Welcome to Twin Cities Drone School
Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- List the FAA requirements for a commercial Remote Pilot Certificate
- Schedule your written test an a local testing center.
- Describe two key action items that will ensure your success in getting your certificate.
Become an FAA Certified Drone Pilot
Congratulations on starting your journey to becoming an FAA certified commercial drone pilot!
After each video, you will find a textual summary of the chapter. Feel free to skip these if you fully understand the concepts in the video. I've added the summaries for people who learn better by reading and for people who want to quickly review the material without the need to re-watch the videos.
This course is designed to prepare you for the FAA’s drone certification test, commonly referred to as the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) exam. We will cover five main areas:
- Drone Regulations
- Airspace and Map Reading
- Weather
- Aircraft Loading and Performance
- Operations
These units are derived from the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for the remote pilot certificate, a 35-page document listing all the knowledge areas you may encounter on the test. A link to this document is provided in the Resources section of this book, and it serves as the primary source document for this curriculum.
Requirements for Obtaining the Remote Pilot Certificate
To earn your drone license, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security check.
- Be proficient in reading, speaking, and writing the English language.
- Pass a 60-question multiple-choice FAA knowledge test.
English is the international language for aviation, so all official publications, maps, and Air Traffic Control instructions are in English. The TSA check occurs behind the scenes at no additional cost to the applicant.
About the Test
The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions administered at an FAA-approved testing center. You will get a random subset of questions from a larger test bank, although you are guaranteed to see questions from each of the five main units listed above. The passing score is 70%. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you must wait 14 days before retaking the exam, and you will need to pay the testing fee again (approximately $175). To avoid additional costs, it is advisable to prepare thoroughly and pass on your first try.
After passing the test, you will receive an exam report with an exam ID and your score. Use this ID on the FAA’s IACRA website to apply for your temporary certificate, which typically arrives via email within 24 hours. Once you have this temporary certificate, you may begin flying immediately. The FAA will then complete the TSA check. If cleared, you will receive a permanent plastic certificate by mail in six to eight weeks. Don’t worry about memorizing these test procedures - a step-by-step outline on how to schedule and take your test is included in this book’s Resources section.
Should you fail the TSA check, the FAA will notify you, and your certificate will be revoked. While this scenario is rare, it is important to be aware of the process.