Operators of drones weighing more than half a pound need to earn an FAA remote pilot certificate. The only exception is recreational operators. The FAA begins accepting applications for the new Part 107 remote pilot certificate August 29. The agency’s recreation versus commercial operator decision tree should get applicants headed in the right direction.
FAA Begins Accepting sUAS Applications Next Week
Key Takeaways:
- Operators of drones weighing more than half a pound (excluding recreational use) must obtain an FAA remote pilot certificate, with applications opening on August 29.
- The process involves passing an FAA knowledge test (costing around $150), followed by an application through the IACRA system, leading to a temporary certificate after a background check.
- Existing pilot certificate holders with a recent flight review can bypass the initial knowledge test by completing a specific remote pilot training course and verifying their identity; all remote pilots must pass a recurrent knowledge test every two years.
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