Introduction
Don't let becoming a licensed drone pilot be intimidating. I'm going to share some basic facts, tips, and a few of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to becoming a licensed drone pilot.
Terminology & Numbers
Below, I go into detail and a few of the key terms and numbers you will come across on your way to obtaining your license.
Remote Pilot Certificate: You may also see this referred to as the FAA Part 107 Certificate. This will be your ticket to flying your drone for commercial use.
Test Name: Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)
Test Cost: $175
# of Questions: 60
Passing Score: 70% (42 out of 60)
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Test Type: Multiple Choice (3 Choices)
Following FAA Guidelines
There are a few things the FAA requires from you before and after taking the Part 107 exam.
Taking care of them in an orderly and timely fashion will ensure you are on the right track to flying your drone for compensation.
Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile.
After passing the test, you will want to fill out FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate, which can be completed electronically through your IACRA account.
It will take some time to receive the hard copy of your license, but you are able to download a virtual copy of it from your IACRA account. Be sure to always have your license with you when you are flying.
The FAA offers a great article with detailed information on a step-by-step process to ensure you are following their guidelines, I have attached a link to that article here.
Testing Tips
This is not my pitch to sell you my study guide, just some of the information I used to prepare myself for the test. I connected with an experienced drone pilot, who was there for all of my questions and concerns during preparation for the test.
I had little background with drones going into my prep, so I dedicated a decent amount of time becoming familiar with the industry and study material. For studying, I relied on 2023 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus Prepware by ASA and "FREE Drone Certification Study Guide: FAA Part 107 sUAS Test" by Tony & Chelsea Northup.
I dedicated 3-5 hours a day for a month straight to this study material and other relevant industry articles and was more than prepared come test day. A lot of the test material can be understood using common sense thinking, but I would recommend being able to apply the information and not memorize it. Don't forget to learn the maps inside and out!
When you are ready to schedule your test, you will want to locate your nearest testing center and choose a date and time for your exam. Be sure to bring a valid government-issued ID with you.
Post-Test Next Steps
You passed your test and you are officially a licensed drone pilot, now what? If you haven't already, now is the time you will have to focus more on the business side of things.
Making sure you have adequate insurance and properly registering your drone are two key things to do before you start flying. I break down these two topics, along with all of the other costs associated with becoming a licensed drone pilot in my article, "Calculating the Costs of Starting and Running a Drone Services Business: A Practical Guide".
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