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 on 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 best way.

You’ll study the place to take the FAA examination, what it is advisable know to cross the examination, how lengthy your license lasts, the right 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 unique license for business versus leisure pilots.

Business pilots should take the Half 107 examination to earn a Half 107 license, which is also referred to as a Distant Pilot Certificates.

The FAA points these licenses.

What dimension drone requires an FAA license? Your drone should weigh underneath 55 kilos to be eligible for flights within the US, so any drone underneath that dimension can solely fly with a license.

» MORE: How I Passed Part 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 could be one step nearer to changing 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 have to be deemed in ample psychological and bodily situation to function a drone safely. It’s essential to even have a full comprehension of English, that means you possibly can perceive, write, communicate, and browse it.

Moreover, you have to be at the least 16 years outdated.

Step 2 – Get your FAA Monitoring Quantity

As soon as you identify whether or not you’re eligible to enroll to take the Half 107 examination, you subsequent want your FAA Monitoring Quantity or FTN.

In case you don’t have already got an account, create one on the Built-in Airman Certification and Ranking Software (link) web site.

When registering on the IACRA web site, choose Applicant, then select your instructors, certifying officers, and admin. You’ll additionally need to comply with IACRA’s phrases of service when registering.

Step 3 – Schedule your take a look at at a Data Testing Middle

The Half 107 examination is an in-person take a look at. You may renew your examination on-line however can not take the preliminary take a look at on-line as of this writing.

You’ll need to discover a bodily testing middle, also referred to as a Data Testing Middle, on the FAA’s accredited listing. You may peruse the listing here (which requires an FAA login).

When you discover a Data Testing Middle close to you, register to take the Half 107 examination at a date and time that works on your schedule.

It’s essential to have a government-issued picture ID to confirm your id, so pack that with you early, as you could neglect on the day of the take a look at as a consequence of jitters.

Step 4 – Take the Half 107 examination

The Unmanned Plane Basic – Small (UAG) take a look at–higher referred to as 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 go away no stone unturned.

Count on questions on these matters:

• 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 can be marked incorrectly.

It’s essential to rating 70 % to cross the Half 107 examination, which suggests answering 42 of the 60 questions appropriately.

Since you possibly can solely stand up to 18 questions unsuitable if you wish to cross, handle your time nicely. and research prematurely. We’ll have a complete part on learning for the examination developing.

Step 5 – Apply on your license

When you cross the Half 107 examination, you have to then apply for the certificates. You’ll once more log into IACRA to do that.

After logging in, choose the Begin New Software choice on the web site. Select Software Kind, then Pilot, then Certifications “Distant Pilot,” Different Path Info, and Begin Software.

You’ll then fill out FAA Kind 8710-13 through the appliance prompts. You’ll have to enter your Data Take a look at Examination ID, which is 17 digits.

You’ll have to wait at the least 48 hours after taking your take a look at to acquire this ID, as it could possibly take that lengthy on 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 try this and adjust to the TSA background test.

The affirmation e-mail has directions on printing a duplicate of your IACRA distant pilot certificates.

That is solely a short lived license, as the true one will come within the mail from FAA after the group processes your software.

Within the meantime, you should utilize the IACRA certificates like the true 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 Data Testing Middle earlier than your take a look at.

In case you 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 advisable learning within the final part, and we’ll reiterate the significance of learning now.

Thankfully, there exist a number of wonderful 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 possibly can simply digest the knowledge, and naturally, you possibly can rewatch the content material as wanted.

To additional enable you to prep, Pilot Institute provides 20 quizzes that mimic what you’ll see on the true Half 107 examination.

You too can take a limiteless variety of apply exams. Altogether, these quizzes and apply exams have over 300 questions.

The course prices $249. We acknowledge that it’s pricey on prime 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 concern you $175 to go towards your subsequent take a look at try.

Drone Pilot Floor Faculty

Drone Pilot Ground School is an alternative choice to contemplate for those who’re concerned about Half 107 prep earlier than you sit all the way down to take the examination.

This drone faculty has a mixture of text-based and video classes, with greater than 70 accessible.

Drone Pilot Floor Faculty 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 possibly can prep for the upcoming FAA examination with 5 apply exams and lesson quizzes. The questions embrace actual FAA content material used on Half 107 exams.

Drone Pilot Floor Faculty additionally provides a cram sheet with 12 pages of takeaways to assessment on take a look at day.

In case you want additional assist nonetheless, you possibly can search the Q&A database, the Drone Pilot Data Middle, or contact Drone Pilot Floor Faculty for one-on-one assist.

You’ll have entry to your supplies for a lifetime after paying. Drone Pilot Floor Faculty has successful charge of over 99 % however nonetheless provides a money-back assure for those who don’t cross the FAA examination.

You’ll additionally obtain $175 from the college on your subsequent take a look at try.

Peltier Distant Pilot Coaching

One other nice choice that will help you prep for the Half 107 examination is Peltier Remote Pilot Training. John Peltier leads the coaching.

He additionally provides pictures programs for those who’re !

For $139, Peltier’s course will take you thru 10 hours of Half 107 coaching unfold out into 37 video classes. Every lesson contains textual content outlines.

The course additionally features a printable research information and teacher assist with John himself by way of e-mail and reside chat.

