This document discusses the requirements and process for obtaining an FAA remote pilot certificate to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. It outlines two routes to certification - one for those with prior pilot experience which requires submitting an application and providing identity and medical documents, and one for those without which requires additionally passing an aeronautical knowledge test. It also describes the aeronautical knowledge test content, FAA regulations and definitions, resources for studying like the Aeronautical Information Manual and Advisory Circulars, and best practices for safe UAS operation.

1. UAVs and the FAA:
What You Need to Know to Fly
Caitlin Reusch
student pilot

2. Routes to Remote Pilot Certification
Already a Sport Pilot or better:
• Submit application to Flight
Standards District Office,
designated pilot examiner,
airman certification
representative at pilot school,
CFI, or other authorized FAA
representative
• Have identity verified with
driver’s license, passport, etc.
• Logbook endorsement to
illustrate they meet flight
review requirements
• Certification reviewed every 24
months and must take a
currency course
No previous pilot certification:
• Submit application to Flight
Standards District Office,
designated pilot examiner,
airman certification
representative at pilot school,
CFI, or other authorized FAA
representative
• Have identity verified with
driver’s license, passport, etc.
• Evidence to show the applicant
passed the aeronautical
knowledge test
• Certication reviewed every 24
months and operator must take
a recurrent aeronautical
knowledge test.
You may operate a UAV
without a certificate if you
are under the supervision
of a certificated operator.

3. Aeronautical Knowledge Test
More than just Part 107

4. FAA Definitions
FAR AIM Part 1 – Definitions and Abbreviations
Aircraft: a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the
air
This is why the FAA is the final authority on UAVs and why they
have the power to fine operators and remove pilot privileges.

5. FAR AIM: The Bible of Aviation
205 pages of guidance and 58 of regulations
• 14 CFR part 47 – Aircraft Registration
• 14 CFR part 48 – Registration and Marking Requirements for Small UAS
• 14 CFR part 71 – Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Rotes; Reporting Points
• 14 CFR part 73 – Special Use Airspace (Restricted and Prohibited Areas)
• 91.17 – Alcohol or Drugs
• 91.19 - Carriage of narcotic drugs, marijuana, and depressants/stimulants
• 91.141 - Flight restrictions in the proximity of the Presidential and other parties
• 91.143 – Flight limitations in the proximity of space flight operations
• 91.144 – Temporary restriction on flight operations during abnormally high
barometric pressure conditions
• 91.145 – Management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of aerial
demonstrations and major sporting events
• 91.203(a)(2) – Civil aircraft: certifications required
• 14 CFR 99.7 – Special security instructions
• 14 CFR Part 101 Subpart E – Special Rule for Model Aircraft
• 14 CFR Part 107 – Operation and Certification of Small UAS
• 49 CFR Part 830 – Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents or Incidents
and Overdue Aircraft, Preservation of Aircraft Wreckage, Mail, Cargo, and
Records

6. Aeronautical Information Manual(AIM)
• General Airspace
• Authorization for Certain Airspace
• Airport Operations Aeronautical Charts
• Radio Communications – Non-towered
• Radio Communications – Towered
• Traffic Patterns
• Traffic Advisory Services
• Phonetic Alphabet
• Scanning/See and Avoid
• Right-of-Way Rules
• NOTAMs
• Temporary Flight Restrictions
• Hyperventilation
• Military Operating Areas (MOA)
• Sources – Weather Briefings/Sources
• Prescription and OTC Medications

7. • SAFO (Safety Alert for Operators) 15010 – Carriage of Spare Lithium Batteries
in Carry-on and Checked Baggage
• SAFO 10015 – Flying in the wire environment
• SAFO 10017 – Risks in Transporting Lithium Batteries in Cargo by Aircraft
• SAFO 09013 – Fighting fires caused by lithium type batteries in portable
electronic devices
• AC (Air Circular) 150/5200-32 – Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes
• AC 107-2 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
• FAA-S-ACS-10 (33 pages) – Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Airman Certification Standards
• FAA-G-8082-22 (87 pages) – Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Study Guide
• FAA-G-8082-20 (17 pages) – Remote Pilot Knowledge Test Guide
• Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide Pages 1-36
• AC 00-6 (200 pages) – Aviation Weather categories (thunderstorms,
winds/currents, density altitude, effects – temperature, effects – frost
formation, effects – air masses and fronts)
• AC 00-45 – Aviation Weather Services (terminal aerodrome forecasts [TAF],
thunderstorms/severe weather)
• Risk Management Handbook
• Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25)
• Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and
Private Pilot
• Sporty’s Pilot Study App
Additional
Resources

8. Airspace

9. Small Airports

10. • Find a good mentor
• Buy a radio and keep it in your kit
• Buy the FAR AIM ebook
• Know where to get local weather
(1-800-Wx-Brief)
• File NOTAMs!
• Keep a log book
• Download Avare for charts
• Know airspace and rights-of-way
• Learn to read charts
• Download the Sporty’s Pilot Study
App
• Have insurance
• Learn to manage risk and assess
yourself
Some Good Ideas/Best Practices from Pilot Standpoint

11. Summary
• Register your aircraft
• Get a certificate
• Get a log book
• Get a mentor
• Understand the regulations
• Get a plan
• Hobbyist versus Commercial uses (Part 101 vs Part 107)
• Fines from $400 - $5000 for civilians
• Fines up to $1.9 million for commercial

12. Citations
http://jrupprechtlaw.com/part-107-test-study-guide
http://thedronegirl.com/2016/06/21/part-107-aeronautical-drone-test-heres-
can-expect/
U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Regulations Aeronautical
Information Manual. Aviation Supplies and Academics, Inc. June 28, 2016.