UA.I.C.K4: Aeronautical knowledge recency.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task C: Remote Pilot Certification with an sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. Rating References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 107, subpart C; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Aeronautical Knowledge Recency for Part 107

Under Part 107, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. rating and meet the recency requirements in §107.65 to act as Remote Pilot in Command (RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.) or manipulate flight controls. If you don't meet these requirements, you can only manipulate controls under direct supervision of an RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. who can immediately take control. The FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. may allow certain foreign-registered operations without an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-issued certificate, but this is a limited exception. Eligibility to operate hinges on meeting §107.12 and §107.65 before each operation. ^[1]

The rulemaking for the Remote Pilot Certificate is in Subpart C, which prescribes the requirements for issuing a certificate with a small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. rating and outlines specific knowledge requirements. ^{[2] [7]}

Proving Currency During Operations

Before any Part 107 operation, an RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must have a Remote Pilot Certificate and carry it along with personal identification during flight operations. Be prepared to show your certificate and ID when requested. ^[3]

Recency affects crew organization:

• Supervision of a non-certificated manipulator: A non-certificated person may manipulate controls only if an RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is supervising and can immediately take control. The supervising RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must be certificated and meet recency requirements. ^[1]
• Transfer of RPIC control: Part 107 allows transfer of control between certificated remote pilots. If pilots plan to hand off RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. duties, each must maintain visual line of sight at the transfer point and meet recency requirements when taking control. ^[4]

Expect exam scenarios testing eligibility to act as RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. or manipulate controls. The correct answer always ties back to §107.12’s requirement to hold the certificate and satisfy §107.65, or to be directly supervised with immediate takeover capability.

Maintaining Eligibility: Conduct That Can Affect Your Certificate

Remaining "current" assumes eligibility to hold the certificate. Certain conduct can lead to denial, suspension, or revocation:

• Drug and alcohol offenses: A conviction for Federal or State drug offenses can lead to denial of an application for up to 1 year after conviction, or suspension or revocation of an existing certificate. Violating §91.17(a) (alcohol) or §91.19(a) (drugs) can also result in up to a 1-year denial, suspension, or revocation. Such actions can end your ability to act as RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. or supervise others, as you no longer meet §107.12’s requirement to hold a valid certificate. ^[5]
• Refusal to submit to alcohol testing: Refusing a law-enforcement-requested alcohol test under §91.17(c), or refusing to release test results, is a regulatory violation with certificate consequences. If your certificate is suspended or revoked, you cannot meet the eligibility and recency requirement to act as RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.. ^[6]

For the knowledge test, link these outcomes to operational eligibility: without a valid certificate, you cannot satisfy §107.12, so you cannot act as RPICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. or supervise non-certificated manipulators until your certification status is restored and you meet the recency requirements in §107.65. ^[1]