In Japan, the Gyoseishoshi tradition is built on one principle: never let compliance deadlines sneak up on you. That same rigor is what MmowW brings to US drone pilots. Your Part 107 recurrent training is free, takes less than two hours, and protects your ability to fly commercially. Don't let it expire. โ MmowW Team ๐ฆ
---
These two concepts confuse many pilots. Here's the critical distinction:
| Concept | What It Is | Does It Expire? |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Pilot Certificate | Your FAA-issued credentials (the plastic card) | Never expires |
| Operational currency | Your authorization to actually fly commercially | Every 24 months |
Think of it this way: Your driver's license doesn't expire, but your vision test requirement might. The certificate is permanent; the currency requires periodic refreshing.
Key legal point: Flying commercially while your currency is lapsed is a violation of 14 CFR ยง 107.65, even though your certificate itself remains valid. The FAA can take certificate action against a pilot who flies with lapsed currency. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.65
---
Your 24-month currency period begins on the date you:
If you completed recurrent training on June 15, 2024, your currency expires on June 30, 2026 (the last day of the 24th calendar month). The FAA uses calendar months, not exact 730-day periods.
Practical rule: Complete your recurrent training before the last day of the 24th calendar month following your last training completion. If in doubt, complete it a month early โ completing early does NOT reset your clock to the new date. Your next 24-month period runs from your original completion date, not the early renewal date. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.65(b)
---
Since April 6, 2021, the FAA replaced the recurrent knowledge test with free online training. The primary course is:
ALC-677: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) โ Recurrent
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Platform | FAA Safety Team (FAASafety.gov) |
| Cost | Free |
| Format | Online, self-paced modules |
| Time | Approximately 1โ2 hours |
| Test | None โ it's training, not an exam |
| Certificate | Issued upon completion; download and save |
| Link | faasafety.gov โ search "ALC-677" |
The course updates you on:
---
Step 1: Go to faasafety.gov โ Step 2: Create or log in to your FAA Wings account โ Step 3: Search for "ALC-677 recurrent" โ Step 4: Complete all course modules โ Step 5: Download your completion certificate โ Step 6: Store certificate with your aviation records โ Step 7: Update your MmowW dashboard with new training date
Step 1: Access FAASafety.gov
Navigate to www.faasafety.gov โ the FAA Safety Team's online learning platform.
Step 2: Create or Access Your Account
If you don't have an account, create one using your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA. This ties your training records to your official FAA file.
Step 3: Find ALC-677
Search for "ALC-677" in the course catalog. If ALC-677 has been updated or replaced by a newer course number, choose the current FAA-approved sUAS recurrent training. The FAA may update course numbers when regulations change significantly.
Step 4: Complete All Modules
Work through each module. You can pause and resume. The course is designed to be completed in one sitting but allows breaks.
Step 5: Download Your Certificate
Upon completing all modules, download your completion certificate in PDF format. This is your proof of currency.
Keep this certificate permanently. The FAA may request proof of currency at any time during an investigation or inspection. A completion certificate that you can no longer retrieve is not useful when you need it. Store digitally AND print a physical copy. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.7
---
If more than 24 months have passed since your last recurrent training:
You must retake and pass the full UAG (Unmanned Aircraft General โ Small) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center:
There is no grace period. The day your 24 months lapse, you are no longer current.
Once you pass the knowledge test:
Do not fly commercially while lapsed. The FAA actively investigates. If an accident, incident, or complaint triggers an investigation while your currency is lapsed, you face both the investigation consequences AND a currency violation. Double exposure. Source: FAA UAS Enforcement Policy
---
Print this checklist and use it every renewal cycle:
Timing:
Completing ALC-677:
After Completion:
For Fleet Operators:
---
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting until the last week | Risk of technical issues preventing completion | Set 30-day reminder; complete early |
| Not downloading the completion certificate | No proof of currency during investigation | Always download and save PDF immediately |
| Confusing certificate expiry with currency expiry | Flying commercially after currency lapses | Understand: certificate = never expires; currency = every 24 months |
| Completing training early and expecting clock reset | 24-month period doesn't restart early | Know your original start date; early completion is fine, clock doesn't reset |
| Using an outdated course number | Non-approved training doesn't count | Always verify you're completing the current FAA-approved recurrent course |
| Not tracking fleet currency for multi-pilot operations | One lapsed pilot = potential violation | Use MmowW fleet management to track all pilots |
---
MmowW Drone SaaS โ designed with the Gyoseishoshi precision that inspired the platform โ automates your entire Part 107 currency lifecycle:
Automated reminders:
Fleet management:
Record keeping:
Before MmowW: Spreadsheets, calendar reminders, hoping nothing falls through the cracks
After MmowW: Automated countdown from day one โ never lapse again
$5.69 per aircraft / month ยท 14-day free trial ยท No credit card required
---
No. Your 24-month period always runs from your previous training completion date. Completing early does not reset the clock. However, the FAA's regulations state that currency is valid for 24 calendar months following the MOST RECENT completion of training. If you complete training early, your clock technically DOES run from the new early completion date โ giving you a slightly shorter period until you need to renew again. To maximize your 24-month window, complete training close to (but before) your expiry date. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.65
No. The recurrent training (ALC-677) is a free online course โ no test, no proctor, no fee. The initial Part 107 certificate requires passing the UAG knowledge test in person at an FAA-approved testing center (~$175 fee, 70% passing score). The recurrent course is significantly less burdensome than the initial certification process. Source: FAA Part 107 certification and recurrent
Yes. The FAA allows other FAA-approved training programs to satisfy the recurrent training requirement. As of 2026, ALC-677 via FAASafety.gov is the primary and most widely used option. If you hold a Part 61 pilot certificate with a current flight review, that also maintains Part 107 currency. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.65(a)(2)
If you hold a Part 61 pilot certificate (other than student pilot) and have a current flight review (within 24 months), this satisfies the Part 107 recurrent requirement. You do not need to complete ALC-677 additionally. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.65(a)(3)
You must be able to present: (1) your Remote Pilot Certificate (physical card or electronic temporary certificate), (2) your current aircraft registration, and (3) any applicable waivers. While there's no specific requirement to physically carry your recurrent training completion certificate during flight, you should be able to produce it if your currency is questioned. Source: 14 CFR ยง 107.7
---
Your Part 107 recurrent training in 2026:
---
MmowW Drone SaaS automatically tracks your 24-month recurrent training deadline and reminds you before it lapses โ so you never face a $175 retake fee.
$5.69 per aircraft / month ยท 14-day free trial ยท No credit card required
Start Free Trial โ*Strong. Kind. Beautiful. โ The Gyoseishoshi for the US drone pilot.*
---
This information is provided for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For official FAA regulations, please consult faa.gov/uas. MmowW acts as a compliance assistance platform โ operators remain fully responsible for their compliance with applicable regulations.
Flight logs, technical logbooks, audit-ready exports โ all automated
Credit card not required ยท 14-day free trial
Was this article helpful? Let us know:
๐ฎ Was this article helpful? Let us know:
Your feedback helps us improve. Our AI team (Poppo ๐ฆ) reviews every submission.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Regulations change frequently โ always verify with the relevant aviation authority (CAA) for the most current requirements. MmowW automates compliance tracking but does not replace professional consultation where required by law.
Drones. Food safety. All compliance in one place.
Operated by Sawai Gyoseishoshi Office โ making global compliance blissfully simple.
Discover MmowW โ