Online drone pilot courses are available from many different companies. The drone pilot courses include a curriculum to help students pass the FAA Part 107 drone pilot certificate exams. Choosing the right online drone course will ensure success. Take into consideration how you learn, how long you need to study, and if you would like to take in person flight training before choosing a course. Below are Flying’s suggestions for online drone course.
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Easily become a drone pilot online! Courses designed by industry experts can help you pass FAA tests and get into the sky!
Quicklook: Drone Pilot Courses
- Pilot Institute Commercial Drone Courses
- Drone Pilot Ground School
- Drone Launch Academy
- Peltier Remote Pilot Course
- Dart Drones
- Drone U
- Unmanned Vehicle University
7 Drone Pilot Training Courses
Online drone pilot courses are perfect for those looking to get into the professional world of drones. Drone pilots can make between $55,000-100,000 a year and the training can be done in just a few weeks. Here are Flying’s stop choices for online drone pilot courses.
Pilot Institute Commercial Drone Courses
The Commercial Drone Pilot Course by Pilot Institute allows students to learn at their own pace. With a high pass rate, commercial drone pilot students will have the guarantee of a successful completion or Pilot Institute will refund them.
Average Completion Time: 15 hours
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- Applicable regulations
- Airspace
- Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
- Small unmanned aircraft loading
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
- Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Airport operations
- Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
Special Features:
- 300 practice test questions spread over 20 quizzes
- 30 Day no-hassle money back guarantee
Benefits:
- Free bonus course
- Exclusive flashcard app for Android and Apple
Disadvantages:
- Testng fee not included
Pricing: $249
Drone Pilot Ground School
Drone Pilot Ground School offers an online drone pilot course for a select group of industry partners. This course allows for 1:1 lessons with a drone pilot instructor.
Average Completion Time: 15-20 hours
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- AA drone laws
- National Airspace System (NAS)
- Reading sectional charts
- Airport operations
- Weather and micrometeorology
- Flying a drone at night
- sUAS loading and performance
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communications
- Effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making
Special Features:
- Military, first responder, STEM educator, and non-profit employee discounts
- Unlimited support for questions
Benefits:
- Money-back (and passing) guarantee
- 120+ knowledge concepts across 70+ video-based lectures
Disadvantages:
- Testng fee not included
Pricing: $299
Drone Launch Academy
The Drone Launch Academy provides students with an online drone course with an accelerated five-hour video option. Drone Pilot Ground School will also cover your testing fee (normally $175), if you fail your written exam.
Average Completion Time: 5-15 hours
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- Regulation
- Radio communication
- Airspace
- Reading sectional charts
- Effects of weather
- Sources of weather information
- Loading and performance
- Airport operations
- Emergency procedures
- Maintenance and inspections
- Physiology
- Aeronautical decision-making
Special Features:
- 75+ Page downloadable E-book Study Guide
- If you fail your test, Drone Pilot Ground School will also cover your testing fee (normally $175)
Benefits:
- 200 practice questions including actual FAA questions
- Weekly live office hours
Disadvantages:
- No live agents
Pricing: $199
Peltier Remote Pilot Course
The Peltier Remote Pilot Course is the most affordable option for students wanting to enroll in an online drone pilot course. Peltier guarantees you will pass your exam, provides live instructor, and is a relatively new course with a high pass rate.
Average Completion Time: 15-20 hours
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- FAA Part 107 regulations
- Airspace and topography
- Operations
- Weather
- Aircraft performance
Special Features:
- Presented by an experienced military & civilian flight instructor
- Live real-time chats
Benefits:
- 300-question bank includes real FAA questions
- Test Pass guarantee
- 36 videos (10+ hours)
Disadvantages:
- Relatively new course with less than 1,000 students lifetime
Pricing: $129
Dart Drones
Dart Drones is an online drone pilot course for those who not only want to pass the written exam and get their license but also want to have drone flight lessons to ensure their skills can be used. This course provides access to flight instructors, a money-back guarantee, and lifetime access to ensure students find success.
