If you fly drones commercially in the U.S., you must comply with Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) rules. FAA requirements around recordkeeping are where many pilots struggle. The tricky part is that the FAA doesn’t require a specific logbook. Yet during inspections or investigations, documentation is the first thing inspectors ask for.
doesn’t require a specific logbook. Yet during inspections or investigations, documentation is the first thing inspectors ask for.
This guide clarifies what matters in 2026. We’ll focus on FAA requirements for drone recordkeeping, not vendor tools or unnecessary paperwork. You’ll learn which records are explicitly required, which documents prove compliance, and how inspections and enforcement actually work. Whether you’re a solo Part 107 pilot or managing an enterprise fleet, this checklist helps you stay organized and audit-ready without extra effort.
FAA Recordkeeping Requirements: What Commercial Drone Operators Must Keep
The FAA does not require a single “drone logbook.” Instead, Part 107 compliance is demonstrated through records that inspectors can review. If you cannot show documentation proving legal operation, the FAA considers the operation noncompliant, even if no specific logbook is mandated.
Records serve as evidence that the pilot had valid credentials, the aircraft was registered, airspace rules were followed, Remote ID obligations were met, and the drone was safe to fly. Both explicitly required records and records maintained to demonstrate compliance carry equal weight during enforcement. Clear documentation prevents minor issues from escalating into violations.
FAA Records Every Part 107 Pilot Must Maintain
Some records are essential for legal operation under Part 107. If you cannot produce these documents, the operation itself is considered noncompliant. During inspections, audits, or investigations, the FAA reviews these records first.
Think of these documents as your baseline proof that you are authorized to fly; everything else in this guide builds on them.
1. Pilot Credentials
Every Part 107 operation must be conducted by a certificated remote pilot or under the direct supervision of one. The FAA expects operators to verify pilot eligibility at any time. This includes a valid Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA. While the certificate itself does not expire, recurrent training or testing is required to remain current.
Maintaining records of your most recent FAA-mandated recurrent training or test is critical proof that you are legally eligible to operate.
You must also be able to present a government-issued photo ID on demand. You don’t need to store the ID in a recordkeeping system, but it must be readily available during operations to confirm your identity.
2. Aircraft Registration Records
Every drone you use for Part 107 operations must be registered with the FAA and marked with its assigned registration number. You also need to maintain registration records for each aircraft you fly commercially.
These records should clearly show the aircraft’s make, model, serial number, and FAA registration number. Proof of registration can be digital or paper, but must be accessible for FAA review.
Registration records tie a specific aircraft to its legal authorization. If an aircraft cannot be matched to an active registration, the FAA treats it as unregistered, which constitutes a compliance violation. Maintaining clear, accessible registration documentation is therefore a fundamental part of FAA compliance.
3. Remote ID Compliance Records (Part 89)
Most Part 107 operations require you to comply with Remote ID requirements under Part 89. You need records that show how each aircraft meets those rules. If you fly a drone with Standard Remote ID, keep documentation that links the aircraft’s serial number to its FAA registration. If you use a broadcast module, maintain records showing the module’s serial number and how it is assigned to the aircraft.
During inspections or investigations, the FAA may ask you to prove that Remote ID requirements were met at the time of flight. Clear, well-organized Remote ID records allow you to demonstrate compliance quickly and avoid unnecessary delays or enforcement issues.
Next, let’s review the operational records you must maintain to demonstrate your Part 107 compliance.
FAA Operational Records for Part 107 Compliance
Operational records are not always explicitly required by Part 107, but they are essential for demonstrating that your flights comply with FAA rules. Inspectors rely on these records to confirm that your operations remained within airspace limits, complied with flight restrictions, and were conducted safely. Keeping accurate operational records helps protect you during audits or investigations.
1. Flight Records
You should log the date, time, and duration of each flight, along with the pilot in command and the aircraft used. Record the flight location, airspace classification, and purpose of the flight. These details allow the FAA to verify that each flight adhered to Part 107 rules, including airspace restrictions, daylight requirements, and operational limits.
2. Airspace Authorization & Waivers
If your operations require special approvals, such as LAANC authorizations or manual airspace approvals, you must maintain documentation of each authorization. Waivers for night operations or flights over people should also be recorded and linked with the corresponding flight. Keeping these records ensures you can prove each flight had the proper permissions when the FAA asks.
By maintaining thorough operational records, you demonstrate a consistent pattern of compliance and responsible flying. This also helps reduce risk during FAA inspections or enforcement actions.
Next, let’s focus on maintenance and airworthiness records, which show the FAA that your aircraft are safe and compliant for every flight.
Maintenance and Airworthiness Records Under FAA Expectations
Under Part 107, the FAA places responsibility for airworthiness squarely on the operator. Before each flight, the remote pilot in command must confirm that the aircraft is in a condition safe for operation.
