The Benefits of Part 107 Test Preparation Courses
Passing the FAA’s Part 107 test is the first step in becoming a commercial drone pilot.
If your business is looking to develop an in-house drone program, all pilots will need to pass the exam. As with most exams, preparation is key to success.
While there are many methods for learning the material, few are as beneficial as Part 107 test preparation courses offered by experienced drone consulting firms.
The Part 107 test covers a range of topics, including airspace classification, weather, UAV loading, airport operations, and more. For anyone without an aviation background, the material can be a bit overwhelming at first.
With expert assistance, the seemingly complicated will become easy to understand.
Many Part 107 test preparation courses have FAA exam pass rates in the high 90% range.
The Exam Itself
Before we discuss the merits of test preparation courses, a quick breakdown of the exam will explain why learning from experts is helpful.
The test is 60 multiple choice questions, each with three answers (A, B, and C) to choose from. The two-hour exam requires a score of 70% or above is passing.
There are five major categories covered, which test a person’s understanding of general aeronautical knowledge. The categories, and the percent of exam questions each represents, are 15-25% related to regulations, 15-25% cover airspace & requirements, 11-16% deal with an understanding of weather, 7-11% for loading and performance, and finally, 35-45% focus on operations.
One of the areas many people learning the material for the first time have difficulty understanding is how to read sectional aeronautical charts (sectionals) and their many symbols.
If you have never seen these charts, they are 1:500,000 scale maps with information on airspace classification and restrictions every pilot needs to understand.
Questions will test the examinee’s ability to plot locations using latitude and longitude coordinates and identify features at plotted grids. Sectionals are one of the best topics to have an expert teach you.
The benefits of Part 107 test preparation extend well beyond questions related to sections.
Part 107 Test Preparation
Except for a few people (primarily individuals who already have a pilot’s license), just about everyone will benefit from a Part 107 test preparation course.
If you or your team are still considering whether test preparation is necessary, consider these benefits before deciding to learn the material on your own.
Test preparation courses are designed and taught by experts in the field. It is one thing to read the information from a slide or study guide, and another to understand the material through first-hand experiences.
Well-established programs for Part 107 test preparation are built by people who have years of experience in general aviation and, specifically, UAVs. Having taken and passed the test, these individuals understand the types of questions present on the examination. They also know how to teach others the material and address any problem topics for students during the course.
In addition to learning from experts in the field, test preparation courses make the test-taking process easier.
Studies have shown that students who participate in test preparation courses have higher confidence levels in the material and exhibit lower anxiety levels during the exam.
Part of the expert instruction received during Part 107 test preparation courses is advice on efficiently answering questions. Instructors discuss the amount of time each question should take and when it is time to skip a question and return to it later.
This builds confidence that keeps a study calmer during the examination.
Another valuable part of Part 107 test preparation courses relates to additional study materials.
Flashcards, study guides, slide presentations, and practice exams all help students master the material. A deeper understanding is developed in students through supplemental materials. Studies have also shown these learning aids lead to higher test scores.
The Part 107 exam covers a lot of material that most people will have never seen before. Test preparation services are a great way for the average person to learn the material and pass the exam.
Take advantage of the experts who design and teach preparation courses. The time and money you invest will increase your chance of passing the exam and make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Ready to book your FAA Part 107 Essentials Plus course? Get started here, or complete the form below to connect with our team!
David Daly - Contributing Author
David Daly, is an award-winning photographer/writer and licensed (FAA) Commercial sUAS pilot. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David is a former Marine Corps officer with a BS in Oceanography and has earned his MBA from the University of Redlands. David has worked for Fortune 100 companies and has a background in aerospace, construction, military/defense, real estate, and technology.
