Do you need an FAA license to fly a drone? Here's what to know
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
A spate of reported drone sightings that began in New Jersey in mid-November and spread across the Northeast has sparked anxiety among residents and politicians alike, temporarily closing airport runways in New York and leading to two arrests in Boston.
But many of the sightings appear to be commercial, hobby and law enforcement drones as well as aircraft or stars, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, according to Reuters, as they moved to bolster areas with more detection capabilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for regulating airspace and setting guidelines for both commercial and recreational drone operators. Here’s what you need to know before flying your drone.
Do I need to register my drone?
All drones weighing over roughly half a pound (0.55 pounds to be exact) must be registered with the FAA, whether flown for commercial or recreational purposes. According to agency guidelines, drones fall into one of three weight categories:
- 0 - 0.55 lbs: Drones don’t need to be registered
- 0.56 - 55.0 lbs: Drones can be registered online
- 55.01+ lbs: Drones must be registered through a mailed-in application
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Defense, there are more than one million drones lawfully registered with the FAA in the United States, and thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones lawfully in the sky on any given day.
Drones that weigh less than 55 pounds can be registered online, but anything above that weight must be registered for a license through a more traditional aircraft registration process, in which the application must be mailed to the FAA.
Do I need an FAA license?
While recreational pilots are not required to obtain a license, all pilots are required to pass the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before they start flying their drones.
Commercial pilots who are flying drones for work are required to obtain a Part 107 remote pilot certification.
To be eligible, pilots must be at least 16 years old, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone, and pass an aeronautical knowledge exam, according to FAA guidelines.
The “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)” exam covers topics such as drone maintenance, radio communication, emergency procedures and the impact of weather conditions on flying.
Applicants must also complete FAA Form 8710-13 to receive a remote pilot certificate.
According to Flying Magazine, pilots seeking a Part 107 license should expect to pay a $175 fee, including the exam cost.
Paste BN's Eric Lagatta and Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.