Subsequent up in our “Ask Drone Woman” sequence is a query about whether or not worldwide drone pilots nonetheless want a Half 107 license within the U.S. to fly drones commercially — even when they’re licensed of their house nation. In case you have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
I’m primarily based within the UK and drone licensed commercially over right here however might be visiting the U.S. in Might and hoping to make use of the drone. As I perceive, I would wish to take the Half 107 check in a U.S. testing heart after which register my drone within the U.S. to fly. Is that this appropriate, and is it doable to finish the Distant Pilot Certificates with no U.S. tackle or authorities ID?
Sure, I really like an excellent multi-part query! There are a number of items happening right here: first about whether or not or not it’s essential to take the Half 107 check (there’s an excellent probability you gained’t need to) and if it’s essential to register your drone (you most likely have to).
Do international pilots want a Half 107 license to fly within the U.S.?
The brief reply as as to whether worldwide drone pilots nonetheless want a Half 107 license? Possibly. When you’re flying for enterprise (aka being profitable off that flight) then you definitely want a license. However when you’re simply bringing your drone for enjoyable, no Half 107 license wanted!
When you’re flying drones for enjoyable (leisure flying): When you’re simply zipping round along with your digital camera drone and taking fairly footage, you don’t want a Half 107 license. That’ll prevent loads of burden by way of each money and time.
Although, you’re not utterly off the hook. To fly drones as a leisure pilot within the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration nonetheless requires that you simply observe the FAA’s pointers for leisure flyers, which embrace registering your drone, passing the TRUST examination (that is a web-based, free and simple check that you might rapidly do from house within the UK), and flying solely inside FAA pointers.
Simple!
When you’re flying drones for enterprise (industrial flying): When you plan to make use of the drone for any enterprise or industrial goal within the U.S. — like capturing mapping knowledge or promoting images — then you definitely’ll have to do some advance planning (and learning, and saving cash).
Alas, you continue to want a Distant Pilot Certificates (RPC) issued by FAA to fly your drone commercially within the U.S., because the FAA doesn’t at present acknowledge any international RPC or equal.
Which means you’ll need to go to one of many FAA Information Testing Facilities. Virtually each main U.S. metropolis has one. There, you’ll take the FAA’s aeronautical information check, which generally has a testing payment of about $150. You may schedule your test-taking appointment upfront, on-line.
To get that FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Certificates, you’ll want to attain 70% or higher. In 2024, the move charge on the FAA’s drone check was 84.2%, with pilots scoring on common 79.95%.
For a one-off enterprise journey, this may very well be an annoying burden. Fortunately, the Distant Pilot In Command does not must be the one working the drone. They only must be current in the course of the flight. When you’re working your drone for enterprise, it is perhaps much less effort to succeed in out to your community of drone pilots. From there, see when you’ve got any U.S. licensed contacts who would be capable of be current throughout your mission so that you’re nonetheless flying legally.
What international pilots have to know to acquire a Half 107 license
The FAA permits international pilots to acquire the Half 107 certification, because it’s not simply restricted to U.S. residents and authorized residents.
To take the check and get your license, you don’t want a U.S. tackle, nor do you want a U.S. government-issued ID. Nonetheless, you will want to offer a government-issued photograph ID from your house nation, reminiscent of a passport or nationwide identification card, on the testing heart. This might be used to confirm your identification in the course of the check.
Drone registration within the USA
In virtually all instances, additionally, you will have to register your drone with the FAA — that’s regardless of whether or not you’re flying for enjoyable or for enterprise.
You may simply do that on-line via the FAA DroneZone portal, which doesn’t require you to be a citizen or to have a U.S. tackle. Merely enter your worldwide tackle when filling out the registration type.
So what’s the exception? That’s in case your drone weighs below 250 grams, such because the DJI Mini 4 Professional, the DJI Flip and the DJI Neo. Within the U.S., drones below 250 grams don’t must be registered with the FAA when you’re solely flying them for leisure operations. Moreover, drones below 250 grams don’t must be Distant ID compliant.
Good luck along with your go to to the USA, and completely happy flying!
In case you have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
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