What does it mean to be FAA Certified?

The FAA has created a set of regulations for commercial drone operations called "14 CFR Part 107". They ensure safety and provide awareness to everyone involved in any given operation. To operate a drone commercially,  the FAA requires the operator to hold a Remote Pilot Airman Certificate. This certificate is Acquired by passing an Aeronautical Knowledge test given by the FAA. This test educates the Remote Pilot on how weather can effect the UAS (AKA drone), how to interpret airspace, how to understand air traffic control broadcasts, along with many other important ways to mitigate risk while operating.

SAFETY

Certified operators follow the regulations set in place by the FAA to protect the public and keep the national airspace safe. Some of these rules include not flying directly over people, keeping the UAS in visual line of sight, and yielding to all manned aircraft.

REGULATIONS

To fly commercially, even over your own property, job site, or construction site, you MUST be Part 107 Certified and adhere to all rules and regulations. Violating these federal regulations can result in steep fines for both the operator and hiring party.

EXPERIENCE

Remote pilots have many hours of flight simulator and real world experience. This experience leads to expert accident mitigation in the case of any unforeseen circumstances. An experienced remote pilot has excellent spatial and situational awareness which not only results in safe missions, but expert flight control in tight or seemingly impossible situations to operate a drone.

EDUCATION

Many people are simply unaware of current FAA Regulations that apply to using drones for commercial work. As a certified remote pilot you are required to stay up to date with current laws and regulations. A certified pilot has the ability to obtain additional clearance and fly legally in places others would not be permitted to operate.