How long to study for the Part 107: a two-week plan
Updated October 6, 2026 · 3 min read · Built on the FAA's knowledge area weighting
In short: with no aviation background, plan on about an hour a day for two weeks. Spend most of it on airspace and weather, where the chart and report questions are, then take full timed practice exams. Book the real test once you score 85% or more on two practice exams in a row.
Where the points are
The FAA publishes how much of the test each knowledge area makes up. Use it to decide where your time goes:
| Knowledge area | Share of the test | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Regulations | 15–25% | Part 107 rules, certification, registration, Remote ID, night flight and operations over people. |
| Airspace & Requirements | 15–25% | Airspace classes, ATC authorization, special use airspace, TFRs and reading sectional charts. |
| Weather | 11–16% | METARs and TAFs, density altitude, stability, fronts, thunderstorms and fog. |
| Loading & Performance | 7–11% | Weight and balance, load factor, stalls and aircraft performance. |
| Operations | 35–45% | Radio procedures, airport operations, emergencies, crew resource management, decision-making, physiology and maintenance. |
Operations is the biggest area, but much of it is common sense once you have seen the questions. Airspace and weather are smaller but harder, because you have to read a sectional chart or a coded report. That is where this plan spends its time.
Before day 1: get your FAA Tracking Number
Create a profile in IACRA to get your FAA Tracking Number. You need it to book the test with PSI, and it takes five minutes. Doing it now means nothing slows you down when you are ready.
The plan, day by day
| Day | Focus | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Regulations | Learn the numbers on the cheat sheet, then take the regulations practice test. |
| 3–5 | Airspace and sectional charts | Read how to read a sectional chart and airspace authorization. Take the airspace practice test, then practice chart questions until you can do them without looking up a symbol. |
| 6–7 | Weather | Read the METAR and TAF guides, then take the weather practice test. |
| 8 | Loading and performance | Read the load factor guide and take the loading practice test. |
| 9–10 | Operations | Radio calls, traffic patterns, airport markings, emergencies, decision-making and physiology. Take the operations practice test. |
| 11 | First full practice exam | 60 mixed questions, timed. Then read the explanation of every question you missed. |
| 12 | Fix weak spots | Go back to the areas where you lost the most points and redo their questions. |
| 13 | Second full practice exam | Same conditions as day 11. Compare the two scores by area. |
| 14 | Light review | The cheat sheet numbers and the questions you have missed more than once. Book the test if you are ready. |
How to know you are ready
Score 85% or more on two full, timed practice exams in a row. The pass mark is 70%, and the margin covers the questions you have never seen; the real test always has a few. If you are below that, add a few days on your weakest area rather than booking anyway: a failed attempt costs the fee again and a 14-day wait.
Habits that make the hour count
- Read every explanation, even for questions you got right. You may have guessed.
- Retry missed questions two days later. Getting one right after a gap means you learned the idea, not the answer.
- Practice on the real figures. The test gives you the FAA testing supplement; practicing on the same charts and reports removes the surprise.
- Time yourself only at the end. 2 hours for 60 questions is plenty. Speed comes from understanding, not from rushing early.
Check yourself
Five quick questions from the operations and regulations areas:
A runway numbered 27 is aligned closest to which magnetic direction?
- A027°
- B207°
- C270°
Show answer
C. 270°
Runway numbers are the magnetic direction of the runway rounded to the nearest 10° with the last zero dropped, so runway 27 points about 270°.
Source: AIM 2-3-3
An aircraft reports that it is midfield left downwind for runway 13. Where is it relative to the runway?
- ANortheast of the runway
- BSouthwest of the runway
- CDirectly over the runway
Show answer
A. Northeast of the runway
Runway 13 points about 130° (southeast). Left traffic puts the downwind leg on the left of the landing direction, which is northeast of the runway, flown toward about 310°.
Source: Remote Pilot Study Guide, Ch. 7
What is ATIS?
- AA continuous recording of local weather and other non-control information, usually updated hourly
- BThe frequency used to request ATC authorization for drones
- CAn automated system that tracks drone Remote ID
Show answer
A. A continuous recording of local weather and other non-control information, usually updated hourly
The Automated Terminal Information Service broadcasts weather, runways in use and other information in a loop. Each update gets a new code letter: Alpha, then Bravo, and so on.
Source: Remote Pilot Study Guide, Ch. 11
Which publication provides the most comprehensive information on a given airport?
- AThe Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly the Airport/Facility Directory)
- BA sectional chart
- CNOTAMs
Show answer
A. The Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly the Airport/Facility Directory)
The Chart Supplement U.S. contains detailed data on public-use airports, heliports and seaplane bases. It is published in seven regional books and revised every 56 days.
Source: Remote Pilot Study Guide, Ch. 11
Your drone strikes a parked car during a Part 107 operation and the repair estimate is $900. No one is hurt. What must you do?
- AReport the event to the FAA within 10 calendar days
- BReport the event to the NTSB within 24 hours
- CNothing, because no one was injured
Show answer
A. Report the event to the FAA within 10 calendar days
The remote PIC must report to the FAA within 10 calendar days any operation causing serious injury, loss of consciousness, or damage to property (other than the drone) unless the repair cost is $500 or less, or the property's fair market value is $500 or less if it is a total loss.
Source: 14 CFR §107.9
Follow the plan on your phone. The app sets a daily goal, tracks each area, predicts your score and tells you when you are ready to book.
Sources
- FAA: Become a Certificated Remote Pilot
- FAA Airman Certification Standards: Remote Pilot (FAA-S-ACS-10B)
- Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22)
Study times are a guide; your own background and practice scores matter more. Part 107 Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the FAA.