Average Completion Time: 15 hours + in person courses
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- Basic flight training (1 day in person)
- Regulations
- Airspace classifications
- Flight restrictions
- Chart study
- Airport operations
- Radio communications
- Aviation weather
- Maintenance and preflight procedures
- Crew resource management and aeronautical decision making
- sUAS loading and performance
- Physiology
- Real-world mission planning
Special Features:
- Two days of in-person training
Benefits:
- 300+ practice test questions, last-minute test prep webinar
- Money-back guarantee on drone license exam
Disadvantages:
- Have to take the in-person lessons to get signed off
- Only certain dates available due to in person course days
Pricing: $1,649
Drone U
Drone U is a subscription based service that allows you to only pay as long as you use the curriculum. In addition to the FAA drone course, Members have access to many other courses include, drone photography and drone mapping.
Average Completion Time: 15-20 hours
Access Expiration: As long as you pay for the membership
Curriculum Focus:
- Regulations
- Operations rules
- Remote pIlot cert
- Waivers
- Airspace
- NOTAMS
- Weather
- Loading and performance
- Night operations
Special Features:
- Ability to only brush up on certain topics
- Webinars with drone pilots
Benefits:
- Recreational flyers can take the exam directly on the website
- Cost can be much lower than competitors if training is completed in one month
Disadvantages:
- Monthly fee
Pricing: $47 a month
Unmanned Vehicle University
The Unmanned Vehicle University is a great option for students looking to complete an online drone training course with the option to complete in person training. The extensive online course requires no prior knowledge of drones and is taught by a master aviator.
Average Completion Time: 16 hours
Access Expiration: Lifetime
Curriculum Focus:
- Regulations
- Airspace
- Weather
- Loading and performance
- operations
Special Features:
- Option to upgrade to in person drone flight training
Benefits:
- Taught by Fred Bivetto, our Certified Flight Instructor, a Lt. Colonel master aviator
Disadvantages:
- No money-back guarantee
Pricing: $250
Who Needs a Drone Pilot License?
Those who plan to fly a drone commercially (for hire) will need to obtain a drone pilot certificate from the FAA.
What Does Part 107 Training Mean?
Part 107 training allows you to demonstrate that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.
What Do You Learn at Drone Pilot Training?
During drone training you will learn about regulations around drones, airspace, aviation weather, airspaces, loading performance, and more.
Picking a Quality Drone Pilot Course
To pick an online drone course that fits your needs, choose a course that aligns with your learning style and comprises the key topics in the FAA drone exam.
Accessibility to Materials
Most online drone courses must be accessed from a desktop computer, some however have smart phone applications. Choose a course with accessibility that fits your learning style.
Time for Completion
Most drone courses take 15-20 hours to complete. Almost all give lifetime access to the material allowing students to complete the course at their own pace.
Price
Price is dependent on the company providing the training and if in-person lessons are included. Most online-only drone courses will cost between $125-250. This does not include the FAA written fee, which will cost about $175.
Guarantee
Most schools have a money-back guarantee to entice students to use their curriculum. Money-back guarantees not only show the curriculum has been proven but allows a no-risk course for the student. Some companies even provide a guarantee to pay the student additional money if they do not pass their written exam.
Remote Take-Off!
Whether you choose to take an online or in person drone course, choosing the one that best fits your learning style and pace is important. For more information regarding drones and to stay up to date on all things aviation, subscribe to FLYING Magazine.
FAQ
Military UAV pilot recruits must start with a high school diploma (or sometimes, an equivalent, such as a GED) and choose the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB.) After enlisting into the military, the branch will provide specialized drone training to drone pilot MOS.
Recurring written exams must be taken every 2 years to stay current as a drone pilot.
While the drone pilot exam is not inherently hard, many hours of studying and dedication to learning regulations, airspace, and drone procedures is required to be successful.
