View the full FAQ here.

Yes. In accordance with 14 CFR § 120.109(a)(1), an employer must conduct a pre-employment drug test and obtain a verified negative result prior to hiring any individual to perform safety-sensitive functions. When you merge with another employer that has an active FAA-mandated drug and alcohol testing program under a single operating certificate, you are hiring the employees and must comply with all requirements under 14 CFR part 120. This includes pre-employment drug testing and providing your new employee and supervisory training, informational materials, and education in accordance with 14 CFR § 120.115 and 120.223. These requirements apply when two employers merge under a single operating certificate or chooses to unify programs with another company it acquires that maintains its own operating certificate.  

Please note that the FAA cannot make determinations about requests for relief from 49 CFR part 40. Although an employer is required to request drug and alcohol testing records and maintain confidentiality when hiring a new employee, the DOT has determined when a corporate entity is merging with another employer (which is defined under 49 CFR § 40.3), the employer encompasses a broader group and an exemption from 49 CFR § 40.25(a) is not required.

For companies that merge under a single operating certificate, it is possible for the employer to file a petition for exemption and seek relief from the requirements under 14 CFR part 120 (including the pre-employment drug testing and/or education and training) under the FAA’s exemption procedures outlined in 14 CFR part 11. The FAA has granted relief to employers that merged with other operators under a single operating certificate or program registration. All petitions must comply with 14 CFR part 11 and be submitted 120 days before you need the exemption to take effect. In accordance with 14 CFR § 11.81, a petition for exemption must include the following information, with as much detail as possible:

• Requesting employer’s name and mailing address. We encourage an employer to provide a fax number, telephone number, and/or e-mail address.
• The specific section or sections of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) from which an employer is seeking an exemption.
• The extent of relief and reason the employer seeking relief.
• The reasons why granting the request would be in the public interest; that is, how it would benefit the public as a whole.
• The reasons why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule.
• A summary FAA can publish in the Federal Register stating:
  • The rule from which an employer is seeing the exemption; and
  • A brief description of the nature of the exemption; and
• Any additional information, views or arguments available to support the request.

To review exemptions related to pre-employment drug testing, you may visit the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) and search for ‘120.109’. An employer may submit an exemption request electronically to the FAA on the Docket Management System website at http://www.regulations.gov. Instructions are available on the FAA’s webpage. For more information or assistance with FAA’s exemption procedures, please review the FAA’s Frequently Asked Questions or contact the FAA’s Office of Rulemaking directly at 202-267-9677.

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

Please visit our website to learn more about our program.

Applicable Regulation(s):

• 14 CFR § 120.109(a)
• 14 CFR § 120.115
• 14 CFR § 120.223
• 14 CFR Part 11
• 49 CFR part 40

LASIK and other forms of vision corrective surgery have potentially adverse effects that could be incompatible with flying duties. These include:

• Corneal scarring or opacities;
• Worsening or variability of vision;
• Night-glare; and
• Haziness of vision.

The FAA expects that a pilot will not resume piloting aircraft until his or her own treating health care professional determines:

• The post operative condition has stabilized;
• There have been no significant adverse effects or complications; and
• The person meets the appropriate FAA vision standards.

If these determinations are favorable and if otherwise qualified, the pilot may immediately resume piloting but must ensure that:

• The treating health care professional documents his or her determinations in the pilot's health care treatment record;
• A copy of that record is immediately forwarded to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City; and
• A personal copy is retained.

The airman may continue flight duties unless informed otherwise by the FAA or another disqualifying condition occurs.

Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
No. Special Issuance is not considered the denial of an FAA airman medical certificate.

If operating as a public entity, operations will be performed in accordance with a COA (Certificate of Authorization). The COA will entail any communication requirements for the designated operation area. 

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

The Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) does not contain the information needed to complete the online program; therefore, a copy of a COA is not beneficial in the application process.  Visit our website for information on the filing of a Special Governmental Interest (SGI) Approval.

