with the small unmanned aircraft throughout flight.
§ 107.31 is the formal codification of the VLOS rule for Part 107 operations. The text requires the pilot or observer to know the aircraft's location, determine its attitude, altitude, and direction of flight, observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards, and determine that the aircraft does not endanger others.
Unaided vision means the natural eye, with corrective lenses if necessary. Binoculars, telescopes, FPV goggles, or first-person video displays do not satisfy § 107.31 — they're augmenting vision, not maintaining it directly.
The pilot may waive § 107.31 only through an individual FAA waiver, which is required for BVLOS operations and infrequently granted for routine commercial work.
What this means for pilots
VLOS is the rule most commonly violated by drone pilots, often unintentionally — losing sight of the aircraft at distance, behind a tree line, or over a ridge. If you can't visually identify your drone, recover it immediately. The legal standard isn't 'I have a general idea where it is' — it's 'I can see it.'
FAQ
Does § 107.31 apply to recreational pilots?
The equivalent VLOS requirement applies under 49 USC 44809. Recreational pilots must also maintain VLOS, with or without an observer.
Can I use a spotter scope?
No — that's aided vision. The observer must use unaided eyes, with corrective lenses if needed.
How is § 107.31 enforced?
Investigation typically follows incident reports — a near-miss, a complaint, or a crash. Enforcement is real but the FAA can only see what they're tipped to.
Related terms
FAA regulations change. Verify current rules at faa.gov/uas before relying on this article for flight planning. Altoa is not the FAA.