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| Small UAS. Photo: FAA |
[Avionics Today 08-19-2016] The FAA is urging operators of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems UAS) to prepare for the new small drone rule for non-hobbyists, which becomes effective on August 29.
Under the new rule — also known as Part 107 — the person actually flying a drone must have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate.
To qualify for the certificate, a pilot must either pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge-testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate. If the operator is qualifying under the latter provision, she must have completed a flight review in the previous 24 months and must take an FAA UAS online training course. The Transportation Security Administration will conduct a security background check of all remote pilot applications prior to issuance of a certificate, according to the FAA.