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What Is TRUST Test For Recreational Drone Pilots? (2025 Updated)

By: Richard J. Gross
Updated On: November 22, 2022

As a new drone pilot, you may be wondering if there is a test that you need to take to fly your drone recreationally. The answer is yes – the TRUST test.

TRUST, which stands for Test of Recreational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Technology, is a voluntary test created by the FAA in partnership with the industry to help improve the safety of flying drones recreationally.

In this article, we’ll discuss why you should take the TRUST test, what it covers, and how to prepare for it.

What is the TRUST Test?

What is the TRUST Test?

The TRUST test is a 30-question, multiple-choice exam that covers basic drone knowledge, such as airspace rules and regulations, emergency procedures, and weather conditions. The test is divided into three sections:

Section 1 – Basic Drone Knowledge (10 questions)

This section covers basic drone knowledge, such as airspace rules and regulations, emergency procedures, and weather conditions.

Section 2 – Flight Operations (10 questions)

This section covers flight operations, such as takeoffs and landings, flying in formation, and flight maneuvers.

Section 3 – Drone Maintenance and Safety (10 questions)

This section covers drone maintenance and safety, such as inspecting your drone before the flight, proper storage and charging of batteries, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to accidents.

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Reasons For Taking the TRUST Test

Reasons For Taking the TRUST Test

There are several reasons why you should take the TRUST test. Here are some of the most important ones:

It is Required by Law

To fly your drone recreationally in the United States, you must take and pass the TRUST test. “The Recreational Safety UAS Test” is what TRUST stands for. This test is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help improve the safety of recreational drone pilots.

It is a legal requirement as of August 29, 2016. The TRUST test covers the basic rules and regulations of flying a drone recreationally. This includes topics such as airspace, weather, and drones operating in proximity to people and property.

The test is designed to help you understand the risks associated with flying a drone and how to mitigate them.

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It assists in Educating leisure Pilots on Aviation-related Subjects

In addition to being a legal requirement, the TRUST test also helps educate recreational pilots about aviation-related topics. The test covers topics such as airspace, weather, and drones operating in proximity to people and property.

The test is designed to help you understand the risks associated with flying a drone and how to mitigate them. By taking the TRUST test, you will be better informed about the risks and hazards associated with flying a drone recreationally. This will help you make safer decisions when flying your drone.

It is Extremely Quick and Simple

The TRUST test is an online test that takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The test is composed of multiple-choice questions and is designed to be taken at your own pace.

You can retake the test as many times as you need to pass. There is no time limit for taking the test, so you can take it at your leisure.

The TRUST exam is available online and is free of charge. It includes several reading materials as well as four quizzes. The full test can be finished in less than half an hour.

A certificate of completion is valid for life after you have obtained it. The TRUST test just has to be taken once.

In addition, there is no way to fail the TRUST test. The quiz section contains a series of multiple-choice questions based on topics from the reading materials or other rules that you should already be familiar with.

If you choose the incorrect answer, you will be explained why the answer is incorrect, as well as the opportunity to try again.

Read: Necessity Of Hands-On Drone Training

No record of Your Personal Information is kept

Data privacy has always been a problem with the government. The FAA is no stranger to this, as they have been collecting data on pilots for years. The good news is that the FAA does not retain any personal information from those who take the TRUST test.

The only information that is recorded is whether or not you have passed the test. Your name, address, and other personal information are not required when taking the test. This means that your privacy is protected when taking the TRUST test.

It maintains Airspace Safety

The TRUST test is not only beneficial for those who take it, but also for the general public. The more people are educated about the risks and hazards of flying a drone recreationally, the safer airspace will be for everyone. By taking the TRUST test, you will be helping to make airspace safer for everyone.

It increases the acceptance of Drone Flight in Society

Even with the growing popularity of drones, social acceptance remains a challenge for the drone community. We occasionally hear reports of drone pilots being attacked or drones being shot down in the air.

This is likely due to a lack of public awareness about the legality of drone flight. There has been a lot of negative press surrounding drones in recent years. This is due to a few high-profile incidents where drones have been used negatively.

By taking the TRUST test, you will be helping to improve the social acceptance of drone flight. By showing that you are willing to take the time to learn about the risks and hazards associated with flying a drone, you will be helping to change the public perception of drones.

Read: Is Using Drones For Real Estate In 2025 Profitable?

Conclusion

The TRUST test is a great way to learn about the risks and hazards associated with flying a drone recreationally. It is quick, easy, and best of all, it’s free.

By taking the TRUST test, you will be helping to keep the airspace safe for everyone. You will also be helping to improve the social acceptance of drone flight. So what are you waiting for? Go take the TRUST test today!

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Richard J. Gross

Hi, my name is Richard J. Gross and I’m a full-time Airbus pilot and commercial drone business owner. I got into drones in 2015 when I started doing aerial photography for real estate companies. I had no idea what I was getting into at the time, but it turns out that police were called on me shortly after I started flying. They didn’t like me flying my drone near people, so they asked me to come train their officers on the rules and regulations for drones. After that, I decided to start my own drone business and teach others about the safe and responsible use of drones.

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