Final answer:
The operation of a 1280 g quadcopter for personal enjoyment is subject to 14 CFR part 107 only if it is used for commercial purposes. For strictly recreational flight, it is regulated under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft but must be registered if over 0.55 pounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The operation of a 1280 g (2.8lb) quadcopter for personal enjoyment is subject to 14 CFR part 107 if it is used for anything other than strictly recreational purposes. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), any unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms) must be registered for recreational flying. However, 14 CFR part 107, also known as the Small UAS Rule, applies to the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including quadcopters.
If the quadcopter is flown strictly for personal enjoyment and not for commercial purposes, it is regulated under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Public Law 112-95 Section 336), not under 14 CFR part 107. Nevertheless, hobbyists are still required to follow certain safety guidelines established by community-based organizations and to register the drone if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds. It is essential to note that if at any point the quadcopter use transitions to commercial operations, 14 CFR part 107 rules would then apply.