Having a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, and experience operating drones, offers unmanned aircraft operators (drone pilots) many opportunities. [Credit: iStock]
Key Takeaways:
Pilots with existing Part 61 licenses have a significant advantage in obtaining a Part 107 drone certification, as they already possess approximately 75% of the required knowledge for the exam.
Acquiring a Part 107 certification offers numerous benefits for crewed aircraft pilots, including expanded career opportunities in the growing drone industry, an enhanced skill set, cost reduction potential, and a competitive advantage.
The certification process for current pilots is streamlined, involving studying drone-specific topics, passing a 60-question FAA knowledge test, completing a TSA background check, and maintaining currency with recurrent online training every two years.
Having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, I have many pilot friends.
Several of my classmates went on to fly military aircraft while I ran around on the ground as a Marine Corps officer. Most of us are now out of the military. Even so, since getting my Part 107 certification, I have joked with several of them that flying my drone is just as sexy as flying fighter jets.
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David Daly is a professional writer, former Marine Corps officer, and a licensed commercial drone pilot. He is the founder of Vigilante Drones, a drone services company and a co-owner of Altitude University, a leading online educational platform for the drone industry.
