FAQs
What makes VLA different from a Part 107 drone pilot?
1
A Part 107 pilot is certified to operate small commercial drones under 55 pounds within default operating rules. VLA is a UAS systems integrator and regulatory consultancy — we design, modify, and certify aircraft; navigate FAA, FCC, EASA, and Transport Canada rulemaking; and deploy heavy-lift platforms up to 99.3 kg MTOW. Services include custom airframe engineering, flight controller integration (ArduPilot, PX4), payload and sensor integration, flight log diagnostics, and end-to-end regulatory strategy. Since 2006, VLA has logged over 4,000 flight hours and trained 80+ pilots globally. We serve clients whose missions exceed what off-the-shelf drones and Part 107 operators can deliver.
6
What is the maximum weight drone VLA is authorized to operate?
2
Victor Lee & Associates holds FAA Section 44807 authority to operate unmanned aircraft up to 99.3 kg (219 lb) maximum takeoff weight — one of only a few US-issued authorizations at that weight class. VLA's authorization spans the 88 lb (40 kg), 131 lb (59 kg), and 219 lb (99 kg) MTOW tiers, covering the full commercial heavy-lift range. This is combined with FCC equipment authorization, Part 61 and Part 107 remote pilot certification, and international approvals from EASA, UK CAA, and Transport Canada.
What's the difference between Part 107 and Section 44807?
3
Is VLA NDAA and Blue UAS compliant?
Part 107, the Small UAS Rule, governs commercial drone operations under 55 pounds and offers a streamlined certification pathway — a written knowledge test, a Remote Pilot Certificate, and a set of default operational rules. Part 107 does not apply to unmanned aircraft over 55 pounds and certain rules within Part 107 cannot be waived. Section 44807 is the pathway for operations outside those limits: heavy-lift aircraft, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), night operations without standard lighting, operations over people in non-permitted conditions, and other complex missions. Section 44807 requires a formal petition, safety risk analysis, and individualized FAA review.
5
What is FAA Section 44807, and who needs it?
4
Does VLA provide services outside the US?
Section 44807 (formally 49 U.S.C. §44807) is the statutory authority that allows the FAA to approve operation of unmanned aircraft systems that fall outside Part 107 — primarily drones weighing 55 pounds or more at takeoff Lithium Aerials. Operators apply for an exemption on a case-by-case basis by demonstrating their aircraft, pilot qualifications, and operational procedures meet an equivalent level of safety to manned aviation. Industries that commonly require Section 44807 authorization include heavy-lift cargo, broadcast and cinematography, agricultural spraying, infrastructure inspection, and public safety. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 extended Section 44807 authority through 2033 LinkedIn.
Yes. Victor Lee & Associates holds international certifications including EASA A1/A3 ENAC Italy, valid through January 2031, UK CAA BNUC-S, and Transport Canada RPAS. VLA has operated on three continents and in eight countries, including SORA-authorized operations in the European Union and complex-airspace work in North America and the United Kingdom. For international drone manufacturers seeking entry into the US commercial market, VLA provides regulatory pathway consulting covering FAA Section 44807, FCC equipment authorization (SDoC), NDAA compliance alignment, and state-level operational requirements.
VLA advises clients on NDAA Section 848 compliance and the Blue UAS framework, including the most recent expansion of the FCC Covered List in December 2025. For public safety, federal, and government clients requiring NDAA-compliant procurement, VLA evaluates airframe components, flight controllers, radios, and data links against current federal restrictions — and builds or specifies platforms that meet those standards from day one. VLA maintains awareness of evolving requirements from the FAA, DoD Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and FCC as these frameworks continue to develop through 2026 and beyond.