FAA releases TRUST, free online training required for pilots to legally fly drones recreationally

I looked at the web page it defines a recreational pilot who needs to pass this test as: A recreational flyer is someone who operates their drone for fun or personal enjoyment purposes only.
It is defining the Pilot and not the Flight. I do not believe those who have a part 107 license need to take this test.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

JamesM46

It says even part 107 license holders need to pass it.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

@JamesM46 I'm still having a problem finding the language that says that. The law, afaict, says you must have a part 107 license to fly, and there is an exception for recreational flyers. That exception now has new rules which are the TRUST program. Generally, you don't need to comply with exemption regulations if you are already complying with the rule. That's why I asked earlier for an actual citiation or FAA interpretation saying the Part 107 Pilots must carry a TRUST certificate when they are not flying commercially.

If you go to https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/user_identification_tool/ and follow the prompts for a recreational flyer with a drone under 55lbs, the options are

Fly under the rules for Recreational Flyers
and Community-Based Organizations.

Operate under Part 107 rules.

By my reading (and my reading of a whole slew of laws I operate under in another industry) That means Part 107 Pilots don't need at TRUST certificate for any type of drone operation

Jun 25, 2021permalink

you passed the test but couldn't comprehend the article yiKeS!!!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

This article is not the law it is an interpretation / opinion. We are looking at the FAA website and there is nothing there that indicates someone flying under part107 needs the TRUST certificate.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

As I said before, the drone "laws" are getting ridiculous. I know this is done for safety, and accountability I guess but still, I've since sold my drone. Don't plan to buy another one. The laws are getting rather restrictive to a point where it's no longer fun as a hobbyists/enthusiast.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

McArchive

Just wait a few years until you get a car and have to have a drivers license... talk about buzz kill.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

At least with cars, you are pretty much free to go where you want. Yes you need a license and you have to stick to roads designated for cars, but it's not like they're closing down roads across the country and limiting where you can drive each year. That's sort of what I mean with the drone laws becoming rediculous. I mean they are opening up SOME areas and relaxing SOME regulations, like the airport regulation, where people can now fly closer to where airports are. It's that the drone laws are becoming more restrictive still.

And the other thing is the Remote ID requirement, which we know will become a reality soon, if it hasn't already been passed into law (don't remember).

Jun 24, 2021permalink

The rules and regulations are driven by (1) Those who egregiously fly without courtesy or common sense, and (2) Those who reside in the seats of power and are fearful of anything not under their control.

If you fly within the rules, you have little to fear from authorities, outside of NYC and Washington DC, where common sense is a rare commodity.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

Yes I know, but it's more that things are getting more restrictive for the rest of us (who do follow the rules) because of the dumb people that don't. That's I guess my point. They have to ruin it for other people (same with photography -- people being jerks while in tourist locations, to a point where some locations no longer allow photographers or tripods). I mean with cars its a different story -- if you're a jerk with a car, chances are you just lose your ability to drive (your license and possibly your car). But it's not like "Oh, people are drag racing down this road a lot, let's close the road."

Jun 25, 2021permalink

James Wages

I agree 100%. Our society is getting far too legalistic. The legalists love to cite a rare few people who supposedly “ruin it for everybody else,“ but they are still legalists nonetheless. Sadly, the average citizen does nothing to stop this trend, and we end up with so many laws and regulations that it’s impossible to obey them all, all of the time. Our zeal for law and order makes everyone into a law breaker.

Jun 27, 2021permalink

brycesteiner

This is like getting a learners permit for driving. Getting a 107 is would be like getting your CDL.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

And the requirement for Part 107 holders to have a TRUST cert is like getting a ticket for taking your rig or schoolbus to the 7-11 to get a slurpee because you were driving for recreational use. I presume a citation might even put your CDL / Part 107 in danger of revocation.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

Greg Ohio

This would be harmless except for one thing: the requirement to show your certificate to law enforcement on demand.

In most states, police cannot demand ID without a legitimate reason. But, under this regulation, you're violating federal law of you don't provide it to police upon demand, whether that demand conforms to state law or not.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

IR1234

Why? This is a standard FAA rule. You are required to your part107 on request.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

federal reg. so show them your drone permit but don't show them your driver license. ask the locals what authority they have.
driver license not req'd to fly a drone.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

lilBuddha

Typical government that one needs to take the light version of a test one has already passed.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

its what the system does. take and take until someone pushes back.
they want all the info about you they can get.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

alexgannis

So I though registering your drone was proof for legally flying now you have to take a test ?
FAA should refund my five dollars I paid to registered my drone.

Jun 24, 2021*permalink

Anyone can buy a drone, but just because you buy one doesn't necessarily mean you know how to fly one (or can legally fly it). Same for a car... You can buy a car, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have the privilege to drive it (as in, legally drive it).

Jun 25, 2021*permalink

Greg Ohio

It looks like the FAA granted Community Based Organizations the power to created additional rules.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

Official FAA postings specifically reject that idea. Participating community organizations cannot impose additional rules, apart from administrative details. Some require registration, others are anonymous. They have no special influence on content.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

JamesM46

Eh it says you have to tell police if asked what cbo rules you are following.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

if you do it on line there's an electronic trail forever even if they tell you its anonymous

Jun 29, 2021permalink

brycesteiner

"The certificate does not expire."

That is, until they decide to change the requirements again.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

Kara Murphy

Hopefully they don't.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

They probably will. It will only be a matter of time. I suspect before long, we will have to have "pilot" education classes, where you'll have to actaully sit in a class room for a day or two to get in-class training in order to get your license to fly a drone, just like you would for say a motorcycle.

