FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Practice Exam

To be eligible, you must be at least 16 years old, able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS. There is no requirement for a traditional pilot's license or prior flight experience. You must schedule the test at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.

The certificate itself does not expire. However, to exercise the privileges of the certificate, you must complete a recurrent training course (available online via the FAA Safety Team website) every 24 calendar months. This ensures remote pilots stay current with changing regulations, procedures, and safety practices.

An authorization (now primarily managed through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability - LAANC) is required to operate in controlled airspace (e.g., near airports in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas). It grants access if you meet predefined altitude limits. A waiver is required to deviate from a specific Part 107 operational rule (e.g., flying over people, night operations, beyond visual line of sight). The FAA grants waivers on a case-by-case basis upon demonstration of equivalent level of safety.

CRM principles are critically adapted to single-pilot UAS operations. It involves the effective use of all available resources-human, informational, and hardware-to ensure a safe and efficient operation. This includes systematic pre-flight planning, utilizing checklists, managing personal stress and fatigue, effectively communicating with visual observers or clients, and maintaining situational awareness of airspace, weather, and aircraft performance throughout the mission.

The most critical factors are wind (sustained speed and gusts), temperature (which affects battery performance and motor efficiency), visibility, and precipitation. High winds can exceed a drone's maximum groundspeed, causing loss of control or inability to return home. Cold temperatures drastically reduce battery capacity. Low visibility compromises visual line of sight (VLOS). Precipitation can damage electronics and sensors. A professional remote pilot must interpret aviation weather reports (METAR, TAF) and forecasts to assess these risks.