Murfreesboro Aviation offers drone pilot test class

MURFREESBORO — A local flight school will hold a class for aspiring commercial drone pilots.

Murfreesboro Aviation will hold a test preparation class for those who will be taking the FAA written exam required to become an FAA licensed commercial unmanned aircraft system, commonly called drones, operator. 

"As the busiest privately owned flight school in the state of Tennessee we have a responsibility to the community to be in front of aviation trends. By educating and testing future commercial operators of drones, our goal is to continue to demonstrate our leadership in keeping the skies over Tennessee safe for everyone, both in the air and on the ground," said Jim Gardner, the owner of Murfreesboro Aviation.

The class will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, and is the second drone test prep class offered by Murfreesboro Aviation. The first class was held on Aug. 27, but it sold out.

U.S. Officials estimate that more than 1 million consumer drones were sold during the holiday season in 2015. That number is expected to be substantially higher this year. 

With the prospect of millions of “drones” being purchased and flown each year, the FAA stepped in and recently issued newly created Federal Aviation Regulations overseeing the registration and operation of UAS vehicles and their pilots. The new FAA regulations took effect Monday, Aug. 29, which was also the first day the written test is being offered. 

“If you fly a drone for fun, you don’t necessarily need to take the test prep class, but a few of the enrolled students are individuals who fly strictly for recreation but want to be safe, responsible, and well informed," said Marty Newcomb, an ATP-Rated pilot and flight instructor who is teaching the class.

"Everyone agrees that flying drones is fun," Newcomb said, "but it is important to remember that this is serious business and the possibility of harm to people and property is inherent in the activity." 

Murfreesboro Aviation is an FAA approved testing facility. The cost of the test is included in the class tuition of $395. 

The FAA UAS Test Prep Classes being held by Murfreesboro Aviation are for those individuals who currently operate or are planning to operate drones for commercial purposes, such as land surveying, compensated real estate photography, movie filming and commercial photography, and utility surveying, etc. 

If you own a drone and simply fly for fun, you may still be required to register your drone with the FAA, or risk penalties and perhaps increased liability in the event of an accident involving your drone.