FAA Part 61 vs. 107: Which Certification Path Should You Follow?

Choosing between FAA Part 61 vs 107 depends on what you want to fly—and where you want to go with it. Whether you’re aiming to fly manned aircraft or commercial drones, each path has its own rules, training, and career potential. 

At Leopard Aviation, we help you navigate both. From hands-on flight instruction to guiding you through drone certification, we make sure your goals take off with the right plan. Not sure which certification fits your future? We’re here to help you choose the course that gets you flying faster and smarter.

1. Understanding the Two Paths

When deciding between FAA Part 61 vs 107, you’re essentially choosing between flying manned aircraft and piloting commercial drones. Each path serves its own niche in aviation, and many students explore both.

FAA Part 61

• This is the traditional route for becoming a private pilot, commercial pilot, or flight instructor. 
• To earn a Part 61 certificate, you need the required flight hours, pass written exams, and complete a practical test or checkride. 

At Leopard Aviation, we operate under Part 61. We guide students from discovery flights right through advanced ratings—Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Multi‑Engine, CFI, and ATP—using modern aircraft like the Garmin‑equipped Cessna 172S.

FAA Part 107

• Designed for remote pilots flying drones for commercial purposes such as inspections, mapping, and photography. 
• You need to be 16 or older, pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA‑authorized testing center (about $175 fee), and register any drone used. 
• If you already hold a Part 61 certificate, you can complete free online recurrent training without retesting in person. 

We help our Part 61 students add the Part 107 certificate efficiently—just an extra step to expand their aviation credentials.

2. Eligibility & Requirements

FAA Part 61 Eligibility

To begin training under Part 61 for a private pilot certificate:

• Must be at least 17 years old (16 for gliders or balloons). 
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. 
• You’ll need a third‑class medical unless you’re flying under BasicMed rules. 
• Begin training once you earn a student pilot license, then accumulate at least 40 hours.

FAA Part 107 Eligibility

For remote drone pilots:

• Must be 16 years old or older. 
• Fluent in English. 
• Pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test—$175 to register. 
• Register each drone used under commercial operation ($5 for three years). 

Hold a Part 61 certificate? The FAA offers a free online recurrent course in lieu of re‑testing every 24 months.

3. Training & Testing

FAA Part 61 Training

Training includes both ground and flight lessons, plus FAA knowledge and practical tests.

• Private Pilot: 40 hours minimum—20 dual flights with an instructor; 10 solo; must complete cross-country, night, and instrument training. 
• Additional ratings like instrument, commercial, multi-engine, or flight instructor require more hours and specific coursework. 
• Testing includes FAA written exams and checkrides, and there’s a biennial flight review requirement.

FAA Part 107 Training

• Complete a study course or self-study, then schedule your test at an FAA‑authorized testing center. 
• The test is 60 questions, 2 hours long, and requires a 70% passing score. 
• Cost is about $175, and you can retake after 14 days if needed. 

At Leopard Aviation, we assist both new pilots and those with manned licenses by providing test guidance, materials, and support with FAA applications.

4. Privileges & Limitations

What Part 61 Pilots Can Do

• Fly manned aircraft under a private or commercial license. 
• Exercise privileges include personal flights, training flights as an instructor, or limited compensated operations under certain conditions. 
• Must complete additional training and ratings to fly commercially or act as a charter pilot.

What Part 107 Pilots Can Do

• Fly drones commercially for photography, surveying, inspections, and more. 
• Operate in airspace with proper waivers (night, BVLOS, altitude, etc.). 
• Limited to unmanned aircraft system operations—not allowed to fly manned aircraft under this certificate.

For pilots interested in both manned and unmanned applications, combining Part 61 and Part 107 can be quite powerful. Leopard Aviation is here to help you choose the right mix of training and certifications.

6. Renewal & Ongoing Currency

Part 61 Currency

Pilots flying under Part 61 must stay current. Every 24 months, pilots complete a flight review, which includes at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight with a CFI. During this review, we go over regulations, airspace, risk management, and decision‑making. There are also special recent‑experience rules:

• To carry passengers, you must have three takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days. 
• For night flying, those takeoffs/landings must be at night. 
• If flying complex aircraft, you need recent experience in those specific aircraft.

Part 107 Currency

For commercial drone pilots, currency looks different:

• The FAA requires a recurrent knowledge test every 24 months. 
• If you hold a current Part 61 certificate, you can complete this as a free online refresher—no in‑person test needed. 

Holding both certificates means you’ll stay active with both flight reviews and drone currency checks. At Leopard Aviation, we help you schedule these without stress, guiding you through requirements and prepping you for smooth reviews.

7. Career & Use Case Scenarios

Part 61 Career Paths

Choosing Part 61 opens doors across aviation:

• Private Pilot: Fly for yourself and share flights with passengers for non‑commercial purposes. 
• Commercial Pilot: With additional ratings, you can be paid to fly charter flights, aerial tours, banner towing, or become a flight instructor. 
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Teach others and build flight hours. 
• ATP & Airlines: With an instrument rating and sufficient hours, you can aim for regional or major airlines. 

Career possibilities include charter pilot, crop-duster, flight school instructor, aerial photographer, or corporate aviator.

