Registration scenarios

Use these with the primary registration process. Interfaces and fees change; follow current FAA/IACRA/PSI/DroneZone prompts. Never enter credentials, full SSNs, payment data, or ID images into repository records.

Scenario 1 — First-time applicant with no FAA certificate

Facts: Age 19, no existing airman certificate, legal name includes Jr.

1. In IACRA select Applicant, leave existing-certificate fields blank, and enter the full legal name including Jr. exactly as identification will show it.
2. Save the FTN; use the same identity and FTN in PSI.
3. Schedule UAG, pass, retain AKTR and 17-digit exam ID.
4. After result synchronization, submit Pilot → Remote Pilot Form 8710-13.
5. Monitor IACRA/email for TSA-vetting completion and temporary certificate.

Evidence: FTN stored securely, PSI confirmation, AKTR, submitted application ID, temporary/permanent certificate, recurrent-training reminder.

Failure recovery: Do not create a second IACRA account to fix an omitted suffix or mismatched test record. Use IACRA/PSI support and preserve case details.

Scenario 2 — Part 61 pilot with current flight review

Facts: Private pilot certificate; flight review completed 14 months ago.

1. Verify the flight review remains within the preceding 24 calendar months.
2. Complete FAASTeam ALC-451 and retain its certificate.
3. Submit the IACRA Remote Pilot application using the training-course basis.
4. Present application ID/FTN, government ID, Part 61 certificate, flight-review evidence, and ALC-451 certificate to an authorized validator.

Decision: An expired medical certificate alone does not define flight-review currency; verify all eligibility conditions rather than assuming either result.

Scenario 3 — Sub-250 g aircraft used for paid photography

Facts: Aircraft weighs 238 g; operator is paid for images.

Decision: This is a Part 107 operation. Register that individual aircraft in the Part 107 DroneZone inventory even though it is at or below 0.55 lb. The recreational weight exception does not apply. Evaluate Remote ID and all other operating gates separately.

Scenario 4 — Standard Remote ID aircraft

1. Confirm make/model and RID serial location with manufacturer documentation.
2. Verify the aircraft/serial basis against an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance.
3. In the Part 107 inventory add the Standard RID aircraft and exact RID serial.
4. Complete registration/payment; download certificate; mark aircraft externally.
5. At preflight confirm RID self-test/function. If RID stops broadcasting after launch, land as soon as practicable under §89.110.

Common error: Aircraft serial, RID serial, controller serial and FAA registration number are different identifiers; do not substitute one for another.

Scenario 5 — Legacy aircraft with broadcast module

1. Verify the module is on an FAA-accepted DoC and is compatible with the aircraft.
2. Add the Part 107 aircraft/device record using the aircraft make/model and the module's RID serial as current DroneZone prompts direct.
3. Retain the unique aircraft registration certificate and mark the aircraft.
4. Before takeoff ensure the module functions; maintain VLOS for the entire operation.
5. If broadcast stops, land as soon as practicable.

Moving a module between aircraft does not erase the requirement that each Part 107 aircraft be individually registered with accurate inventory information.

Scenario 6 — Recreational aircraft moves into Part 107 use

A recreational registration cannot be transferred between operation types. Create the aircraft's Part 107 registration before Part 107 use, obtain its Part 107 registration number/certificate, update the external marking, and ensure the RID inventory association is correct. Retain cancellation/history evidence as appropriate; never display or rely on an obsolete number.

Scenario 7 — Business owns aircraft; employee flies

Record the legal owner consistently in DroneZone and organizational asset system. The employee remote PIC must be certificated/current and carry or have accessible the aircraft registration certificate plus required approvals. Document custody, maintenance authority, RID serial, and who is responsible for renewal. Business ownership does not make the organization the remote PIC.

Scenario 8 — Legal name or address changes

Do not create a replacement identity. Follow the current FAA Airmen Certification and IACRA procedures for airman changes, and separately update DroneZone owner information where required. Check PSI identity alignment before any later test. Record effective date, confirmation and systems updated without storing sensitive ID.

Scenario 9 — Foreign operator or foreign-registered aircraft

Part 107 pilot/operator, DOT economic authority, aircraft recognition/registration, and Part 89 Notice/Confirmation of Identification are separate questions. A foreign-registered civil unmanned aircraft using RID requires the applicable NOI and Confirmation of Identification at the control station; filing does not create U.S. aircraft registration. Use FAA foreign-operator guidance and obtain qualified regulatory advice for the intended commercial operation.

Scenario 10 — Aircraft at or above 55 lb

The online Part 48 small-drone/Part 107 path is not applicable at 55 lb or more. Stop and determine the applicable aircraft certification, registration, pilot, operating and exemption/authorization framework. Do not “register it as Part 107” or remove payload only on paper; actual takeoff configuration controls.

Registration reconciliation checklist

• IACRA name, PSI record, certificate and photo ID align.
• One persistent FTN; no duplicate applicant identity.
• Each Part 107 aircraft has its own current registration/certificate.
• Physical make/model/serial and RID serial match DroneZone inventory.
• External marking matches current certificate.
• Standard/module DoC checked and evidence dated.
• Owner/operator/remote-PIC roles documented.
• Recency and registration expiration reminders assigned.