Module 7: TRUST Certified Drone Pilot

WOVEN

TRUST Certified Pilot

Module 7 · Fly for Real

UC Merced Drone Workshop · Take your skills beyond this room.

Want to fly drones safely and responsibly outside of this workshop? The FAA requires recreational drone flyers in the U.S. to pass a free safety test called TRUST. Pass it, and you have an official certificate that says you know the rules of the sky.

🚁 What Is TRUST?

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is a free online test that teaches and checks the important safety and rules you need to fly a drone recreationally.

What it is

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), run through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

Why it matters

It teaches you the FAA safety guidelines for flying recreational drones in the U.S. National Airspace System — so you can fly with confidence and stay legal.

✅ How to Take It

💲 Cost: Free

Take the test online through an FAA-approved test administrator. When you finish, you get your certificate right away.

Take the test

Start here: trust.modelaircraft.org

Backup link

If that one isn't working, find all approved test sites here: FAA approved test sites

Career Connection

TRUST is the on-ramp for flying recreationally. Want to fly for pay — film, agriculture, inspection, public safety? That is the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and thousands of licensed pilots build careers on it. You are already further down this road than most people ever get. Aviation, engineering, and drone programs at community colleges and at UC Merced take it from here.

You Did the Whole Thing

Over this workshop you charged and flew a drone, ran a search-and-rescue mission, wrote code that flew a pattern, engineered a light-up landing pad, choreographed a drone dance, and pitched the future of the technology. That is a real, rare set of skills — and you built every bit of it yourself.

Take the test. Keep flying. The sky is yours. ✈️

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