It's the law: remote pilot certificate required

[Traveler]

To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, a person must:
o Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either:
 Passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at
an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or
 Hold a part 61 pilot certificate other than student
pilot, complete a flight review within the previous
24 months, and complete a small UAS online
training course provided by the FAA.
o Be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration.
o Be at least 16 years old.
• Part 61 pilot certificate holders may obtain a temporary
remote pilot certificate immediately upon submission of their
application for a permanent certificate. Other applicants will
obtain a temporary remote pilot certificate upon successful
completion of TSA security vetting. The FAA anticipates that
it will be able to issue a temporary remote pilot certificate
within 10 business days after receiving a completed remote
pilot certificate application.

The price tag, $150.00 for the application fee , plus the
FAA-approved knowledge testing center fee for the written, Plus in order to take the written, you need to have  a CFI's endorsement to take the written.
CFR 14, Part 107.  is law of the land August 2016.   

[Ack-Ack]

Does it only cover the use of drones or all RC aircraft?  If that's the case, I guess I'm no longer gonna be flying my slope gliders and sailplanes.

[Traveler]

Does it only cover the use of drones or all RC aircraft?  If that's the case, I guess I'm no longer gonna be flying my slope gliders and sailplanes.

It only applies to drones up to 55lbs.  RC Aircraft are exempt , they are covered in another area, nothing changes for the RC Aircraft user.

I really think it's about the money, the FAA expects to generate 678 million dollars as a direct result of this law.

[ROC]

I really think it's about the money, the FAA expects to generate 678 million dollars as a direct result of this law.

Maybe so, but the infrastructure to implement the program will mostly likely cost 768million unless this one particular branch decides to operate unlike all the others 

[Traveler]

Maybe so, but the infrastructure to implement the program will mostly likely cost 768million unless this one particular branch decides to operate unlike all the others 

The infrastructure is already in place, it's called the Department of Transportation and the FAA.  The new FAR was published today in the Federal Register and becomes law in 60 days.  The FAA will govern the application process for the new pilot certificate, $150.00 dollars please and new applicants will have to take the Pilot written,  That used to be $75.00 but I was at our local testing center and noticed that it went up to $150.00 and you still need to be approved to take the written, that requires a visit with a CFI  and at least an hour of his/her time, perhaps more.  I'm getting $50.00 an hour for basic ground work and there is a chance that if I give a recommendation and they fail the written, it becomes  a problem for me. I know a lot of CFI's that are not going to be willing to give the recommendation to anyone.

[nrshida]

It only applies to drones up to 55lbs.  RC Aircraft are exempt , they are covered in another area, nothing changes for the RC Aircraft user.

I really think it's about the money, the FAA expects to generate 678 million dollars as a direct result of this law.

I think it's more likely to deter amatuer camera drone use. This is a bad day for a lot of vloggers 

[DaveBB]

Back before all the electric drones, there was an RC version of the Reaper MQ-1.  It was gas powered and had a camera in it that could be hooked to a headset or tv monitor.  6' wingspan I believe. 

Would that be classified as a drone or RC aircraft?

[Serenity]

So... for those of us who have actual pilot's licenses, would there be another test? Or could we just swing it over?

[colmbo]

Is this for all drone use or just commercial applications?  Is there a link to the actual regulation?

[Traveler]

Is this for all drone use or just commercial applications?  Is there a link to the actual regulation?

This is the link to the FAA website and the document contains additional links to the FAR Part 107.   

http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwNjIxLjYwNTUyNDkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDYyMS42MDU1MjQ5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODcyMDYwJmVtYWlsaWQ9cl9wcmludHpAY29tY2FzdC5uZXQmdXNlcmlkPXJfcHJpbnR6QGNvbWNhc3QubmV0JnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mbXZpZD0mZXh0cmE9JiYm&&&100&&&https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515

[Traveler]

So... for those of us who have actual pilot's licenses, would there be another test? Or could we just swing it over?

No you just have to apply for the certificate.   As long as you hold something above Student Pilot. 

[ROC]

That was a joke, I didn't pull it off  

[Shuffler]

Is this for all drone use or just commercial applications?  Is there a link to the actual regulation?

For commercial use.

[hgtonyvi]

Yea like the new pizza delivery option with drones. I still don't approve this method.

[shotgunneeley]

As a private consulting forester/GIS tech/Real Estate agent, this is a big win for us. I have a DJI phantom 2 vision + sitting grounded in my office since the last ruling back back in the fall that all business use (including no-charge advertisement photos) would be considered commercial grade and would require a sportsman's pilot license at bare minimum. There was no way I could swing a pilot license to comply, but this new ruling coming out in August will allow me to jump a major hurdle. Now the next restriction to tackle is the "line of sight" policy; being as I'm out in the rural woods, that restricts me a great deal from covering large acreage while generally being away from people anyway.