How do I get a drone license?
A "drone" license is legally called a "remote pilot certificate." It is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, which is the agency that controls flight inside the United States "national airspace system." It is the new "basic" pilot license, as it allows you to fly an unmanned aircraft in the same sky that manned aircraft fly in by following the rules that keep aircraft safely separated from each other.
You qualify for a Remote Pilot Certificate by taking and passing the FAA drone knowledge exam. The exam has 60 multiple choice questions and requires a score of at least 42 correct answers, or 70%, to pass it. The exam is given by contracted test agencies and aviation schools across the USA and costs approximately $160. Presently there is no practical flight test for getting a drone license!
A "drone" license is legally called a "remote pilot certificate." It is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, which is the agency that controls flight inside the United States "national airspace system." It is the new "basic" pilot license, as it allows you to fly an unmanned aircraft in the same sky that manned aircraft fly in by following the rules that keep aircraft safely separated from each other.
You qualify for a Remote Pilot Certificate by taking and passing the FAA drone knowledge exam. The exam has 60 multiple choice questions and requires a score of at least 42 correct answers, or 70%, to pass it. The exam is given by contracted test agencies and aviation schools across the USA and costs approximately $160. Presently there is no practical flight test for getting a drone license!
What are the qualifications for applying for a drone license?
Candidates for the drone license must be at least 16 years old and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. They must have the appropriate knowledge of how to fly safely in the national airspace system (as shown by passing the drone knowledge exam). Finally, they must be in a physical and mental condition that would "not interfere" with operating a drone safely. There is no nationality restriction on earning an FAA drone license.
Candidates for the drone license must be at least 16 years old and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. They must have the appropriate knowledge of how to fly safely in the national airspace system (as shown by passing the drone knowledge exam). Finally, they must be in a physical and mental condition that would "not interfere" with operating a drone safely. There is no nationality restriction on earning an FAA drone license.
How long is a drone license good for?
The drone license, or "remote pilot certificate," like all pilot licenses, is a lifetime license. It never expires. However, like all pilot licenses, the authorization to fly as a Remote Pilot, also called "being current," is limited. For drone pilots, it lasts for two years. At the end of the two years, a drone pilot must pass a "recurrent" drone knowledge exam to renew his or her pilot authorization. The recurrent drone test is given by the same agencies that give the initial drone exam. It is just 40 questions long and requires at least 28 correct answers (70%) to pass. It covers slightly fewer topics that the initial drone exam.
The drone license, or "remote pilot certificate," like all pilot licenses, is a lifetime license. It never expires. However, like all pilot licenses, the authorization to fly as a Remote Pilot, also called "being current," is limited. For drone pilots, it lasts for two years. At the end of the two years, a drone pilot must pass a "recurrent" drone knowledge exam to renew his or her pilot authorization. The recurrent drone test is given by the same agencies that give the initial drone exam. It is just 40 questions long and requires at least 28 correct answers (70%) to pass. It covers slightly fewer topics that the initial drone exam.
Why do I need a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly a drone for business?
First, it's the law. If you are flying a drone for compensation without a license, you are not operating legally. You are putting your own company - and your clients - at risk. As an ethical professional, you should want to be fully compliant with the law. Second, you or your employer will need to maintain liability insurance for your drone flight activity. Your insurer or risk management team will require insured drone pilots to hold current FAA Remote Pilot Certificates. Third, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) enforcement of drone regulations is getting more attention. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302), signed by the President on October 5, 2018, highlights the risk of collisions between drones and conventional aircraft, and it directs the FAA to "pursue all available...remedies, including referrals...for criminal investigations, with respect to persons who operate unmanned aircraft in an unauthorized manner."
First, it's the law. If you are flying a drone for compensation without a license, you are not operating legally. You are putting your own company - and your clients - at risk. As an ethical professional, you should want to be fully compliant with the law. Second, you or your employer will need to maintain liability insurance for your drone flight activity. Your insurer or risk management team will require insured drone pilots to hold current FAA Remote Pilot Certificates. Third, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) enforcement of drone regulations is getting more attention. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302), signed by the President on October 5, 2018, highlights the risk of collisions between drones and conventional aircraft, and it directs the FAA to "pursue all available...remedies, including referrals...for criminal investigations, with respect to persons who operate unmanned aircraft in an unauthorized manner."
Is it hard to pass the Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft General (drone) test?
Not if you commit yourself to doing the course work! The FAA’s Part 107 basic regulations are straight-forward and easy to grasp. The additional topics on navigation, aerodynamics and weather are similar to basic lectures from high school physics and geography. The topics on human factors and crew management would be familiar to anyone who’s been part of a team, and the Academy agenda includes taking several practice tests to check your progress and find subjects to revisit. If you keep your focus, you’ll be well-prepared for the test on the last day!
