New Drone Pilot Certificate Now Required

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As drone traffic is about to expand to the urban airspace, recreational drone pilots in the US will now be required to complete a safety test to fly in the national airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved 16 organizations to provide this test which is known as the Recreational Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Test (TRUST), the agency announced.

“These organizations are key to making this test widely available and easily accessible to recreational drone pilots,” FAA statement said. “We need pilots of all aircraft, including those who operate recreational drones, to have the training and knowledge needed to operate safely in the nation’s airspace.”

According to aviationtoday.com, TRUST was created as a requirement of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 which requires pilots to take a test to operate in the national airspace.

According to the FAA, the test is online and free to take. Through TRUST drone pilots will learn information pertaining to regulation, airspace approvals, and pilot fitness. Once a pilot completes TRUST, they will be given a certificate to provide to authorities when flying. This certificate does not expire.