Pass Your FAA Exam with This Part 107 Test Prep Guide
- Paul Simmons
- Jul 11
- 18 min read
Passing the Part 107 test is the single most important step you'll take toward flying your drone commercially. This isn't just about memorizing facts for an exam; it's about building the deep, foundational knowledge you need to operate safely and professionally. Getting this right unlocks a world of opportunity, from shooting high-end real estate photography to conducting detailed infrastructure inspections.
Why Smart Part 107 Test Prep Is Your First Real Flight
Getting your Remote Pilot Certificate is the first real milestone for any serious drone pilot. It all comes down to passing the Part 107 knowledge test. This exam isn't some bureaucratic hurdle—it's the FAA's way of making sure you have what it takes to safely share the skies within the National Airspace System.
Think of it like this: that little certificate is what legally separates a hobbyist from a professional. With it, you can start earning money from your drone services, bid on commercial contracts, and build a credible business. Without it, you’re stuck flying for fun and risk some hefty FAA fines if you get caught doing any commercial work.
The Value of a Structured Approach
Just skimming the material or watching a few random videos online won't cut it. A structured study plan is so much more effective. The test throws some dense topics at you, like reading aeronautical charts, decoding weather patterns, and navigating complex aviation regulations. Trying to "wing it" is a perfect recipe for failure and a quick way to lose your $175 exam fee.
A dedicated part 107 test prep strategy really sets you up for success. It helps you:
Pinpoint Your Weak Spots: By systematically working through every topic, you'll quickly see where you need to focus your energy.
Build Real Confidence: Taking practice tests and diving deep into the material gets rid of that pre-test anxiety. You'll walk into the testing center knowing you're prepared.
Actually Retain the Information: When you learn concepts in a logical order, you start to understand the why behind the rules. This makes them much easier to remember and apply on a real job site.
This certificate is your ticket into a booming industry. Since the FAA introduced the small drone rule, a massive community of certified pilots has emerged. As you get ready for your exam, you’re on your way to joining them. You can learn more about the professional side of things in our guide to flying commercially.
The FAA's Remote Pilot Certificate is non-negotiable for anyone wanting to fly drones for business. Since the rule was implemented in 2016, over 100,000 people have passed the aeronautical knowledge test to get certified.
Ultimately, your prep work isn't just about passing a test. It's about becoming a competent, safe, and responsible pilot who genuinely understands the rules of the sky. This knowledge isn't a barrier—it's the bedrock of every successful commercial flight you'll ever make. Solid preparation is absolutely essential.
Decoding The Five Core Knowledge Areas Of The Exam
The Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test isn't just a random assortment of drone trivia. It’s a carefully structured exam built around five core subject areas, each one absolutely critical for operating a drone safely and legally in the real world. Think of your part 107 test prep as building five strong pillars; mastering each one is what makes you a competent Remote Pilot in Command, not just someone who can pass a test.
These subjects aren't isolated islands of information. They interconnect to build your situational awareness, turning abstract rules into practical skills you'll lean on for every single commercial flight. Let's break down exactly what you need to know.
FAA Regulations
This is the bedrock of your knowledge. This area dives deep into the specific rules you'll operate under, all laid out in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 107. You absolutely must know the operational limits like the back of your hand—things like the 400-foot maximum altitude (AGL), 100 MPH maximum speed, and the strict rules about flying over people or from a moving vehicle.
It also hammers home your responsibilities as the pilot. This means you need a rock-solid understanding of maintaining a visual line of sight (VLOS), performing a thorough preflight inspection, and knowing precisely when you need to get an FAA waiver for more complex operations.
These aren't just arbitrary rules meant to make your life difficult. They are designed to safely integrate thousands of drones into the same airspace used by airplanes and helicopters. The rule against "careless or reckless operation," for example, is a catch-all that puts the ultimate responsibility for the safety of every flight squarely on your shoulders.
National Airspace System (NAS)
For many aspiring pilots, this is the most intimidating topic. The NAS is the entire network of airspace, air navigation facilities, and airports across the United States. Your job is to get comfortable reading aeronautical charts to identify different airspace classes—like Class B, C, D, and E—and know the specific rules for flying in each one.
