Greg Pratt, Author at DARTdrones

Is It Worth It To Study for My FAA Commercial Drone License?

Greg Pratt — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 16:52:45 +0000

When an agency like the Federal Aviation Administration wants to test your knowledge, they don’t mess around. You may wonder if it’s worth it to study for your FAA commercial drone license, and the answer is a resounding yes. Even the FAA recommends studying for their own test.

The FAA drone exam will test your knowledge on a series of aviation subjects. These are the same topics that manned aircraft pilots must know and are tested on as well. It’s easy to be lulled into thinking that since you’re not physically in the aircraft you’re operating that you might not need to know as much about aviation.

The reality is that you’re a representative of and participant in the aviation industry and responsible for acting accordingly when you’re flying a drone. Some commercial drone pilots even wear aircraft radios because they need to know exactly what manned aircraft pilots are doing. Knowledge of regulations, airport dynamics, and limitations of drone operation is critical to flying safely in these busy airspaces.

On the FAA commercial drone pilot test you’ll be asked to interpret several aviation sectional charts, identifying airspaces, altitudes, geographical locations, and symbols. If you go into the exam having never seen a sectional chart before, trying to decipher it and take the test at the same time will consume your allotted 2 hours. When you choose a study program for the exam, you’ll be supplied with the exact airman manual used in the testing center. By being intimately familiar with the location of legends, indexes, and specific figures and charts, you will save yourself untold time and unnecessary anxiety.

Weather is another subject that can catch you by surprise on the drone pilot test. It’s not just sunny, windy, or precipitating. You’re expected to know the stages of a thunderstorm or find the dewpoint reading in a METAR. These details are all things you’ll be exposed to by studying for the drone pilot exam.

Nothing worth having ever comes easy, but you can take some of the stress out of taking the exam by being prepared for it. For starters, take a look at this article that talks about some of the challenging FAA test questions you may encounter on the FAA commercial drone pilot exam. The questions are designed not to just test your recall, but to see how well you problem-solve on-the-fly by drawing on the information you’ve learned.

When you’re ready to commit to earning your Part 107 drone pilot license, there are many resources available to help you prepare for the drone test. It depends on what kind of learner you are and how you like to organize your study time. Some students appreciate an in-person, more tactile approach to learning, while others prefer to study at their own pace. Still others find value in guided virtual learning, which combines the best of both worlds.

In-person drone pilot test prep will give you an instructor at your side who can teach you hands-on aircraft performance as well as theoretical instruction. Getting your hands on a drone will bring home the theory, and vice versa. You’ll receive a learning experience that is all-encompassing and thorough. All you need to do is set aside a bit of time in your schedule.

If you’ve got a busy schedule and need to customize your study time, there are online drone test prep options as well. You’ll self-pace through modules designed to build upon each other to give you well-rounded preparation in each subject. This study option is popular because you can always go back, retake quizzes, and pinpoint subjects you might need to spend a bit more time on. You’ll be equipped with the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement, which, as mentioned above, is the exact document you’ll be using when you sit for the exam. Knowing this text backwards and forwards will greatly aid in navigating the test and saving time.

If you’d rather participate in a live virtual test prep course, you’ll be able to ask your instructor questions, share experiences, and work through problems as a group. This platform appeals to visual and verbal learning styles.

With a variety of learning programs available, as well as, online drone pilot resources, you can confidently take the test, and do it right the first time. You’ll find that it was indeed worth studying for your FAA commercial drone license. Not only will you pass the test, but from that moment on, you’ll think like an aviator.

