Top MISPERCEPTIONS about a drone pilot’s license

Most people think they need a drone pilot’s license and many people get a license for the WRONG reason.

Here are the TOP MISPERCEPTIONS I hear all the time:

• Getting a drone pilot’s license will help me to better operate my drone
  No: it will teach you pilot rules (the same rules that the guy flying an airplane knows), but it doesn’t help you get better at actually flying your drone. Unlike a motorcycle license, you’re not flying your drone as part of the exam.
  
  
• I need Part 107 because I’m just getting started and it will help me get better faster
  No: Many of the questions have nothing to do with drones. It has everything to do with sharing the air with other airplanes. You’re better off taking the REQUIRED TRUST exam (scroll down for more info).

Consider saving yourself the time (it’s not an easy exam!) and the money (it’s also not a cheap exam) and ONLY get it IF you need it.

What is Part 107

The key thing to know: it’s not JUST a drone license. It’s a license to operate a small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) – in other words: your drone.

You are NOT learning how to operate and fly your drone, you are learning to pilot something that flies in the sky alongside other planes.

You are becoming a PILOT. Which tbh, is kinda cool.

You will learn:

• Types of airspace
• Weather patterns
• Airport
• Aeronautical charts
• And many other things you’ll likely forget as soon as you finish the exam (if I’m honest).

What is the Part 107 exam like?

“Is it hard”? Ah the impossible question. If you are an airplane pilot (like Randel), it’s VERY easy. But if you are like me and don’t know a darn thing about the topics listed above, well… then studying is required.

This is NOT an intuitive exam. If I did not study, I would have failed.

Things to know about the drone pilot’s license:

• It’s 60 questions
• You need 70% to pass
• You are given 2 hours to take it
• It requires studying. Some people take months to study, I gave myself 2 weeks
• It generally costs around $175 to take and you go to a local (small) airport
• It’s good for 2 years (then you have to take the (free) online recurrent test that is 45 questions)

How to study for Part 107

Some people try to study on their own and kudos to you if you’re one of these. I took a COURSE because otherwise, it’s a lot of reading (and falling asleep and pulling my hair out). I literally sat on a beach while watching the Pilot Institute’s course off of my phone on 1.5x speed.

Regardless of how you study you can’t skip it (unless you are already an airplane pilot). Here’s some example Part 107 test questions:

Example Question:
What is the minimum visibility where drone operations are permitted?

• 2 statute miles
• 3 statute miles
• 4 statute miles

Example Question:
Which combination of atmospheric conditions will result in the most optimal propeller efficiency?

• High temperature, high relative humidity, low density altitude
• Low temperature, low relative humidity, low density altitude
• High temperature, low relative humidity, high density altitude

A quick pause to applaud you if you read the above and say “OOH I KNOW THE ANSWER!” lol.

Bottom line: you likely need to study. The majority of this exam (for me) was memorization.

When do you need Part 107

Making money with your drone requires a license. You need it if you want to do any kind of BUSINESS with your drone.

Examples of when you need Part 107 because you’re making money with your drone:

• You sell your photos and videos
• You’re taking aerial videography of an event and they give you free tickets to the event
• You are monetizing your drone footage on a social platform (like making Youtube ad revenue)
• You are mapping a construction site for money
• You are taking real estate photos used by the real estate agent
• You are inspecting someone’s roof or gutters
• (etc)

In the instances above (and more) you technically need your drone license. It’s up to YOU if it’s the right choice to get it. I know LOTS of people who have Part 107 and haven’t made a penny. I know huge film makers who have built a living around their drone footage that don’t have it. Does it matter what other people do? No. Only you can decide what’s right for you.

TRUST: The Recreational UAS Safety Test

New as of 2021, the FAA requires the TRUST test for ALL pilots (recreational and not).

To be honest: THIS IS THE TEST MOST NEW DRONE OWNERS NEED. It will help you understand basic drone rules that most newbies are freaking out about. Why do tons of research when you can just go through this (likely less than an hour-ish-required-test)?

If you’ve taken the Part 107, this 23 question test is still required (and will be very easy for you). It took me 7 minutes and 11 seconds to complete the entire thing and they don’t allow you to “move on” until you’ve gotten the answer right. So don’t sweat it.

Also helpful to know:

• It’s free
• 4 modules with reading
• 23 questions
• Should take less than an hour to complete
• You must pass with 100%
• You’ll learn things like “visual line of sight” and “how to properly display your drone registration number”
• You take it with an FAA accredited place like The Pilot Institute

Below are helpful tips you need to know:

Bottom line?

Consider getting your Part 107 if you’re making money with your drone (or plan to very soon). Everyone needs to take the (free) TRUST exam.

Are they fun? No.
But is flying a drone fun? Yes.