1. Getting Your Remote Pilot License Tom Black, Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics University of Cincinnati
…with a special Thank You salute
to the websites of
Rupprecht Law P.A.,
Federal Aviation Administration, and
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
For much of my briefing material!

2. My Background BS AsE UC 1977; MS AAE, Ohio State, 1983
Retired after 34 years as a USAF civilian Aerospace Engineer
Specialization: aircraft flying qualities and controls
2 years as Flight Test and Aerodynamics Engineer at Beech Aircraft
2 years at Ohio State (Graduate Research Associate, Instructor, Flight Instructor, Test Pilot)
Associate Member, Society of Experimental Test Pilots

3. Most Cessna, Piper and Beech
Commercial Pilot License with Single-Engine, Multiengine and Instrument Ratings, ~1000 flight hours; Remote Pilot License with Small UAS Rating
Have flown 50 major types of aircraft (including Engineering Development simulators)
Most Cessna, Piper and Beech
A-26, T-38, P-51, Ford Trimotor
Simulators: B-1B, C-130E, F-16C, F/A-18A, YF-22, F-22A, YF-23, X-32B, X-35C, Space Shuttle

4. Coming Event
Details and registration at:

5. It CAN be done!

6. So Why Do I Need A Remote Pilot License?
Oh yes you do!
Any non-hobby use of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) of less than 55 pounds is considered a Commercial Operation!
Commercial Operations require the UAS to be registered and Remote Pilot in Command to be licensed!

7. Are you already a manned aircraft pilot?
If you already have a pilot license for manned aircraft, and
If you have a current Biennial Flight Review, THEN
Take the free online training course and abbreviated exam from the FAA, submit your application on IACRA or via paper copy, have your identity validated, and receive your remote pilot certificate electronically with follow-up hardcopy in the mail (I did it this way).
Details at under the heading “Drone License Application Process”
It’s easy! Really!

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11. Suggested Game Plan (if you are not already a pilot)
Step 1. Read all the steps.
Step 2. Sign up for the test. You should pick a date based upon how much time you have in relation to how much material you need to go through. You are looking at around 406 pages of material you need to read.
Step 3. Learn about the Airmen Certification Standards (ACS) and read over the Part 107 ACS.
Step 4. Start studying the material.
Step 5. Once you are done or feel competent. Take the test of 40 sample questions. For your deficient areas, go over those particular areas in the ACS. All 40 questions are answered and explained in this document in the back.
Step 6. In the final stretch of time, study Area II and Area V from the ACS since both of those areas will make up 50-70% of the test.

12. Knowledge Areas on the Test
Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation;
Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation;
Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance;.
Small unmanned aircraft loading;
Emergency procedures;
Crew resource management;
Radio communication procedures;
Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft;
Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol;
Aeronautical decision-making and judgment;
Airport operations; and
Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures.

13. What is FAR 107?
FAR stands for Federal Aviation Regulation (for the legal beagles, that’s 14 USC 107)
FAR part 107 governs commercial (non hobby) operation of UASs between 0.55 and 55 pounds

14. FAR 107 Highlights Avoid manned aircraft (they have right of way)
Never operate in a “careless or reckless” manner
Always keep your sUAS within unaided sight
Vision aids (binoculars) don’t count
If using First Person View you must use a Visual Observer who keeps the sUAS in unaided sight
You and your Visual Observer can only be responsible for ONE sUAS at a time.

15. FAR 107 Highlights (2) You can fly during daylight
You can fly in twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting
Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station
Maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground
higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure
Maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots)

16. FAR 107 Highlights (3)
No flying over anyone who is not directly participating in the operation
No flying under a “covered structure”
No flying inside a covered stationary vehicle
No operations from a moving vehicle are allowed unless you are flying over a sparsely populated area

17. FAR 107 Highlights (4)
Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without air traffic control permission
Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace need ATC approval

18. FAR 107 Highlights (5) Carriage of an external load is permitted IF
It is securely attached
It does not adversely affect the “flight characteristics” or controllability of the vehicle
You may transport property for hire
Intrastate
Weight of sUAS and payload is less than 55 pounds (some exceptions apply)
You obey all other flight rules

19. Airman Certification Standards
What is the Part 107 Airmen Certification Standards?
It is a “comprehensive presentation that integrates the standards for what an applicant needs to know, consider, and do in order to pass both the knowledge test for a certificate or rating.”
The FAA released a pdf of FAQ’s on ACS in general.
How do I use the ACS to study for the Part 107 exam?
The sUAS ACS includes Areas of Operation and Tasks for the initial issuance of a Remote Pilot Certificate with a sUAS rating. You should study to know the material listed. Each task in the ACS is coded according to a scheme that includes four elements. For example:
UA.I.B.K10: UA = Applicable ACS (for Unmanned Aircraft Systems) I = Area of Operation (Regulations) B = Task (Operating Rules) K10 = Task element Knowledge 10 (Visual line of sight (VLOS) aircraft operations)
Start looking through the ACS:

20. Certifications Pilot certification – already covered
Aircraft certification
Register your aircraft (REQUIRED!) at
remote pilot will perform a preflight visual and operational check of the small UAS (including all control links) to ensure that safety-pertinent systems are functioning properly

21. From the FAA sUAS FAQs
I am part of a Federal/State/local government office – how can I fly a UAS to support a specific mission e.g. search and rescue? You may either operate under the Part 107 rule, or you may be eligible to conduct public aircraft operations for which you would need to apply for a public Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for certain operations.

22. From the FAA sUAS FAQs
What options do I have if my operation is not permitted under these rules (Part 107)? If you are operating an unmanned aircraft that weighs less than 55 pounds, generally you may apply for a Part 107 waiver (special permission) to conduct your operation. Your waiver application must outline how you intend to safely conduct your proposed operation, including any additional risk mitigation strategies you may use. An online portal will be available through for UAS operators to apply for waivers to applicable parts of the rule. Get more information in the FAQ section on Permissions, Authorizations, Waivers, and Exemptions.

23. My Advice
Spend some time with the FAA representatives at your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Explain to them what you want to use UASs (and manned aircraft) for and have them advise you. Make them your partners!
Having said that,..

24. NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System
The FAA did not note anything about (NTSB) Part 830 (except for one small reference in a PLT code) or the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).
Both of those programs are focused on safety while the FAA’s accident reporting requirement in Part 107 is focused on safety and enforcement.
A pilot needs to know both of these programs.
The NASA ASRS which is there for the pilot’s benefit, not the FAA’s, regarding enforcement actions.
ASRS provides you with a limited “Get Out of Jail Free” card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

27. Backup Slides

28. Recommended Online Videos
(You will see some of these)
(I will use some clips from this)

29. How to get a Remote Pilot License 1

30. How to get a Remote Pilot License 2*
* On Blackboard

31. How to get a Remote Pilot License 3*
* On Blackboard

32. How to get a Remote Pilot License 4

33. How to get a Remote Pilot License 5