UAS Accreditation and Career Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which professional organization publishes the UAS industry's consensus standards used globally for drone operations?
- ASTM International Committee F38
- IEEE Standards Association
- ISO/TC 20/SC 16
- Both A and C (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and C
Both ASTM International (F38 Committee) and ISO/TC 20/SC 16 develop widely referenced UAS consensus standards used internationally.
Question 2: A newly certified Part 107 pilot fails to complete recurrent training within the required window. What happens to their operating privileges?
- Their certificate is suspended pending re-examination
- They may still fly recreationally but not commercially
- Their remote pilot operating privileges lapse until the recurrent test is passed (Correct answer)
- The FAA automatically revokes the certificate
Correct answer: Their remote pilot operating privileges lapse until the recurrent test is passed
Without a current knowledge test, a pilot's Part 107 operating privileges lapse, though the certificate itself is not revoked—just rendered inactive for commercial use.
Question 3: In a UAS career development context, what does the acronym 'SME' typically refer to?
- Small Multirotor Equipment
- Subject Matter Expert (Correct answer)
- Standard Mission Envelope
- Safety Monitoring Entity
Correct answer: Subject Matter Expert
SME stands for Subject Matter Expert, a term used in professional development to denote a specialist whose deep knowledge is leveraged for training, consulting, or standards work.
Question 4: Which federal agency partners with the FAA to fund UAS workforce development programs at community colleges?
- Department of Defense
- Department of Labor (Correct answer)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Homeland Security
Correct answer: Department of Labor
The Department of Labor has funded UAS workforce development and apprenticeship programs through grants to community colleges and training providers.
Question 5: A UAS operator wants to fly commercially under Part 107 but has a prior FAA violation on record. What is the likely outcome of their certification application?
- Automatic denial with no appeal process
- The FAA reviews the violation history and may deny, condition, or grant the certificate (Correct answer)
- Approval is granted after a mandatory 1-year waiting period
- Only state-level certification is available to them
Correct answer: The FAA reviews the violation history and may deny, condition, or grant the certificate
The FAA evaluates each applicant's history individually; a prior violation does not result in automatic denial but is weighed during the certification review.
Question 6: What term describes a structured employer-sponsored program combining on-the-job UAS training with related technical instruction, often registered with the DOL?
- Internship
- Apprenticeship (Correct answer)
- Fellowship
- Externship
Correct answer: Apprenticeship
A registered apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job learning with classroom instruction and leads to an industry-recognized credential, increasingly common in UAS fields.
Question 7: Which UAS industry body offers the 'Wings' proficiency program as a safety and continuing education initiative for drone pilots?
- AOPA Drone Member Services
- FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) (Correct answer)
- AUVSI Foundation
- Academy of Model Aeronautics
Correct answer: FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam)
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) administers the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program, which has been extended to include UAS operators seeking continuing safety education.
UAS Accreditation and Career Development 3
Which professional organization publishes the UAS industry's consensus standards used globally for drone operations?