Day 2 - All About Sectional Charts

If someone told me a year ago that I’d be poring over sectional charts and learning about airspace classes in preparation for the Part 107 Drone Certification, I might have laughed it off. Yet, here I am, navigating the skies (at least, in my studies) and gearing up to join the ranks of certified drone pilots.

Sectional Charts: The Road Maps of the Sky

As a drone pilot, understanding sectional charts is crucial. These charts are like road maps for the sky, providing information for flights below 18,000 feet. With over 50 charts covering the U.S., updated every six months, they’re essential for navigating our airspace. They’re packed with valuable data that I’ve learned to decode, such as:

Day 1 - Overview, Rules, Documents, and Safety

Embarking on the journey to earn your Part 107 Drone Certification is both thrilling and demanding. As a fellow student on this path, I’ve delved into the critical details, guidelines, and best practices needed to ace this certification. Here’s what I’ve learned and how I’m preparing.

Getting Started with the Basics

Uncrewed Aircraft (UA) are drones operated without human intervention onboard. For those of us working with smaller drones under 55 lbs, we are dealing with Small UA (sUA), which, along with all its components, is termed a Small UA system (sUAS). The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) holds direct responsibility and final authority over the UA’s operations. Interestingly, while the person manipulating the controls doesn’t need to be licensed, the RPIC must supervise and be ready to take control. Having a Visual Observer, who scans the airspace without operating the UA, is also best practice.

Hey there, fellow drone enthusiasts! As someone currently immersed in the exciting world of drones and aiming to obtain my Part 107 Drone Certification, I thought I’d share a bit about my journey and what I’ve learned along the way. If you’re considering taking this step too, maybe my experiences can offer some insights and motivation. Follow along with me as I take this next step in my journey here.

The Decision to Pursue Certification

I’ve always been fascinated by drones, but I realized that to truly explore their potential, especially for commercial purposes, I needed to get certified. The Part 107 certification, governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is the golden ticket that allows use to operate drones commercially in the United States. So, I am diving into the process to unlock new opportunities and fly legally and safely.