Part 107 Career Paths

If you’re drawn to drones, Part 107 gives you the keys to:

• Remote pilot in command for commercial sUAS operations. 
• Services like photography, mapping, inspection, surveying, agriculture, and real estate imaging. 
• With waivers, you can operate at night, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), or over people.

More organizations are hiring drone pilots, from utilities to construction firms. The timeline is fast—you can enter the field quickly and build real income doing specialized work.

Mixing Approaches

You might choose to combine both. Those with manned pilot licenses often add drone skills to expand their work options. Some companies hire dual‑qualified pilots to operate fixed-wing aircraft and drones for wildfire mapping, pipeline inspection, or logistics planning.

At Leopard Aviation, our goal is to equip you for any aviation path—whether you’re flying in the cockpit, piloting drones, or blending both roles in future careers.

8. Cost & Time Comparison

Part 61 Investment

Private pilot training typically ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, including all required ratings to fly commercially ($55,000 to $100,000 or more if you pursue CFI and ATP). The timeline varies:

• Private license: 3–6 months 
• Instrument rating: 3–4 months 
• Commercial: Additional 1–2 years, depending on pace 
• CFI & ATP: Another 6 months to a year

Part 107 Investment

Part 107 is low-cost and fast:

• The written test costs around $175 
• If you’re already a Part 61 pilot, the online recurrent course is free 
• You can be certified within a few weeks

Blended Approach

Combining both means most cost is in flight training. After you’ve paid for Part 61 instruction, the Part 107 credential is just an extra step.

At Leopard Aviation, our Part 61 students often choose to expand their careers with Part 107. We provide study resources, test prep, and advice to help you make the most of both. Our goal is to help you get certified as efficiently as possible, whether you’re flying manned, remote, or both.

9. Complementary Paths

Why Hold Both Certificates?

• Versatility: You’re eligible for more work, aircraft, and drone missions. 
• Security: Having multiple qualifications lowers risk if one field faces slowdowns. 
• Skill synergy: Drone operations build situational awareness useful to manned pilots—and vice versa. 
• Employer demand: Some organizations want pilots who can handle both missions.

Path Recommendations

• If you aim to fly manned aircraft or work as a CFI or charter pilot, start with Part 61. Add Part 107 once you’re comfortable. 
• If drone work is your priority, get Part 107 first, then consider Part 61 later to broaden your skills. 
• Those already aiming for airline or turboprop careers should build professional flying credentials before adding drone certification.

How Leopard Aviation Helps

• We teach all Part 61 ratings and help students plan their certification path. 
• We support Part 107 certification with test preparation and document help. 
• We offer combined training pathways—schedule a flight review and drone knowledge prep together. 
• Our simulators and instructors provide real-world scenario training for both fields. 
• We connect students with drone job networks and manned aviation employers.

Your Certification If You Want Both

To earn both certificates:

1. Complete Private Pilot flight training (40-70 hours). 
2. Add Instrument and Commercial ratings to fly for pay. 
3. Complete a multi-engine rating. 
4. Prepare and pass Part 107 written test (as a current pilot). 
5. Maintain currency—flight reviews and drone recurrent training every 24 months. 

This blend gives you full flexibility: manned flight, drone operations, training roles, and more.

At Leopard Aviation, we walk this path with you. We help you decide which comes first, guide your progress, and smooth the transitions. Whether you’re interested in manned aircraft, drones, or both, our tailored aviation support sets you up for success, in the sky and beyond.

Your Flight Path Starts Here

Deciding between FAA Part 61 vs 107 comes down to your goals—manned flight or drone operations. Each path opens doors in aviation, and sometimes the best answer is both. 

At Leopard Aviation, we train aspiring pilots for traditional licenses under Part 61 and also guide current students through the steps to earn their Part 107 certification. 

Whether you’re flying high in a Cessna or capturing aerial footage with a drone, we’re here to help you build real skills, fast. Let’s chart the right course for your aviation journey—together.

FAQs

1. What is FAA Part 61?

Part 61 refers to manned aircraft pilot training, including Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Pilot certificates. Training under Part 61 offers more flexibility in scheduling and is ideal for students needing a custom pace or part-time instruction, such as through schools like Leopard Aviation.

2. What is FAA Part 107?

Part 107 governs the certification of commercial drone (UAS) pilots. It’s required for anyone flying a drone for business purposes. The certification process includes passing an FAA knowledge test on topics like airspace rules, weather, and drone operations.

3. Do I need both Part 61 and Part 107 licenses?

Only if you plan to fly both manned aircraft and drones commercially. A traditional airplane pilot doesn’t need a Part 107 certificate unless they also want to operate drones for commercial purposes. Each license is separate and requires its own training and exam.

4. Which path should I choose for a career in aviation?

If you want to fly manned aircraft professionally (airlines, charters, etc.), pursue Part 61 certification. If you’re interested in commercial drone work—photography, surveying, inspections—Part 107 is required. Your career goals determine which path makes the most sense.

5. Can a Part 61 pilot fly drones commercially?

Yes, but only with a current Part 107 certificate. While being a licensed pilot may waive the requirement for the aeronautical knowledge test, you must still apply for the Part 107 certification to operate drones legally for business purposes.