Whether you’re interested in becoming an aspiring professional drone pilot or looking to learn how to use your drone for home purposes, there are plenty of classes to choose from. Some are free and others cost a bit of money, but they all cover the basics of how to pilot your drone safely and enjoy your hobby. Most drone schools offer an introductory free session, so you can try out the class before committing to it for the full price.
Drone schools can range in training topics from the bare minimum, such as Part 107 exam prep and drone maintenance, to more advanced topics, such as how to start a drone business or how to incorporate drones into an existing, thriving business model. Some courses also provide lifetime access, which means that you can revisit the course materials as drone regulations and technology change.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a well-known university that offers a bachelor’s degree in unmanned aircraft systems science, which requires 128 credit hours over eight semesters. The program can be taken as a major or minor and students can select a pilot or nonpilot track. The school is a founding member of the National UAS Integration Initiative and is considered to be one of the best drone schools in the world.
The university’s Drone and UAV Academy offers a certificate program that prepares students to become certified UAS pilots or UAV ground support technicians. The program is available online and covers a variety of topics, including aircraft operations and safety. The curriculum also includes an in-person simulator training session where students learn hands-on skills.
If you’re considering a career as a professional drone pilot, you can earn a certification by taking the FAA’s Remote Pilot Certificate class at a drone school. The course covers everything from flight regulations to maintenance of drones and will teach you how to safely operate a drone in various conditions.
The course is a great choice for beginners or experienced drone pilots who want to sharpen their skills. It covers the basics of drone photography and videography, but also dives into the nitty-gritty details of equipment options, camera angles, gimbal balancing, and post-production basics. The course also teaches you how to create an engaging story using your drone footage.
Whether you’re an established drone pilot or are just getting started in the industry, you can take this course from Altitude University to learn how to boost your earnings potential by creating and selling drone-based videos. The course teaches you how to make your first drone-based video in just two weeks and provides an overview of all the basics of the industry. It’s worth noting that this course isn’t free, but it does include a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the content. A subscription to this course will also give you unlimited access to other courses that Altitude University offers.