Next week I am scheduled to take my FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Recurrent Knowledge exam. It’s hard to believe two years have flown by since I obtained my drone pilot license. This is necessary if you are involved with any commercial activity whatsoever with your drone. And since I sell licensing and prints of aerial photos, and do work-for-hire, it’s applicable.
The FAA understandably requires you to stay up to date with the latest regulations. Once you pass the first test, you need to renew every 2 years with a shorter exam, but still an exam. That means some studying and I remain thankful for my initial investment in the classes at RemotePilot101.
Actually, I am past 2 years but due to the pandemic, the FAA issued a special regulation to extend your renewal time by 6 months by taking an online test in the interim. I did that. But, to complicate matters a bit further, the FAA also issued a new set of rules just this past December to eliminate the requirement for an in-person exam every 2 years and move all recurring knowledge tests online and they will be supposedly no-charge. Unfortunately, due to the time periods of releasing the rules and designing the new recurring knowledge courses, I fall into a situation where my license would fall out of date before all of that happens. So I have to take the in-person test… lucky me.
I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing though I’d much prefer doing it online – and for free. This is a rapidly evolving field with changing rules and technology happening often. Sounds just like life in general.
My thinking about this crossed over into other areas where I wish there was some sort of general public recurring knowledge test. Given the amount of misinformation and disinformation we have seen over the past year, it would seem prudent that it’s in everyone’s best interest to take such tests to be more aware of how to spot fake news, driving skills, basic science lessons, money management, local government, health, history and more. Basically areas where your lack of knowledge has the potential to impact someone else in a negative way.
Alas, life is largely unregulated in this regard for better or worse. Continuing education is largely a self-choice. Difficult to squeeze into busy schedules at times but ultimately rewarding. Just don’t quiz me on the amount of pizza or coffee one should consume while studying.
Featured Photo Top: Aerial view of Autumn colors in a Michigan wetland nature preserve, Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan Photo# AV10478
I do like your idea about a general public recurring knowledge test. I say that because I would be the first to sign up for it. There are some good ideas in your comments. Wishful thinking is needed. I read somewhere from an educator that our schools have a focus on measuring students rather than treasuring them and their ability to think critically. When something does not make sense or seems far fetched then we need to go research. Seems too many people go with what they want to believe.
And, how many Doves chocolates during study time?
Those are some of the critical subjects that I always thought needed to be taught in school, from the earliest years. Critical thinking is especially lacking these days – I think my generation may have done better with that. But I learned nothing at all in school about basic psychology (a psychological understanding of humans could g a long way toward helping people get along better), how to manage money, or a myriad of other things that would have been useful in my adult life. I don’t see a way to make any of that compulsory for adults, but strong foundations can be built in the early years. I’m always glad to hear about drone-flying requirements, after being disturbed while enjoying a quiet moment photographing rocks at a state park. I’m sure you’re very careful. Have a good weekend, Mark!
I fully hear you Lynn on the disturbance they can cause. I would be just as annoyed if I were enjoying a quiet moment and have some buzzing thing fly by, so I am particularly sensitive to that aspect. Most of the time, I am pretty much the only person around in the areas I explore with it, or keep it high enough where it isn’t audible. That said, there are plenty who are not so responsible!
I took so many classes through various years in schooling, and I think I retained a lot of the critical thinking aspects, perhaps not so much the individual facts and figures. My memory is not so good. I think the point is after leaving school, or like learning a different language, if you don’t really access it often, it fades away.
I’m with you, Mark, on the general public recurring knowledge test idea. It goes with my contention that there should be a test of some kind that people would have to pass before they were allowed to become parents. Good luck on your drone test, and keep those aerial photos coming—though I’m quite fond of the photos you take from an ultra-low vantage point, often on a beach.
Thanks, Linda. Agree, so many aspects of life we could all be better informed about. Only so much time – so I think the philosophy of always being open to learning something new and recognizing even what you know is so very little helps keep the spirit alive at least.
I think many people will think what they want to think despite the knowledge that it doesn’t make any sense and flies in the face of facts. Unfortunate, but human nature perhaps.
Dunning-Krueger
Had to look that up. At least I looked it up though!
I totally agree about the other areas that need to be taught and tested for recurring knowledge. But I’m not sure individuals should take all the responsibility. On a highway, if too many accidents occur on a certain roadway, that section of the roadway will be studied and re-engineered to make it safer. I think our current social media companies, and all future companies, need some basic safety guidelines and responsibility for this too. Of course, I’m speaking of fake/false posts, stories, etc.
Good luck with your Remote Pilot retest! I do like aerial photos.
I know it’s just wishful thinking that more people would care about having the right information, or learning how they can improve. But you are right, often it is not at fault of the individual. I like what’s been done for labeling of false info over the past year, but would want the social media companies to be very transparent about the why’s something was labeled.