FAA Part 107 testing pushed to 3/16/21

[Vic Moss]

Hi all. @BigAl07 asked me to post about a change to the Part 107 recurrence training 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. I'll get them answered for you. Al will be back in a bit too.

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-04093.pdf

 

[JimWest]

Has there been an announcement about how to find the required recurrence training after March 16?

 

[BigAl07]

Thank you @Vic Moss. Was a long evening and I appreciate you taking care of this for our forum members.

Has there been an announcement about how to find the required recurrence training after March 16?

It will be announced but it will be on FAA's website.

 

[Vic Moss]

Has there been an announcement about how to find the required recurrence training after March 16?

It will still be at www.faasafety.gov. And I'm sure either @BigAl07 or myself will be that actual link or session number posted here once the FAA posts it. I am not expecting another delay. But then again, I wasn't expecting this one. ??‍

 

[TKFlips]

Would it be safe to say if you studied the current Part 107 exam curriculum and ended up taking the recurrent exam after March 16 you would be prepared to pass ? or would it be better to wait for new curriculum/recurrent test prep? My Part 107 expires on 3/19 and might just try to take it now vs waiting. Thanks!

 

[BigAl07]

Would it be safe to say if you studied the current Part 107 exam curriculum and ended up taking the recurrent exam after March 16 you would be prepared to pass ? or would it be better to wait for new curriculum/recurrent test prep? My Part 107 expires on 3/19 and might just try to take it now vs waiting. Thanks!

I'd wait and study the NEW material so you can take advantage of Night flights after the fact.

 

[Vic Moss]

Would it be safe to say if you studied the current Part 107 exam curriculum and ended up taking the recurrent exam after March 16 you would be prepared to pass ? or would it be better to wait for new curriculum/recurrent test prep? My Part 107 expires on 3/19 and might just try to take it now vs waiting. Thanks!

There are two things in your post that are very common points of confusion in the 107 world.

First, there is no longer a recurrent test after 3/16, it's recurrent training. So there is no studying necessary. You're trained on what you need to do, then take a simple test to make sure you retained it. So the studying takes place during the training. You don't need to study.

Second, your 107 doesn't expire on 3/19. As a matter of fact, it never expires. You simply become non-current. And the day you took the test isn't important, the month is. The 107 stays current for 24 calendar months. Since you took your test (initial or recurrent) in March of 2019 (based on your comment above) you technically become non-current at 12:01AM on April 1st of 2021. So you need to take the new online recurrent training at www.faasafety.gov by that time.

Hope this helps.

 

[sar104]

There are two things in your post that are very common points of confusion in the 107 world.

First, there is no longer a recurrent test after 3/16, it's recurrent training. So there is no studying necessary. You're trained on what you need to do, then take a simple test to make sure you retained it. So the studying takes place during the training. You don't need to study.

Second, your 107 doesn't expire on 3/19. As a matter of fact, it never expires. You simply become non-current. And the day you took the test isn't important, the month is. The 107 stays current for 24 calendar months. Since you took your test (initial or recurrent) in March of 2019 (based on your comment above) you technically become non-current at 12:01AM on April 1st of 2021. So you need to take the new online recurrent training at www.faasafety.gov by that time.

Hope this helps.

I've never understood the confusion with regard to the date on which non-currency occurs, since it is printed on the test report certificate:

EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2021

 

[TKFlips]

Very helpful Vic..thanks.

 

[BigAl07]

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.

 

[Vic Moss]

Kevin just shared this on the FAA DroneZone FB page. He also changed the wording in the course description yesterday to possibly correct some of the confusion.

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[Tommymoto]

Per a call to FAA this morning: Looks like tests are changing and training will be up April 6th now and training course will be ALC-677. Recurrent should be close to the Part 61 version time of 1-2hours.

 

[BigAl07]

Per a call to FAA this morning: Looks like tests are changing and training will be up April 6th now and training course will be ALC-677. Recurrent should be close to the Part 61 version time of 1-2hours.

That is correct.

 

[BigAl07]

Here are the important dates (as of right now) to keep in mind:

Test/Training Materials will be updated 4/6/21

New rules go into effect 4/21/21

Exiting ~107.29 (Daylight Waivers) become void/expire (regardless what the expiration date on it is) 5/16/21

 

[thedantons]

So what is the best strategy for someone starting to study for the 107 exam. Wait until 4/6 for the new material?

 

[Vic Moss]

So what is the best strategy for someone starting to study for the 107 exam. Wait until 4/6 for the new material?

If you're ready, take it and then take the online training after 4/21 to be able to fly at night.