Opportunities for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilots are now wide-open under the new FAA small UAS (sUAS) Part 107 rule, which legalizes and regulates these air ops. Drone work in the U.S. film and TV industry has also taken flight recently under the agency’s Section 333 exemption waivers. Meanwhile, demand for experienced commercial and military pilots to operate government UAS devices grows as well. Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — which represents the autonomous and robotic system industry — and member of the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee, and Tony Carmean, partner/producer of pioneering UAS cinematography firm Aerial MOB, which helped the FAA establish the Section 333 exemption, explain how to become a UAS pilot under these new rules.
How to Become a Professional Drone Pilot
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA's Part 107 rule and Section 333 exemptions have created significant opportunities for commercial UAS pilots across industries like film, TV, government, and various other sectors.
- Commercial UAS pilots generally require a Part 107 remote pilot certificate (minimum age 16, passing an aeronautical knowledge test, or a Part 61 certificate plus an online sUAS course), while film/TV pilots under Section 333 need a Part 61 certificate, and government/military roles often demand conventional pilot qualifications.
- UAS operations are regulated by rules such as a sub-55-pound weight limit, maximum 400-foot altitude, daylight-only flights, and visual line of sight, with waivers possible; professionalism, specific training, and mission knowledge are prioritized over traditional "seat-of-the-pants" flying skills, particularly in specialized fields like entertainment.
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