Flying a drone commercially opens up many profession alternatives, from working within the information to actual property, building, and land surveying roles.
Nonetheless, you want a license earlier than you launch your drone to your first business challenge.
This information will take you thru the necessities of acquiring a Half 107 license, answering all of your most burning questions alongside the way in which.
You’ll be taught the place to take the FAA examination, what it’s essential know to cross the examination, how lengthy your license lasts, the best way to renew it, and extra.
Who wants a Half 107 license? What dimension drone requires an FAA license?
Let’s begin with the fundamentals.
All drone pilots require a license in the US. Nonetheless, it’s a distinct license for business versus leisure pilots.
Business pilots should take the Half 107 examination to earn a Half 107 license, which is also called a Distant Pilot Certificates.
The FAA points these licenses.
What dimension drone requires an FAA license? Your drone should weigh below 55 kilos to be eligible for flights within the US, so any drone below that dimension can solely fly with a license.
» MORE: How I Handed Half 107 (And the Course That Helped Me Do It)
How (and the place) can I take the Half 107 take a look at?
The one factor mendacity between you and your business drone license is the Half 107 examination.
Let’s assessment the steps for taking the take a look at so that you may be one step nearer to turning into an official FAA drone license holder.
Step 1 – Meet the eligibility necessities
First-time drone pilots should meet particular standards laid out by the FAA.
You should be deemed in ample psychological and bodily situation to function a drone safely. You will need to even have a full comprehension of English, that means you may perceive, write, communicate, and skim it.
Moreover, you should be a minimum of 16 years outdated.
Step 2 – Get your FAA Monitoring Quantity
As soon as you establish whether or not you’re eligible to enroll to take the Half 107 examination, you subsequent want your FAA Monitoring Quantity or FTN.
For those who don’t have already got an account, create one on the Built-in Airman Certification and Score Utility web site.
When registering on the IACRA website, choose Applicant, then select your instructors, certifying officers, and admin. You’ll additionally should comply with IACRA’s phrases of service when registering.
Step 3 – Schedule your take a look at at a Information Testing Heart
The Half 107 examination is an in-person take a look at. You’ll be able to renew your examination on-line however can not take the preliminary take a look at on-line as of this writing.
You’ll should discover a bodily testing heart, also called a Information Testing Heart, on the FAA’s permitted record. You’ll be able to peruse the record right here (which requires an FAA login).
When you discover a Information Testing Heart close to you, register to take the Half 107 examination at a date and time that works to your schedule. You will need to have a government-issued picture ID to confirm your identification, so pack that with you early, as you could overlook on the day of the take a look at attributable to jitters.
Step 4 – Take the Half 107 examination
The Unmanned Plane Normal – Small (UAG) take a look at–higher often called the Half 107 examination–is a 60-question quiz. Every of the questions is multiple-choice, and also you’re given three choices to select from: A, B, or C.
The Half 107 examination exams your proficiency within the entirety of the FAA’s drone legal guidelines, so the take a look at questions depart no stone unturned.
Count on questions on these subjects:
- Nighttime drone operations
- Preflight inspection procedures
- Drone upkeep
- Flight judgment and decision-making
- The physiological results of alcohol and medicines on drone flight
- Small unmanned plane efficiency
- Speaking on the radio
- Managing crew sources
- Emergency procedures
- Drone loading and efficiency
- How climate impacts drones
- Drone working necessities
- Airspace classifications
- Flight restrictions
You’re given two hours to finish all of the questions on the examination. Any questions you don’t reply shall be marked incorrectly.
You will need to rating 70 p.c to cross the Half 107 examination, which implies answering 42 of the 60 questions appropriately.
Since you may solely rise up to 18 questions mistaken if you wish to cross, handle your time effectively. and research prematurely. We’ll have a complete part on finding out for the examination arising.
Step 5 – Apply to your license
When you cross the Half 107 examination, you need to then apply for the certificates. You’ll once more log into IACRA to do that.
After logging in, choose the Begin New Utility possibility on the web site. Select Utility Kind, then Pilot, then Certifications “Distant Pilot,” Different Path Info, and Begin Utility.
You’ll then fill out FAA Kind 8710-13 through the appliance prompts. You’ll have to enter your Information Check Examination ID, which is 17 digits.
