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

BigAl07 · Feb 25, 2021

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

Cat Eyes · Feb 26, 2021

BigAl07 said:
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 took my recurrent on the 24th of Feb. When I arranged for my test (through PSI), they didn't seem to have any idea of the changes coming. Any idea how well this is being disseminated throughout the testing facilities?

I also visited the FAASafety.gov site (as mentioned through Pilot Institute weekly youtube briefings) and nothing is plain and simple about anything there. I ended up taking a short refresher course (with a 100% passing score required) that I think was required for Part 61 operators who are also 107 certified.

Long story short, I don't have to worry about it for the next 2 years but hopefully these websites will all get the same information and present it in a clear and precise manner.

Matt

BigAl07 · Feb 26, 2021

Good morning Matt. I completely feel and understand your confusion and probably frustration. We feel it too.

As of last week the FAA had not passed along the new testing/training criteria to 3rd party groups yet. I think they were kind of "expecting" the DOT/Admin to put the brakes on this pony (as noted above). It's important to note that fur RECURRENCY third parties may not even provide much in terms of training because it will all be available online for FREE at the FAAST website eventually. I'm sure some will in order to maintain their "Lifetime" status and to help support membership but you'll still have to go through the training and module testing on the FAAST website to become current.

One thing to keep in mind, if you want to utilize Night Operations (107.29) without a waiver, you'll have to take the new training module on the FAAST website once it's made available. My understanding (take it for what you paid for it LOL) is that module etc is ready to GO they are just waiting on approvals from ADMIN etc and then they will turn them on at the dates noted.

Those with an existing 107.29 WAIVER can fly under that waiver until ~ 5/17/21 (this could change but it's current as of today) at that time the waiver will auto EXPIRE and you must have completed the FAAST 107.29 training module to fly at night.

BigAl07 · Mar 3, 2021

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.