There are new criteria out for the 107.39 waiver. Read on below.

We’re going to leave this link up because we’ve been told folks have bookmarked it to come back once the new policy is out. But all of the information need for a 107.39 waiver is here.

Here is the backstory that prompted Vic to apply for an OOP Waiver. Vic was flying his DJI Mini 3 Pro indoors at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver last May during AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL. The FAA was present (obviously) and suggested Vic apply for an OOP Waiver using that drone. The FAA employee said give him a good safety case and he’ll approve it.

So Vic did. And he was granted a 107.39/107.145 Waiver on 8/15/23. It was the first waiver ever granted for specifically for the DJI Mini 3, and it’s good until the end of 2027. After some back and forth emails to correct a mathematical error on Vic’s part, and to get some clarification on some other parts, it was finally going to be approved. At that point, Vic was told “So what we are doing is a memo to allow this operation… not only for you, but for others as well.. we are almost done with it..”. That means that if someone sends in a waiver application similar to Vic’s it will be approved w/o having to go through the entire scrutiny that other waivers would require.

It wasn’t quite a summary grant type situation, but close. It shows that the FAA really wants to relax the OOP requirements, but they need the waiver data to do that.

And remember, make sure you follow all of the waiver provisions. That is vital to this becoming commonplace in the industry. 

Once you have this waiver, it will literally open up many new areas the skies for you and your business. Vic has been able to fly such things as a Division 1 Football game at CSU, as well as over The Vegas Strip when he was filming the Bellagio Fountains while at Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas.

Some useful links:

Hi-Vis vests: https://www.amazon.com/Visibility-Reflective-Customize-Protective-Workwear/dp/B09R1NMV19?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

DSPA Join or Donate: https://dspalliance.org/join-us/

DSPA is a Colorado based, member supported, 510(c)(6). We appreciate any and all support. Funds raised are used to cover travel expenses for Vic and Kenji while attending such events are the Advance Aviation Advisory Committee, Drone Safety Team, FAA Symposium, and others. They do not draw a salary for any work done with DSPA. We firmly believe a rising tide lifts all boats, and we have boats in the water too.

If you’re looking to get your 107, you can’t do any better than Pilot Institute. They have a phenomenal pass rate for 107 tests, along with many other classes. And if you have a new DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini 4 Pro, make sure you check out their Deep Dives on both drones. They’re free and are full of great information.

Free DJI Mini 4 Pro Deep Dive: https://pilotinstitute.com/course/dji-mini-4-pro-deep-dive/

Free DJI Mini 3 Pro Deep Dive: https://pilotinstitute.com/course/dji-mini-3-pro-deep-dive/

And if you need to purchase on of these little powerhouse drones, Check out Blue Skies Drones: https://www.blueskiesdroneshop.com/

You’ll find that awesome people at both of those companies. And they are people that love drones and support our industry.

And if you’re interested in finding out more about Drone Service Providers, check us out too: https://dspalliance.org/

And finally, we have many politicians at both the national and local level that are trying to keep DJI and Autel drones out of the hands of those who really need them. And we have American drone companies using their lobbying monies to doing that very same thing. Drone Advocacy Alliance is a non-partisan, grassroots advocacy coalition formed to help educate lawmakers about the dangers of basing restrictions and bans on such things as country of origin.

If you want to help fight this, join DSPA, Dronesense, Hollywood Drone, Pilot Institute, DJI, Flytbase, and many others as we work together to keep politics out of our industry. Help us keep our skies safe, and our drones apolitical. Check out what you can do at https://droneadvocacyalliance.com/. It’s a simple as filling our your contact info to stay informed about legislation that can harm your business. Also follow the DAA on X, https://twitter.com/daa_drones.

Good luck with the waiver, and as always: fly safe!