If you’ve already done all of your recreational flight scenarios and no longer think of UAVs as toys, then congratulations, you’re ready for a Part 107 drone license. This certificate is for pilots looking to monetize their drone flying skills and gain access to work in restricted flight zones.
Since you can only fly small, low-powered UAVs in the US without special permits, you must meet FAA requirements and hold a pilot’s certificate to take it to the next level.
Today, you’ll learn all about what you’ll need to get your license, the training and licensing process, the associated costs, and the joys of having a pilot’s license.
The Importance of a Commercial License for Pilots
Do you need a license to fly a drone? It depends on what type of UAV you are using. If we are talking about simple, small devices that are mostly used for entertainment and filming content for blogs, then a basic TRUST (Recreational UAV Safety Test) certification will suffice.
Even though this is not a prerequisite for the free operation of simple drones, training, and certification are free of charge, and having this type of license can be a starting point for obtaining new flight permits.
The FAA Part 107/107a commercial license is a ticket to the big leagues of piloting. With this certificate, you are authorized to operate medium and heavy UAVs equipped with professional equipment and capable of long-duration operation.
This type of license is required for flying in restricted areas such as airports, urban areas, national parks, nature reserves, and forests. Without a certificate, you will not be willing to render services to other firms, such as research companies, marketing studios, etc.
Overview of FAA Part 107
How to become a drone pilot? First, you need to obtain a Part 107 drone license. This type of commercial pilot certificate is issued specifically by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), supplied that the candidate confirms compliance with the requirements, learns the rules and regulations, and takes a preliminary training of theory and practice at one of the authorized educational institutions.
The license itself allows you to operate UAS of various types, provides access to services such as Avision’s LAANC and enables you to work in places with airspace restrictions.
Only with an up-to-date commercial drone license can you potentially get access to UAV operations, even in locations that are usually prohibited for piloting. These revolve around national parks, infrastructure facilities, etc.
What is the Timeline for Obtaining a Drone License?
How long does it take to get a drone license? It depends on the candidate’s current level of skills and knowledge and the type of certification. For example, a TRUST license can be obtained almost instantly, as this permit does not require any special qualifications.
The situation with Part 107/107a is a bit more complicated. Candidates are called upon not only to be able to pilot, but also to have knowledge of various maps, safe working practices, and the ability to respond to stressful situations.
The licensing period usually lasts 10 – 12 weeks but can be dynamic, depending on the training program, certification, and the type of unmanned aircraft the pilot plans to fly.
How Much Does a Drone License Cost?
There is no single indicator of the FAA drone license cost. For example, the certification itself typically costs about $160, but this is not the final cost of the license.
For example, a pilot must get through a full training course lasting several weeks. The school that trains the applicant has its own price and associated costs, which also depend on various factors. Therefore, to calculate the cost of a license, you should focus on:
- Regional prices in the relevant departments.
- Different pricing policies of educational institutions.
- Type of license and accompanying permits.
- Number of attempts to pass the final exam.
- Frequency of license renewal.
Accordingly, you can spend more than $500 on a certificate if, for example, you choose a more prestigious (FAA-certified) piloting course and also confirm your qualifications periodically. However, don’t worry, the cost of licensing is fully covered by the benefits and profitability of commercial activity.
What is the Validity of a Drone License?
Do I need a license to fly a drone? Moreover, the expiration of a pilot’s license is not limited by time.
To be more precise, the license is granted indefinitely, but you must renew it every 24 months. To upgrade it, you just need to pass a second qualification exam, after which the updated data will be pulled into the system, and your certificate will continue to be valid.
A key note: you must carry this document with you at all times, even if you have a flight permit obtained through LAANC. This is necessary in case you are, for example, aviating in a park or forest and one of the responsible rangers approaches you to clarify your work permit.
Not having your license with you (but actually having it) will result in a nominal fine at best and more long-range problems and associated penalties with law enforcement at worst.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Drone License
Let’s proceed to the practical question, “How to get a drone license?”. This process is quite simple and involves only four basic steps:
- Review Local and State Drone Regulations Before You Begin.
- Complete an FAA-Approved Training Course.
- Fill Out FAA Forms 107 & 107A.
- Provide Your Application to the FAA for Approval.
However, the difficulty of obtaining a fly drone permit lies in the operating requirements and local restrictions that you need to know thoroughly. Therefore, we offer you a step-by-step analysis of the pilot certification process with a detailed overview of potential bottlenecks.
Review Local and State Drone Regulations Before You Begin
When you apply for a drone pilot’s license, you usually already have a plan for what to do after you get it. In particular, you plan to fly in certain locations and zones within one or more regions.
