FAA Update: Pilot Testing Procedures Change

Nothing lasts forever,not even the staid administrative procedures of federal agencies.

- PATRICK SHERMAN

Until January of this year, the process for taking the Airman Knowledge Test (ATK) had not changed since I earned my private pilot’s certificate nearly 30 years ago. Now, whether your goal is to become a commercial drone pilot, an airline transport pilot, or to earn any other rating that falls under the FAA’s jurisdiction—including parachute rigger and aircraft dispatcher—you will need to take an additional step.

Change can be stressful, especially if becoming a certified drone pilot is your only interaction with an administrative behemoth like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which can already be a daunting prospect. However, in this case, the changes are to everyone’s advantage. So let’s take a look at some common questions people have about the new procedures.

So what has changed. exactly?

In brief, you now need to register with the integrated Airman Certification and Ratings Application (IACRA) online before you take your written test to become a remote pilot in command (RPIC). Prior to this change, you would have registered with IACRA after you took the test. That’s the headline. In addition, your printed test results will no longer be embossed with an official seal by the testing center, and the codes that help you understand the questions you got wrong are being updated, making them easier to interpret. That’s it.

I fear change. Is this really necessary?