67th MSPS Annual Meeting - 2019

Becoming a Licenced Drone Pilot

George Southard

GSKS Associates LLC

George Southard:

Master’s Degree in Photogrammetry and Cartography

40+ years working in the mapping/surveying profession

Owner – GSKS Associates LLC

“Consulting for the Geomatics Profession”

Introduction

Drones Vs. UAVsWhat is the difference?

Both are all airborne flying vehicles that are designed

to be flown without a human pilot on board the aircraft

• Drone – The term drone carries a connotation of being an

unmanned vehicle used for military or spy operations. (The

term Drone is not recognized or used by the FAA.)

• UAV/UAS – An unmanned aerial vehicle (or system) used for

non-military purposes.

• RPAS – Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (EU definition)

Update on US Regulatory Situation

• Current FAA regulation regarding commercial (non-

recreational) UAS operations in the United States

• 14 C.F.R. part 107 (Part 107) became effective as of

August 29, 2016.• Part 107 does NOT apply to:

• Manned Aircraft

• Model aircraft operations (for recreation);

• Operations conducted outside U.S.;

• Amateur rockets;

• Moored balloons;

• Unmanned free balloons;

• Kites;

• Public (governmental) aircraft operations

• Air carrier operations

This is Serious Business

This is Serious Business

This is Serious Business

What is covered in Part 107

• There are basically four sections in the regulation:• FAA News – Part 107 Summary (on FAA web site)

1. Aircraft System Requirements2. sUAS Pilot in Charge3. Operational Limitations4. Waivers

PART 107 - Summary

• A person applying for a remote pilot certificate with

an sUAS rating must meet and maintain the

following eligibility requirements, as applicable:• Be at least 16 years of age;

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English

language;

• Be in a physical and mental condition that would not

interfere with the safe operation of an sUAS; and

• Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-

approved knowledge testing center.

Pilot in Charge (PIC) requirements

Remote Pilot Certification

• A person who already holds a pilot

certificate under Part 61 is only

required to successfully complete a

Part 107 online training course,

found at www.faasafety.gov

Remote Pilot Certification

●FAA – Part 107 Regulations Summary

PART 107 - Summary

●The Official FAA Part 107 Regulations

●The Complete Title 14 CFR Part 107 Discussion and

Regulations

● FAA – AC-107-2, updates to Part 107 regulations

Remote Pilot Certification

●Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide

FAA-G-8082-22

●Part 107 - 41Sample Test Questions by Jonathan Rupprect

Study and Reference Materials

●Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Airman Certification Standards (ACS) FAA-S-ACS-10

●Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) – 27 April 2017

●Preparation and Application for Remote Pilot Certification - Step by Step

Certification Process

●FAA UAS Test Centers

Recurrent Testing/Training

• After an individual receives a remote pilot

certificate with an sUAS rating, that person

must pass a recurrent aeronautical knowledge

test within 24 calendar-months and every 24

months thereafter.

Remote Pilot Certification

FAQs about Remote Pilot Certification1. Do I Need a Pilot License’s to Fly a Drone Commercially?

Yes, but it is NOT one of the expensive manned aircraft pilot licenses most people

think about. You only need the Part 107 remote pilot certificate (also known as a

“drone license”) to operate your drone commercially.

2. Does My Business Have to Obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate to Use Drones?

No, only individuals can obtain the remote pilot certificate.

3. Why Is It Called a Remote Pilot Certificate and Not a Drone Pilot License?

The term “pilot license” is what is used commonly to describe FAA airmen

certificates. For non-recreational drone operators, the proper term is a Remote Pilot

Certificate.

4. What Happens If I Fly the Drone Commercially Without a Remote Pilot

Certificate?

You could get fined for each regulation you are violating under Part 107. The FAA has

been prosecuting drone operators. The previous fine per violation was $1,100, but it

has recently gone up to $1,414 per violation. You could be violating multiple

regulations per flight. If you land and then take off again, that is 2x the number of fines

since you are breaking the same regulations again on the second flight.

FAQs about Remote Pilot Certification, (cont.)5. If I pass this Part 107 remote pilot exam, can I charge for the flight?

Yes, provided you fly within the requirements of Part 107.

6. Do model aircraft individuals have to pass an exam or get a certificate?

No, but they must adhere to the rules for recreational UAS flyers.

7. Part 107 isn’t for model aircraft people but just commercial people, right?

No, most people have classified UAS users as either commercial or non-commercial;

the correct classifications are recreational or non-recreational. Non-profit

environmental organizations or fire departments are two good examples; they aren’t

operating commercially, in other words charging for the flight, but they are not doing

their work for recreation. They cannot be classified as recreational flyers therefore

they are non-recreational and must be certified as a Remote Pilot.

8. How much does remote pilot initial knowledge exam cost?

First time pilots have to take the initial knowledge exam which is estimated at

$150. Current manned (part 61) pilots can either take the initial knowledge exam for

$150 or take a FAA online training course for free.

FAQs about Remote Pilot Certification, (cont.)

9. Where can I take the 107 knowledge exam?

You take it at a knowledge exam testing center. (See the list available at the free

download site.)

10. How Long Does It Take to Receive My Remote Pilot Certificate After I Submit

on IACRA?

This is difficult to estimate because of several factors (1) the TSA’s backlog of pending

IACRA applications seems to be growing and (2) I don’t know all the factors the FAA

and TSA are looking at now. Normally it takes about 4 weeks, but it can be much

longer.

11. I saw some link on the Facebook forums about a Part 107 test. I took it and

received a certificate like what is on the right. Am I good to go?

That online test is NOT the Part 107 initial knowledge exam. That test is ONLY for the

current manned aircraft pilots who wish to obtain a remote pilot certificate.

FAQs about Remote Pilot Certification, (cont.)12. How many different exams are there?

The current manned aircraft pilots can take either the initial online training course or

the Part 107 initial knowledge exam while the first time pilots can ONLY take the

initial Part 107 knowledge exam. After you receive your remote pilot certificate, you’ll

have to pass a recurrent exam within 24 calendar-months of passing either an initial or

recurrent aeronautical knowledge test.

13. I read some people on Facebook telling me about the law……

Let me stop you right there. Getting aviation law advice off Facebook forums is like

getting medical help off Craigslist – it’s dumb.

14. What happens if I fail the Part 107 initial knowledge test?

14 CFR part 107, section 107.71 specifies that an applicant who fails the knowledge

test may not retake the knowledge test for 14 calendar days from the date of the

previous failure.

15. Do I Have to Get a Medical Exam for a Remote Pilot Certificate?

No, a remote pilot certificate does NOT require a medical certificate.

FAQs about Remote Pilot Certification, (cont.)16. I Made Some Mistakes in My Past. What do the TSA and FAA Look for when

doing a background check?

I don’t know all the factors. I can say the FAA really dislikes alcohol and drug related

crimes. They also dislike applicants who have refused an alcohol breath test.

17. Does my TSA pre-check or global entry approval qualify as an FAA

background Check?

I don’t know; they keep changing the rules on this.

18. I’m a part 61 pilot trying to obtain my remote pilot certificate, do I have to get

TSA background checked?

No, you already had your check when you obtained your Part 61 certificate.

19. I did a drone certification course with some online company, does that count?

No, that “certification” is worth nothing. Only the certification from the FAA counts.

20. How long does my temporary certificate last?

§ 107.64(a) says, “A temporary remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating is

issued for up to 120 calendar days, at which time a permanent certificate will be issued

to a person considered qualified by the FAA Administrator.

Questions?