About the Author: Greg Pratt

After graduating from high school, Gregory Pratt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he was trained to be an Air Traffic Controller at the age of 18. He attended theUniversity of Texas at Arlington where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Shortly after college, he earned his Private Pilot’s License. He was then commissioned as an officer in the Navy and spent six years as a Naval Flight Officer, flying in the S3-B aircraft off of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS George Washington aircraft carriers. After his time in the Navy, he applied for and was appointed to be an FBI Special Agent. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA and was then assigned to the San Antonio office, where he spent his entire career (22 years from 1998-2019). While in the FBI, he worked White Collar Crime, Public Corruption, and Counter-Terrorism cases. His collateral (part-time) duties included surveillance pilot, Evidence Response Team (CSI) member and Team Leader, and Hostage/Crisis Negotiator. He retired in December of 2019 and started a drone business (DroneStarLLC.com) to combine his loves of aviation and photography. Gregory is also an instructor for DARTdrones.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

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Remote ID, Drones, And What You Need to Know

Greg Pratt — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 22:37:08 +0000

Drone technology evolves rapidly, and one change is making our shared airspace safer, and remoted pilots more accountable. Check out the FAA’s rules on remote ID, drones, and how to fly safe and legally below.

On December 28^th, 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized rules regarding remote identification requirements for unmanned aircraft systems. This tracking system was proposed in 2019 in an effort to integrate drones into the National Airspace System. Just as fixed-wing and helicopters have a registration number and can be remotely identified and tracked, so will sUAS or drones.

Using radio frequencies, e.g. WiFi and Bluetooth, a remote ID provides information about a drone in flight. Its registration number, location, elevation, velocity, and where it took off from can be tracked. If a drone is identified in an area or airspace where drone flight is prohibited, or if the drone is seen flying in an unsafe manner, it can be identified and traced. The Final Determination from the FAA will require that most drones flying in US airspace have remote identification capabilities. This begs the question of how current drone operators should proceed.

The FAA has outlined three ways in which a drone operator can become compliant.

1. An operator can fly a drone that has remote ID capabilities built in.

This is called a Standard Remote ID Drone. This broadcasts the drone’s emergency status, ID, location and altitude, and where it was launched from. The drone will broadcast this information from the time of takeoff to the time of shutdown. Drone manufacturer DJI issued this comment after the release of the final rules:

“DJI has long supported the FAA’s Remote ID initiative because it will enhance drone accountability, safety and security. The FAA’s deliberative process of reviewing over 50,000 public comments has resulted in a rule that will serve the whole industry, as operators move on to more complex drone operations that save lives and benefit society. We are reviewing the final rule to understand how DJI can take steps towards complying with the FAA’s upcoming requirements.”

Drone manufacturers have 18 months after the effective date to update their fleet manufacturing.

2. An operator can retrofit a Remote ID Broadcast Module on an existing drone.

There are differences between installing a module and operating a drone with factory-installed capabilities. A module only allows for line-of-sight operations, and the emergency status of the drone is not available.

Drone operators have 30 months after the effective date to make their aircraft compliant.

3. An operator can fly a drone in areas sponsored by community organizations and educational institutions.

These areas are called FAA-recognized identification areas, or FRIA. These are the only areas a drone pilot may operate a drone without remote ID.

There has also been a registration update with regards to recreational drone pilots.

Under the new rule, recreational drone operators may use one registration number for multiple aircraft. This means that if a recreational drone pilot is using a module, he or she is permitted to move the module from aircraft to aircraft, as long as the drones are under the same registration number. If the pilot is using multiple Standard Remote ID’d aircraft, they must list the serial number of each aircraft when they register.

These rules have been implemented to ensure the continued responsible flight in and protection of shared airspace. Operators and manufacturers have been assured ample time to bring their fleets and aircraft into compliance.

To find more in-depth information on these changes, drone registration, and current regulations visit the FAA’s Remote Pilot website.

About the Author: Greg Pratt

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Tips for where to take the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small, or Part 107, exam to certify as a drone pilot

Greg Pratt — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 17:27:09 +0000

Did you know you have pretty good odds of passing the Part 107 drone certification test on the first try?

According to John Peltier, writer for thedronegirl.com, the latest statistic from 2018 shows a 92% pass rate with good preparation. To prepare, you can find an FAA-certified Part 107 training course at an excellent drone training school like DARTdrones, which consistently reflects an exemplary 99% pass rate. After your training, you need to take the Part 107 test, and you need to know where to find it.

