Find answers to your FAA questions.
How many people have had life threating injures or been killed from small UAS or drone falling on them?
Read the ASSURE Small UAS Ground Collision Report for more information.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
How much does it cost to get a remote pilot certificate?
Knowledge Testing Centers charge approximately $175to people seeking to take the initial aeronautical knowledge test.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
How should we get the impact data, if we are not near your facility, or a lab, to do that data collection?
Under a performance based rule, the FAA does not propose how an applicant obtains the impact data. The FAA only evaluates the testing scenarios and data to ensure the operation remains acceptably safe.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
How will ATC facilities get in contact with a small UAS or drone operator if there is an issue or problem?
Operators are required to provide valid contact information on their airspace authorization request. This contact information will be used to call the responsible person/operator if necessary.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
How will the UTM Pilot Program (UPP) support the implementation of UTM?
The UPP will demonstrate transfer of NASA’s UTM research technologies to the FAA. The results from the UPP will provide a proof of concept for UTM capabilities currently in research and development and will serve as the basis for initial deployment of UTM capabilities.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
How would I report a drone operator potentially violating the FAA rules or regulations?
If your report involves a drone not following the FAA rules or regulations while flying within the National Airspace System, contact your localFlight Standards District Office.
Here are the FAA rules that must be followed while flying a drone within the National Airspace System:
- Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I already have a pilot certificate issued under Part 61. Do I need to obtain a remote pilot certificate to fly a UAS or drone under the Small UAS Rule (Part 107)?
Yes. To act as a remote pilot in command under Part 107, you must have a remote pilot certificate. However, part 61 pilot certificate holders who have completed a flight review within the past 24 months may elect to take an online training course focusing on UAS-specific areas of knowledge instead of the aeronautical knowledge test. The online training for current pilot certificate holders is available atwww.faasafety.gov(ALC-451: Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems). All other members of the public must take and pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test to obtain a remote pilot certificate.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I applied for a Section 333 exemption, an exemption under the Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Systems (U.S.C. 44807), or have a pending request for amendment. What do I do?
The FAA has posted a letter to your docket folder onwww.regulations.gov. If your operation can be conducted under the Small UAS Rule (Part 107), your petition will be closed out. If your operation requires a waiver to Part 107 or cannot be conducted under the Rule, the FAA will contact you with specific information about the status of your petition.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I completed the test for a remote pilot. I received a temporary certificate, but I never got my actual license? How should I go about getting this resolved?
If you registered using the FAA IACRA system, the FAA will mail you your license. It typically takes 6-10 weeks from the date the temporary certificate was issued to process the permanent certificate. If it has been more than eight (8) weeks since you received your temporary certificate, contact the Airmen Certification Branch for assistance. If you haven’t registered yet, please visit Become a Drone Pilot and follow Step 3.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I don't have access to a computer to register. Is there a form?
There are two registration systems available to small UAS or drone owners – theweb-based system, designed exclusively for small unmanned aircraft, and the legacypaper-based registration system. If you don't have access to a computer to register, you may use the paper registration process.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I don't see an expiration date on my Part 107 remote pilots certificate . Do I have to take a test annually?
Your certificate is permanent unless revoked by the Administrator.After completing the initial knowledge test, you must update your recency ofaeronautical knowledge within 24 calendar months to maintain currency. To update your recency of aeronautical knowledge, complete the appropriate online ALC training course.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I had warranty work done on my drone and the company sent me a replacement drone with a different serial number, how do I get this updated in DroneZone?
If your old drone was registered under Recreational Flyer, simply re-attach your current registration number. If it was registered under Part 107, then you would have to register the replacement drone as a new drone since the old registration number is tied to the serial number of the old drone.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
I've found many examples of ways to write the materials required as COA application attachments (e.g. Communication). Is there a checklist of requirements to follow for each attachment?
The COA application requiresa minimum of 5 attachments as follows:
- The public declaration letter that declared the public agency's public aircraft status;
- An airworthiness statement from the agency's accountable executive declaring the UAS(s) they are operating is airworthy and that they will maintain an airworthiness program;
- A lost link document for each UAS that explains the loss of link protocol for the UAS;
- Aloss of communication document that describes the loss of communication between the Remote Pilot in Control (RPIC) and their observer, and the loss of communication between the PIC and air traffic control if that is required; and
- An emergency procedures document that lists the different emergencies an operation may have and how the public agency will respond to such emergencies.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If a city/municipality issues a permit to film a commercial activity and has PD on site to assist and the pilot deviates from what they tell us and violates FAA rules, what exposure does the city/municipality have to FAA fines?
Every incident is analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, a city is liable to the extent that it authorizes the operation. Deviations outside of that authorization are generally not considered as violations by a city.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If a map includes the area where I want to operate a UAS, does that mean I can fly without authorization?
No, the maps are for informational purposes only; they are meant to provide data that helps operators submit airspace authorization requests that can be quickly processed by FAA. An operator must obtain an airspace authorization to operate in controlled airspace in accordance with the Small UAS Rule (part 107).
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If I am a model aircraft owner who registered prior to December 12, 2017, on what date do I have to renew my registration?
As of December 12, 2017, the National Defense Authorization Act for 2018 restored the FAA's registration rule with respect to model aircraft. If you are a model aircraft owner who registered prior to December 12, 2017 and did not request to have your registration information deleted, the FAA has extended the expiration date until December 12, 2020, which is 3 years from the rule restoration date.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If I operate my drone within 400 Ft. radius or 400 Ft. above a structure, do I still need authorization?
Part 107.51 details the 400 foot limitation with respect to structures on the ground. This applies to UAS or drones operating in Class G or Class E airspace. In other airspace classifications, like Class D airspace, an authorization per 107.41 is required.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If I'm flying my UAS or drone in my own yard, do I have to register it?
You will need to register your UAS or drone if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If my agency operates under a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA), can I fly our UAS under Part 107 using my RPIC certificate for a flight that doesn't fall within the COA parameters (e.g. a school demonstration)?
Since the operation you proposed does not meet the definition of a governmental function under Title 49 USC 40125(a)2, your only option is to fly under the Part 107 rule.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
If my registered UAS or drone is destroyed or is sold, lost, or transferred, what do I need to do?
You should cancel your registrationthrough the FAA's online registration system.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
