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 dwelling nation. When you have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
I’m based mostly 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 take a look at in a U.S. testing heart after which register my drone within the U.S. to fly. Is that this right, and is it doable to finish the Distant Pilot Certificates with no U.S. handle or authorities ID?
Sure, I like an excellent multi-part query! There are a couple of items occurring right here: first about whether or not or not you must take the Half 107 take a look at (there’s an excellent probability you gained’t need to) and if you must register your drone (you in all probability must).
Do overseas 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. For those who’re flying for enterprise (aka being profitable off that flight) then you definitely want a license. However if you happen to’re simply bringing your drone for enjoyable, no Half 107 license wanted!
For those who’re flying drones for enjoyable (leisure flying): For those who’re simply zipping round together with your digicam drone and taking fairly footage, you don’t want a Half 107 license. That’ll prevent quite a lot 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 embody registering your drone, passing the TRUST examination (that is a web-based, free and simple take a look at that you can rapidly do from dwelling within the UK), and flying solely inside FAA pointers.
Simple!
For those who’re flying drones for enterprise (industrial flying): For those who plan to make use of the drone for any enterprise or industrial function within the U.S. — like capturing mapping knowledge or promoting photographs — then you definitely’ll must do some advance planning (and finding out, 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 overseas RPC or equal.
Meaning you’ll need to go to one of many FAA Data Testing Facilities. Nearly each main U.S. metropolis has one. There, you’ll take the FAA’s aeronautical information take a look at, which usually has a testing price of about $150. You may schedule your test-taking appointment prematurely, 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 take a look at 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 should be the one working the drone. They only should be current throughout the flight. For those who’re working your drone for enterprise, it may be much less effort to achieve out to your community of drone pilots. From there, see if in case you have any U.S. licensed contacts who would be capable of be current throughout your mission so that you’re nonetheless flying legally.
What overseas pilots must know to acquire a Half 107 license
The FAA permits overseas pilots to acquire the Half 107 certification, because it’s not simply restricted to U.S. residents and authorized residents.
To take the take a look at and get your license, you don’t want a U.S. handle, nor do you want a U.S. government-issued ID. Nevertheless, you have to to offer a government-issued picture ID from your property nation, similar to a passport or nationwide id card, on the testing heart. This might be used to confirm your id throughout the take a look at.
Drone registration within the USA
In virtually all circumstances, additionally, you will must register your drone with the FAA — that’s irrespective 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. handle. Merely enter your worldwide handle when filling out the registration type.
So what’s the exception? That’s in case your drone weighs beneath 250 grams, such because the DJI Mini 4 Professional, the DJI Flip and the DJI Neo. Within the U.S., drones beneath 250 grams don’t should be registered with the FAA if you happen to’re solely flying them for leisure operations. Moreover, drones beneath 250 grams don’t should be Distant ID compliant.
Good luck together with your go to to the USA, and glad flying!
When you have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
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