Ready to take flight? This page includes information about how to become a pilot, how to register a drone, where you can fly, and resources for schools. Thanks for visiting!
How To Get Your Drone LicenseYou will need to determine what type of drone pilot you are first. The FAA has a great tool that can help you determine if you need to get a a commercial pilot's license (if you are looking to be paid for your work) or if you are flying as a recreational flyer (you are just flying for fun).
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After you determine what kind of drone flyer you are, you can follow the FAA's website guidelines to help you get started and in the air. If you are looking to become a commercial pilot, you will have to be at least 16 years old, be able to speak, write, read, and understand English, be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly, and pass the "Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)" exam. The following information is taken from the FAA's website, and can be accessed along with lots of other helpful information here: Become a Drone Pilot.
Navigating the Process to Become a Drone Pilot:
Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment with a FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID to your test.
Step 3: Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)".
Studying for this test is a big part of becoming a pilot, and is made much easier by following a study guide and taking a practice test. There are many varieties of test available, but make sure that you take one that is up-to-date, as information and regulations are often changing.
Step 4: Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) using the electronic FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application system (IACRA)
Step 5: A confirmation email will be sent when an applicant has completed the TSA security background check. This email will provide instructions for printing a copy of the temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA.
Step 6: A permanent remote pilot certificate will be sent via mail once all other FAA-internal processing is complete.
Step 7: Have your Remote Pilot Certificate available whenever you fly your UAS.
Congratulations! You are now an FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot. Be sure to fly safely, and carry your license anytime that you fly.
Navigating the Process to Become a Drone Pilot:
Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment with a FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID to your test.
Step 3: Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)".
Studying for this test is a big part of becoming a pilot, and is made much easier by following a study guide and taking a practice test. There are many varieties of test available, but make sure that you take one that is up-to-date, as information and regulations are often changing.
Step 4: Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) using the electronic FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application system (IACRA)
Step 5: A confirmation email will be sent when an applicant has completed the TSA security background check. This email will provide instructions for printing a copy of the temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA.
Step 6: A permanent remote pilot certificate will be sent via mail once all other FAA-internal processing is complete.
Step 7: Have your Remote Pilot Certificate available whenever you fly your UAS.
Congratulations! You are now an FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot. Be sure to fly safely, and carry your license anytime that you fly.
Registering Your DroneIn order to safely and legally fly, you will need to register your drone with the FAA before flying. You will need to determine if you are an FAA Part 107 flyer or a recreational flyer, and can use the User Identification Tool above to do so.
All registration costs $5 per drone, and is valid for three years, at which time it must be renewed. In order for you to register your drone, you must be above the age of 13 and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Once you receive your registration, you must always have it with you when you are flying your drone. You also must label your drones with your registration number before you fly them, and this label must be visible and legible. In order to register your drone and for more details, you can visit the FAA Drone Zone located at the button below. |
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Where Can I Fly?
Wondering where you can and cannot fly your drone? This is an important part of any mission planning, and making sure that you are keeping yourself, others, and your drone safe. Check you this helpful source from the FAA for information on regulations, airspace and safety.
You can also use helpful on-the-go sources of information such as the B4UFLY app, which tells you what airspace you are in and allows to you to declare a flight plan for safe airspaces so that other pilots and operators in the area are aware of your activity.
Resources for Schools
Interested in sharing information about drones, the research that you can do with them, and how they work? We have included a number of resources for students and individuals of all ages. We hope that you are able to use these resources to share information about drones and get students interested in science and technology.
Unmanned Vehicles, Remote Sensing, and Careers in Science - A Drone Rangers Presentation
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Video for Elementary Students - How do Drones Fly?
This video breaks down how drones fly in a way that is accessible and engaging to younger students. There are a number of other sections in the video, including ones about how planes fly and why birds fly in a V formation, but the drone piece lasts from 0:00 to 1:18.
