For those of you who have a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate that has or is about to lose currency — meaning, more than 24 months have elapsed and you need to get it renewed — we have some great news to share on behalf of the FAA.
As you’re undoubtedly aware, most of the PSI test centers have been closed over the last several weeks. And while some are opening back up, many are still unavailable to proctor exams, leaving drone pilots stuck with no opportunity to renew their certificates. Yesterday, the FAA issued temporary regulations (here’s the full 94-page document), effectively allowing drone pilots to renew their certificates without needing to go to a local test center.
So how does it work? Here are the key points:
- First, please understand that you’re only eligible if you become non-current starting April 1, 2020 and could not take your UGR by June 30, 2020 and would become non-current on July 1.
- If you are trying to use this to become current because you let your 107 lapse during any other than the dates listed above, you have to wait until a testing center around you opens. If you fly under Part 107 and you’re not current, you are flying illegally.
- Register with FAASafety.org and go through the free Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (small UAS) Recurrent course. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so to get through.
- Taking this course and passing the exam at the end of the course will grant you a 6-month calendar extension. You must take and pass your Recurrent Knowledge Test at a local test center before those 6 months are up.
Questions?
Let us know at support@dronepilotgroundschool.com