You’ll have to wait a minimum of 48 hours after taking your take a look at to acquire this ID, as it may take that lengthy to your take a look at outcomes to point out up within the IACRA portal.
Embody your digital signature on FAA Kind 8710-13 and submit it. You’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail once you do this and adjust to the TSA background test.
The affirmation e-mail has directions on printing a replica of your IACRA distant pilot certificates.
That is solely a brief license, as the actual one will come within the mail from FAA after the group processes your software.
Within the meantime, you should use the IACRA certificates like the actual Distant Pilot Certificates.
How do I research for the Half 107 take a look at?
It’s not free to take the Half 107 examination. You’ll pay $175 to the Information Testing Heart earlier than your take a look at.
For those who fail, you’re free to retake the examination. There’s no restrict on retest makes an attempt, however for the sake of your pockets, you’ll need there to be.
That’s why we really useful finding out within the final part, and we’ll reiterate the significance of finding out now.
Happily, there exist a number of glorious drone sources for prepping for the Half 107 examination. Listed here are 4 of our favorites.
Pilot Institute
Pilot Institute has a top-notch Half 107 examination prep course. Greater than 65,000 college students have used Pilot Institute to organize for the FAA examination as of this writing.
The instructors at Pilot Institute divide the content material into 15 hours. It’s all video content material, so you can begin it, pause it, and resume it as your schedule permits. The movies are quick so you may simply digest the knowledge, and naturally, you may rewatch the content material as wanted.
To additional allow you to prep, Pilot Institute provides 20 quizzes that mimic what you’ll see on the actual Half 107 examination. You can even take an infinite variety of observe exams. Altogether, these quizzes and observe exams have over 300 questions.
The course prices $249. We acknowledge that it’s pricey on high of the value you’ll pay to take the Half 107 examination, however you personal the supplies for all times.
Plus, Pilot Institute guarantees you’ll cross the FAA take a look at the primary time round, or they’ll refund you in full and difficulty you $175 to go towards your subsequent take a look at try.
Drone Pilot Floor College
Drone Pilot Floor College is another choice to think about if you happen to’re occupied with Half 107 prep earlier than you sit all the way down to take the examination. This drone faculty has a mix of text-based and video classes, with greater than 70 out there.
Drone Pilot Floor College curriculum was created by way of the collective information of a former Half 141 flight faculty chief pilot and a Gold Seal-certified flight teacher.
After absorbing the video and textual content content material at your personal tempo, you may prep for the upcoming FAA examination with 5 observe exams and lesson quizzes. The questions embrace actual FAA content material used on Half 107 exams.
Drone Pilot Floor College additionally provides a cram sheet with 12 pages of takeaways to assessment on take a look at day. For those who want additional assist nonetheless, you may search the Q&A database, the Drone Pilot Information Heart, or contact Drone Pilot Floor College for one-on-one help.
You’ll have entry to your supplies for a lifetime after paying. Drone Pilot Floor College has a hit price of over 99 p.c however nonetheless provides a money-back assure if you happen to don’t cross the FAA examination. You’ll additionally obtain $175 from the varsity to your subsequent take a look at try.
Peltier Distant Pilot Coaching
One other nice possibility that will help you prep for the Half 107 examination is Peltier Distant Pilot Coaching. John Peltier leads the coaching. He additionally provides images programs if you happen to’re !
For $139, Peltier’s course will take you thru 10 hours of Half 107 coaching unfold out into 37 video classes. Every lesson consists of textual content outlines. The course additionally features a printable research information and teacher help with John himself by way of e-mail and reside chat.
Take a observe examination that features questions FAA used on previous Half 107 exams. Evaluation Peltier’s test-taking ideas, chat within the Pilot Lounge group, and observe the post-test walkthrough and certification steps so that you do all the pieces appropriately and get your license in hand quick.
FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Check Prep
Peltier has fairly the expertise, making him certified to show about images and drones in separate programs. He was part of the U.S. Air Pressure as an F-15E flight teacher for a decade.
We earn a fee if you happen to make a purchase order, at no extra price to you.
Drone Professional Academy
Do you wish to be taught drone fundamentals shortly to organize for the Half 107 examination? Drone Professional Academy is the selection for you. Its FAA Half 107 bootcamp for $197 has two hours of classes damaged into a number of modules for simply digesting the supplies.
