UAV Operators and Sport Pilot Certificates

[Flocker]

Has anyone seen an increase in people seeking a sport pilot certificate to be able to fly drones commercially? My CFI just got a new student seeking a SP certificate for this very reason.

For more info go here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/faq/#qn4

Any thoughts on the topic of pilot certification and drone operation?

[rcpilot]

My CFI tells me that they are busy for that very reason. Still, they have just one LSA plane.

[chavycha]

Several of the recently approved Section 333 exemption applications I've seen are written so their UAS operators only need to pass an aeronautical knowledge test at that level - and don't need to go through the flight training portion.

Now that makes way too much sense, so I expect the FAA to put a stop to it at any time.

[RotorRambler]

Several of the recently approved Section 333 exemption applications I've seen are written so their UAS operators only need to pass an aeronautical knowledge test at that level - and don't need to go through the flight training portion.

Now that makes way too much sense, so I expect the FAA to put a stop to it at any time.

Although the UAS NPRM proposes that a commercial UAS operator need only pass a knowledge test, I haven't seen an approved 333 exemption that doesn't require the PIC to have a least a Sport Pilot ticket.

I'm curious; can you point to a specific 333 exemption that was approved and that allowed the UAS PIC to not have at least a Sport Pilot ticket? Not just the petition for exemption, but the actual terms in the approval.

Thanks.

Ira

[designrs]

New FAA Drone Rules (today)

Under the final rule, the person actually flying a drone must be at least 16 years old and have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate. To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, an individual must either pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate. If qualifying under the latter provision, a pilot must have completed a flight review in the previous 24 months and must take a UAS online training course provided by the FAA. The TSA will conduct a security background check of all remote pilot applications prior to issuance of a certificate.

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/ ... wsId=20515