not sure if any of you saw this, but it has more of the information I was looking for regarding the new FAA rules.

http://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_s ... ss/becoming_a_pilot

Thanks for posting.

Any idea on the content that needs to be read to pass the test, called the local facility in Concord CA and they indicated they would just provide testing service when available in August.

Question on how to get ready for the test?

Yes, this looks like what the FAA would produce and seems to be fairly written for all new drone pilots wanting a UAS license.

Thanks for posting the link for everyone

Rich

snathla@gmail.c Posted at 2016-6-23 21:28
Any idea on the content that needs to be read to pass the test, called the local facility in Concord ...

Here's a link to the study guide...  Look for part 107 sUAS course if link is broken:

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ ... 26&crID=1436761

So if I am reading this correctly we still need a sport pilot license? I only ask this because of this section

"This course is designed for part 61 pilot certificate holders who have a current flight review (in accordance with 14 CFR part 61.56) and wish to obtain a part 107 remote pilot certificate with an sUAS rating. References to “part 61 pilot certificate holders” specifically refer to holders of pilot certificates other than student pilot certificates. Part 61 pilot certificates include sport pilot, recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot and air transport pilot certificates."

Rinzler Posted at 2016-6-24 10:29
So if I am reading this correctly we still need a sport pilot license? I only ask this because of th ...

"Others may take this course as a self-study resource, including:

Applicants for a part 107 remote pilot certificate who do not hold a part 61 pilot certificate (or part 61 pilot certificate holders without a current flight review)
Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs)
Anyone interested in learning more about 14 CFR part 107"

Rinzler Posted at 2016-6-24 22:29
So if I am reading this correctly we still need a sport pilot license? I only ask this because of th ...

As of tight now to operate commercially you need a 333 exemption. But that's all changing and you will take a test at a FAA testing facility starting sometime in August or later.
For people who currently have a pilots license, they can take this online test to and get the Remote Pilot certification.
You can use the test as a study guide.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-6-24 19:59
As of tight now to operate commercially you need a 333 exemption. But that's all changing and you  ...

Gotcha. Thanks Ken

Rinzler Posted at 2016-6-26 03:25
Gotcha. Thanks Ken

No problem at all.

Thanks, Ken...so, is there a way to see and use the test as a study guide if I am not currently a pilot?  That would be really helpful, Thanks.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-6-26 10:50
No problem at all.

Ken are you going to get this new rating?

Rich

Dragonflyin Posted at 2016-6-26 23:24
Thanks, Ken...so, is there a way to see and use the test as a study guide if I am not currently a pi ...

Go to the link I posted...  Then create an account and you can go through the course/study guide

These comments are fine as far as they go, but there's something major missing.

The self-study course offered by the FAA for Part 61 pilots is being offered specifically to pilots for an important reason: it's missing a lot of material that pilots already know.  So you can take that course online for free, but it does NOT teach you everything you'll need to know to pass the knowledge test in August.  As far as I know, no one is yet offering a comprehensive course that someone off the street can take and then pass the knowledge test.

Two areas I know for certain you'll be tested on are how to read navigation charts (specifically sectional charts) and how to read FAA weather briefings, such as Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine ("METAR") forecasts.  Personally I think it's a huge overreach to require drone pilots to know how to read either one, but this is the FAA we're talking about.  They want you to be able to look at a sectional chart and not only see if you're flying near an airport or restricted area, but also see if you're flying in an area with greater traffic density (such as near a VFR checkpoint).  Sectional charts use tiny symbols that have very precise meanings - the VFR checkpoint, for instance, looks like the flag flying at the hole on a putting green.  And a METAR forecast is written as very precise notation - a typical METAR report looks like this:

METAR KTTN 051853Z 04011KT 1/2SM VCTS SN FZFG BKN003 OVC010 M02/M02 A3006 RMK AO2 TSB40 SLP176 P0002 T10171017=

Hopefully some time between now and the end of August the FAA will release (in reader-friendly terms) a precise list of exactly what you need to learn in addition to their online course, so you can self-study it on your own, AND some third-party providers will put together a complete Remote Pilot course that covers everything.  In the meantime the online course for Part 61 pilots is free and may be taken by anyone, but just remember it is NOT a complete course and assumes you already have all the knowledge of a Private Pilot at the time you take it.

PeteGould Posted at 2016-6-28 12:25
These comments are fine as far as they go, but there's something major missing.

The self-study cour ...

The Draft Unmaned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standrards, FAA-S-ACS-10, is available for download and review, but won't be official until released by the FAA Flight Standards Service.

As drafted, the Remote Pilot certification exam will cover to following five areas:

I)   Regulations                    -> 15-25%
II)  Airspace & Requirements -> 8-15%
III) Weather                         -> 11-16%
IV)  Loading and Performance -> 7 - 11%
V)   Operations                      -> 13-18%

The exam is planned to be sixty (60) objective, multiple-choice questions, with a single correct resonse for each test question. Each question is independent of all other questions.