Jun 24, 2021*permalink

real airplane pilots have to 'recertify' every 2 years in the air and on the ground....its coming....

Jun 29, 2021permalink

brycesteiner

I thought it was every 3 years.

Jul 1, 2021permalink

It may depend on what type of pilot... private vs commercial. Commercial might be every 2 years and private pilot's licenses (personal use, not for hire) maybe every 3 (but I'm not a pilot so someone may need to verify).

Jul 5, 2021*permalink

JLee001

If you already have your Part 107 consider the TRUST exam a super light version of the test. You will easily be able to answer the questions. Each section of the exam is very easy to read and understand even if you don't have your Part 107. Questions are pulled directly from each reading section and not overly complicated or tricky. Passed with ease. 100%.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

Quetal

I am buying a recreational drone. I haven’t decided which. So, I did not know one needed a certificate. What is 107?
Am I to presume if I go to a hobby shop and drop a few hundred I need permission to fly it?
Thanks for any insight info
Henry

Jun 24, 2021permalink

TRUST consists of basic drone safety rules, similar to that published in many official and NGO forums to date.

Part 107 certification is essentially the same as required for student pilots before flight training. It is required before a drone pilot can engage in any commercial activity. It includes aero map reading, weather as it affects flying, and procedures which must be followed prior to and during flight activities.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

IR1234

Part107 is anything and everything that isn't recreational. Note: If you post an image to social media for instance, you are no longer recreational. If you keep the image on your machine or print it for your own recreation then you don't need 107. But you will need this new Trust certificate.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

If you can handle an extra $130 or so for the Part 107 exam fee, learn to read the basic data on a sectional map (good idea, since that's how you know where you can and cannot safely fly), and memorize a few dozen facts and figures, you can pass the exam. I'd never read a sectional map and didn't know anything about drone regs when I bought mine a couple months ago. I spent 20-30 minutes watching a couple youtube videos, skimmed the FAA manual (about 45 minutes) and read an online study summary twice through (15 minutes) before taking/passing a sample test. I easily passed the real exam, which took about 50 minutes including checking my answers - I spent more time driving to and from my closest test site.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

mikeporterinmd

TRUST takes all of 15 minutes. It's not that hard.

Jun 27, 2021permalink

if you plan to make money from a drone you need 107 certificate.
drones under 250 grams don't need registration.
start reading on line and make sure the info is current

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Hello123

What does this course provide above and beyond the Part 107 certification?

Jun 23, 2021permalink

Ken Seals

It's not above and beyond 107. It's just the basics for recreational flyers (non 107).

Jun 24, 2021permalink

JamesM46

You still need to pass it even if u have part 107 and print out that card and keep on you also.

Jun 25, 2021permalink

Please quote specifically from FAA website where it say this. I only see it stating that it applies to recreational flyers (those who ONLY fly recreationally) and not part 107 pilots who have a recreational flight.

Jun 28, 2021*permalink

charles lee

Just went through the course and test... it was relatively painless... took about 30 minutes and didn't cost anything.

You get a printable certificate at the end. I also saved it as a PDF file (both to phone and computer) for future printing if needed (the FAA doesn't keep track of these, so if you loose it, you'll need to re-take the course).

Jun 23, 2021permalink

girlperson1

I too just took the course and test and ACED it. Mostly common sense stuff.

Jun 24, 2021permalink

"Even if someone possesses Part 107 certification, they must complete this training and show proof of it"

Do you have a link to that interpretation? Like, if I *might not* use a photo I took while flying my registered drone, is that considered flying recreationally. Does the FAA official wanting to see my TRUST certificate make a judgement call about the commercial viability of my photos or flight pattern which invalidates the Part 107 License I carry with me?

Jun 23, 2021permalink

McArchive

If you turn yourself in today they *might not* charge you.

Jun 23, 2021permalink

The FAA website is quite clear about the limitations on recreational flight. There can be no direct or indirect financial benefit derived from the flight. You cannot volunteer your services for purposes such as inspection or real estate sales.

Jun 23, 2021permalink

@Ed - the implication is that if you hold a Part 107 commercial license (I do) and get "caught" flying purely recreationally (i.e. there is no clear commercial or potentially commercial purpose), you can be cited for illegal operation of the drone.

I think I'll just look like I'm in a bad mood if I take the drone to the park, that way I can claim I wasn't having fun and my operation clearly wasn't recreational in any way.

Jun 23, 2021*permalink

Kara Murphy

There was a discussion about this in the drone forums and some people suggested saying that you’re flying Part 107. That being said, a lot of people took this today as it’s quick and easy to pass.

Jun 23, 2021permalink

RedFox88

You can’t just say you are Part 107 certified and not have the credentials to back it up if questioned 🙄

Jun 24, 2021permalink

IR1234

"Even if someone possesses Part 107 certification, they must complete this training and show proof of it"

No, that's not quite correct. If you have Part107 and you want to fly recreationally THEN you'll need this certificate. I'm not entirely sure what that gains you because even as a recreational flyer you are still subject to airspace rules and can still get LAANC authorizations in some circumstances.

That said, I can see one use, eg flying your non "commercial" drone just for a bit of fun in a park, and not having to log your flight etc. For instance, I have a second drone which won't be used in the business for instance. I could in theory use that drone and not have to log everything like my work drone.

Jun 25, 2021permalink