Where to Take the Part 107 Drone Certification Test

You may obtain your drone certification by taking the Part 107 knowledge exam at an FAA-authorized testing center. The FAA has contracted with PSI Services LLC, a reputable company committed to expert testing programs, to offer the Part 107 airman knowledge exam. This Unmanned Aircraft General – Small test has only become available through PSI recently.

With more than 690 authorized testing centers across the U.S., it is likely that you can find a location that is convenient for you to take the drone license test. Check out PSI’s fantastic website to find the location that is convenient for you. Once on the PSI site, click on “Find a Test Center.” The site will prompt you to enter a zip code, country, and name of the test. Choose “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small” as the test from the drop-down menu on the right. Click “Search” and take your pick of testing centers!

Schedule your Part 107 Drone Test ahead of time

We are optimistically at the tail-end of a global pandemic, which has affected when testing centers are currently open for business. It would be wise to check ahead first to see PSI’s test center openings, what their hours are, and to schedule a Part 107 drone license test-taking time. The PSI site prompts you to enter which country you would like to find a testing center in, then choose which city works for you.

What You Need in order to schedule the Part 107 Drone Test

When you visit the PSI website, you need to create an account in order to schedule your Part 107 exam. In order to create an account, you’ll need an FTN, or Federal Tracking Number, which takes less than 5 minutes to obtain. It is imperative that you obtain an FTN through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application, or IACRA.

Find Out More about the Part 107 Drone Test

To find out more about the Part 107 knowledge test, check out this free study guide, these little known facts, a prep video for the Part 107 drone pilot test, topics on the drone pilot exam, a drone license guide, and Part 107 previews. Don’t forget to also explore the famous DARTdrones Part 107 test prep training course for superior training before the exam.

About the Author: Greg Pratt

The post Tips for where to take the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small, or Part 107, exam to certify as a drone pilot appeared first on DARTdrones.

12 Things to Look for When Contracting a Drone Pilot for Your Organization

Greg Pratt — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:59:04 +0000

So, you need to hire a drone pilot to do a job for your business, but you are uncertain what to look for.

It is not uncommon to find yourself in this situation, with so many operators vying for your business. This article will take you through the things you should consider before making your selection and contracting the right drone pilot for your organization and business needs.

Before you begin selecting a drone operator for your organization, you should have a good idea of what your project entails and what you would like the end product to look like. This way, you will be able to articulate and communicate clearly to your pilot of choice what your objectives are.

Once you have a clear idea in your mind of how your project should look, you can use the following 12 guidelines to assist you in the selection process:

1. Drone Certification:

Also known as a drone license or Part 107 license/certification, this is required of any drone pilot operating for commercial purposes (i.e., charging for his or her services). There are many drone operators conducting business without a license/certification. If you encounter one of these individuals, you should steer clear of them. If they are willing to disregard this FAA rule, then they are likely to disobey others and operate in an unsafe or reckless manner. This could put you, your equipment, or staff at risk. Be sure to ask to see a copy of the drone pilot’s license before considering hiring a drone operator for your company.

2. Ensure they’ve been properly trained for their drone:

Ask the would-be drone pilot what kind of training they have received with respect to drone operations. Many operators are self-taught or learn from watching videos on YouTube. While this may work for some, pilots who have received training from professional, experienced instructors are certainly better prepared to take on a wide variety of drone missions with confidence. If they have been taught by companies like DARTdrones, then you can be sure that they will be well prepared to carry out your mission in a professional and competent manner.

3. Check Their Total Drone Flight Hours:

Before an airline will hire a pilot to fly people around, they require the pilot to have thousands of hours of flight time. The reasons for this are obvious. They want to ensure that the pilot has lots of experience before being entrusted with flying such precious cargo. While it is not necessary for a drone pilot to have this much flight time before becoming a proficient and safe drone pilot, generally the more hours the better. A professional drone pilot typically keeps a log of his or her hours and should be able to easily provide you with this information. Generally speaking, the more flight time a pilot has, the safer and more competent they are.