A classic test question might show you a spot on a sectional chart and ask if you can legally fly your drone there. To answer, you'd have to identify the airspace class, look for airport traffic patterns, and figure out if you need to get authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC) before you even think about launching. This is a skill you'll use constantly, especially if you plan to work anywhere near cities or airports. For a deeper dive into this, our ultimate guide to mastering the FAA Part 107 test offers even more detailed strategies.
Weather Theory And Reports
Weather is easily one of the biggest factors impacting drone safety and performance. You can’t control it, but you have to understand it. This part of the test covers basic aviation weather theory, including how air masses and fronts work, how clouds form, and the serious dangers posed by thunderstorms and turbulence.
You'll also need to become fluent in reading official aviation weather reports and forecasts. The main ones are:
METARs (Aviation Routine Weather Reports): These give you a real-time snapshot of the current weather at an airport.
TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts): These provide a forecast for the weather in the immediate vicinity of an airport over the next several hours.
Imagine you’ve got a roof inspection job lined up. You check the TAF and see that winds are forecast to gust up to 30 knots in the afternoon. That's your cue to get the flight done in the morning, avoiding a dangerous situation where strong winds could make your drone uncontrollable.
As you can see, the rules require you to stay a specific distance away from clouds, which is just as important for safety as having clear visibility in front of you.
The Part 107 exam ensures you have a fundamental grasp of these five areas not just to pass, but to be a safe and responsible pilot. Each topic builds on the others, creating a complete picture of what it takes to operate professionally.
Part 107 Exam Core Topics Breakdown
Ultimately, mastering these topics is about more than just memorization. It's about developing the judgment you'll need to handle any situation that comes your way in the field.
Drone Loading And Performance
Every drone has its limits, and this section of the test makes sure you know them. You’ll need to understand how things like weight, balance, and density altitude directly impact your drone’s performance. This includes knowing how to calculate your aircraft's total takeoff weight and confirming it's within the manufacturer's specified limits.
A common real-world scenario involves adding a payload. If you swap out a standard camera for a heavier LiDAR sensor, you're not just adding weight—you're also shifting the drone's center of gravity. This will change its flight characteristics, making it less responsive and draining the battery faster. Grasping these principles is what stops you from causing a stall or losing control, especially when operating in challenging conditions.
Drone Operations
This final category is where everything comes together. It covers the practical application of all the other knowledge areas in the context of a real flight operation. Topics include crew resource management (CRM), assessing drone performance in real time, proper radio communication procedures, and handling emergencies.
For instance, a huge part of this is Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM). This isn't just a buzzword; it's a systematic way to manage risk. Before you fly, you'll learn to assess potential hazards related to the Pilot, Aircraft, Environment, and External pressures (the PAVE model). This structured thinking helps you spot and address risks before they spiral into serious problems, which is the hallmark of a true professional.
Building Your Personalized Study And Resource Toolkit
When it comes to studying for an exam as dense as the Part 107, a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't cut it. Your personal background, how you learn best, and the time you can realistically commit are all going to shape your path to passing. The real key is to assemble a personalized toolkit of resources and build a study plan that leverages your strengths while tackling your weaknesses head-on.
The first move is an honest self-assessment. Are you a seasoned photographer who’s a pro with camera settings but gets dizzy looking at a VFR sectional chart? Or maybe you're a private pilot who knows airspace like the back of your hand but has never actually operated a drone. This initial check-in is crucial for efficient part 107 test prep; it tells you exactly where to focus your energy.
Choosing Your Core Study Resources
The market is flooded with prep materials, and each one has its own pros and cons. I've found that the best strategy is often mixing and matching—picking one primary resource and then supplementing it with others.
Online Courses: These are the most popular choice for good reason. You get structured lessons, videos, and practice quizzes all in one place. Many even come with a pass guarantee, offering a refund or covering your re-test fee if you don't succeed on the first try. They’re perfect for anyone who needs a clear, guided path.
