Virginia has no scarcity of spots the place drone pilots can take pleasure in capturing distinctive footage. There’s just one impediment standing in your means, and that’s a drone license.

So, what do it is advisable to do to get a drone license in Virginia?

Right here’s how one can get a drone license in Virginia:

• Meet the standards for turning into a pilot
• Join an FAA Monitoring Quantity
• Schedule a testing appointment at a Virginia FAA Data Testing Heart
• Examine
• Present your stuff and go the Half 107 examination
• Full Kind 8710-13

It’s a course of that appears relatively simple on the floor however can have some twists and turns you weren’t anticipating, together with a number of websites to register on and a paid examination price.

That’s why I’m right here that can assist you navigate it, so let’s get going!

Right here’s how one can acquire a drone license in Virginia

Your aspirations of turning into a business pilot in Virginia require you to carry a Distant Pilot Certificates. Please be suggested that is completely different than the hobbyist license, generally known as the TRUST certificates.

The roads to the exams couldn’t be extra completely different. You solely must go a free on-line check, and the leisure license is yours. You possibly can return and alter mistaken solutions and all the pieces.

You must take a sit-down check to get a business drone license. Nobody supplies you the best solutions when you’re taking it, and you may’t return and alter your solutions after the actual fact.

Are you as much as the duty? Nice! Right here’s what you need to do.

Meet the standards for turning into a pilot

Earlier than you get in too deep, ensure you go the essential standards arrange by the FAA. These guidelines aren’t meant to dissuade you however to make the skies a safer place for all pilots (and different aviation professionals).

So, what’s required of you? Effectively, it is advisable to be not less than 16 years outdated. Till then, you’ll be able to fly with a licensed pilot, however you’ll be able to’t grow to be a business pilot your self.

You additionally want to totally perceive English, since that’s the language the FAA makes use of to speak with pilots. The Unmanned Plane Basic – Small (UAG) can also be solely supplied in English.

Apart from that, it is advisable to be a secure pilot who’s mentally and bodily able to working a drone.

Join an FAA Monitoring Quantity

Simple-peasy, proper? Superior. You’re able to proceed by the method, signing up to your FAA Monitoring Quantity or FTN.

An FTN is an FAA identifier used to find out when you’re flying legally. You want it to confirm your identification as a non-certificate holder.

You possibly can acquire an FTN by creating an account on IACRA, an acronym for the Built-in Airman Certification and Ranking Software.

By no means heard of IACRA earlier than? It’s an FAA useful resource for pilot rankings and certifications, simply because the title says. You possibly can create an account without spending a dime in a couple of minutes, so let’s get began.

• Go to the IACRA web site right here.
• Click on the Register hyperlink beneath the login bins.
• Decide a number of roles. The classes are Applicant, Teacher, Certifying Officers, and Admin. As a brand new drone pilot, it’s best to choose Applicant.
• Learn by the IACRA phrases of service. Click on the Comply with TOS and Proceed button.
• Go straight to the Private Data part, bypassing the Certificates Data part. You don’t have any data so as to add to that part (different roles require you so as to add it). Fill in all of the fields within the Private Data part.
• Select from a number of safety questions, typing in your solutions.
• Make a username and password for IACRA. The password wants a mixture of lowercase and uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers and should be not less than 12 characters.
• Click on the inexperienced Register button.
• Test your e-mail. IACRA will affirm your account by way of your inbox.
• Log into IACRA and examine your account data to see your FTN.

Schedule a testing appointment at a Virginia FAA Data Testing Heart

Subsequent, it’s time to arrange a date and time to take the Half 107 examination. You’ll need to make use of PSI for this a part of the method.

PSI is a testing useful resource the FAA depends on for on-line examination scheduling. Its web site is simple to make use of, so let’s get you registered.

• Click on right here to go to the PSI web site.
• Click on the Create an Account hyperlink on the homepage.
• Sort your FTN and first and final title to confirm your self. Click on Proceed.
• Create an account by typing in your e-mail deal with and full title. You additionally want a novel username and password, then you need to affirm the password.
• Click on Proceed.
• PSI will ship you an e-mail confirming your account. Click on the hyperlink and sign up.
• Obtain an authenticator app with multi-factor authentication, a requirement of PSI since late 2023.
• Choose Discover a Check Heart to start looking for FAA Data Testing Facilities, which is the place the FAA administers the Half 107 examination.
• Sort your zip code, and don’t neglect to pick United States for the Nation.
• Enter your most well-liked driving distance in kilometers or miles.
• Select Unmanned Plane Basic – Small (UAG) because the Examination kind.
• Assessment the Data Testing Facilities on the record, scheduling an appointment with one.

Examine

You’re able to take the Half 107 examination. Effectively, you’re scheduled, however you’d prefer to really feel prepared. That’s greater than truthful contemplating the excessive price ticket for this check.

The FAA fees $175 to take the examination (as of this writing), and that’s for every try!

In different phrases, when you don’t go the primary time and actually wish to grow to be a business pilot, you have to pay that $175 price to your second retake try, after which a 3rd if wanted, and so forth.

