Part 107 Regulations, Pilot Requirements
Basic information and operator must know for flying under the small UAS rule (14 CFR part 107)
FAA Commercial Operations Branch: Part 107 UAS Operations
Pilot Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center
- Must be vetted by the TSA
- Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Must be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a sUAS
- Must obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) before sitting for the Part 107 knowledge test (effective January 13, 2020).
- obtained online through the IACRA, Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application, website
- details will be released once the system goes live
Certificate Requirements
- Hard copy certificate must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operations
- Must retest/renew every 2 years
Other
- Must register aircraft every three years (more info)
Aeronautical Knowledge Test (Part 107 test)
Test questions include:
- Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
- Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
- Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
- Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
- Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Airport operations
- Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
The FAA states in the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards document (“FAA-S-ACS-10”) that
sUAS Topics | Percentage of Items on Test |
I. Regulations | 15 – 25% |
II. Airspace & Requirements | 15 – 25% |
III. Weather | 11 – 16% |
IV. Loading and Performance | 7 – 11% |
V. Operations | 35 – 45% |
Total Number of Questions | 60 (plus 3 extra that are not identified nor graded) |
Sample Questions for today
FAA Suggested Study Materials
- Airmen Certification Standards (“FAA-S-ACS-10”)
- Knowledge Test Instructions (“FAA-G-8082-20”)
- Knowledge Test Study Guide (“FAA-G-8082-22”)
- Knowledge Test Sample Questions (“UAG Sample Exam”)
- Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (“Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge”)
Practical Suggestion About Self-Studying for Part 107 Exam
Start studying for the exam early. YouTube is a good starting point (search for Part 107 study guide).
- FAA Webinar Archive
- What Questions Will they Ask Me on My FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test? (YouTube)
- World Drone Academy (YouTube Playlist)
The Materials I studied
- www.remotepilot101.com ($150 – well-worth it in my opinion)
- 3DR Study Guide
I. Part 107 Requirements, Rules & Regulations
FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems training course (FAA site)
- Small UAS Characteristics and Requirements
- Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) Responsibilities
- Preflight Considerations
- Operating Rules
(Alternative) Above website narrated by World Drone Academy (YouTube Playlist)
II. Airspace
Class A – G Airspace (YouTube Playlist)
III. Airport/Field Operations
IV. Weather
V. Preflight and Maintenance
Running list…
- Northrup.Photo – terminology
- Northrup.Photo – YouTube Channel
- rp101 (YouTube Playlist)
- Ryan Wilson (YouTube Playlist)
- Sectional Charts
- PilotTraining System (YouTube Playlist)
- UAS Regulations Cheatsheet
- Sectional Charts
“FAA-G-8082-20.” FAA – Remote Pilot Knowledge Test Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_guides/media/remote_pilot_ktg.pdf>.
“FAA-G-8082-22.” FAA – Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf>.
“FAA-S-ACS-10.” FAA – Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/media/uas_acs.pdf>.
“Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.” Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/>.
“UAG Sample Exam.” FAA – UAG Sample Exam. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_questions/media/uag_sample_exam.pdf>.