Not if you commit yourself to doing the course work! The FAA’s Part 107 basic regulations are straight-forward and easy to grasp. The additional topics on navigation, aerodynamics and weather are similar to basic lectures from high school physics and geography. The topics on human factors and crew management would be familiar to anyone who’s been part of a team, and the Academy agenda includes taking several practice tests to check your progress and find subjects to revisit. If you keep your focus, you’ll be well-prepared for the test on the last day!
Do I need any drone experience to be successful at the Part 107 Academy?
No! You just need to be committed to doing the coursework and participating in the class lectures and flight training. It’s helpful to have some drone experience, but not necessary. About one third of our students have never touched a drone before they start the course.
No! You just need to be committed to doing the coursework and participating in the class lectures and flight training. It’s helpful to have some drone experience, but not necessary. About one third of our students have never touched a drone before they start the course.
What drones do you teach with? Can I bring my own drone?
We introduce drone flight techniques with simple DJI Phantom models that do not have live video feeds. Depending on interest, some students might try our DJI Mavic Pro or Inspire 2. You can bring your own drone to demonstrate or fly as a hobbyist on your own time, but it's not necessary.
We introduce drone flight techniques with simple DJI Phantom models that do not have live video feeds. Depending on interest, some students might try our DJI Mavic Pro or Inspire 2. You can bring your own drone to demonstrate or fly as a hobbyist on your own time, but it's not necessary.
Can’t I just take an online Part 107 study course to prepare for the FAA test?
Of course – and that’s a good solution for some people who don’t have the time or funds to invest in a nearly week-long course. But those who can make the investment in the Academy enjoy these benefits: 1) they are part of committed team and study group that supports each others’ learning; 2) they get exposure to safe drone flight management by learning to fly simple drone missions; 3) they earn a AEON course certificate that can qualify them for discounts on their commercial liability insurance, and 4) they have an excellent chance of going home with an FAA test passing score that will let them activate their Remote Pilot Certificate as soon as their results get into the FAA pilot registration system.
We have found that some Academy enrollees, based on their learning styles, do want to start their Part 107 test project by signing up for an online Part 107 course before attending the Academy class. This allows them to get acquainted with the regulations and concepts involved in UAS training on their own schedules and review the topics at their own speed until they are comfortable with them.
For students interested in this option, we recommend that they research the many online Part 107 course options available. Look at their lists of topics and videos, their student feedback, and their pricing. Make sure they have a good student response system and that students will have future access to the course after they complete it so they can return to review key topics.
Of course – and that’s a good solution for some people who don’t have the time or funds to invest in a nearly week-long course. But those who can make the investment in the Academy enjoy these benefits: 1) they are part of committed team and study group that supports each others’ learning; 2) they get exposure to safe drone flight management by learning to fly simple drone missions; 3) they earn a AEON course certificate that can qualify them for discounts on their commercial liability insurance, and 4) they have an excellent chance of going home with an FAA test passing score that will let them activate their Remote Pilot Certificate as soon as their results get into the FAA pilot registration system.
We have found that some Academy enrollees, based on their learning styles, do want to start their Part 107 test project by signing up for an online Part 107 course before attending the Academy class. This allows them to get acquainted with the regulations and concepts involved in UAS training on their own schedules and review the topics at their own speed until they are comfortable with them.
For students interested in this option, we recommend that they research the many online Part 107 course options available. Look at their lists of topics and videos, their student feedback, and their pricing. Make sure they have a good student response system and that students will have future access to the course after they complete it so they can return to review key topics.
Is there a big demand now for drone pilots?
The UAS, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems, industry is young and the demand for pilots/operators is high and steadily rising as companies embrace UAS benefits. Many newly-minted drone pilots are starting businesses with low barriers to entry – primarily airborne and real estate photography. Those areas can be very price-competitive. Our graduates who seem to be getting the most early traction from their UAS licenses have focused firmly on a drone specialty – such as mapping, turbine inspection, roof damage assessment, or extreme sports video work – with thoughtful business and brand-building plans. Others target the needs of industry and move on to study mining or agricultural services, and one-third of our students are in companies that want to embrace UAS technology. As new Remote Pilots, they immediately become prime candidates for developing corporate UAS programs.
The UAS, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems, industry is young and the demand for pilots/operators is high and steadily rising as companies embrace UAS benefits. Many newly-minted drone pilots are starting businesses with low barriers to entry – primarily airborne and real estate photography. Those areas can be very price-competitive. Our graduates who seem to be getting the most early traction from their UAS licenses have focused firmly on a drone specialty – such as mapping, turbine inspection, roof damage assessment, or extreme sports video work – with thoughtful business and brand-building plans. Others target the needs of industry and move on to study mining or agricultural services, and one-third of our students are in companies that want to embrace UAS technology. As new Remote Pilots, they immediately become prime candidates for developing corporate UAS programs.