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

For pilots being treated with an antidepressant, the FAA has specific guidelines regarding what information needs to be provided to the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). For pilots looking for resources, the Airman Information - SSRI INITIAL Certification is a great starting point. It outlines the necessary steps you should take and includes the information you must provide to the FAA. 

Yes.

Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
If you are ultimately certified then you are no longer on record with the FAA as having had your most recent application denied or your most recently held FAA airman medical certificate suspended or revoked, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to maintain airman medical certification thereafter to exercise sport pilot privileges provided you hold a current and valid U.S. driver's license and provided you otherwise qualify.

No, you cannot instruct without the appropriate certificate(s) in your possession. Under 14 CFR 61.3, requirements for certificates, ratings, and authorizations, "A person may not act as pilot in command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember... unless that person has a valid pilot certificate or special purpose pilot authorization... in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization."

You can find information about replacing an airmen certificate on our website.

No, you cannot instruct without the appropriate certificate(s) in your possession. Under 14 CFR 61.3, requirements for certificates, ratings, and authorizations, "A person may not act as pilot in command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember... unless that person has a valid pilot certificate or special purpose pilot authorization... in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization."

You can find information about replacing an airmen certificate on our website.

The approval to operate under the COA, including the provision for night operations, is still restricted to an operation that meets the definition of a governmental function (Title 49 USC 40125(a)2) . If the unmanned aircraft is a component for the training mission, it can be flown under the COA.

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

You can fly every mission as a civil operator under Part 107.  You can only fly some missions under your COA as a public aircraft. For daylight missions at a LAANC capable airport, Part 107 may be a better option for you. It's important to understand that if flying under Part 107, you must fully comply with Part 107 (which means a waiver to 107.29 to fly at night, for example). If flying under your COA, you must fully comply with your COA. You can't pick and choose parts of each that suit you. They are mutually exclusive legal frameworks.  The crew MUST clearly understand which rules they are flying under before they take off.

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

After you have passed the initial aeronautical knowledge test, you will then complete the FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application (known as IACRA) to receive a remote pilot certificate. IACRA is a web-based certification/rating application that ensures you meet the requirements and electronically submits the application to the FAA's Airman Registry. Applications should be validated within 10 days. Applicants will then receive instructions for printing their temporary airman certificate, which is good for 120 days. The FAA will then mail you your permanent Remote Pilot Certificate within that 120 days.

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
You should consult your private physician to determine whether you have a medical deficiency that would interfere with the safe performance of sport piloting duties. You may exercise sport pilot privileges provided you are in good health, your medical condition is under control, you adhere to your physician's recommended treatment, and you feel satisfied that you are able to conduct safe flight operations.

Yes.  Per 14 CFR § 67.4 applicants must show proof of age and identity by presenting a government-issued photo identification (ID).  As you review the application, verify the name matches the government-issued ID.  If the name is incorrect, you must make the update in AMCS.

If you have corrected the airman’s name in AMCS, please:

1. Instruct the airman to update their name on their MedXPress account at or before their next application.
2. As required by 14 CFR § 61.25, if the airman is the holder of an airmen certificate they must appear at an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for positive identification if there has been a legal name change.  For more information, they can contact the FAA Airmen Certification Branch to ensure it is accurate on their airmen certificate. (See Airmen Certification name change)

If the airman does not complete these steps, the problem is likely to recur.  
 

Yes, a requirement of the private pilot certificate is to perform three takeoff and landings at a controlled airport to demonstrate your ability to communicate with the tower.

The aircraft type does not matter; however, the weight of the aircraft matters since operations under Part 107 are limited to less than 55 lbs.

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

If you meet the requirements of Part 107, you can operate in Class G airspace in accordance with Part 107 without any further authorization or waiver.

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

You can find U.S. aircraft registration information on our website.

In aerobatic flight, the pilot abruptly changes an aircraft’s angle compared to the earth, takes an abnormal position (such as flying upside down), or accelerates abnormally. We do not define acrobatic flight.

You can find more information in Regulation 4 CFR 91.303 and 91.307((c) (1 and 2).