The primary module covers drone guidelines, which you’ll be examined on through the Half 107 examination, and the second module is all about crew useful resource administration. The third module covers plane efficiency, the fourth is about climate, and the fifth module goes over VFR charts and airspace guidelines.
When you wrap up, you may take a observe examination. There’s additionally an included part on the best way to full the post-exam IACRA kind.
Greater than 15,000 drone pilots have chosen Drone Professional Academy to cross the Half 107 examination.
What number of hours does it take to check for the examination?
There isn’t any proper period of time to check for the FAA Half 107 examination. All of it will depend on the way you be taught and retain data.
For those who enroll in one of many drone prep programs we really useful above, you’ll spend a minimum of 10 hours on the course materials. You’re additionally inspired to make use of cram sheets and observe quizzes by yourself time.
That doesn’t imply you solely have to check for 10 hours, in fact. You’ll be able to double or triple that point if you would like.
A great rule of thumb is to spend a minimum of an hour finding out for the examination per day. This manner, you may juggle your Half 107 examination prep with different obligations like work and college. The sheer quantity of finding out it’s important to do additionally gained’t really feel so overwhelming.
The extra time you research, the extra well-prepared you’ll really feel for the FAA business drone examination. That may put you in a greater place to cross so that you don’t should pay to take the take a look at once more.
How a lot does it price to grow to be an FAA drone pilot?
That is one other query that’s troublesome to reply. Somewhat, it’s extra complicated.
If we’re speaking solely about the price of taking the Half 107 examination, that’s $175. Assuming you cross the primary time round, you’ll solely should pay that price as soon as.
Nonetheless, there are different related charges with turning into a business drone pilot, together with the next:
- Buying a drone ($50 to $2,000 and up)
- Drone registration ($5 per drone)
- Drone prep course
- Drone insurance coverage
- Filming and images permits (price varies)
Is turning into a drone pilot troublesome?
Sure, turning into a drone pilot is troublesome. The FAA needs to make sure that solely probably the most certified pilots take to the skies.
In any case, drones could be toys to some individuals, however they’re nonetheless aerial autos, and flying them is a superb duty.
Probably the most troublesome a part of all the course of by far isn’t registering with IACRA or filling out paperwork however passing the Half 107 examination.
That’s why finding out and preparation repay a lot, as goes getting a very good evening’s sleep the evening earlier than the take a look at (nearly as good an evening as you may muster, anyway) and consuming a filling meal the day of.
How lengthy is the FAA drone license good for?
Whew. You enrolled in a web based drone prep course and handed the Half 107 examination. It was troublesome, however you probably did it. You couldn’t be happier, and also you’ve used your drone on daily basis since.
Take pleasure in your Distant Pilot Certificates whilst you have it, because it’s not legitimate ceaselessly. The license expires two years after it’s issued to you.
The FAA does this deliberately. Unmanned plane tips and guidelines change on a regular basis. The FAA ensures you’ll keep present on these altering tips by requiring you to recertify your license each two years.
How do I get my drone pilot license if I have already got a manned pilot’s license?
Are you a manned pilot trying to get into flying unmanned business plane to earn some extra cash on the aspect? For those who maintain a Half 61 certificates, the strategies for acquiring a Distant Pilot Certificates differ.
Let’s go over what it’s essential know.
Step 1 – Meet the eligibility necessities
Pilots with an present Half 61 certificates will need to have a license issued in keeping with 14 CFR Half 61 requirements. Additional, you need to have had a flight assessment prior to now 24 months.
Step 2 – Make a FAASTeam account
For those who don’t have an present FAA Security Staff or FAASTeam account, create one now.
Step 3 – Take a web based coaching course
Subsequent, you’ll take the Half 107 Small UAS Preliminary (ALC-451) take a look at, a web based course that goes over the next topics:
- Nighttime drone operations
- Preflight inspections
- Drone upkeep
- Small unmanned plane efficiency
- Crew useful resource administration
- Emergency procedures
- Drone loading and efficiency
- How climate impacts drones
- Flight operations
- Drone limitations
- Unmanned plane system rankings privileges
Step 4 – Request your certificates
For those who don’t have an IACRA account, observe the hyperlink from earlier on this information to enroll. In any other case, log into IACRA and fill out Kind 8710-13.
