FAQ
What are the Trusted Operator™ Certification Levels?
There are three levels of certification - Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3
Level 1 - Operations that include the following:
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Routine operations under FAR Part 107
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Operations that do not require a waiver of FAR Part 107
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Operations in which the remote pilot is competent and proficient
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Flights using electric aircraft less than 5 lbs or 2 kg
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Operations that do not have any of the characteristics mentioned in Level 2 or 3 such as operations close to airports, helipads, populated areas, people and/or livestock.
Level 2 - Operations that include the following:
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Any of the characteristics of Level 1 in addition to:,
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Any operation that requires a waiver under FAR Part 107
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Operations that require a visual observer, or sensor operator
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Operations with elevated risk factors or complexity including but not limited to operations close to airports, helipads, populated areas, people and/or livestock.
Level 3 - Operations that include the following:
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Any of the characteristics of Level 2 in addition to:
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Operations in safety-critical and complex areas that require higher levels of risk mitigation
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Industrial and chemical facilities, including offshore oil rigs, mine sites, power plants
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Infrastructure, including wind turbines, powerlines, communications towers, rail and pipelines.
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Operations in any hazardous or extreme environments including:
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From ships, moving vehicles, aircraft, confined areas or underground
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In close proximity to or within severe weather (storm research)
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Remote, harsh or hostile locations, including wildlife considerations
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Operations requiring the development and testing of new procedures
Who/What can be Trusted Operator™ Certified?
Both individuals and organizations operating UAS for commercial purposes and certain other nonrecreational purposes may become Trusted Operator™ certified. Nonrecreational purposes include UAS operations by government agencies operating under an FAA certificate of waiver authorization (COA) or equivalent in other countries. This category also includes voluntary service organizations.
What are individual remote pilots?
Individual remote pilots are those providing commercial UAS services on their own, or as workers for a commercial UAS organization. Remote pilots who are already fully trained may gain Trusted Operator™ certification by providing evidence of achieving protocols outlined in the PCM, including requisite flight assessment. Trusted Operator™ training providers and Trusted Operator™ certification bodies can deliver this certification.
What are Remote Pilot Instructors?
A Trusted Operator™ remote pilot instructor is an individual who is, at a minimum, certified a Level 2 Trusted Operator™ Operator remote pilot and who has met the additional PCM certification requirements to instruct and assess student remote pilots. Trusted Operator™ remote pilot instructors may only train students to the level of certification they themselves hold, i.e., an instructor with a Level 2 certification cannot train students for Level 3 certification. Trusted Operator™ Training Providers provide assessment and certification of Remote Pilot Instructors.
What is a Trusted Operator™ Operator Training Provider?
Trusted Operator™ Training Providers are accredited to assess an individual’s readiness to meet Trusted Operator™ protocols. Training providers deliver training found to be necessary to achieve Trusted Operator™ certification and to award Trusted Operator™ certification to individuals who demonstrate conformance with the protocols. Training providers can only issue Trusted Operator™ certifications using courseware that has been accredited by AUVSI for compliance with the Trusted Operator™ PCM. Trusted Operator™ training providers can only issue Trusted Operator™ certification to individuals. Trusted Operator™ audit companies perform a third-party assessment of Training Providers for AUVSI’s review and issuance of the accreditation.
What is a Trusted Operator™ Audit Company?
Trusted Operator™ audit companies specialize in formal operational, safety, and quality audits and assessments as their core function. They have appropriately qualified lead auditors, auditors, and qualified assessment staff. Trusted Operator™ audit companies are authorized and monitored by AUVSI to provide Trusted Operator™ Operator Level 1, 2, and 3 assessments in accordance with the PCM. These assessments include management system performance, operational procedures performance, training program performance, maintenance and inspection program performance, safety management system performance, proficiency flight assessments (PFAs), and functional area sign-offs. Trusted Operator™ audit companies do not provide basic aviation or remote pilot training.