Flying unmanned aerial systems.

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The FAA Part 107 license is a certification that allows individuals to legally operate drones for commercial purposes in the United States. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, it was developed to ensure that drone pilots understand airspace regulations, weather, safety procedures, and flight restrictions. This license is essential for anyone using drones for business, research, or professional media work, as it opens the door to legal and insured operations, greater trust from clients, and access to restricted airspace with proper authorization from the FAA. Obtaining your license gives you intimate knowledge of aeronautical practice, and makes you a safer remote pilot. Obtaining a license also enables you to fly larger drones, up to 54.9 pounds.  

• Being interdisciplinary in aerospace and psychology means understanding the whole flight system, including the human made regulations and practices that govern our aeronautical institutions. 

I pursued my FAA Part 107 license during the development of the AETHER drone program, as the system qualified as a heavy unmanned aircraft exceeding the recreational weight limit. To ensure the project complied with all necessary FAA regulations for testing, operation, and potential deployment, obtaining the license was essential. I funded the learning materials using money won from the programs research grant. Beyond legal compliance, the certification allowed for safe and informed integration of flight planning, airspace management, and risk assessment, all of which are critical for a drone designed for real-time emergency response. Pursuing my license also enables future research flights, client demonstrations, and data collection under commercial-use permissions. Without a doubt being familiar with the law, regulation, and the state of current practice makes for a better engineered product. 

Earning my FAA Part 107 license gave me more than just the legal ability to operate drones commercially, it helped me pursue skills that translate directly to aerospace operations and systems-level thinking. Every project these days needs to be rich with learning opportunities if I want to make an impact in the aerospace industry. During my study I learned how to read sectional charts, interpret controlled and uncontrolled airspace boundaries, and understand airport traffic patterns, NOTAMs, and weather systems in a way that mirrors real aviation operations. The process developed my ability to analyze and apply regulatory frameworks, an essential and unglorified skill in industries where compliance, safety, and mission assurance are mission critical. This experience expanded my judgment, risk assessment, and decision-making, all of which are critical in both unmanned and manned aerospace systems. I've included my notes below and links to any resources I used.