What remote pilot certificate is required to manipulate the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft under 14 CFR 107.12, and how is it obtained? Answer in under 100 words.

Details / How it works

Certification requirement. 14 CFR § 107.12 prohibits any person from manipulating the flight controls of a small unmanned aircraft system—or acting as remote pilot in command—unless that person holds a current remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating issued pursuant to Subpart C of 14 CFR Part 107.

Two pathways to obtain the certificate:

1. Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or
2. Hold a Part 61 pilot certificate (e.g., private or commercial) and complete the FAA's Small UAS Online Training Course.

Ongoing qualification. Certificate holders must satisfy the recency of experience requirements of § 107.65. Subpart C (§§ 107.61–107.77) governs the application process, knowledge test, certificate issuance, and recurrent testing.

Numbers & thresholds

Exceptions & edge cases

• Supervised operation without a certificate: A person may manipulate the flight controls without holding the certificate if they are under the direct supervision of a remote pilot in command who holds the certificate and who has the ability to immediately take direct control of the aircraft (manual override capability via the control station).

• Foreign-registered aircraft: The FAA Administrator may authorize an airman to operate a civil foreign-registered small unmanned aircraft within U.S. airspace without an FAA-issued certificate, consistent with international standards (e.g., ICAO Annex 2 and bilateral aviation safety agreements), based on reciprocal recognition of a valid foreign remote pilot license.