How I Got My Part 107 — And What I’d Do Differently
I got my Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in early 2024. Passed on the first try with an 88%, which isn’t perfect but was comfortable enough. The process is straightforward, but there are enough steps that it’s worth having someone walk you through what to actually expect — not just what the FAA’s website says in legalese.
Who Can Get Certified
The eligibility bar isn’t high. You need to be at least 16 years old, able to read and speak English, and in physical and mental condition to safely operate a drone. That last one sounds vague because it is — there’s no medical exam. Basically, if you can pass a driver’s license test, you can qualify for Part 107.
The real gate is the aeronautical knowledge test. That’s where most of the preparation goes.
The Knowledge Test: What It’s Actually Like
The exam is 60 multiple-choice questions, two hours, and you need 70% to pass. It’s administered at PSI testing centers — the same places that handle various professional certification exams. The fee is approximately $175.
The questions cover a broad range of aviation topics, and some of them feel borrowed from manned aviation training (because they are). The major areas:
Airspace: This is the biggest section and the most important to study well. You need to know Classes A through G, their dimensions, and what authorization you need for each. The exam loves giving you a sectional chart excerpt and asking “can you fly here?” Questions that seem straightforward until you realize the airspace boundary falls right where they placed the scenario.
Weather: Understanding METARs (current weather reports), TAFs (forecasts), and how conditions like wind, visibility, and cloud cover affect drone operations. You’ll need to decode a METAR on the test — practice this until it’s automatic.
Regulations: The specific Part 107 rules — 400 feet AGL altitude limit (or within 400 feet of a structure), visual line of sight requirement, daylight/civil twilight restriction, and the various waivers available for operations that fall outside standard rules.
How I Studied
I spent about 20 hours over three weeks. Started with the FAA’s free Remote Pilot Study Guide — it’s dry but covers everything. Then I spent the second week doing practice tests, which is where the real learning happened. The practice tests showed me exactly where I was weak (sectional charts and METARs, mostly) so I could focus my final week of study on those areas.
There are paid prep courses from companies like Pilot Institute and Gold Seal that run $100-150. I didn’t use one, but I’ve heard from other pilots that the video instruction helps if you’re a visual learner. The FAA’s free materials were enough for me, but I came in with some aviation background that not everyone has.
Test Day
Register through PSI Services — they have testing centers in most metro areas and plenty of smaller cities. I drove about 30 minutes to mine.
Bring valid government-issued ID. Leave your phone and everything else in the car or a locker — nothing goes into the testing room except you. The test is computer-based and you get your preliminary score immediately after finishing. That moment of clicking “submit” and seeing “PASS” is a good feeling.
After You Pass
Passing the test isn’t the last step. You need to complete the IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) on the FAA’s website. It’s a paperwork step that takes about 20 minutes. You’ll get a temporary certificate that lets you start flying commercially right away. The permanent card shows up in the mail 6-8 weeks later.
Keeping It Current
Your Part 107 certificate requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months. The good news: it’s online, it’s free, and it takes a couple hours. Complete it through the FAA’s training portal. It covers regulatory updates and reinforces key concepts. Set a calendar reminder so you don’t let it lapse — flying commercially on an expired certificate is a violation, and ignorance isn’t a defense.
What Comes After Certification
Having the certificate is table stakes — it gets you legal, but it doesn’t get you clients. The markets that are actually paying drone pilots right now include real estate photography (still the biggest market for most Part 107 pilots), construction progress monitoring, agricultural surveying, roof and infrastructure inspections, and mapping/surveying work.
Two things you need before taking on paid work: a portfolio that shows potential clients what you can do, and liability insurance. Most commercial clients and property managers require proof of both your Part 107 and at least $1 million in liability coverage. Insurance runs $500-1,500/year depending on your operation type and coverage limits. SkyWatch, Thimble, and Verifly all offer on-demand or annual policies for drone operators.
Staying in the Loop
Drone regulations change frequently. The Remote ID mandate, evolving BVLOS rules, new airspace authorization procedures — staying current isn’t optional if you’re flying commercially. I subscribe to the FAA’s UAS newsletters and follow a few drone-specific forums and subreddits. The community is generally helpful about flagging regulatory changes as they happen.
