ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) provides real-time precision and shared situational awareness to pilots and air traffic controllers. It's a foundational NextGen technology. U.S. aircraft must be equipped with ADB-B by January 1, 2020. ADS-B is a Part 91 regulation, and most small UAS or drones operate under Part 107. Some type of remote ID may be required in the future, but how the system would work and the requirements has not been finalized.

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
Provided you meet the requirements and you are qualified to exercise sport pilot privileges using a current and valid U.S. driver's license, you may do so on September 1, 2004, the effective date of the rule.

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65.

However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer. They can also fly for a company that is not a Part 121 carrier.

The purpose of the UPP is to demonstrate the integration of a prototype enterprise service into the FAA framework to support initial UAS traffic management (UTM) operations. This enterprise service will be used for sharing of intent and situational awareness information between the FAA and UTM operators.

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

You must have the validity of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement you hold verified by the Civil Aviation Authority that issued those certificates.

The FAA has devised a form entitled Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification (PDF). You must submit this information, along with a copy of the license you wish to have verified, to:

Airmen Certification Branch
AFS-760
PO Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082

For more detailed information you should review the information available at the following links:

• Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification

You need a medical certificate before flying solo in an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. We suggest you get your medical certificate before beginning flight training. This will alert you to any condition that would prevent you from becoming a pilot before you pay for lessons.

If you are going to pilot a balloon or glider, you don't need a medical certificate. All you need to do is write a statement certifying that you have no medical defect that would make you unable to pilot a balloon or glider.

The remote pilot in command of the small UAS or drone is required to report an accident to the FAA within 10 days if it results in at least serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness, or if it causes damage to any property (other than the UAS or drone) in excess of $500 to repair or replace the property (whichever is lower).

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

All student pilots must obtain at least a third class airman medical certificate from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) before the first solo flight, except for gliders and balloons, which do not require a medical certificate.

Third-class, although any class will suffice. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally, first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; second-class for the commercial pilot; and third-class for the student, recreational and private pilot.

No. Part 107 Operators are responsible for checking to ensure the proposed operation occurs outside all 14 CFR 99.7 TFRs and Special Use Airspace. The UASFMs and 99.7 restrictions are all available on the same website. All other TFRs are posted to the FAA's Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) website.

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have collaborated to create an online General Aviation Security course which may be used for initial and recurrent flight school security awareness training. For details, see TSA: Training and Exercises and AOPA’s Guide to TSA’s Alien Flight Training/Citizenship Validation Rule.

You can find information on the Age 65 Law, as well as a copy of the actual legislation, on our website.

You can find regulations for pilots and flight and ground instructors on our website.

You can find regulations on pilots schools (14 CFR Part 141) on the Government Printing Office's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.  Be sure to select Part 141.

Study materials are available online. Applicants are encouraged to review the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF), the Remote Pilot Study Guide (PDF), and the online sample questions (PDF) before taking the Knowledge Test.

You can find a list of designated pilot examiners on our website.

The FAA publishes a directory that lists them by name and address. Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner.

You can get commercial flight instructor practical test standards on our website.

View the full FAQ here.

The FAA’s drug and alcohol testing regulation, 14 CFR part 120, requires an employer or its Medical Review Officer (MRO) to report the following drug and alcohol test results to the FAA within 2 working days of the verified, confirmed, or refusal result:

• All verified positive drug test results or refusals to submit to test for individuals that hold or would be required to hold an airman medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67;
• All alcohol misuse violations (including a confirmed result with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater; on-duty use; pre-duty use; use following an accident; or refusal to test) for individuals that hold or would be required to hold an airman medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67;
• All refusals to submit to drug or alcohol testing for individuals that hold a certificate issued under 14 CFR part 61, 63, or 65.   

Although not required, an employer may report other individuals who have a verified positive drug test result, alcohol misuse violation (including a confirmed alcohol result of 0.04 or greater; on-duty use; pre-duty use; or use following an accident), or refusal of a DOT/FAA drug or alcohol test. The Drug Abatement Division provides sample forms to report any of the above information. 

If the employee is a pilot, an employer must enter the violation into the Pilot Records Database (PRD) in accordance with 14 CFR part 111, § 111.220. For more information, please review our related FAQ.  If you have questions about the PRD or need help accessing the system, please contact the FAA’s PRD support office at 9-amc-avs-PRDSupport@faa.gov. 

If you have any further questions or need additional guidance that is more specific to your situation, please contact the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division at (202) 267-8442 or drugabatement@faa.gov.

Please visit our Web site to learn more about our program.

Applicable Regulations:

14 CFR § 120.111(d)
14 CFR § 120.113(d)
14 CFR § 120.221(c) and (d)
14 CFR § 111.220