While the FAA does not prescribe a specific maintenance log format, it expects operators to be able to show how they meet this responsibility if questions arise. Maintenance records are how you demonstrate that your aircraft was airworthy at the time of flight.
1. Maintenance Log Requirements
Maintenance records should document routine inspections, repairs, and component replacements. This includes noting the date work was performed, what was done, and who completed it, whether the pilot or a qualified technician.
Record any firmware and software updates as well, since these updates can directly affect flight performance and safety.
These records help establish a clear maintenance history. If the FAA investigates an incident, maintenance logs allow inspectors to determine whether mechanical issues or deferred maintenance contributed to the event.
2. Battery & Power System Records
Batteries are a frequent focus in FAA investigations because power issues are a common cause of drone incidents. You should maintain records identifying each battery, tracking charge cycles, and noting any signs of degradation or damage. When you remove a battery from service, record the reason.
These battery records demonstrate that you properly managed your power systems and did not operate unsafe equipment. After incidents involving loss of power or unexpected landings, this documentation becomes especially important.
By keeping strong maintenance and battery records, you show the FAA that you took reasonable steps to ensure safety, meeting their expectations under Part 107.
Next, let’s cover the records you need to keep after incidents, accidents, or deviations.
FAA Records Required After Incidents, Accidents, or Deviations
Certain events trigger specific FAA documentation and reporting expectations. When an incident, accident, or operational deviation occurs, your records become essential for showing what happened and how you responded.
The FAA reviews post-event records to determine whether the operation complied with Part 107, whether the aircraft was airworthy, and whether you took appropriate corrective actions. Clear documentation helps you establish the facts and reduces uncertainty during reviews.
1. FAA Reporting Thresholds
Under Part 107, you must report certain events to the FAA within 10 calendar days.
This includes accidents that cause serious injury to anyone or damage property beyond the FAA’s reporting threshold. Damage to your drone itself does not count.
Knowing these thresholds is important. Properly documenting the event ensures you meet FAA expectations if your operation is reviewed later.
2. Incident & Deviation Documentation
After an incident, record the date, time, and location, the aircraft involved, and the nature of the event. Include events such as loss of control, flyaways, hard landings, or deviations from approved airspace or operational limits. Document what occurred and the corrective actions you took to show responsible handling.
Include flight logs, maintenance records, and battery history as part of your documentation. The FAA uses these records to reconstruct events and assess whether equipment condition, pilot decisions, or environmental factors contributed to the issue.
3. How These Records Are Used
During enforcement or compliance reviews, your post-incident records show the FAA whether you met your obligations before and after the event. Clear, accurate documentation can stop a reportable incident from turning into a bigger compliance issue. Missing or incomplete records often raise additional questions beyond the original event.
Keeping thorough incident records demonstrates your accountability and strengthens your overall compliance under FAA requirements.
Next, let’s review how long you should keep each type of FAA-related record to stay compliant and ready for inspections.
FAA Record Retention Guidelines
The FAA does not publish a single rule that defines exact retention periods for every Part 107 record. Instead, retention expectations are shaped by inspection practices, enforcement history, and the length of time records may be needed to verify compliance after a flight.
In practice, retention is about producing records when the FAA asks, not just immediately after an operation.
1. Flight Record Retention
You should keep your flight records for 12 to 24 months. This timeframe reflects how long the FAA may request flight data during airspace reviews, Remote ID checks, or investigations triggered by complaints. Maintaining at least a year of flight history allows you to verify when and where each flight occurred and under what authority.
2. Maintenance Record Retention
You must retain maintenance and airworthiness records for the entire service life of your aircraft. These records support your preflight airworthiness checks and are often reviewed after incidents or equipment failures. Many operators also keep maintenance records for a period after an aircraft is retired, as past conditions may still be relevant.
3. Pilot Training Record Retention
You must keep your Remote Pilot Certificate and recurrent training records for as long as you conduct Part 107 operations. Older records can be archived, but they must remain accessible. These documents demonstrate continuity of qualification and confirm that you were properly current for past flights.
4. Incident & Deviation Record Retention
You must retain records of incidents, accidents, and deviations until all related FAA reviews, enforcement actions, and insurance matters are fully resolved. Many operators keep these records indefinitely. Disposing of them too early can raise compliance concerns once a record becomes part of an investigation.
5. Digital vs Paper Records
The FAA accepts both digital and paper records as long as they are complete, legible, and retrievable. Digital records are commonly used because they simplify long-term storage, searching, and backups. Regardless of format, records must remain accessible and protected against loss.
Next, let’s look at how you can keep records electronically and still meet FAA expectations.
Electronic Recordkeeping and FAA Acceptability
The FAA accepts electronic flight logs, maintenance records, and training records for Part 107 operations. You can keep these records digitally as long as they clearly show the date of the activity, the aircraft involved, the pilot, and the type of operation. Paper records are not required. Clear proof of compliance is.
