The FAA TRUST Test: What NYC Drone Pilots Need to Know

What Is the TRUST Test?

TRUST stands for The Recreational UAS Safety Test. It is a free, online aeronautical knowledge and safety test required by the FAA for all recreational drone pilots in the United States. The test was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and became available through FAA-approved test administrators.

TRUST covers the basics of airspace, safety rules, and drone regulations that every recreational pilot needs to understand before flying.

Who Needs TRUST vs. Part 107

Understanding which credential you need is essential, especially in NYC:

• Recreational pilots — those flying purely for fun, not for any commercial purpose — need to pass the TRUST test
• Commercial pilots — anyone flying for business, compensation, or in furtherance of a business — must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (a proctored exam at an FAA testing center)

In NYC, this distinction matters significantly because the NYPD drone permit system under 38 RCNY Chapter 24 requires all applicants to hold FAA Part 107 certification. Per the NYPD FAQ, TRUST-only recreational pilots do not qualify for the NYPD permit process.

What TRUST Covers

The TRUST test covers the following knowledge areas:

• Airspace classifications and restrictions
• Flying safely near airports
• FAA registration requirements
• Remote ID requirements
• Operating rules under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 (recreational flyer rules)
• Right-of-way rules and yielding to manned aircraft
• Altitude limits (400 feet AGL)
• Visual line of sight requirements
• No flying over people without authorization
• No flying near emergency response operations

How to Take the TRUST Test

1. Visit the FAA's TRUST page at faa.gov
2. Select an FAA-approved test administrator from the list
3. Complete the test online — it is interactive and open-book
4. Receive your TRUST completion certificate immediately upon passing
5. Keep a copy of your certificate (digital or printed) available during every flight

TRUST in NYC: The Critical Limitation

Here is the essential point that many visitors and new pilots miss: passing the TRUST test is necessary for recreational flying, but it is not sufficient for flying in NYC.

NYC Administrative Code § 10-126 requires NYPD authorization for drone takeoff and landing within the five boroughs. The NYPD permit process requires Part 107 certification — not TRUST. This means:

• A recreational pilot with only TRUST cannot obtain an NYPD permit
• The only legal option for TRUST-only pilots is flying at one of the five designated model aircraft fields, which are exempt from the NYPD permit requirement under 38 RCNY § 24-02(b)(1)
• Even at designated fields, FAA recreational rules (altitude, line of sight, Remote ID) still apply

The Five Designated Model Aircraft Fields

If you hold TRUST but not Part 107, these are your legal flying options in NYC:

1. Flushing Meadows Corona Park — Queens
2. Calvert Vaux Park — Brooklyn
3. Marine Park — Brooklyn
4. Forest Park — Queens
5. LaTourette Park — Staten Island

Even at these fields, you must still obtain LAANC authorization for the applicable airspace, as NYC sits within Class B airspace.