What to Know About the Part 107 Exam

      So you want to fly drones commercially? Maybe you see the potential of earning extra cash while doing something you enjoy.  It’s not hard to see that many more uses for drones are right around the corner, so having a commercial rating makes a lot of sense.  Already we are seeing civilian commercial drones that firefight, fire start, herd birds, and fish find.  The inevitable future of drones is one of innovation and growth, so you’re probably barking up the right tree when considering the part 107 exam. It is the first step in applying for your drone certification.  Without it, a person may not fly a drone for hire.

As with any test, studying is best done efficiently, reviewing and learning only what is absolutely necessary to earn the best grade possible.  The following will help focus your efforts on making a required mark of 70 percent or better.

The FAA Provides much of the study materials and test supplement on a resource page of their website, found here.  In order to be successful on the Remote Pilot Certification the test taker must have a firm understanding of the subjects listed below.

• Regulations relating to sUAS rating privilege, limitations, and flight operations,
• Airspace classifications and restrictions as they relate to sUAS.
• Aviation weather sources for conventional aircraft and how weather affects a small unmanned aircraft
• Loading and unloading sUA
• Emergency procedures
• CRM Crew Resource Management
• Radio communications.
• Determining performance of sUA
• Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on UAS pilot
• ADM Aeronautical Decision Making: Judgment
• Airport Operations
• Maintenance
• Preflight Inspection

The basis of study should center on the subjects found in the FAA’s G-8082-22 supplement found here. Almost all information tested can be found within its 79 pages.  While helpful, the information isn’t well explained or elaborated upon.  In order to study more efficiently, DroneScores suggests purchasing an additional part 107 study guide.  Be wary of anything over 100 dollars.  While the guides are helpful, there are a few available for less than 30 bucks that have all the information needed as well as a few practice tests.

The FAA also suggests being familiar with the following documents, while not required, they are recommended to improve your chances of passing.

• AC 107-2 General Summary of Part 107 Rules
• AC 00-6 Aviation Weather
• AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services
• AC 60-28 FAA English Skills Standards
• AC-120-92 Safety Management Systems for Aviation Services
• FAA Order JO 7110.10 Flight Services
• FAA Order JO 7110.65 Air Traffic Control
• FAA Order JO 7210.3 Facility Operation and Administration
• FAA JO 7400.9 Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
• FAA Order 8130.34 Airworthiness Certification of UAS and
Optionally Piloted Aircraft
• FAA Order 8900.1 Flight Standards Information Management Systems

One of the most critical learning tools for the test is simply knowing the areas the FAA tends to test the most.  The part 107 test has a question distribution as follows:

Part 107 Test Question Distribution

Regulations                            15-20%

Airspace and Restrictions       15-25%

Weather                                  11-16%

Loading and Performance        7-17%

Operations                              35-45%

Total Questions                             60

70% pass equates to 42/60 questions correct.

After you feel you’ve put in the appropriate time, probably 40-60 hours or so of study, you’ll be ready to take, and pass the part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.  The test is worth the effort.  After passing, you’ll be able to legally make money with your drone or someone else’s.  There truly is nothing like working on something fun and profitable at the same time.  After passing the FAA’s part 107 general knowledge test, a drone pilot can do just that.