Background

On appeal by the European Commission, Member States, and other stakeholders, EASA developed a proposal for proportionate, an operation centric,  risk- and performance-related regulatory framework for all uncrewed aircraft (UA). A general idea, setting three sections of UAS operations (‘open,’ ‘specific’ and ‘certified’) with different security provisions, proportionate to the threat, was introduced with the publication of Advance Notice of Proposed Amendment (A-NPA 2015-10) in July 2015 and a Technical Opinion in December 2015.

The main classes of UAS operations are:

• The ‘open’ class is a category of UAS operation that, considering the risks involved, do not require a prior authorization from the competent authority nor a statement by the UAS operator before the operation takes place;
• The ‘specific’ class is a division of UAS operation which, considering the risks involved, requires an authorization from the competent authority before the process occurs, taking into consideration the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except for specific regular scenarios where a statement by the operator is adequate or if the operator holds a light UAS operator certification (LUC) with the suitable rights;
• The ‘certified’ category is a kind of UA operation which, considering the risks involved requires the certificate of the UAS, a certified remote pilot and an operator approved by the competent authority, to be able to guarantee an appropriate level of security.

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The popularity of drones in the United States as well as in other countries is on a rapid increase. Indeed, drones are now used in some applications which are categorized into recreational and nonrecreational (commercial) applications. In addition to that, the regulatory framework guiding the use of drones in the United States has gradually changed.

One of the most recent of these changes is the introduction of what is popularly known as Part 107 regulations which make it mandatory for those who fly their drones for commercial purposes to get certified.

Certification is received when commercial drone pilots take and pass the FAA remote pilot test also known as the FAA Airman/ Aeronautical Knowledge Test. It is important to note that drone pilots who strictly fly for recreational purposes do not require certification under Part 107.

This guide is meant to help prepare those planning on taking the FAA aeronautical knowledge test and to set them up to pass the test.

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