That’s why learning is so necessary. You’ll discover loads of free assets on the market, however you get what you pay for (or don’t pay for, in that case).

Why accept something however the perfect whenever you’re spending a lot to take the Half 107 examination? Droneblog has compiled the prime beginner-friendly drone programs only for you.

All programs can be found on-line, so you’ll be able to be taught at your leisure. The fabric is introduced as video and text-based instruction, and you should have entry to observe quizzes after the modules.

The quizzes characteristic questions used on previous FAA exams, supplying you with a really feel for what you’re in for.

I do know you most likely don’t need spend further cash proper now, however your money goes to a very good trigger.

You may get a full course refund and $175 to pay to your second examination try when you don’t go your check after taking certainly one of these Half 107 programs.

The go charges for college students is often effectively over 95 %, so that you’re in good palms!

Drone Professional Academy

While you take the check, you’re protected below the Drone Professional Academy’s go assure. Simply go your FAA Half 107 examination.

Enroll on this Course

Our Assessment

We earn a fee when you make a purchase order, at no further value to you.

Present your stuff and go the Half 107 examination

Now, it’s the second you’ve been ready for, the Unmanned Plane Basic – Small (UAG) examination.

You should be conversant in the FAA’s drone legal guidelines in full, from loading to efficiency, airspace classifications, pre-flight checks, components that have an effect on drone efficiency, and requesting authorization.

You’ll be put to process, answering 60 questions on the examination. They’re all introduced in multiple-choice format, so bubble within the reply you consider is right.

You should have two and a half hours to finish all of the questions, so there’s no must rush.

While you examine in to the Virginia FAA Data Testing Heart, you will have a driver’s license or one other type of government-issued photograph identification.

In any other case, there’s nothing else you want, however you’ll be able to carry a math calculator or protractor if you want.

Oh, and you may also have your cellphone whenever you examine in. You’ll be introduced with a locker to stash it in till you’re finished with the check.

How do you go the business drone examination? You’ll want to rating not less than 70 %. The next rating is ok, however all you want is that 70. That offers you some leeway, as you will get 18 solutions incorrect and nonetheless go.

IACRA will submit your check outcomes however don’t anticipate them to be instantaneous. You could possibly find yourself ready for a number of weeks at most.

Altitude College

The On-line Half 107 Prep Course contains greater than 120 lesson goals. Apply exams with questions from actual FAA assessments are additionally invaluable.

Enroll on this Course

Our Assessment

We earn a fee when you make a purchase order, at no further value to you.

Full Kind 8710-13

Okay, so there’s just one extra step on the highway to turning into a licensed drone pilot in Virginia, and that’s submitting FAA Kind 8710-13. This kind will situation a request to your license.

For now, you’ll find yourself with a short lived paper model of the license. The FAA will mail you the everlasting model later, however they’ve loads of associated processing to do earlier than that occurs.

You possibly can log into IACRA to ship in a request for the short-term license. The shape has prompts to information you thru.

You may want your Data Check Examination ID at one level, a multi-digit code that might be in your IACRA account.

What occurs after you signal and submit the shape? IACRA will course of your request. There’s a background examine carried out by TSA that additionally has to occur earlier than you’ll hear from IACRA by way of e-mail.

That e-mail will embody the downloadable, short-term Half 107 license. You lastly did it, and now you’ve got a certificates to show it.

I’ve my drone license in Virginia – Now what?

Glorious job on reaching this level, however you’ll be able to’t fairly relaxation in your laurels but. There’s nonetheless a lot so that you can do.

For instance, it’s best to look into drone insurance coverage. Do you want it? No, nevertheless it’s good to have it. I imply, what when you crash your drone?

Have you ever thought of what you’d do? You could possibly find yourself paying 1000’s, typically tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in medical payments, lawyer’s charges, and property restore prices.

Insurance coverage will cull your spending so that you don’t should fall into monetary destroy over a drone accident. That’s why it’s so necessary.

You also needs to be taught Virginia’s state drone legal guidelines. As an example, the Code of Virginia 4VAC5-30-400 prevents you from flying a drone in any park all through the state.

HB 2350 makes it unlawful to make use of your drone for trespassing or spying on property you don’t personal.

Should you disobey the principles below HB 2350, it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor cost for you, together with punishments of a 12 months in jail and fines of $2,500 at most.

You additionally should register your drone earlier than you’re taking it anyplace, paying FAA the $5 so your drone is roofed for the subsequent three years. And lastly, it is advisable to have a recertification plan in your again pocket.

Your Distant Pilot Certificates will expire two years from the date it’s issued. The FAA desires you to remain on prime of its drone legal guidelines, together with new ones and modifications to older ones, so it is advisable to take a check to maintain your license present.

No, not the Unmanned Plane Basic – Small (UAG), thank goodness. The FAA did away with that requirement in 2021.

As a substitute, it’s a web based examination you will get by shortly after reviewing the modules. Oh, and did I point out this check is free?

Be taught all the pieces it is advisable to find out about license recertification right here.