What is the required minimum age to obtain an Advanced Operations Certificate?

To obtain an Advanced Operations Certificate, a candidate must be at least 16 years old. This age requirement is established to ensure that individuals have reached a level of maturity and understanding necessary for the responsibilities involved in advanced drone operation, which includes understanding complex airspace regulations, safety procedures, and advanced flight techniques. Regulation sets the bar at 16 to align with other pilot certification standards, ensuring that operators have the cognitive and practical skills required for the safety of themselves and others while operating drones in more complex environments.