The rule for operating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) or drones under 55 pounds in the National Airspace System (NAS) is 14 CFR Part 107, referred to as the Small UAS Rule. However, for the flight of a drone for purely recreational purposes, there is a limited statutory exception that provides a basic set of requirements.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, P.L. 115-254 (October 5, 2018) introduced new requirements for recreational pilots. The exception for limited recreational operations of uncrewed aircraft is codified in 49 U.S. Code § 44809. Inter alia, § 44809 provides in subsection (7) that, assuming all other sections have been complied with, the exception for limited recreational operations of uncrewed aircraft applies if “The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test passage to be made available to the Administrator or law enforcement upon request.”
In response the FAA has recently created the Recreational UAS Safety Test or TRUST. TRUST provides education and testing for recreational flyers on important safety and regulatory information. In order to comply with 49 U.S. Code § 44809, recreational flyers must pass the TRUST test before engaging in recreational operations of uncrewed aircraft.
Access to the TRUST test is available through the FAA website. The TRUST test is administered by FAA-approved, third-party test administrators. The list of administrators (and links to them) is found on the FAA website and is comprised of the following:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Community College of Allegheny County – West Hills Center
- CrossFlight Sky Solutions
- Drone Launch Academy LLC
- Drone Trust
- Drone U
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
- HSU Educational Foundation
- Lake Area Technical College
- Pilot Institute
- Proctorio Incorporated
- Tactical Aviation
- The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
- The Boy Scouts of America
- UAV Coach
- University of Arizona Global Campus
- Volatus Aerospace Corp
For further information contact Robert E. Kelly, Esq., at kellylawuas@gmail.com.