Remote Pilot Requirements

Remote Pilot Requirements

We’re here to talk today about the pilot requirements for your small unmanned aircraft.

The minimum age for a remote pilot is 16 with one of the following: pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test or hold a minimum FAA rating of private pilot and pass an initial training course covering the areas of knowledge specified in part 107.74 (a) or (b). We are referring to CFR-14 Title 107, which is specifically for the remote pilot and operations.

It states, “Remote pilots must have completed the FAA initial or recurrent knowledge test at an authorized FAA testing site within the previous 24-months, or Airman Certificate holders such as currently rated pilots, private pilots or better, must have completed or have an initial or recurrent training course covering the areas of knowledge specified in 107.73 (a) or (b).”

This course is found online at FAASafety.gov. Furthermore, “The holder of a remote pilot certificate is required to update their change of address in writing, or on the FAA website, within 30 days. A temporary remote pilot certificate with a small unmanned aircraft systems rating is issued for up to 120 days, at which time a permanent certificate will be issued to a person whom the Administrator finds qualified.”

Pilots must evaluate themselves and see to it that they are fit for flight just as a manned aircraft. We usually use the acronym, I.M.S.A.F.E. The first part of the acronym would be for illness; no person may manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft system, or act as a remote pilot in command or a visual observer, or direct participant in the operation if he or she knows or has reason to know that he or she has a physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft system.

Remote Pilot Requirements

The second part of I.M.S.A.F.E. would be medication; no person shall manipulate the controls of a small unmanned aircraft while under the influence of any medication or drug that could affect the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft. And stress; it is important to recognize stress and when it may affect the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft.

The A in I.M.S.A.F.E. is the alcohol; a person manipulating the controls of an unmanned aircraft must not have consumed alcohol in the preceding 8 hours. Most pilots that have an [inaudible] of 8 hours, bottle the throttle.

This is because a pilot leading any aircraft, being it manned or unmanned, you’re not to have consumed any alcohol within 8 hours of being the pilot in command. Also, you must not have a BAC of .04 or greater. This is all laid out in Part 107.27 and it refers to Part 91 -- Part 91.17 and 91.19.

The F in I.M.S.A.F.E. is fatigue; the remote pilot must recognize fatigue as it reaches the point of possibly affecting the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft. The E in I.M.S.A.F.E. is emotion; the remote pilot must not manipulate the controls of an unmanned aircraft when his or her emotions could affect the safe operation.

Remote Pilot Requirements