This is a test...

 

No, not a test of posting on the blog - I kinda have that down.  Looking through some FAA drone info, I see that a "TRUST" test is still required to operate a drone in the US; even the light-weight, under 250 grams, drones.

The Government requires TRUST??  Shouldn't that really be the other way around?  Yes, I agree with you completely, and you get 20 bonus points for asking that question.  And for the record, TRUST is The Recreational UAS Safety Test.  And for the record, UAS is Unmanned Aircraft System.  Yes, the Government likes acronyms or initialisms. 

This TRUST requirement is for recreational drone use.  If you are getting paid for the use of the drone, you need to get a Part 107 commercial license.  If you use drone footage on YouTube and your channel is monetized - yep, you need that license.

Does everyone comply with these rules/certificates/licenses?  Probably not.  The fines and potential jail time should not be taken lightly.  I have no idea how vigorously the FAA polices drone usage.

There is no cost to take the test, but you have to score 100% in order to get that TRUST certificate (that you print out yourself, after taking the test online).  From what I understand, you can keep taking the test until you score 100%; I have no idea if there are different tests or if the same questions are asked with subsequent tests.

I took this test back when I bought a DJI drone some years ago.  I took it again today - no downside, since there is no cost; I wanted to see if anything had changed as far as regulations and requirements.

 

Since we have been "shopping," Joan pointed out that some manufacturers advertise that "no registration or licensing is required" when you buy one of these under 250 gram drones.  Not really accurate information.

"And how much is 250 grams, Jim?"  Thanks for asking - yes, we live in the good ol' USA, and we use pounds, miles, and furlongs.  "Furlongs??"  Well, yeah, for horse racing; but, I digress.  250 grams is .55 of a pound.  About what your iPhone weighs.  I find it quite impressive that these drone manufacturers can make something that flies, has a 4k (or better) video camera, rechargeable batteries, a bunch of flight modes, and can be controlled with your phone.  Or without, in the case of these "autonomous" drones (the ones that can follow you, without a controller).

Things have changed a lot since I bought that first Yuneec 4K Q500 drone (back in 2015)...

 That thing was a beast compared to these more capable current camera drones.  There was nothing subtle about that drone - it was large and loud.  Things have changed.