The draft FAA-S-ACS-10 can be downloaded from the FAA at this link -> click this link to downlad the draft Certification Standards

PeteGould Posted at 2016-6-28 00:25
These comments are fine as far as they go, but there's something major missing.

The self-study cour ...

Auburn University will be teaching a course.  

A bit off the specific topic but if you want a good resource for METARs, the app AeroWeather is very simple. It shows the raw METAR or a decoded plain english version of the METAR. Good for studying if you're new to it, great for checking weather for flying or travel.

METARs (METeorological Aerodrome Report) aren't forecasts, simply observations. Occasionally they will contain weather that is observed moving in or out of an area but TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) are the forecast product that may be part of the knowledge test. Don't know this for sure but if you can read a METAR you'll be able to decode a TAF for the most part.

There has been a push to get away from the coded METAR reports and go to plain english. Hopefully this will actually happen soon so this all may be a non-issue.

Of obviously if you're in the UK you'll need some CAA training if you want to fly commercially at all.

What you actually need is a PfAW (Permissions for Aerial Work).

Something like this would be worth doing if you're going to do anything commercial.

I did the test online - took about 1 hour to read and do the test. Unfortunately IACRA is not set-up yet.   As far as reading METARs - you get used to it.  When I was in school getting my PPL I would just check them everyday and had a little decoder - after a couple of weeks it's pretty easy. I also read the AF which is available on ForeFlight - for those of you that use that...

PeteGould Posted at 2016-6-28 12:25
These comments are fine as far as they go, but there's something major missing.

The self-study cour ...

The FAA requires most things to protect itself and make it easy to go after you.
At least this has been my experience after 27 years as a line pilot

Sky Lens Posted at 2016-6-30 23:10
The FAA requires most things to protect itself and make it easy to go after you.
At least this has ...

FAA Motto:  "We're not happy, till your not happy."

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-6-30 22:33
I did the test online - took about 1 hour to read and do the test. Unfortunately IACRA is not set-up ...

How were did you do the test? Thanks

pidetectives@ya Posted at 2016-7-1 00:37
How were did you do the test? Thanks

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. I am a pilot so I have an account that FAA and was able to log in, read the content, take the test, and print the certificate.

I then have to log in to IACRA and then get a DPE or CFI to do the rest. However the IACRA system is not updated and I am told it will be August before its updated.

I would say half of the exam was on drone stuff and the other half was on general pilot knowledge that any pilot would know (part 61)

Ok so I took the exam and i got my certificate of Achievement Whats next?

pidetectives@ya Posted at 2016-7-1 03:23
Ok so I took the exam and i got my certificate of Achievement Whats next?

In August you will go on IACRA and fill out the form - then go find a DPE or CFI and they will take care of the rest.  

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-6-30 17:08
In August you will go on IACRA and fill out the form - then go find a DPE or CFI and they will tak ...

So I thought the test was the only thing we needed to take

pidetectives@ya Posted at 2016-7-1 05:39
So I thought the test was the only thing we needed to take

It is if you are a licensed pilot. You still have to take the certificate from FAA to a DPE and then it will show up on your normal pilots license

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-6-30 21:41
It is if you are a licensed pilot. You still have to take the certificate from FAA to a DPE and th ...

But I am not a pilot

pidetectives@ya Posted at 2016-7-1 10:17
But I am not a pilot

Ok then you need to take the test at an FAA authorized testing facility if I understand correctly. Taking the test online will only be accepted by a DPE/CFI if you are a current pilot with BFR. But in any event you already passed it - and it's easy - so just schedule at a testing facility and you should be all set. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-6-30 22:21
Ok then you need to take the test at an FAA authorized testing facility if I understand correctly. ...

Awesome. Wonder if the questions in the FAA testing facility will be the same as what I took onlin

pidetectives@ya Posted at 2016-7-1 16:04
Awesome. Wonder if the questions in the FAA testing facility will be the same as what I took onlin ...

IT will be similar. I've taken a few FAA written exams and after awhile they are all the same   You will do fine!

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-7-1 19:57
IT will be similar. I've taken a few FAA written exams and after awhile they are all the same    ...

Hope so Thanks

I passed my UAS 107 recently and you don't have to spend a lot of money to do so. Here's my preparation experience. I used a Google app call UAS107. Used it for 70% (30% YouTube sectional chart videos) of my prep for the exam; and the app only cost me $4. Passed on my 1st try with an 85%. My total cost to pass the exam: $4 for UAS107 app $150 for the test exam fee ———————————– $154.00 Here is the link to the app for anyone interested: https://play.google.com/store/ap ... otix.labs&hl=en

I used remotepilot101.com to study and pass my 107.  Great video based study classes.

JohnnieYaz Posted at 2017-2-23 09:15
I used remotepilot101.com to study and pass my 107.  Great video based study classes.

I also used RemotePilot101.  One week of just watching the videos, then one week of practicing with SkyVector, then passed the exam the 3rd week.  The great thing about that site is free update videos as the regulations change.

does my regular pilots licence qualify me for drone operation?