The FAA has announced a list of approved organization to administer a recreational drone test, designed to provide recreational drone pilots with “aeronautical safety knowledge and an overview of the rules for operating drones in the National Airspace System,” says the FAA press release.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the FAA to develop a recreational drone operator test: the drone industry provided stakeholder input, and the result is a free, online test administered by non-government test administrators. Recreational drone flyers who pass the test will be issued a completion certificate. When asked, a recreational drone pilot must provide evidence of having taken the test. Currently, however, the FAA has not announced a system to enforce test taking or to educate consumers about the test at time of purchase.
In addition to clubs such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Boy Scouts of America, TRUST will be administered by qualified educational and training organizations across the country.
“These organizations are key to making this test widely available and easily accessible to recreational drone pilots,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “We need pilots of all aircraft, including those who operate recreational drones, to have the training and knowledge needed to operate safely in the nation’s airspace.”
Drone U is one of the first FAA-approved TRUST test administrator. “As one of the largest online drone pilot training institutions, it seemed like a natural fit,” said Paul Aitken, CEO of Drone U. “We already train people how to fly drones and do it safely. Why not add this step and help them pass the new required TRUST from the FAA?”
“For years now, Drone U has focused on training drone pilots how to fly, how to do it safely, and how to launch a drone business. This includes the development of communities and platforms for both individual pilots and large-scale drone fleets run by corporations and government organizations,” says a Drone U press release.
“With our continued commitment to develop and deliver exceptional drone training, resources, expertise, community, and fleet management to the industry, Drone U is uniquely positioned to collaborate with the FAA to help ensure the public at large is also aware of regulations and how to operate safely in the nation’s airspace,” says Aiken.
Links to test administrators are available on the FAA website. The test is administered online at no cost through the approved test administrators
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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