Take a apply examination that features questions FAA used on previous Half 107 exams.

Overview Peltier’s test-taking suggestions, chat within the Pilot Lounge group, and observe the post-test walkthrough and certification steps so that you do the whole lot appropriately and get your license in hand quick.

Drone Professional Academy

Do you need to study drone fundamentals rapidly to organize for the Half 107 examination? Drone Professional Academy is the selection for you.

Its FAA Half 107 bootcamp 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 possibly can take a apply examination. There’s additionally an included part on the right 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 review for the examination?

There isn’t any proper period of time to review for the FAA Half 107 examination. All of it relies on the way you study and retain info.

In case you enroll in one of many drone prep programs we advisable above, you’ll spend at the least 10 hours on the course materials.

You’re additionally inspired to make use of cram sheets and apply quizzes by yourself time.

That doesn’t imply you solely have to review for 10 hours, after all. You may double or triple that point if you would like.

A great rule of thumb is to spend at the least an hour learning for the examination per day. This manner, you possibly can juggle your Half 107 examination prep with different obligations like work and college.

The sheer quantity of learning you need to do additionally received’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 can put you in a greater place to cross so that you don’t need to pay to take the take a look at once more.

How a lot does it value to turn into an FAA drone pilot?

That is one other query that’s troublesome to reply. Somewhat, it’s extra advanced.

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 need to pay that price as soon as.

Nonetheless, there are different related charges with changing 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 pictures permits (value varies)

Is changing into a drone pilot troublesome?

Sure, changing into a drone pilot is troublesome. The FAA needs to make sure that solely probably the most certified pilots take to the skies.

In spite of everything, drones could be toys to some individuals, however they’re nonetheless aerial automobiles, and flying them is a good accountability. 

Probably the most troublesome a part of the whole course of by far isn’t registering with IACRA or filling out paperwork however passing the Half 107 examination.

That’s why learning and preparation repay a lot, as goes getting a great evening’s sleep the evening earlier than the take a look at (nearly as good an evening as you possibly can 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 without end. The license expires two years after it’s issued to you.

The FAA does this deliberately. Unmanned plane pointers and guidelines change on a regular basis. The FAA ensures you’ll keep present on these altering pointers 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 seeking to get into flying unmanned business plane to earn some more money on the aspect? In case you maintain a Half 61 certificates, the strategies for acquiring a Distant Pilot Certificates differ.

Let’s go over what it is advisable know.

Step 1 – Meet the eligibility necessities

Pilots with an current Half 61 certificates should have a license issued based on 14 CFR Half 61 requirements. Additional, you have to have had a flight assessment prior to now 24 months.

Step 2 – Make a FAASTeam account

In case you don’t have an current FAA Security Crew or FAASTeam account, create one now.

Step 3 – Take a web-based coaching course

Subsequent, you’ll take the Part 107 Small UAS Initial (ALC-451) test, 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 scores privileges

Step 4 – Request your certificates

In case you 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 Software, Software Kind “Pilot,” then Certifications “Distant Pilot,” Different Path Info, and Begin Software to search out the shape.

Signal your identify electronically on the shape and submit it.

Step 5 – Validate your id

Right here’s the place issues diverge. It’s essential to subsequent validate your id 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 short lived airman certificates for drone operation. The FAA will later ship your actual certificates within the mail, however it’s going to take a number of weeks.

You need to use the short-term airman certificates the identical method you’d a business examination.

I’m not flying drones for cash – Do I nonetheless want a license?

What for those who’re not aspiring to turn into a business pilot however solely need to use your drone for enjoyable? Even hobbyists should have a drone certificates underneath FAA regulation.

Nonetheless, you don’t want a Distant Pilot Certificates. As an alternative, the certificates for leisure drone pilots is the TRUST license.

The FAA administers The Distant UAS Security Take a look at or TRUST examination to hobbyists. This examination differs from the Half 107 examination in a number of substantial methods.

For one, you don’t need to pay to take it. Second, you don’t need to take the TRUST take a look at in an FAA-approved testing middle.

You may 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 need to 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 possibly can see whether or not you bought it proper or unsuitable.

Additional, for those who reply a query unsuitable, you possibly can 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 length of the license. The TRUST certificates by no means expires. Do remember that for those who misplace your TRUST certificates, you have 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 you need to renew yours.

The FAA used to require pilots to take the Half 107 examination once more, then many times each two years for so long as they wished a sound license. Now the coverage has modified.

You may renew your drone examination free of charge 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

In case you 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 accessible programs are highlighted in blue.

Preserve 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 ought 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 unsuitable solutions whilst you’re taking the take a look at.

Be sure to right any solutions you bought unsuitable, as you have 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 here.

How can I see if somebody has a license with the FAA to fly drones?

You have got choices for wanting into them for those who’re interested in another person’s drone flight credentials. You need to use an FAA web site referred to as the Airman Inquiry.

It’s essential to know their final identify and certificates holder, however all different info you possibly can enter is elective. That features the pilot’s first identify, date of start, metropolis, state, and parachute seal image.

After typing on this info, the Airman Inquiry web site will discover you the pilot in query.

Conclusion

A business drone license is obligatory 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 is advisable research, then register on your take a look at. Good luck!