bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

For anyone else here with the Part 107 certificate and hasn't renewed yet, I have awesome news.

Unlike the initial test which I must say was ridiculously over reaching with wing loading etc... to renew, you now go to the FAAST website, go through a roughly 2 hour tutorial, you can stop and start as much as you want, then take the final test which is all drone oriented, no in depth chart reading or airspace, more like accident reporting, who to contact for flight notifications, etc.

You do have to get 100% on the test, but it's not bad at all, and they do tell you what question you missed (I did miss one on the first try, misread the question), and the retake is the exact same test!

The best part, it's FREE!!!!

What they don't tell you, and it took me almost 2 weeks of emails and phone calls, but once you pass the test, you print off the test result and certificate, and keep it with your original, no new "ticket" is mailed to you.

I was dreading all this for nothing, especially going to a testing sight all over again, and studying all that chart reading, etc.

Again, this is only for renewal, the original part 107 is still all the same.

I'm passing on this info, because I haven't seen it on youtube, or any of the study sights, and the FAAST sight wasn't really that helpful either. It tells you about the class and test, but says nothing about not needing to send your results somewhere and waiting for a renewed "license" that will never come.

Any questions, just ask. I'm SOOO glad it's over, and it was so much easier than I had thought the second time around.

bk

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Cool, good job and congrats. I need to take the 107, but have not decided on my path with drones. I got into them for drone racing with my son, but have started to do some DIY camera platform stuff, so I'm thinking about a DJI sometime in the future, and the license.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

First, it's more than possible to pass the test without taking any of the paid classes. I honestly did it by just going to the 3dr website and using their training material. It's pretty much all you need, except maybe some youtube stuff on airspace.

I get jobs from realtors that take about 10 minutes time, for roughly $75. The commercial drone work which requires flying in restricted airspace, and dealing with getting permissions, but it also pays between $150-300, and normally takes about the same amount of time. Can't make a living doing it, because there isn't that much work out there, but I make enough to pay for the insurance, and more toys.

Not sure about all areas, but absolutely no one here has ever asked what kind of drone I use, and I've done fine with just the Phantom 3 standard, which are VERY affordable now.

I also offer it with my wedding photography packages, but literally every single wedding I've booked it for has been the worst weather, and fortunately, that's in my contract that it has to be "safe" to fly. No rain, high winds, or spaces where I can fly without being over people or near power wires.

There are a LOT more rules to follow when you are flying commercially, but they are all really common sense, and should be followed by everyone. If you want to fly personally and do things like fly after dark or out of line of sight, you can do it, without breaking any laws, you just can't sell the photos, or do them for commercial reasons.

The initial test is kind of ridiculous on what they want you to know, but it also seems to weed out the people who don't have enough smarts, or common sense to fly in places that could cause damage or injury.

Anyway, good luck. I do suggest you think about it, and give it a shot. It's one hobby that didn't become "a job" after I started doing it for money. Think about it, I get paid to fly the quad, how awesome!!!

morris rei

Not true, if you read the course description, that only applies if you are part 61 qualified. If you are part 107 it clearly states you must take recurrent test at FAA sanctioned facility. Sorry to burst your bubble

morris rei

Also interesting that you think if you fly hobby you can fly out of visual line of sight and at night. You are really giving bad info to the board.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Sorry, that information came directly from the FAA, I spoke to them on the telephone, they have all my info, and that is exactly what they said.

I think you may be looking at old info. I've been renewed for a while.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I think you are answering the wrong person, you are directing this comment at me as well.

A non commercial drone is just like an RC airplane, and I have flown those at night without special permission for years. As a matter of fact, there are entire events where they light up electric airplanes, and have several in the air at once, including drones to video it.

And, while you shouldn't fly out of line of site with the hobby drone, it's done all the time, and I would love to see an example that you can show me of where someone was fined for that?

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

Very cool! I have one more year left before I have to renew. Thanks for the good news!

alexol

Resurrecting an old thread and if it has been superseded, please ignore...

From the FAA site: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot/

Renewing Your Certificate
It's important for all pilots, including Certified Remote Pilots, to stay current and keep their knowledge up to date. That's why the FAA requires you to renew your Remote Pilot Certificate every 2 years. Learn how to renew your certificate.

You must take a recurrent knowledge test at a Knowledge Testing Center within 24 calendar months of passing the initial knowledge test.

After passing the recurrent knowledge test, you must be able to show a copy of your recurrent knowledge test report if asked.

Part 61 pilot certificate holders with a current flight review (in accordance with 14 CFR part 61.56), must successfully complete this online course to satisfy the part 107 remote pilot with a small UAS rating recurrent training requirement.

You must be able to show a copy of your recurrent knowledge training certificate if asked.

Cloudy Coast Photography

Just read your article....awesome! I have an expired license and have been dreading retaking that obnoxious test. I like the idea of a couple hours study and an online test. Can you provide more info? I’m on the FAAST home page and can’t find anything on this... thank you!!

morris rei

The online test only applies if you hold a part 61 pilot certificate as alexol stated in his next to last sentence. So unless you have a Pilots license you must take the renewal part 107 test at a testing center. Just went through this and got the certificate after taking and passing the retest. Less questions and less topics on renewal.

sprucemesa Loc: Dallas, Texas

Starting today April 06, online training and exam for Part 107 recurrent.. non part 61 pilot. It's free.
I took the online training module in about 45 minutes and the 45 question exam in about 20 minutes. 100% correct answers and you can print or mail a certificate good for 24 months.

Ken

morris rei

Ken, do you happen to have the URL for that? Thanks

sprucemesa Loc: Dallas, Texas

Hello morris rei,

Go to www.faasafety.gov ...Sign in to your account or create one. Top left corner click on "Part 107 Small UAS recurrent Non-Part 61 pilots" and follow instructions to the training module followed by the exam. Good luck

Ken

morris rei

Thanks Ken. Perfect timing, I expire the end of this month and have been waiting for this. Did the test have other elements that were not in the module?