Drone License Training Class

Description

This course is designed to prepare trainees to pass the FAA’s Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Certified Remote Pilot Part 107 exam, covering aeronautical knowledge, FAA UAS regulations, and procedures for safe flying. Students will learn the entire workflow to create high accuracy 3D models using UAS and they will get experience flying UAS manually.

Topics will include:

· Part 107 UAS prep: FAA regulations, airspace, weather, physics

· Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying to obtain centimeter-accuracy ground control points (GCPs) and quality control check points (CPs)

· Software apps (including apps for automated flight surveys) for flight planning and controls and software for FAA authorization to fly small UAS.

· Concepts related to ground control surveys for imagery to be used to develop 3D photogrammetric models.

· Creating and comparing 3D photogrammetry models using Pix4D.

In the field we will survey our GCP and CP targets and conduct an automated UAS photogrammetry flight, then students will get hands-on experience in the manual flight of UAS.

The laboratory portion of the class will cover basics of UAS photogrammetry and applications, the use of Pix4D software and ArcPro to post-process UAS images with GCPs/CPs to create georeferenced orthoimages, building 3D digital terrain models (DTMs). Typically, in this course you will create a 3D model in the lab of the data collected during the automated UAS flight. Then there will be a series of tutorials creating additional 3D models to compare with the initial 3D model. At the end of the course, students will have the option to take the FAA part 107 UAS Unmanned Pilot Ground Exam (additional $175 exam fee) for FAA certification at one of the test centers listed below.

Tentative Schedule (depending on the weather, for each day of the class bring appropriate clothing to be outside for up to 4hrs):

· Thurs, March 4: 10:00-5:00 p.m. Interdisciplinary Sciences Building (ISB) 107. Part 107 test preparation, lectures, and exercises to enable students to pass the FAA Part 107 Remote UAS Pilot exam.

· Fri, March 5: 10:00-1:00 p.m. ISB 107. Lectures on flight planning apps, flight control apps, best practices for UAS photogrammetry. Practical hands-on surveying of GCPs/CPs, automated UAS photogrammetry survey, manual UAS flight. Dress for the weather! May be up 4 hours outside.

· Fri, March 5: 2:00-5:00 p.m. Stone Hall Room 218. Computer laboratory post-processing of GCPs/CPs, 3D photogrammetry model creation, Pix4D Mapper, comparison of 3D models.

Reference Documents- We’ll go through these in the class in detail, but these are useful references for more information

• ASA Test Prep Board, 2025. Remote Pilot Test Prep 2027-2028. Aviation Supplies and Academics. $20. https://asa2fly.com/2027-2028-remote-pilot-test-prep-with-prepware/

• This is the book I recommend all students purchase

• Kendall, 2026. FREE Part 107 Study Guide- FAA Drone Certification Exam 2026-2027

This is the 2hr youtube video to watch for review or preparation for the FAA Exam https://youtu.be/u3AwQZTbtfc?si=ZXxTozCBNx38zpkT • 14 CFR Part 107- UAS operations https://avsport.org/UAS/ground/PART%20107.pdf

• FAA AC 107-2- sUAS operations expanded https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_107-2.pdf

• FAA 91-57A- Model aircraft operating standards https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-57A_Ch_1.pdf

• Aeronautical information manual https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/index.html . 732 pages

• Gardner and Ison, 2025. The Complete Remote Pilot (Third Edition). Aviation Supplies and Academics, Inc. $25. https://asa2fly.com/the-complete-remote-pilot-third-edition-softcover/

• Regulations change so check FAA for most up to date information, ie. Flying at night and over people https://www.dronepilotgroundschool.com/fly-drone-at-night-and-over-people/

• FAA instructions for obtaining a FAA tracking number (FTN) through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETLsH8BruBM&feature=youtu.be • PSI Test for Unmanned Aircraft General Test https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login

• 3D model showing UAS data and advanced photogrammetry processing: https://superspl.at/scene/c6e44e8d

Study Guides and Practice Tests- You’ll want to keep taking sample tests until you are scoring >80% before you sign up for the FAA exam. You’ll need >70% to pass the exam. • https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf • https://free-faa-exam.kingschools.com/drone-pilot • https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/test_questions/uag_questions.pdf • https://jrupprechtlaw.com/part-107-knowledge-test/ • https://pilotinstitute.com/part-107-practice-test/ • https://www.dronegenuity.com/faa-part-107-test-practice-questions/ • https://www.thedroneu.com/blog/faa-part-107-practice-test/ • https://dronelaunchacademy.com/part-107-test-21-practice-questions/ • https://catsr.vse.gmu.edu/SYST460/HW_WeatherQuiz_Solutions.pdf

Getting Your License

Montana Test Center Locations: · Great Falls: Holman Aviation Co – 1940 Airport Ct, Great Falls, MT 59404 · Hamilton: Choice Aviation Hamilton – 528 Airport Rd, Hamilton, MT 59840 · Kalispell: Red Eagle Aviation – 1880 U.S. 93 S, Kalispell, MT 59901 · Missoula: Northstar Jet – 4045 Corporate Way, Missoula, MT 59808 · Belgrade / Bozeman: Summit Aviation Inc. – 2340 Tubb Rd, Belgrade, MT 59714

· Billings: Rocky Mountain College Aviation – 2821 Augusta Lane (Aviation Hall), Billings, MT 59102

Navigating the Process to Become a Drone Pilot:

• Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test. Sign up as an applicant here: https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx • Step 2: Sign up for a PSI account: https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login

• Step 3: On the PSI site you can choose the testing center date and time of test. Pay $175 on the site with a credit card (This $175 is not included the UM pricing).

• Step 4: Show up on the date/time at the test center for the test. Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test.

• Step 5: Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate using the IACRA

• Step 6: A confirmation email will be sent after the completion of TSA background check. It will have instructions to print a temporary remote pilot certificate.

• Step 7: A permanent remote pilot certificate will be mailed

MCA Member Price- $2,250

Non-MCA Member- $3,000