Physical Textbooks: For those of us who learn best by reading, highlighting, and taking notes in the margins, a dedicated Part 107 textbook is invaluable. It lets you work at your own speed and becomes a fantastic physical reference guide long after you've aced the test.
FAA Materials: The FAA gives away its own study materials for free, including the Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide. This is the official source, an absolutely essential resource that should be in everyone's toolkit, even if you pay for a course.
Mobile Apps: Lots of apps offer flashcards and practice questions, which are perfect for squeezing in study time on the go. Use them on your lunch break or during a commute to drill key concepts like regulations and weather minimums.
Think of these resources as your personal coaching staff. Your online course is the head coach, the FAA guide is your official rulebook, and those mobile apps are for your daily practice drills.
Tailoring Your Study Focus
Once your resources are lined up, it’s time to allocate your study time based on that self-assessment you did. This is where personalization really starts to pay off.
For example, a commercial photographer with zero aviation experience should be living and breathing airspace and weather. You already know how to frame a beautiful shot; now you need to learn how to read a sectional chart to make sure you're not flying where you shouldn't be. Your study time might be 60% focused on charts, regulations, and weather, and 40% on drone operations and performance.
On the flip side, a licensed pilot getting into drones already has a strong handle on airspace and METARs. Your focus needs to pivot hard toward the drone-specific regulations in Part 107. You’ll have to unlearn some old manned-aviation habits and really concentrate on things like drone registration, operational limitations, and the specific rules for flying over people.
A common mistake I see is people spending equal time on every single topic. By figuring out your knowledge gaps early, you can create a much more efficient study plan. If charts are your weak spot, dedicate entire study sessions just to navigating and interpreting them.
Creating A Practical Study Schedule
Consistency will always beat cramming. Always. A structured weekly schedule keeps you moving forward without leading to burnout. A solid, balanced plan could look something like this:
This kind of schedule builds your knowledge piece by piece and forces you to review regularly, which is what makes the information stick. Use flashcards for more than just memorizing numbers, like the 500 feet below clouds rule. Make a card that asks, "What are the characteristics of an unstable air mass?" and write out the full answer on the back.
This proactive approach ensures you're not just memorizing answers but actually understanding the material. When you combine the right resources with a study plan built for you, you’ll walk into that testing center confident and fully prepared to pass.
Mastering The Art Of The Aeronautical Chart
For a lot of new drone pilots, the first time they lay eyes on a VFR sectional chart is, frankly, intimidating. It just looks like a jumbled mess of colors, lines, and cryptic symbols. But I'll let you in on a secret: it's not chaos. It's a language. Once you learn to speak it, you unlock a completely new way of seeing the world—from an aviator's point of view. Your Part 107 test prep isn't finished until you can translate this map into a safe and legal flight.
The best way to think about an aeronautical chart is as a detailed road map for the sky. Instead of highways and gas stations, it shows you airspace classes, ground hazards, and crucial navigation aids. I’d argue this is the most practical skill you’ll pick up during your studies because you will use it for every single commercial flight you plan.
Decoding The Symbols And Lines
Let's start making sense of what you're seeing. The chart is covered in symbols that show everything from airports to massive wind turbines. Knowing these is absolutely non-negotiable for passing your exam and, more importantly, for making sure you don't fly into a restricted military area or, even worse, a physical object.
There are a few key elements you need to be able to spot instantly:
Airports: These show up as circles or little runway diagrams. Pay close attention to the color. A blue airport symbol means it has an active control tower, while a magenta one does not. That one color difference completely changes how you plan your flight.
Obstacles: Towers, windmills, and other tall structures get their own special symbols. The number next to an obstacle tells you its height above mean sea level (MSL), and another number, usually in parentheses, gives its height above ground level (AGL).
