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Part 107 Certification Introduction
Under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107), commercial drone pilots are required to to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, commonly known as Part 107 certification. To obtain Part 107 certification, you must complete the Small Unmanned Aircraft Knowledge Test at an approved FAA testing center.
2, Tips for Passing the Knowledge test
Use common sense.
When in doubt, choose the most conservative answer.
Use all available resources before, during and after the test:
Review the TESTING SUPPLEMENT figures before the exam and imagine questions that may be asked (Charts, Metars…)
We wrote a REGULATIONS “CHEAT SHEET” to help you remember key numbers. We also mention items that should be memorized in our guides.
During the test, USE THE LEGEND located in the Testing Supplement.
3, How to Register
For many of you, this will be your first experience taking an FAA exam. The purpose of this guide is to familiarize yourself with the process for registering and taking the Remote Pilot Certificate knowledge test so that you don’t need to worry about logistics and you can focus on the exam material. The process for taking the exam is as follows
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Locate a testing facility in your area
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Call, confirm they offer the exam and schedule an appointment. Request to take the Small unmanned aircraft knowledge test (UAG Unmanned Aircraft General – Small).
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Show up with an acceptable form of identification
4, What to Expect When You Show Up
The location where you’ll take the exam is the same location where pilots take their certification exams so you won’t be alone. Once you show up, they will ask for your identification and provide you with three things.
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A Number 2 pencil (don’t be fooled, your exam will be on the computer)
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A couple of sheets of blank paper (in case you need scratch paper. You will not be able to take this out of the room)
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The “AIRMAN KNOWLEDGE TESTING SUPPLEMENT” book. This book will have all the images and graphs the test will mention (You’ll also have a link to the digital version when needed). In the front, you’ll also find an Appendix with legends, using them you’ll be able to answer 30-40% of the questions (More covered in Guide #003) HERE IS AN ABBREVIATED VERSION OF THIS SAME TESTING SUPPLEMENT, where we’ve removed all the figures that will not be used for your test.
The Actual Exam
After going through a simple tutorial teaching you how to use the system, you will take the 60-question multiple-choice exam via a computer, 1 question at a time. A clock will start counting down 120 minutes. You will be able to advance forward and backward as you answer the questions so don’t worry if you want to go back and change an answer, and you will have the ability to flag questions if desired.
How to Know if you Passed
You’ll receive immediate feedback about whether you passed or not after you finish (70% passing grade). The proctor will hand you a sheet of paper with a bunch of codes on it. These are “LEARNING CODES” that point to questions or areas where you struggled. In the event you don’t pass, you’ll know where to focus your study time during the 14 days you need to wait before retaking the exam.
Getting your Certificate
After passing the knowledge test, CREATE AN IACRA ACCOUNT, login, and complete the application form (FAA 8710-13):
* “Start New Application”
* Application Type “Pilot”
* Certifications “Remote Pilot”- Other Path Information,
* Start Application and follow application prompts
* Enter the 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID
* Sign the application electronically and submit to the Registry for processing.
The TSA will run a background check and you should receive an email confirmation with a temporary certificate to print within 10 days. A hard copy will be mailed to you shortly after.
5, Some rules you should know**
● Cannot fly 30 mins before sunrise or after sunset unless you have anti-collision lights
No higher than 400 ft (above ground or obstacle) or faster than 100 mph
● 10 days to report an accident
● 90 days to request a Part 107 waiver
● No more than 500 ft below a cloud or 2000 ft adjacent
Within 24 months you need to take recurrent training requirements
● sUAS must be <55 pounds NOT <=55 pounds
● Part 107 apply to commercial operations not public
● Owner cannot register UAS if under 13 YOA
● Have to be 16 YO to fall under Part 107 rules
● You must report any deviation of Part 107 to FAA upon
request
● You don’t have to submit an accident report if the injury didn’t cause an overnight hospital stay
6, Airspace
Just like you would use a map to understand how to get from point A to point B, the FAA uses a map to divide and classify all of the vertical space, starting from just above the ground to 18,000 ft and higher.
Classifying types of airspace helps us understand whether airplanes or other vehicles might be occupying the same airspace as us. Understanding types of airspace and the rules that apply helps us avoid interfering with any other aircraft.
Of course with UAVs, we care most about airspace at the lowest altitudes, specifically 0-500ft Above Ground Level (AGL). If you recall, sUAVs are not permitted to fly above 400ft. This guide focuses on airspaces relevant to sUAS operations: those present at ground level and at low altitudes.
7, Things to remember**:
● Wind directions are reported in *true heading. * as opposed to magnetic
● Cloud **heights are reported in hundreds of feetabove ground level.**
● A cloud ceiling is a broken or overcast cloud layer.
● TAFs last for 30 hours and are updated daily 4 times