Therefore, your first step should be to study the local policy that regulates the requirements for drone operators, as well as sets restrictions or prohibitions on flights.
Such data can be found on the FAA’s portal, as well as in local government, territorial administrations, etc. This knowledge is important because you will need it both during the exam and in your work, so take it seriously.
Complete an FAA-Approved Training Course
An FAA-certified drone pilot can work virtually all over the United States and in regions where the relevant certificate is valid. However, you will need to complete a comprehensive training course to obtain your license. And no, you cannot sign up for any school.
A specific list of FAA-Approved Training Courses is published on the agency’s portal. Yes, the right school may not be in your city, but for the most part, representative offices are distributed evenly throughout the country, so you can easily find a convenient branch.
Training lasting several weeks, followed by certification with theory and practice: this is what courses for new pilots will look like. If you already have an accreditation, the procedure for renewing your license is a little simpler and doesn’t require much time or resources.
Fill Out FAA Forms 107 & 107A
To get your drone pilot certification, you’ll need to fill out Form 107, and to renew or extend your license, you’ll need to fill out Form 107A. Here’s what you’ll need to put together in the first case:
- FULL NAME.
- Date of birth.
- Address.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- Flight experience (if any).
- Information about the FAA knowledge test (date of test, location, etc.).
You must also be a US citizen (or have a permanent residence permit or other legal residency status), be at least 16 years of age and speak English.
The requirements for Form 107A are similar:
- FULL NAME.
- Date of birth.
- Address.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- Remote pilot certificate number.
- Date of issue of the original certificate.
- Information on the completion of refresher courses, including the date and type of training.
- Signature confirming understanding of the regulations.
Please note: if you provide false information, you risk not only not receiving a certificate but also incurring administrative or criminal liability.
Submit Your Application to the FAA for Approval
The last hurdle to obtaining a drone flying license is to submit a direct request to the FAA. Here’s what it sounds like in practice:
- Prepare your documentation:
- Completed FAA Form 107 (application for a remote pilot certificate).
- Completed FAA Form 107A (remote pilot certificate recertification, if applicable).
- Proof of identity (e.g., a government-issued ID card).
- Certificate of completion of the FAA knowledge test (if applicable).
- Setting up an account on the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website.
- Fill out the application online:
- Log in to your IACRA account.
- Choose the option to apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Fill in the required information, making sure the details are correct.
- Submit your application via the IACRA system.
- Pay the applicable fees:
- Fees may vary, so check the official FAA guidelines for the exact amount.
- The FAA will make a determination on your application within a few weeks.
- You can inquire about the status of your application through your IACRA account.
- Receive your certificate.
- If your application is accepted, you will receive your remote pilot certificate in the mail.
- Keep it in a safe place, as you will need it to fly a drone legally.
It looks complicated, but the process takes a few minutes if you have all the requisite documents in hand.
How to Submit a Request for a Part 107 Certificate from the FAA
Now that we’ve dealt with the question “How to get a part 107 license?”, we need to understand how to increase the chances of your application being approved. And there is only one single bit of advice. Choose a pilot school with a good rating, study hard, and learn the rules of working with drones.
Only by successfully passing the exams will you have the best chance of getting your application approved by the FAA.
What Different Types of Drone Licenses Are Available?
There are three common types of licenses:
- TRUST. A basic license that allows amateurs to use UAVs for recreational flights, filming content for blogs, etc.
- Part 107. A commercial certificate that allows you to pilot professional equipment and monetize your experience by converting them into profit.
- Part 107A. A certificate of renewal or extension of an existing certificate must be obtained by the pilot at least once every 24 months.
That is why you can choose the required type of license from the above options.
Conclusion
A UAV license is a necessary document for a pilot who wants to work with professional equipment. This certificate is also a prerequisite for obtaining permits to fly in restricted GEO zones through Avision’s LAANC service.
If you want to operate effectively and legally, Part 107 is your goal and purpose. The positive thing is that this license is quite easy to obtain. Do you have any dilemmas or need more advice? Check out the case studies from Avision experts.
FAQ
What qualifications are required to apply for an FAA Part 107 drone license?
How to get your drone license?
Firstly, you need to pass the qualification exams at one of the FAA-approved training centers.
What study materials are recommended for the Part 107 knowledge test?
Getting a drone license requires a strong knowledge of several aspects of piloting. The FAA website, and the resources of specialized schools, provide the necessary documentation and materials to help you pass the exam.
Where can I take the FAA Part 107 knowledge exam?
How to get a drone license? Pick a pilot school from the menu on the FAA website, take the instructor’s course, and pass the online exam.