Your electronic records must be easy to review. FAA inspectors need to read them without special software, passwords, or technical workarounds. During an inspection, you should be able to display or export records quickly from a phone, tablet, computer, or cloud system.
If records cannot be accessed or understood on demand, the FAA may treat them as unavailable.
1. Electronic Signatures & Timestamps
Electronic signatures are acceptable when they clearly identify who completed the record. Time stamps are equally important. They show when a flight occurred, when maintenance was performed, or when training was completed.
Records without dates, clear attribution, or timing details are often viewed as incomplete during FAA review.
2. Data Integrity & Record Protection
You must keep original entries intact. If a record is edited, the change should be visible and traceable. This helps the FAA trust the accuracy of your records.
You also need reliable backups. Protect records from device failure, accidental deletion, or data loss. From the FAA’s perspective, maintaining record integrity over time is part of compliance, not an optional best practice.
FAA Drone Recordkeeping Compliance Checklist
This checklist brings everything together. It’s aligned with FAA requirements and inspection reality. Use it as a monthly self-audit or before high-risk operations.
Pilot Records
- Remote Pilot Certificate current
- Recurrent training or test completion documented
- Government-issued photo ID is available during flight operations
Aircraft & Registration
- FAA registration is active for each aircraft
- Registration number marked on the aircraft
- Make, model, serial number, and registration are linked in the records
Remote ID (Part 89)
- The Remote ID method is identified for each aircraft
- Serial numbers documented (standard Remote ID or broadcast module)
- Compliance documentation retained
Flight Documentation
- Flight date, time, and duration recorded
- The pilot in command identified
- Aircraft assigned to the flight
- Location and airspace class documented
- Flight purpose recorded
Airspace Approvals
- LAANC authorizations retained
- Manual airspace approvals archived
- Active waivers are documented and accessible
Maintenance & Batteries
- Inspection history documented
- Repairs, replacements, and firmware updates logged
- Battery identification and charge tracking are maintained
- Removed batteries documented
Incidents & Deviations
- Reportable events documented
- FAA notifications are submitted when required
- Supporting records retained
Record Retention
- Flight records are retained for 12–24 months
- Maintenance records retained for aircraft life
- Pilot records retained for Part 107 activity duration
- Incident records are retained until all matters are closed
Electronic Records
- Records are legible and retrievable
- Time stamps present
- Attribution clear
- Backups maintained
This checklist helps you stay organized and audit-ready at all times. Consistently following it ensures compliance with FAA recordkeeping requirements and makes inspections or investigations straightforward.
Next, let’s explore how gaps in the documents mentioned above often lead to FAA findings, inspections, and enforcement actions.
FAA Recordkeeping Failures and Enforcement
Most FAA enforcement actions tied to Part 107 operations do not start with reckless flying. They start with missing or incomplete records. When inspectors cannot verify compliance through documentation, even minor issues can escalate into violations.
Here are the common recordkeeping issues:
1. Missing Remote ID documentation
Failing to maintain proof of Remote ID compliance is a frequent issue. Without records linking an aircraft to its Remote ID broadcast or module, the FAA may treat flights as noncompliant.
This is especially common when broadcast modules are swapped between aircraft without documentation.
2. Incomplete Maintenance History
When a crash, flyaway, or hard landing occurs, the FAA often requests maintenance and battery records. If these records do not exist, the FAA may question whether the aircraft was airworthy before the flight.
3. Gaps in Flight Records
Incomplete or missing flight logs, including dates, locations, pilot in command, or airspace authorizations, limit the operator’s ability to prove compliance. During audits, these gaps can turn routine operations into enforcement cases.
In enforcement actions, weak recordkeeping often expands the scope of review.
What begins as a single flight inquiry can turn into a broader compliance assessment simply because records cannot confirm safe and lawful operations. Clean, consistent documentation keeps reviews focused and limited.
Conclusion
FAA compliance in 2026 is less about the volume of paperwork and more about clarity and the availability of records. The FAA doesn’t expect perfection, but it does expect you to prove compliance when asked. Clear documentation lets you do that without stress or last-minute scrambling.
If you fly under Part 107, your records are your first line of defense. They show that you were properly certificated, authorized, and operating within FAA rules at the time of each flight. When your records are organized and accessible, inspections stay straightforward and focused.
Think of recordkeeping as proof of safe, legal, and professional operations rather than administrative overhead. Consistent documentation across flights, maintenance, and incidents strengthens compliance and protects both your operation and your pilots.
Ready to simplify FAA recordkeeping for your drone operations?
Become a DroneU member and explore DroneU’s Part 107 training to learn exactly what records matter, how to maintain them, and how to stay compliant as FAA expectations evolve through 2026 and beyond.
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