The Small UAV Coalition – an drone industry group promoting safety and innovation – has published a letter addressed to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta asking for clarification and some changes to the Part 107 Certificate test for commercial drone operators.The Part 107 test is an “aeronautical knowledge test” administered by the FAA, necessary to receive a “remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating” as required by law to operate a drone for commercial purposes under the new rule, which will become active on August 29. (If you already have a Section 333 Exemption or a Part 61 certificate – a manned aircraft pilot’s license – the test may not apply.)
While the Part 107 test represents a major step forward for the drone industry, as it no longer requires that all drone businesses have a pilot, some industry stakeholders are concerned that poor communication and a rocky rollout could prevent operators from taking the test, and slow down the pace of industry growth.
The Small UAV Coalition has presented a letter to Administrator Huerta, asking that the process described in Part 107 be clarified and made easier to adopt. The Coalition asks first that the FAA offer online training which will be “easily accessible, affordable, and engaging” to make sure that drone operators have the necessary tools to be successful on the test. Training has been requested by a variety of stakeholders, the Coalition points out, and is one of the easiest ways to increase safety in the NAS.
Additionally, the Coalition asks for online testing – something that the FAA currently does not offer. While the FAA says that their authorized testing centers are numerous and widely spread – the agency estimates that applicants will travel an average of 19 miles to their nearest center – the Small UAV Coalition says that there are no reasonable security issues with offering the test online.
Finally, the letter asks the FAA to ensure that the test doesn’t overreach, and includes only the skills really necessary to operate a drone. “It is critical to the public’s acceptance of the aeronautical knowledge test that it be focused on the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to operate a UAS,” says the letter. “…we are concerned that the aeronautical knowledge test may be unduly burdensome if it includes questions pertinent only to operations in controlled airspace appropriate for manned aircraft pilots.”
While some operators are already working “under the table” without a certificate, drone industry stakeholders foresee a flood of applicants to obtain the Part 107 certificate at the end of August – something that the Coalition and drone operators everywhere hope will go smoothly, pushing the industry one step closer to full integration of drones in the NAS.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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Ian, Robert & Chris are Spot on.
While the government is responsible for administering the qualifications and adherence, it’s the schools and instructional institutions that are responsible for maintaining an educational level of standards to which a student could pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Exam with ease.
The FAA is slowly approving the quality of instruction from private institutions now. Some are becoming available on the FAA Wings website: Here’s a link to one of them: https://www.faasafety.gov/WINGS/pub/accreditedactivities/accreditedActivityViewer.aspx?aaid=%2040743
From a balloon pilot to an ATP, the controlled airspace (and knowledge thereof) is mandatory for all who operate within that airspace (from the ground up). This is a first step from the FAA and I’m sure it will be tweaked as the learning curve grows once the test is active (August 29th).
For anyone who wants to take a course, do some research. https://www.certifiedtraininginstitute.com has a course condensed down to 5 hours (from the 20 hour FAA study materials provided, including 2 practice tests) – and fairly inexpensive. Regardless of what you fly, the rules of the airspace won;t change, therefore it’s fairly easy to put together a test and modify it for sUAS activity by adding Part 107 information.
Local flight schools may have a course aligned with what you want to achieve.
Educational programs around the nation are scrambling to secure a part of the market share and while the demand (2 million users by 2017) may be questionable, the certification will be required by Realtor Associations (from national to local) which has over 2 million Realtors nationwide – also count in the 2.1 million contractors and 1.6 million architects. Then look at all the photographers who want to show aerials. The number increases to over 8 million of possible operators. Not everyone will do it, but some or most may as their drive to increase customer service forces them to become qualified.
The study material isn’t hard, nor is the test.
My advice: Study, learn and participate/operate with care and enjoy our new hobby/sport/profession.
I have a known traveler number that I paid $85.00 for as part of the TSA Precheck program. I was wondering if I can provide that number in lieu of an additional background check. I am hearing that the wait on a background check could delay receipt of the part 107 certificate.
I am stunned by the efforts to dumb down a test that has not yet been given. Part 017 is “our” thing, our opportunity to set a professional standard consistent with other aviators who fly for pay. Let’s be honest, it is a very minimum standard.
Let’s worry about the pass rate (which the FAA optimistically set at 90%) when we see what happens. Let’s not forget that every licensed pilot up there has managed to learn this and much more.
The suggested content seems to be consistent with operations outside of Class G. The content delivery recommendations are nothing new and might well make a difference for some, but cannot possibly be implemented in a few weeks. And too, one has to ask if creating specialized teaching material is not properly the role of the dozens of schools already competing for applicant dollars.
Demand for the test is unknown, as are the market opportunities for those who pass. There is very little data to suggest that the commercial market is ready to absorb a huge number of people. In the short term, this will simply put downward pricing pressure on rates charged by those with manned licenses currently flying under 333.
This is the beginning, not the end. There is plenty of opportunity to refine based on test data. The industry should not lose sight that its best opportunity to grow and realize its potential is to hold everyone to a high standard. One way to do this is to develop a cadre of professionals. This will have a huge impact on demand, pilot rates and ultimately insurance.
I totally concur with Christopher Korody. If we go down that path it is only a matter of time before the test will become meaningless and easily achievable without any studying. Becoming a commercial RPIC should have requirements and standards commensurate of an UAS professional else when an incident does occur they will blame the FAA for inadequate training. Keep it as planned!!!
I agree with both Christopher and Robert. There is no need to dumb this down. It is supposed to be a licensing scheme to make sure people use this technology responsibly. That means anyone who wants to do this has to make the effort to learn about the airspace system and other relevant matters. As for traveling 19 miles….that won’t deter anyone who seriously wants to do this.
Amen, Chris
Keep in mind the rest of the aviation world is looking at America’s testing standards as the benchmark for an industry that’s about to explode. This is a Profession, not a hobby, and the FAA is right to create a test that shows respect to ALL Airmen. I spent tens of thousands of dollars training, flying, and purchasing my own airplane to do aerial photography full time. With the advent of UAS, I want my clients to know the pilot at the controls has the full knowledge of the National Airspace System, the knowledge of ALL now known FAA Regulations, and the peace of mind knowing the pilot can handle any emergency situation they may encounter. Keep the test “as is” and adjust according to conditions.
Thank you Kevin! I don’t see any other way for the industry to win.