Yes. In the United States, a drone operator generally needs an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 when using a small drone for commercial roof inspections, documentation, photography, or other business-related roof work. The FAA’s Part 107 rules apply to small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, weighing less than 55 pounds.
For a commercial roofing company, this means that simply owning a drone is not enough. If the drone is being used to inspect a commercial roof for a customer, document roof damage, identify potential leaks, photograph roof conditions, or support a roof repair or replacement project, the person operating the drone should be properly certificated and the operation must comply with applicable FAA requirements.
What Is a Part 107 Certificate?
A Part 107 certificate is officially called a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating. It demonstrates that the drone operator understands the FAA rules and procedures necessary to conduct drone operations safely. To obtain the certificate, a first-time applicant generally must be at least 16 years old and pass the FAA’s initial aeronautical knowledge examination.
The certificate must be available to the remote pilot during UAS operations. Remote pilots also need to maintain their aeronautical knowledge recency by completing the FAA’s required online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
Does Every Person on the Roofing Crew Need Part 107?
Not necessarily. The requirement applies to the person acting as the remote pilot in command or otherwise operating the drone’s controls under Part 107. The FAA states that a person operating the controls under Part 107 needs a remote pilot certificate or must operate under the direct supervision of a person who holds one.
Therefore, a roofing company could employ or contract with a qualified Part 107 pilot rather than requiring every roofing technician, estimator, or project manager to obtain a certificate.
What Else Is Required for Commercial Roof Drone Work?
A Part 107 certificate is only one part of legal drone operation. Depending on the aircraft and operation, the drone may also need to be registered with the FAA. The FAA states that drones requiring registration must also comply with applicable Remote ID requirements unless an exception, such as operation within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), applies.
The operator must also follow Part 107 operating limitations. For example, the FAA requires the drone to remain within the pilot’s visual line of sight unless an applicable authorization or waiver permits otherwise. Other requirements address operations around people, aircraft, controlled airspace, altitude, visibility, and other safety considerations.
For roof inspections near airports or in controlled airspace, additional airspace authorization may be required. FAA-authorized systems such as LAANC can be used for eligible Part 107 operations in controlled airspace. A Part 107 certificate by itself does not automatically authorize every flight location.
Why This Matters for Commercial Roofing
Drone inspections can provide valuable information without requiring technicians to immediately walk every section of a roof. High-resolution aerial imagery can help roofing professionals document membrane conditions, ponding water, flashing, rooftop equipment, drainage areas, storm damage, and other visible conditions.
However, a drone inspection should supplement—not automatically replace—a qualified roof assessment. Some defects, moisture conditions, membrane problems, or structural concerns cannot be reliably determined from aerial photographs alone.
For property owners and facility managers hiring a roofing contractor, it is reasonable to ask whether the drone operator conducting commercial roof work holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and whether the proposed flight complies with applicable FAA requirements.
Bottom Line
Yes, commercial roof drone work generally requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate when the drone is operated under FAA Part 107. The certificate is only one component of compliance. Drone registration, Remote ID, airspace authorization, visual-line-of-sight requirements, operations-over-people rules, and other FAA requirements may also apply.
Shieldline Roofing can incorporate drone-based imagery into commercial roof assessment and documentation while coordinating the inspection with the broader evaluation of the roof’s condition, maintenance needs, and repair or restoration options.
Related Questions
- What are the limitations of drone imagery for roof assessment?
- How does thermal drone imagery differ from handheld infrared scanning?
- Are infrared and drone roof inspections safe for the building and environment?
- How often should a commercial roof be inspected with infrared and drone technology?
- What role does AI play in roof condition analysis?
- Is a Certificate of Completion the same as a Certificate of Occupancy for re-roofing?
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