Drone Pilots

Certification or Licensing

To become a drone pilot, you will need to earn a pilot’s license and a remote pilot certificate. To become a pilot, you must be at least 16 years old; be able to read, speak, write, and understand English; be in good physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS; and pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam at a FAA-approved knowledge testing center (see https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot for a list of centers).

According to the FAA, aeronautical knowledge exam test areas include:

• applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
• airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
• aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
• small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
• emergency procedures
• crew resource management
• radio communication procedures
• determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
• physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
• aeronautical decision-making and judgment
• airport operations
• maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
• operation at night

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International offers the AUVSI trusted operator certification credential to both individuals and organizations that operate drones for commercial purposes and certain other nonrecreational purposes. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in the safe operations of drones. Visit https://www.auvsi.org/trusted-operator for more information.

Other Requirements

Most employers require drone pilots to be at least 18 years old, but, preferably 21. Some employers require their employees to be U.S. citizens.