Choose Begin New Utility, Utility Kind “Pilot,” then Certifications “Distant Pilot,” Different Path Info, and Begin Utility to search out the shape.
Signal your identify electronically on the shape and submit it.
Step 5 – Validate your identification
Right here’s the place issues diverge. You will need to subsequent validate your identification by way of an airman certification consultant, FAA-designated pilot examiner, or an FAA Flight Requirements District Workplace.
You’ll want a web based course completion certificates, picture ID, proof of your newest flight assessment, and Kind 8710-13.
Step 6 – Get your software signed
The consultant you undergo will signal the appliance and administer a brief airman certificates for drone operation. The FAA will later ship your actual certificates within the mail, however it’s going to take just a few weeks.
You should utilize the short-term airman certificates the identical means you’ll a business examination.
I’m not flying drones for cash – Do I nonetheless want a license?
What if you happen to’re not aspiring to grow to be a business pilot however solely wish to use your drone for enjoyable? Even hobbyists will need to have a drone certificates below FAA legislation.
Nonetheless, you do not want a Distant Pilot Certificates. As a substitute, the certificates for leisure drone pilots is the TRUST license.
The FAA administers The Distant UAS Security Check or TRUST examination to hobbyists. This examination differs from the Half 107 examination in a number of substantial methods.
For one, you don’t should pay to take it. Second, you don’t should take the TRUST take a look at in an FAA-approved testing heart. You’ll be able to sit down and reply the questions wherever you want, because the take a look at is on-line, not with paper and pencil.
You don’t should reply as many questions, both. The TRUST take a look at has about 20 questions versus the 60 on the Half 107 examination.
It’s additionally far simpler to cross. Anytime you reply a query on the TRUST examination, you may see whether or not you bought it proper or mistaken. Additional, if you happen to reply a query mistaken, you may change your reply then and there earlier than transferring on to the following query.
It’s unattainable to fail the TRUST examination!
The final distinction is the period of the license. The TRUST certificates by no means expires. Do remember that if you happen to misplace your TRUST certificates, you need to take the examination once more.
My drone pilot license is about to run out – How do I renew it?
Recalling that business drone licenses are solely legitimate for 2 years, the time will inevitably come when it’s important to renew yours.
The FAA used to require pilots to take the Half 107 examination once more, then repeatedly each two years for so long as they wished a sound license. Now the coverage has modified.
You’ll be able to renew your drone examination without cost by taking a web based take a look at. Listed here are the steps to get began.
Step 1 – Signal into your FAA Security account
For those who don’t have already got an account on the FAA Security web site, register for one now. Subsequent, log into your account.
Step 2 – Join the renewal course
On the FAA Security web site, select Actions, then Programs, Seminars, and Webinars. The out there programs are highlighted in blue.
Hold scrolling till you see ALC-677. Enroll within the course.
Step 3 – Take the coaching course
Put aside two hours for FAA coaching. The course has six classes or modules, together with an introduction.
Step 4 – Take the take a look at
After going by way of the coaching supplies, you have to be able to take the FAA business renewal examination.
The take a look at consists of 45 questions, all multiple-choice. You’re given 90 minutes to finish the examination.
Just like the TRUST examination, the FAA business renewal examination shows mistaken solutions whilst you’re taking the take a look at. Be sure you right any solutions you bought mistaken, as you need to cross the renewal examination with a one hundred pc rating.
We detailed all of the steps for renewing your business examination in additional element right here.
How can I see if somebody has a license with the FAA to fly drones?
You will have choices for wanting into them if you happen to’re interested by another person’s drone flight credentials. You should utilize an FAA website known as the Airman Inquiry.
You will need to know their final identify and certificates holder, however all different data you may enter is elective. That features the pilot’s first identify, date of delivery, metropolis, state, and parachute seal image.
After typing on this data, the Airman Inquiry website will discover you the pilot in query.
Conclusion
A business drone license is necessary for legally flying within the US. For the reason that hardest a part of the method is passing the Half 107 examination, take as a lot time as it’s essential research, then register to your take a look at. Good luck!
