FAA Part 107 training/testing pushed to 3/16/21

[Florida Drone Supply]

Somehow it was only $96 for my recurrent test at PSI (for the Coney Island Brooklyn location) but your theory is probably spot on. Had they not issued me a refund I would have just skipped it anyway since it sounds like my current night waiver is obsolete any way and I'd need to take the free course to be able to fly at night.

Luckily it's a one minute process to cancel your existing appointment and I won't have to have my license lapse at all. Thanks for this thread OP! I'll buy you a beer if you're ever in the NYC area.

The reason for the price difference is dependant on if you are at a PSA or CATS-owned location or a contract location.

Either way Vic is correct your good till 3-31-2021

Mike D

 

[TreeLineView]

That makes sense. I have the same restrictions on my DIA 0 grid COAs. But I have a 1 mile radius, but it's in a wide open area that just happens to be in a 0' grid.

Wait, what? My daytime waiver is null and void on or after 5/17/21? My night ops and check-lists have all requirements outlined in my waiver, including a trained VO. This is all changing?

 

[Vic Moss]

The reason for the price difference is dependant on if you are at a PSA or CATS-owned location or a contract location.

Mike D

CATS was bought out by PSI. No more CATS... ??‍

 

[Vic Moss]

Wait, what? My daytime waiver is null and void on or after 5/17/21? My night ops and check-lists have all requirements outlined in my waiver, including a trained VO. This is all changing?

Yes, all 107.29 waivers will be terminated on 5/17/21. You will have to take the new recurrent training (available 3/16) in order to fly after that.

As of now, there is no process to fly at night in controlled airspace. But that should be rectified by then.

 

[Larr2000]

Heads Up! There is been a slight change to the Part 107 recurrence training. The roll-out will change from 3/1/21 to 3/16/21. This was so it would be in "accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2021, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, titled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review"." Basically, a new administration has the right to put any new rule "on hold for review" if it was added to the Federal Register during a specific time period between transitions.

It's very common. Although a pain in the backside for some. If you need to get your 107 current before 3/17/21, you'll need to take the in person recurrent test (UGR) one more time before you can take advantage of the new training. Unfortunately.

If your 107 is current after 3/1/21, this will not affect you.

If you have any questions, ask below. We'll get them answered for you as best we can.

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-04093.pdf

I just finished the recurring exam and was disappointed that 15 out 40 questions were on charts. Of course there were the usual quantity of "trick questions". On top of that when you pass ($160 here in California) you are NOT issued a new license, rather a paper printout that says KEEP THIS.

 

[TreeLineView]

Yes, all 107.29 waivers will be terminated on 5/17/21. You will have to take the new recurrent training (available 3/16) in order to fly after that.

As of now, there is no process to fly at night in controlled airspace. But that should be rectified by then.

Thanks for clarification Vic

 

[BigAl07]

I just finished the recurring exam and was disappointed that 15 out 40 questions were on charts. Of course there were the usual quantity of "trick questions". On top of that when you pass ($160 here in California) you are NOT issued a new license, rather a paper printout that says KEEP THIS.

Charts are VERY important and one thing we see the most amount of misunderstandings about so it seems fairly logical why some versions of the test will be heavy on that aspect of aviation.

Trick questions?

On top of that when you pass ($160 here in California) you are NOT issued a new license, rather a paper printout that says KEEP THIS.

That's standard Pilot Certificate procedure. Why issue a new card when all you need is proof of being current?

You can get a new card if yours is lost/destroyed etc but you don't get one just for becoming Current again.

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

Airspace violations are the Leading cause of issues. If UAS pilots better understood the charts then we would have fewer issues. I would imagine the new recurrent tests online will be 50% Chart based and 1% weather really.

Opinion of Mike D

 

[BigAl07]

Heads UP!! Many of our fellow Part 107 Operators are failing to read the fine print and taking an online test for MANNED Aircraft Pilots and it does NOT satisfy the requirements to make non Manned Pilots Current!! Below is an exert I put out on a couple of Part 107 groups that I felt like needed to be shared here.

Online ReCurrency:
There is a Part 61 online recurrency exam but it's for Current Part 61 (manned aircraft) Pilots only. Unfortunately many Part 107 operators have stumbled onto this test and did not take the time to read the NOT SO FINE print at the top of the page which clearly ( and not in fine print) states the following (bold added by me but other than that it's Copy & Paste) -
*******************************************************************************************************************************
Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Course Introduction

The FAA has developed regulations to allow the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (small UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) for purposes other than recreational aircraft operation. The rules are specified in 14 CFR part 107 and address UAS classification, certification, and operating rules.

This course is designed for part 61 pilot certificate holders who have a current flight review (in accordance with 14 CFR part 61.56) and wish to remain current as a part 107 remote pilot with a small UAS rating. References to “part 61 pilot certificate holders” specifically refer to holders of pilot certificates other than student pilot certificates. Part 61 pilot certificates include sport pilot, recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot and air transport pilot certificates.

As a certificated pilot, much of what you already know about manned aircraft applies to the operation of small unmanned aircraft. This course assumes the learner has a remote pilot certificate and operational knowledge of 14 CFR part 61, “Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors,” and 14 CFR part 91, “General Operating and Flight Rules.” The course focuses on the knowledge areas of 14 CFR part 107 that are beyond the operational knowledge of parts 61 and 91.

Others may take this course as a self-study resource, including:

• Holders of a part 107 remote pilot certificate who do not hold a part 61 pilot certificate (or part 61 pilot certificate holders without a current flight review or other provisions of 14 CFR part 61.56)
• Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs)
• Aviation Safety Technicians (ASTs)
• FAASTeam Program Managers (FPMs)
• Anyone interested in learning more about 14 CFR part 107

*******************************************************************************************************************************

So several (and I mean a LOT) operators who wanted to sneak under the wire to get their Part 107 Currency spent approx 2hrs (maybe more LOL) studying and testing for something they THOUGHT was making them current but in fact was just a PRACTICE test for them. If you don't hold a Part 61 license and you are CURRENT with your BFR that test is nothing but practice.

The above is a classic example of why you need to read and ABSORB everything the FAA puts on their pages in training and test materials. The DEVIL is in the DETAILS.