Part 107 Drone Knowledge Test
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced (June, 21, 2016) that drone operators will have to pass a UAS Airman Knowledge Test as one of the requirements to legally fly drones commercially.
Among the many requirements to fly a UAS commercially include flying below 400 feet, flying only during daytime hours and flying less than 100 miles per hour, but the key requirement is that commercial drone operators will need to take a Knowledge Test.
Drone operators with existing Part 61 pilot certificates can bypass the in-person, written exam and instead take an online course. But for drone operators without that, they’ll have to take the test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center.
The FAA has released a document, outlining what an applicant can tentatively expect from the Knowledge Test.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airman Certification Standards
Where you can take the FAA’s UAS Knowledge Test?
The Knowledge can be taken at one of the 696 testing centers in the United States. Here is a list of locations approved to take the Knowledge Test:
Knowledge Testing Centers
Applicants need to schedule an appointment in advance and bring a government-issued photo ID.
What are the expected areas this commercial drone test will cover?
The FAA’s draft says test areas include:
How much will the Knowledge Test cost?
The FAA estimates the total out-of-pocket cost for an individual to become a Remote Pilot with a small UAS rating would be $150.
When will I be able to take the test?
Members of the public will be able to take the Knowledge Test at testing centers on the effective date of the Small UAS Rule in August 2016.
How will the test be formatted?
The FAA’s draft says the UAS aeronautical knowledge test is a set of 60 multiple choice questions (A, B, C) with a single correct response for each one, according to the FAA’s draft. Here’s the breakdown of questions by topic:
What happens if I fail the FAA’s aeronautical knowledge test?
No worries! There is a 14 calendar day waiting period until you can test again from the date of the previous failure. After two weeks, you can take the test again and there is no instructor endorsement or other form of written authorization is required to retest.
Among the many requirements to fly a UAS commercially include flying below 400 feet, flying only during daytime hours and flying less than 100 miles per hour, but the key requirement is that commercial drone operators will need to take a Knowledge Test.
Drone operators with existing Part 61 pilot certificates can bypass the in-person, written exam and instead take an online course. But for drone operators without that, they’ll have to take the test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center.
The FAA has released a document, outlining what an applicant can tentatively expect from the Knowledge Test.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airman Certification Standards
Where you can take the FAA’s UAS Knowledge Test?
The Knowledge can be taken at one of the 696 testing centers in the United States. Here is a list of locations approved to take the Knowledge Test:
Knowledge Testing Centers
Applicants need to schedule an appointment in advance and bring a government-issued photo ID.
What are the expected areas this commercial drone test will cover?
The FAA’s draft says test areas include:
- Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
- Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
- Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
- Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
- Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Airport operations
- Maintenance and pre-flight inspection procedures
How much will the Knowledge Test cost?
The FAA estimates the total out-of-pocket cost for an individual to become a Remote Pilot with a small UAS rating would be $150.
When will I be able to take the test?
Members of the public will be able to take the Knowledge Test at testing centers on the effective date of the Small UAS Rule in August 2016.
How will the test be formatted?
The FAA’s draft says the UAS aeronautical knowledge test is a set of 60 multiple choice questions (A, B, C) with a single correct response for each one, according to the FAA’s draft. Here’s the breakdown of questions by topic:
What happens if I fail the FAA’s aeronautical knowledge test?
No worries! There is a 14 calendar day waiting period until you can test again from the date of the previous failure. After two weeks, you can take the test again and there is no instructor endorsement or other form of written authorization is required to retest.
