With more drone pilots taking to the skies, it’s essential to understand the rules of the sky.
There are many drone schools online and in person to learn from. And that raises the question: How do you choose the best drone flight school that will help you get your Part 107 certification?
It’s a personal decision that only you can make, but hopefully, FLYING’s tips can steer you in the right direction to choose a preferred UAV pilot school.
Growing Demand for Drone Pilots
Many industries are adopting drones for their convenience and practicality. Areas like construction, agriculture, insurance, public safety, and real estate are just a few examples of spaces where pilots are increasing efficiency and quality.
For pilots, this means they are becoming highly valued. Commercial drone operators can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, making this an appealing career or side income opportunity.
Importance of Proper Training
To do commercial work, or anything that isn’t recreational flying, a pilot must obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA to legally operate a drone. The certification indicates that a pilot understands how to navigate the skies between airspaces, weather, airports, and other questionable areas.
What a Ground School Offers
You can take these classes in person or online, and they give you the knowledge you need to pass the Part 107 FAA Exam. While the information is available anywhere for free, you receive a full lesson plan provided to you in a way designed to put you in a position for success.
They provide lessons on flight rules, weather, charts, and safety, along with practice tests, instructional videos, and exam strategies. These programs also help build a professional mindset for drone operations.
Why Attend a Drone Pilot Ground School?
Understanding FAA Part 107 Regulations
If you’re new to flying in general, you may not know about the different types of airspace. You are legally allowed to fly in some spaces, and you are prohibited in others. To pass the exam, you must learn how to identify which types of airspace you are flying in.
In addition, the Part 107 exam ensures that you know other important factors like visibility limits, what time of day you can fly, visual line of sight (VLOS), and operations around people. While these are important to obtain your license, they are also important for safe flying operations.
Aeronautical Knowledge
- Weather: Learn how to read METARs and TAFs, interpret weather maps, and understand the weather’s effect on drone performance.
- Aerodynamics: Understand forces like lift, drag, and thrust, especially how they apply to multicopters and fixed-wing drones.
- Loading and performance: Explore how payload weight and battery conditions affect drone handling and endurance.
- Emergency procedures: Prepare for flyaways, system failures, and other unexpected events with decision-making tools.
Part 107 Test Preparation Strategies
All the information you need is online, but these schools provide you with a professional environment that you can expect from the exam. They may even have questions that have been pulled from previous exams to show you how the questions are going to be formatted.
Drone Networking Opportunities
While studying for the Part 107 Exam at a drone school, you are going to be surrounded by other like-minded people. Some will choose not to follow this path, but there are going to be others who excel and find lucrative, interesting jobs.
If you are able to connect with these people in drone flight schools, you may find yourself a part of their community. For example, programs like Altitude University and Pilot Institute offer alumni groups and private forums where you can meet peers, mentors, and potential collaborators.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drone Ground School
Online vs. In-Person
This decision is going to come down to a personal preference and the availability of in-person schools.
Online schools provide you with your own learning pace and aren’t dictated by a full class of people learning. You also don’t have to go in person and take the time to drive to them. Many times, too, one instructor can create videos to mass-distribute them, making them more cost-effective.
However, they come with high self-discipline, and you typically don’t have instant access to the instructors. Pilot Institute and Gold Seal offer strong online platforms with high-quality video, quizzes, and live support.
In-person options are great for those who need hands-on instruction and direct interaction. Sometimes, you may even have demonstrations with you or your instructor’s drone.
However, if you like to learn at a faster pace, online options may be better.
Curriculum and Content
When choosing a drone school, look up its curriculum to see that it is adapting to new FAA rules. They change frequently, and this new information will be a part of the exam.
The most important materials are going to be charts, airspace, and safety, but be sure the course covers all materials that are going to be on the exam.
Some courses also give you extra bonus materials that will help you as a pilot but may not be on the exam. Altitude University offers training in real estate, mapping, and inspection workflows. Other programs also assist you in mastering photography, piloting skills, and more.
Success Rate and Support
Top drone flight schools like Pilot Institute boast over a 99 percent pass rate. Choosing a course like this provides excellent testimonials that ease your mind so that you will surely pass.
Reviews from alumni or former students will tell you a lot of what you need to know. Check Trustpilot, Google, and Reddit for honest feedback on Pilot HQ, Gold Seal, and others.
Cost and Value
Programs range from $97 to $299 online. In-person classes can exceed $1,000.
Look over each program you are researching and check its contents to review the value of each course. You want to make sure you get the bang for your buck.
Some courses will even refund your course fee if you fail the exam. Drone Launch Academy and Pilot Institute do this for you. Beware of upsells for materials, limited-time access, or non-included FAA test fees.
Steps to Take Before Enrolling in a Drone Ground School
- Define your learning style and goals: Do you thrive with visual learning, need a set schedule, or prefer learning on the go? Match the program to your preferences.
- Research multiple schools: Compare options from Pilot Institute, Gold Seal, Altitude University, Pilot HQ, and other credible providers.
- Read reviews and recommendations: Go to review sites, look up any user testimonials or blogs, go through YouTube, and contact any people who might have taken the course.
- Contact schools directly with questions: Each school or course should have a customer help line. To make you feel better about your purchase, ask any questions beforehand.
- Compare features, benefits, and costs: Choosing the right school is a personal decision, and comparing schools for their quality, price, and benefits is going to help you.
Proper Preparation Leads to Success
A high-quality program ensures you pass the FAA test and sets you up for long-term success in commercial drone operations. Choosing the right drone pilot ground school is a decision that will directly impact your confidence, preparedness, and future opportunities in the drone industry.
With more accessible and affordable options than ever, aspiring pilots can find a program that fits their needs and budget. Whether you’re entering the industry for the first time or expanding your aviation skillset, the foundation you build in ground school matters.
The knowledge you gain doesn’t just help you pass the FAA exam—it sets you up to fly safely, legally, and professionally.
Take your time comparing schools, verifying instructor credentials, and reading through course content. Reach out to the programs you’re interested in, ask questions, and don’t settle until you feel confident in your choice.
With proper preparation, you’ll be equipped not just to pass the test but thrive in the rapidly growing world of commercial drone operations.
FAQ
Why is there a growing demand for drone pilots?
Many industries, including construction, agriculture, insurance, public safety, and real estate, are adopting drones to increase efficiency and quality. This has led to a high demand for skilled commercial drone operators.
What is the FAA Part 107 certification, and why do I need it?
The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required by the FAA for any commercial drone work or non-recreational flying. It certifies that a pilot understands critical aspects of drone operation, including airspace rules, weather effects, and safety procedures, ensuring legal and safe flights.
What is a drone pilot ground school?
A drone pilot ground school provides comprehensive training and a structured lesson plan to help you acquire the knowledge needed to pass the FAA Part 107 exam. While information is available for free, ground schools organize it in a way designed for success, often including practice tests and exam strategies.
What kind of knowledge does a ground school cover?
Ground schools cover essential topics such as FAA Part 107 regulations (airspace, visibility, flight times, operations around people), aeronautical knowledge (weather interpretation, aerodynamics, loading and performance), and emergency procedures. They also provide test preparation strategies and often simulate the exam environment.
Are there networking opportunities at drone flight schools?
Yes, many drone schools foster communities among students. Programs like Altitude University and Pilot Institute offer alumni groups and private forums, allowing you to connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators in the drone industry.
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