November 5, 2024
What It Takes To Fly A Drone: FAA Drone Certifications
When becoming a drone pilot, everyone’s journey is different. The pilot’s preferences and end goals impact the certification requirements. This guide includes a handful of resources to help with the certification process.
For a complete list of drone pilot requirements, please refer to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For Global Mapper® users who live outside of the United States, please refer to your national aviation authority for more information about drone pilot certifications.
What Certification Will I Need?
The certification(s) you will need to become a drone pilot depend on how you plan to fly. There are various types of drone flyers, however the two most common are recreational and non-recreational. To determine what kind of pilot you are, you can take this quiz from the FAA. It is important to note that if you are unsure which category your drone use fits, follow all non-recreational rules.
Recreational
If you are flying a drone solely for recreational purposes or enjoyment, this would classify as a recreational flight. To fly a drone for fun, you will need to take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). When flying, proof of passing TRUST needs to be with you at all times.
This free online exam reviews aeronautical knowledge and safety. There are currently seventeen FAA-approved test administrators and educators, including Boy Scouts of America and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The test itself usually takes about 30 minutes and there are unlimited attempts to pass it.
Non-Recreational
Commercial, or non-recreational, drone flying encompasses a wide variety of activities. On top of any scenarios involving compensation, non-recreational flights can include: business photography, aerial inspections, and volunteering for non-profit work.
In order to fly commercially — or non-recreationally — the Title 14 CFR (Code of Regulations) Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems federal regulation must be followed. This regulation includes passing the Part 107 certification; a comprehensive exam which costs $175.
If you’re interested in examples of commercial drone/UAV use with Global Mapper, check out these articles:
- Digital Agriculture: Perform drone-data-driven agricultural analysis
- Golf Course Maintenance and Field Data Collection: Create 2D and 3D outputs of your survey data with the Pixels to Points tool
- Road Repair Analysis and Planning: Load and visualize your drone-collected data
Where to Get (Part 107) Certified?
With this plethora of information on the Part 107 exam, there are many courses available. It’s important to consider your ideal learning style and time management when choosing the right program for you. Numerous community colleges and universities offer semester-long courses. There are also a selection of online drone schools and free instructional series. Practice tests such as Gleim are set up similarly to the actual exam, helping to prepare and shake any test anxiety.
Your certification timeline is dependent on your preparation method. In-person courses often last for a semester, while online resources can be completed at your own pace. Once you’re prepared, you can find an approved Knowledge Testing Center near you, and schedule your test online.
It is important to prepare and not rush to take the test. Unlike TRUST, if you do not pass you have to test again; meaning making a new appointment, and paying another $175. In other words, we recommend listening to the Tortoise and the Hare fable: slow and steady wins the race.
Do I Stay Certified?
Once you have passed your certification exam, how long before it expires? Part 107 has a recurrent test that needs to be completed every two years. This test is free and can be completed online. The recreational certification (TRUST) doesn’t expire. However, if you lose your TRUST certification, you must take the test again.
Drone Registration
Now, it’s time to register your drone! Every drone used for Part 107 (along with any recreational drones larger than 250 grams) needs to be registered. You can register your drone online at FAADroneZone. It costs $5 every 3 years to have your drone registered.
FCC Amateur Radio License Exam
If you are using or building a drone with a more powerful radio transmission, you will need a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is a separate organization from the FAA, responsible for regulating communications, including radio and satellites. There are 3 operator classes for this license, however, amateur radio operators generally begin in the Technician class.
You can schedule this written exam through The National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL). There are selections of free online resources and practice tests through ARRL, along with various paid courses. The cost for the test itself is $15, and the FCC collects $35 for new amateur radio licenses.
To learn about leveraging Global Mapper Pro’s tools for commercial drone and UAV flights, download a 14-day free trial today!
What It Takes To Fly A Drone | Social Media Series
Moriah and I have been sharing our journey learning what it takes to fly a drone on social media. We’re on Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. You can also keep up with the series via the playlist on our YouTube channel.
Resources
FAA Resources
- Code of Federal Regulations (Part 107)
- Register Your Drone
- What Kind of Drone Flyer Are You?
- Where Can I Fly?
- Become a Certified Remote Pilot
- Recreational Flying
- FAA Approved Recreational Test Administrators
- Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA)
- Schedule Part 107 Knowledge Testing
Preparing for the Certification
Additional Resources