4. Understand the Type of Drone Pilot Experience:

Consider what your organization’s project consists of and make sure that the drone pilot you hire has experience in that specific area. For instance, if you are hiring a pilot to do a real estate shoot, then they should have a background in photography and know concepts like composition, exposure, etc. If you are hiring them to shoot a video, then a background in cinematography is helpful. Other areas of drone operations are highly specialized. These include mapping/modeling, agricultural operations, thermal and conventional inspections, etc. Let the inexperienced pilots learn on other people’s projects. You want to hire the best individual for your company and dollar, someone who has been there and done that type of project before.

5. General/Manned Aviation Background:

While it is certainly not required that the drone pilot you hire have a background in manned aviation (i.e., they are a real pilot!), it certainly adds to their professionalism and knowledge base. Manned aviation pilots have a better understanding of airspace and other important matters related to flying in the National Airspace System. In recognition of this, DARTdrones only hires instructors with manned aviation backgrounds.

6. How’s Their Professional Website?

A drone operator’s website could be the first indication of their level of professionalism. The website should be eye-catching and easy to navigate. If it is clunky and hard to get around in, this shows a lack of attention to detail and may indicate a lack of professionalism on the part of that drone pilot.

7. Look Over Their Portfolio:

An experienced drone pilot should have a portfolio of their work. This portfolio could include photos, videos, orthomosaic maps, etc. Make sure you view a potential drone pilot’s portfolio to ensure they have experience in the area you are seeking and that they do a professional job.

8. Check Out Their Reviews:

In this day and age, you can look up anything on the internet. One of the advantages of this is that you can view reviews of businesses you are considering hiring. You obviously want to stay away from drone operators who have negative or no reviews.

9. Consider What Type of Drone is Being Utilized:

Currently, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of different types of drones on the market. These range from toy drones costing less than $50 to those that cost tens of thousands of dollars. While you cannot be expected to be an expert on all the drones on the market, it helps to be somewhat familiar with some of the big players out there. DJI is currently the 800-pound gorilla, with close to 80 percent of the overall market. There is a good reason for this too, as DJI makes high quality, intuitive drones. That being said, DJI is a Chinese company and US Government Agencies do not allow them to be utilized to collect data on their behalf. There are many other capable drone manufacturers out there however, and it’s helpful to be familiar with them. Here is a link to an article about some of the top drone manufacturers: Top drone manufacturers

10. Understand the Type of Sensor of the Drone:

It’s important that the drone operator you hire for your project have the appropriate drone-mounted sensor to complete the mission in a professional manner. If the mission calls for a thermal inspection of solar panels, then it is necessary that the pilot have the appropriate sensor on his drone. If the mission calls for high-definition photos or videos, then the drone should be equipped with a high-quality camera with a large sensor. If the mission calls for highly accurate mapping data, then perhaps it should be equipped with RTK sensors.

11. Does the Drone Operator Carry Insurance?

While generally safe when operated by an experienced pilot, drones have the potential to cause serious damage to property or persons on the ground if they fall from the sky. To mitigate the risk involved in these operations, you should ensure that the drone pilot you hire is properly insured. Professional drone pilots often purchase liability insurance policies through Verifly or similar apps. It is always prudent to ask to see a certificate of their liability insurance coverage.

12. Accessibility and responsiveness:

A drone pilot might be the best in the world at what he or she does, but if they are non-responsive and hard to get in contact with, then they are probably not the pilot for you. A good drone pilot should go above and beyond what is expected of them by the client and over deliver every time. If you find a pilot fitting this description, then you can establish a long-term professional relationship with them.

While the preceding list is not exhaustive, it should be a good guide in getting started in finding the perfect drone pilot for the mission you are wishing to accomplish!

About the Author: Greg Pratt

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15 Steps to Starting and Running a Successful Drone Business

Greg Pratt — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:24:15 +0000

Thinking about starting a drone business as a side gig or as a main source of income?

