← Glossary
Drone & Flight
Recreational Exception
The carve-out (49 U.S.C. 44809) that lets hobbyists fly without a Part 107 certificate — strictly for fun, after passing the free TRUST safety test.
The moment a flight serves a business purpose — a listing photo, brokerage content, even an unpaid favor shoot for another agent — the exception no longer applies. Intent decides, not payment.
Why it matters for your listings
This is the most misunderstood rule in agent aviation. "I wasn’t paid" is not a defense; "it was purely for fun" is the only one, and your listing photos disprove it.
Related terms