Academy / Drone Piloting: Advanced Techniques

Certification Study Guides: FAA Part 107 and EU A2 Certificate

FAA Part 107 Certification Study Guide (United States)

The FAA Part 107 certification allows you to legally operate drones for commercial purposes in the U.S. Here’s a breakdown of the topics covered in the exam, along with resources to help you prepare.

Part 107 Exam Topics

  1. Regulations:
    • Airspace classifications, restrictions, and operational limits (e.g., where you can and can’t fly).
    • Rules for flying near airports, controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E), and NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen).
    • Registration requirements and remote pilot responsibilities.
  2. Airspace and Weather:
    • How to read aeronautical charts (Sectional Charts) and identify no-fly zones.
    • Understanding different types of airspace classifications (Class B, C, D, E, and G).
    • Weather patterns, cloud formations, and how weather affects drone performance.
  3. Flight Operations:
    • Safe flying practices, emergency procedures, and pre-flight checks.
    • Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) responsibilities, including collision avoidance.
    • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and rules for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
  4. Aeronautical Decision-Making:
    • Understanding risk management, decision-making models, and crew resource management.
  5. Performance and Loading:
    • Understanding weight and balance, center of gravity, and drone performance during flight.
  6. Radio Communication:
    • Basics of radio communication with air traffic control and understanding common ATC phrases.

Study Tips for Part 107:

  • Use FAA’s Study Resources: The FAA provides an official Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide, which covers all exam topics in detail. Download it here.
  • Practice with Aeronautical Charts: Learn how to read sectional charts, especially identifying restricted airspace and no-fly zones. A good interactive tool is SkyVector, which provides real-time sectional charts.
  • Understand Weather Effects: The FAA will test your knowledge of how weather affects drones, particularly how to read METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast). Brush up on aviation weather reports.
  • Practice Tests: Take as many Part 107 practice tests as possible. Many online resources provide full-length exams to help you get comfortable with the format.

Example Question:

"You are planning a drone flight in Class D airspace. What is the required procedure before you can operate?"