“The meek shall inherit the earth. The rest of us will take to the sky!”
If you want to fly a drone commercially in the United States, you’ll need to get an FAA Part 107 Certification. This certification process can seem daunting, but we’re here to help. This FAA Remote Pilot website provides you with an overview of what you need to do and the tools necessary to obtain and maintain your Commercial sUAS Certification. We also provide various pilot resources to help you successfully plan your flights and safely execute missions.
How to Get Started
The first step is to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. You must be at least 16 years old and have a valid US driver’s license. You’ll also need to be able to pass a written exam, which covers topics such as FAA regulations, weather, and airspace.
Next, you will need proper training. You can either take an FAA-approved course or study on your own. Our Remote PIC University blog will help you prepare for the written exam and provide you with the necessary knowledge to operate a drone safely and responsibly. You will also find various tips and ideas on how to manage and operate your drone business.
Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll need to pass the FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test. This is a 60-question multiple-choice exam that you can take at an FAA-approved testing center, and you must answer 70% of them correctly to pass.
You will then need to create an FAA account and log in to the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. From there, you’ll need to fill out an application and pay the $150 fee.
After you’ve completed all of the requirements, you’ll be issued your FAA Part 107 Certification. Congratulations – you’re now ready to start flying drones commercially!
Just remember to always fly safely and responsibly.
How to Renew
The Part 107 remote pilot certificate is not immediately revoked or invalidated if you do not fly for 24 months. The FAA, however, requires drone pilots to renew their expertise every 24 months. If drone pilots do not get the required training within that time period, they will be unable to operate under their license.
The renewal procedure previously necessitated taking an aeronautical expertise test at an FAA-approved testing facility, but drone pilots can now finish the online training course “Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Non-Part 61 Pilots” on FAASafety.gov to fulfill this requirement. This course is free of charge and takes around 2 hours to complete.
The recurring training portions are considerably shorter than the previous certification. At the conclusion of each portion, there are a few short quiz questions to verify your understanding. Overall, it can be a helpful refresher course, but it is not meant to be a substitute for comprehensive initial training.
When you’ve completed the training and passed the test, make sure to print your completion certificate. It is the pilot’s duty to have their FAA remote pilot certificate on them when flying a drone, and the FAA also advises keeping your most recent knowledge training results handy. If questioned, these documents can serve as proof of your current knowledge.