Taking Flight: My Journey to Obtaining a Part 107 Commercial Drone License

As drones become increasingly popular for both recreational and commercial use, it's crucial to understand the regulations surrounding their operation. Recently, I embarked on the journey to obtain my Part 107 Commercial drone license, and I want to share my experience with you. For the record, I passed – 1st try!

What is a Part 107 Commercial Drone License?

The Part 107 license, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is essentially the "driver's license" for drones in the sky. It is required for operators to fly drones for commercial purposes, which includes any flight that is not strictly for hobby or recreational use. This could encompass activities like aerial photography for real estate, surveying for precision agriculture or construction projects, or even delivering packages.

My Opinion on this Certification:

Before I start, I wanted to express how this process felt for me. Honestly, half of what I learned felt useless. The drone regulations were clear, and I'm glad to know what airspaces I'm certified to fly in, but I learned a lot of stuff that, in my opinion I don't need to know. I mean, I know how to tell the air traffic control tower that im entering the rotation of airplanes for landing from the left side, and which frequency to tune in to to tell them that. The thing is, I have no intention of becoming a pilot! Why did I have to learn the phonetic alphabet? Or what to do when you are trying to land a plane at an airport without a tower? I don't plan on flying my drones anywhere near airports! Maybe that should be a separate certification, flying drones near airports. On top of all this, I never had to prove that I could safely operate a drone! The FAA thinks it is vital that I can read sectional charts (the most confusing maps ever), but they don't care if I'm likely to hit a building my first flight. Super weird.

Eligibility Requirements

After reading that, if you want t

o become a certified drone pilot under Part 107, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English

• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone

My Journey to Certification

I followed these five steps to obtain my Part 107 license:

1. Study: There are numerous online study resources available. I used Drone Launch Academy, but there are many other excellent alternatives. The key is to find a resource that suits your learning style and covers all the necessary material.

2. Practice: I took numerous practice tests online until I achieved high scores. My goal was to reach a 97% before attempting the actual exam.

3. Sign Up: Once I felt confident in my knowledge, I began the official process with the FAA which starts with getting an FAA Tracking Number (FTN). This step involved creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile. It's a crucial step that must be completed before you can register for the knowledge test.

4. Schedule the Test: I made an appointment with an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. It's important to note that you need to bring a government-issued photo ID to the test, so I made sure to have mine ready.

5. Pass the Test: Finally, I took and passed the test, officially known as the "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)" exam.

The study process was intense but fascinating. I learned about airspace classifications, weather patterns, drone regulations, and much more. It gave me a newfound appreciation for the complexities of aviation and the importance of safety in the skies - even though not all of it is vital for drone operation.

What’s Next?

Obtaining my Part 107 license was just the beginning of my journey in commercial drone operations. It opened up new opportunities and gave me the confidence to operate legally and safely in various scenarios. Remember, if you're considering using drones for any commercial purpose, getting your Part 107 license is not just a legal requirement—it's a valuable investment in your knowledge and skills as a drone operator.