Starting a drone business can initially seem like an overwhelming task but having a plan and doing things the right way can make launching your own drone company more attainable (and profitable). Here are 15 steps that will help you on your way to developing a successful drone business:

1. Buy a drone

Before you can start a drone business, you will need a drone. While this may seem obvious, you will need to put some thought into your purchase decision. You do not want to buy a drone that does not fit your needs or that you will have to replace soon after buying. Your drone is a tool. Think about what you want it to accomplish for you. What type of work are you wanting to do with it (photography, videography, inspections, mapping, etc)? Things to consider when buying a drone are company reputation, durability, sensor (camera, thermal, etc) quality, intelligent/autonomous flight modes. etc. Do a lot of research. Read the online reviews of drones you are considering. Test out various models before you purchase so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. You can accomplish this by renting drones, borrowing a friend’s, or registering for DARTdrones’ Basic Flight Training course, where you learn to fly on an instructors drone. We recommend buying the best drone your budget allows to accomplish the types of projects you are hoping to do.

2. Get Proficient at Flying the Drone

Nothing is more embarrassing than showing up at a job site and crashing your drone. In addition to the humiliation, there is also the liability factor. If you do not know what you are doing, you run the risk of destroying your drone, damaging property, and causing injuries. And most likely, you will not be gaining a repeat customer. That being said, it is important to become proficient at flying your drone before you start doing it for a living. Try to master the basic flying skills so that they become second nature. Get comfortable flying by looking at the drone itself and while looking at the screen (preferably with a visual observer assisting you). Learn all the features of your drone, to include the camera, autonomous flight modes, etc. One way to start this process is by enrolling in a DARTdrones Hands-On Flight Training Course. This one-day course will introduce you to the basic skills you will need to build on to become a proficient drone operator. Once you master these skills, you will be ready to take on your first assignment.

3. Study for & Obtain your FAA Part 107 Certificate

To legally work with drones and start flying commercial with your drone business, you are required to have an FAA-issued certificate. This is referred to as a Part 107 license. There is a lot of material on this test that may be unfamiliar to you if you do not have a background in aviation. Some of the material on the FAA Administered Part 107 Exam includes airspace, meteorology, regulations, crew resource management and other topics. DARTdrones offers both in-person and online Part 107 Exam Preparation courses. After taking this course (and with some concerted studying effort), you should be able to pass the test with flying colors!

4. Pick a Company Name for Your Drone Business

It is important to have a name that is catchy and informs potential customers what your drone business is all about. Do some brainstorming to come up with some names you like and then do an online search to ensure that name is not already being used. Avoid names that are cheesy or unprofessional. Once you come up with a name you like, register it with the state so that it becomes yours.

5. Design a Logo That Accurately Represents Your Business

Just like your drone company name, your logo should symbolize what your company is all about. Your logo should be professional-looking, memorable (think Starbucks, McDonalds, etc), and creative. If your budget allows, hire a professional to design the logo for you. Remember, the more professional your company looks, the more likely potential clients are to hire you. Having a creative and memorable logo is one way to convey that professionalism. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance can help you find talented designers to help you in this department.

6. Form the Company

Decide if you want to operate as a sole-proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. When making this decision, it is a good idea to think about how to limit your personal liability if you get sued or something bad happens. You can consult with an accountant and/or attorney to assist you in making this decision. Alternatively, you can find plenty of online recourses that provide information about this topic.

7. Decide on Your Target Market

It is important to have a good idea of which sector of the market you would like to target for your drone business. Do you want to do real estate photography, special events videography, inspections, mapping, or some other sector? While it’s okay to provide services in more than one area, it is oftentimes a good idea to become an “expert” in one or two areas. Consider getting into certain niche markets like inspections or mapping if possible, as this requires a more specialized skill set and differentiates you from your competition. Conversely, there are a lot of drone operators doing real estate photography because it is relatively easy. Many of these operators do not possess their Part 107 Certificate and are not insured. You will want to set yourself apart from these amateurs by operating professionally, with a Part 107 Certificate, liability insurance, etc. DARTdrones currently offers Mapping, Inspections, and Aerial Photography courses that can help you hone your specialized skills.

