FAA Language Clarity ... Part 107 Certs ...

[Avocet]

Reeived this from the Fed. recently. I've read the threads on recurrency, recertification, etc. on this site but am derailed by the vagary of this speak:

Our records indicate your Remote Pilot certificate issued in 2017 is nearing, or has reached the end of its 24 calendar month currency.
Remote drone pilots must complete a recurrent training course or pass a recurrent knowledge test within 24 calendar months to continue to exercise the privileges of their Remote Pilot certificates.
If you hold a Remote Pilot certificate as well as a manned pilot certificate (Part 61 qualified with a current flight review) you may either:

• Take the recurrent Part 107 Knowledge Test at a Knowledge Test Center testing facility, or
• Take the online training course, “Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (small UAS) Recurrent,” on the FAA Safety team website.

Does this mean:

A. .... you have 24 months after expiration to take the reccurency test; or
B. ... you have to take the recurrency exam during your certs shelf life (which makes not much sense).

Nonetheless, it's vagueness begs the question ...

 

[BigAl07]

You have to take the "Recurrency Test" after a 24 month period to become "Current" again. On the last day of the month of issue, after 24 months you are no longer current.

If you got your original test issued on Sept 1 2016 you have 24 months to exercise the priv of using it. As of Sept 30th of 2018 your were no longer "Current" and was not legally able to exercise those same flying privs. On October 1st 2018 you would have to take the Recurrency Test to become Current and be able to legally fly again. They give you until the end of the month of the ISSUE month as sort of a grace period. Unfortunately mine expired on the next to the last day of the month so my "Grave Period" would have been roughly 24hrs LOL.

You can take your "Recurrency Test" at any time within that 24 months (the later the better for obvious reasons) but at the end of the 24th month if you have not retaken you lose your "Current" status.

The "Options" listed above pertain to those who have a CURRENT manned pilots license. If you're "Current" with your Part 61 you can take the ONLINE version of the recurrency test (that's what I did) or you can opt to go take the recurrency test at a Knowledge Test Center testing facility which would mean $150 and time/travel.

As of this time, the only ONLINE Knowledge Test option is for Current Manned Pilots. There are "efforts" to get the Recurrency test online for all parties but that's on down the road IF it ever happens. I personally vote for us needing to prove, via a hands-on practical test, that we can actually operate a sUAS safely in addition to having to take the Knowledge Test. But that's just my 2-cents.

 

[Avocet]

Thanks Al, if I expired in March of 2019, could I take the recurrency exam in April of 2019? Or do I have to do the whole shootin' match once again? I keep interpreting this as 24 months after expiry, perhaps as wishful thinking.

Thanks for your response ..

 

[PatR]

To expand a bit more, the online test is for certificated manned aviation pilots that are compliant with manned aviation currency requirements. A manned aviation pilot that is not current cannot obtain a 107 certificate by only taking the online test, they are also required to take the same test non pilot applicants have to pass.

So a manned aviation pilot that is current in type can take the online course to obtain a 107 cert but a manned pilot that is not current cannot.

With any type of certificate, currency must be renewed before certificate or flight currency expires in order to continue exercising your privileges as a pilot. For most, currency last two years so plan on taking the test every two years.

 

[Avocet]

To expand a bit more,...lot. For most, currency last two years so plan on taking the test every two years.

Well, this is understood. The confusion is around when taking the entire Part 107 test might be required AGAIN, AFTER a prior Part 107 certification, (if at all).

Thanks for the input ..

 

[Russ Still]

This article and associated video give you everything you need to know about your 2-year renewal.

Gold Seal UAV Ground School | Pass your Part 107 Exam

www.uavgroundschool.com

 

[PatR]

I thought the process was pretty simple. Currency lasts two years and a certificate cannot be exercised unless it is current. So any date more than two years after the year and month a certificate was issued is one with an expired currency and therefore does not permit legally exercising the privileges of the certificate.

24 months is 24 months, not 24 months plus additional months or years. My first certificate expired on 9/30/18 but I didn’t renew until 3/18/19 so for the period between 11/1/18 and 3/17/19 all commercial operations, promotions, and advertising were shut down. The only “grace period” is as Al mentioned, 24 months up to the last day of the month in which the certificate was originally issued.

 

[Earthman]

I don’t believe you are penalized in any way for taking the recurrent exam before your certificate expires.

Also, like other aviation exams, the fact that you passed the initial Part 107 exam does not become void if you let your certificate lapse. If your Part 107 certificate expires you can’t fly under Part 107, but you don’t have to retake the initial exam - you have to take and pass a recurrent exam.

 

[BigAl07]

I don’t believe you are penalized in any way for taking the recurrent exam before your certificate expires.

Also, like other aviation exams, the fact that you passed the initial Part 107 exam does not become void if you let your certificate lapse. If your Part 107 certificate expires you can’t fly under Part 107, but you don’t have to retake the initial exam - you have to take and pass a recurrent exam.

No penalty other than you're paying to take it early. I like to take mine pretty close to expiration date expecially if it's a test that involves paying $$

 

[PatR]

Just like full scale, a Pilot certificate lasts forever unless revoked by the FAA or surrendered by the holder.

However, currency that allows exercising the privileges of PIC must be renewed every two years. For a non current pilot to operate an aircraft requires that another pilot with equal or greater ratings or an instructor be present to act as PIC.

It’s all in the FAR’s and anyone that wants to know can read them.

 

[LUIS MARTINEZ]

I thought the process was pretty simple. Currency lasts two years and a certificate cannot be exercised unless it is current. So any date more than two years after the year and month a certificate was issued is one with an expired currency and therefore does not permit legally exercising the privileges of the certificate.

24 months is 24 months, not 24 months plus additional months or years. My first certificate expired on 9/30/18 but I didn’t renew until 3/18/19 so for the period between 11/1/18 and 3/17/19 all commercial operations, promotions, and advertising were shut down. The only “grace period” is as Al mentioned, 24 months up to the last day of the month in which the certificate was originally issued.

Pretty simple.