Airspace Boundaries: These are the most critical lines on the whole chart. Solid blue lines are your marker for Class B airspace. Solid magenta lines show Class C, and dashed blue lines outline Class D. Seeing these patterns is your first step to knowing where you can and can't fly without permission.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the symbols is normal. A great way I found to learn them is to pull up a free digital sectional chart from the FAA's website and just go exploring. Plop your cursor down in a random spot and try to identify every single symbol, line, and number around it. It's a much more effective way to learn than just staring at a legend.
A common trap for new pilots is misreading the Maximum Elevation Figures (MEFs). Those are the big, bold numbers you see in each grid square. They show the highest point in that area, rounded up, to give you a quick safety reference. It's a "don't fly below this" number, not a suggested flight altitude.
A Practical Flight Planning Scenario
Theory is great, but let's apply this to a real-world job. Imagine you're hired for a real estate shoot of a farmhouse a few miles outside a small town.
Your first move is to find that exact property on the sectional chart. Once you've got it pinpointed, the analysis begins. What kind of airspace is it in? Look for those colored lines. If you don't see any solid or dashed blue or magenta lines around your location, you're most likely in Class G or Class E airspace. That makes things a lot simpler.
Next, you scan the immediate area for hazards. Is there a small, private airstrip nearby, marked with an 'R' inside a circle? Any tall radio towers? You spot a tower symbol 3 miles west of the farmhouse, marked with the numbers 1549 (349). This means the top of that tower is 1,549 feet above mean sea level and stands 349 feet tall from the ground up. Since you'll be flying under 400 feet AGL, you have plenty of vertical clearance, but you still need to keep a safe horizontal distance.
This whole process shows why chart reading is so vital. The number of commercial drones in the sky is exploding. As of 2024, the FAA has logged about 855,860 registered drones, and a whopping 37% of those are for commercial use. That's a lot of new traffic, making spatial awareness and proper planning more critical than ever.
Understanding Airspace Classes Visually
Visualizing airspace is the key. Don't just memorize the names; you need to understand their shapes and what they actually mean for your little drone.
When you break the chart down into these pieces—symbols, obstacles, and airspace—it stops being an intimidating puzzle and becomes an essential tool. The goal is to get to a point where you can glance at a chart and immediately get a solid mental picture of the airspace. That proficiency is what separates someone who just passed a test from a truly competent and safe pilot.
Practice Tests And Final Exam Strategies
Knowing the material is half the battle. Performing under the pressure of the clock is the other. This final phase of your Part 107 test prep is all about translating that hard-earned knowledge into a passing score on exam day. It’s where you shift from just learning the concepts to mastering the test itself.
Practice tests are, without a doubt, the most critical tool in this stage. But here’s a pro tip: just taking them over and over is a waste of time. The real magic happens in what you do after you see your score.
Analyze, Don’t Just Memorize
Think of your first practice test as a diagnostic. Don't even worry about the score. Its entire purpose is to give you a raw, honest baseline of where you stand and expose your weakest areas right now.
Did you breeze through the regulations but get tripped up by every question about weather? That’s your signal to dive back into the weather modules.
A smart analysis process looks something like this:
Categorize Your Mistakes: Group every single wrong answer by its core topic. Think Airspace, Weather, Regulations, Operations, etc.
Find the "Why": For each mistake, dig in. Why did you get it wrong? Was it a simple memory lapse? Did you misinterpret the question? Or is there a fundamental concept you just don't get?
Targeted Review: Now, use that analysis to guide your final study sessions. Instead of rereading an entire book, you can focus with surgical precision on the exact topics that are costing you points.
The goal of practice tests isn't just to see if you can pass; it's to learn how you fail. Each mistake is a lesson that gets you one step closer to a passing score. Ignoring this feedback loop is the fastest way to stagnate in your prep.
This targeted approach makes your remaining study time incredibly efficient. If you need a good resource to reinforce those weak spots, our complete Part 107 Study Guide is perfect for a focused review.
Managing Time And Tricky Questions
The Part 107 exam gives you two hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions. That works out to exactly two minutes per question, which is actually plenty of time if you manage it well. The key is not to get bogged down on a single difficult question.