8. Develop an Online Portfolio for Your Company

Before you start advertising your services or approaching potential clients, it is a good idea to have a portfolio of your work to show them. This also allows you to further think through which sector of the market you want to target and get more proficient at honing your skills. Make sure your portfolio exemplifies the professionalism you are trying to portray before you begin marketing your company. It’s also a good idea to become proficient at photo and video editing, as much of drone work relates to sharing aerial imagery and videography.

9. Obtain Testimonials from Customers

When developing your portfolio, offer to do work for free or at a deeply discounted rate, in exchange for a testimonial. Once your website is up and running, potential clients are more likely to hire your company if they see favorable reviews.

10. Develop a Website

It is essential to have a website to promote your business and provide information on the services you offer, how to contact you, pricing information, etc. It is important to have a professional-looking website that showcases your work and is easy for your clients to navigate. If you do not have the ability to develop a website yourself, it is a good idea to hire a professional to do so. This will pay dividends in the long run.

11. Create a Social Media Presence

In addition to having a nice-looking, professional website, it is also important to have a social media presence for your company. This is another opportunity for you to reach potential customers and to showcase your work. Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are important sites on which to have a presence. Try to get as many “likes” and followers as possible on these sites to help spread the word about your business. Do not forget to keep your social media pages up-to-date so that potential clients know that you are still an ongoing, viable business.

12. Network, Network, Network

While we would like to think that once we have a website and social media presence potential clients will be beating down our doors to hire us, that is not the case. We have all heard the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” This is very true in many instances. To grow your business, it will be necessary for you to get out there and “pound the streets” to get work. Call on your friends, family members, peers, and any others you can think of to get the word out about your business. This will require some work on your part, but your reward will be more jobs and more referrals.

13. Market, Market, Market

You might offer the greatest service in the world and have a better-looking website than anyone else, but if no one knows about you, then you will not have any business. The importance of marketing your business cannot be overstated. Methods of advertising are innumerable, but when spending advertising dollars, do so wisely. Consider who your target market is and how best to reach them. Online marketing is probably the best and most efficient way to advertise to a broad and/or targeted market.

14. Deliver More than your Customer Expects

It has been said that “The purpose of a business is to create a customer who creates customers.” The best way to do this is to over-deliver on what you promise the customer. That is not to say that you do not charge appropriately for the work you do. What it does mean is that you are professional in every aspect of the product and service you offer. Respond quickly to inquiries, act and dress professionally when interacting with clients, and deliver a top-notch product to them. Doing these simple, but often overlooked, things will help ensure that your business continues to grow.

15. Repeat Steps 12-14

To be successful in any business requires a lot of work. This means that to grow your business and be successful in the long run, you must continue to network, market, and deliver more than your customers expect. Always strive to learn more about your trade and remain enthusiastic. Your customers will see this professionalism and enthusiasm and will continue to hire you and refer you to others.

About the Author: Greg Pratt

After graduating from high school, Gregory Pratt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he was trained to be an Air Traffic Controller at the age of 18. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Shortly after college, he earned his Private Pilot’s License. He was then commissioned as an officer in the Navy and spent six years as a Naval Flight Officer, flying in the S3-B aircraft off of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS George Washington aircraft carriers. After his time in the Navy, he applied for and was appointed to be an FBI Special Agent. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA and was then assigned to the San Antonio office, where he spent his entire career (22 years from 1998-2019). While in the FBI, he worked White Collar Crime, Public Corruption, and Counter-Terrorism cases. His collateral (part-time) duties included surveillance pilot, Evidence Response Team (CSI) member and Team Leader, and Hostage/Crisis Negotiator. He retired in December of 2019 and started a drone business (DroneStarLLC.com) to combine his loves of aviation and photography. Gregory is also an instructor for DARTdrones.

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