I strongly recommend developing a system for the actual test. A great one is the three-pass approach:
First Pass: Go through the entire test and answer every question you know immediately. Flag anything that gives you even a slight pause.
Second Pass: Circle back to your flagged questions. Now you can spend a little more time on them, using the process of elimination to narrow down the choices.
Third Pass: With any remaining time, do a final review of your answers, paying special attention to the ones you were most uncertain about.
This method guarantees you lock in all the easy points first and dedicate the bulk of your time to the real challenges. And remember, the FAA isn't trying to trick you, but some questions require very careful reading. If a question seems complex, break it down sentence by sentence and eliminate the obviously wrong answers first. You'd be surprised how often this makes the correct choice jump right out.
Test Day Logistics And Focus
Your final prep is just getting ready for the testing center itself. Knowing what to expect is the best way to eliminate any last-minute stress.
As of early 2025, the national pass rate for the Part 107 test hovered around 84.2%, with an average score of just under 80%. While that’s a passing average, it shows a lot of people are just barely clearing that 70% threshold. It really highlights why solid preparation matters so much. You can read more about these Part 107 test score statistics on The Drone Girl.
Here’s what you need to know for the big day:
What to Bring to the Testing Center
A valid, government-issued photo ID. That's it.
The Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement Book will be provided by the center. Don't bring your own.
What to Leave at Home
Your personal calculator (an on-screen version is provided).
Your phone, smartwatch, and any other personal electronics. They are strict about this.
Any notes, study guides, or personal belongings.
Get there a little early, take a deep breath, and trust your preparation. You’ve put in the work. Now it's just time to execute. Stay focused, manage your time, and you’ll walk out of there with a passing score.
Common Questions About The Part 107 Certification
As you get ready to wrap up your Part 107 test prep, it's totally normal to have a few last-minute questions. You're dealing with federal regulations, after all, so it pays to have everything squared away before you book your exam.
Let's walk through some of the most common things aspiring pilots ask.
How Much Does The Part 107 Test Cost?
Brace yourself for a one-time fee of $175 to take the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test. This payment goes directly to the FAA-authorized testing center where you schedule your appointment.
It’s important to remember this is just the fee for the test itself and doesn't include any prep courses you might buy. And here’s a bit of motivation for you: if you don’t pass on the first try, you have to pay the $175 fee again to retake it. So, it really pays to be prepared.
How Long Is The Certification Valid?
Once you earn your Remote Pilot Certificate, the certificate itself never expires. That’s the good news.
However, to legally fly and keep your privileges current, you must complete a free online recurrent training course with the FAA every 24 calendar months. This is their way of making sure you’re up-to-date on any rule changes and that key safety concepts stay fresh in your mind. If you miss that 24-month window, your flying privileges go inactive until you complete the training.
What Score Do I Need To Pass The Exam?
You need to nail a 70% or higher to pass. The test has 60 multiple-choice questions, which means you need to get at least 42 of them right.
The best part? You'll get your score report right there at the testing center as soon as you finish. No anxious waiting required.
Can I Take The Test Online From Home?
Unfortunately, no. The initial Part 107 knowledge test has to be taken in person at an official, FAA-authorized testing center. These are secure, proctored locations that ensure the integrity of the exam.
The recurrent training for already-certified pilots, on the other hand, is done completely online.
What Happens After I Pass The Test?
First off, congratulations! But hold on, you're not quite done just because you have that passing score report in hand. The next critical step is to complete your application through the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system online.
Once you submit your IACRA application, the TSA performs a routine security background check. After you’re cleared—which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks—you can log back in and print a temporary certificate. This lets you fly legally while you wait for the permanent plastic card to show up in your mailbox.
For a complete walkthrough of these steps, check out our guide to drone license requirements. Knowing what to expect makes the whole process, from passing the test to becoming a certified Remote Pilot in Command, much smoother.
At JAB Drone, we're committed to giving you the expert insights you need to succeed. From test prep to advanced flight techniques, we provide the resources to help you master the skies safely and professionally. Check out our latest articles and reviews at https://www.jabdrone.com.
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