In case you already fly drones for enjoyable, 2025 is perhaps the right yr to show that pastime right into a money-making enterprise. However earlier than you can begin accepting paid gigs, you’ll want a industrial drone license — formally referred to as a Distant Pilot Certificates beneath the Federal Aviation Administration’s Half 107 rules.
To earn it, you will need to cross the Aeronautical Information Take a look at, extra casually often known as the Half 107 check. This check is your ticket to flying drones legally for industrial functions within the U.S.
However make no mistake: passing it isn’t simple with out prep. I in all probability would have scored a 20% given I had no prior aviation background. You’ll be examined on airspace classifications, climate patterns, sectional charts, and extra — topics that the majority hobbyists haven’t studied earlier than.
Earlier than taking the check, I used one course Drone Pilot Floor Faculty (which is definitely a choose on this information!), and handed the Half 107 check with a rating of 90% (something 70% or greater is a passing rating). Since then, I’ve reviewed practically a dozen different Half 107 programs.
There are many good choices (and lots of are extra reasonably priced than Drone Pilot Floor Faculty, the course I used). With my greater than 10 years of expertise masking the drone trade, I’ve reviewed the top-rated Half 107 prep programs of 2025 primarily based on value, precise person expertise, cross ensures, teacher background and extra.
Listed below are Drone Lady’s prime Half 107 on-line check prep programs of 2025:
Selecting the most effective Half 107 on-line check prep course for you:
One of the best Half 107 programs, side-by-side
I’ll dive deep into these later, however right here’s a fast overview of all my picks and why:
Finest Half 107 on-line course total (most assets, dwell help, and so forth): Drone Pilot Floor Faculty
Drone Pilot Floor Faculty is essentially the most complete Half 107 prep course, providing:
- 350+ apply questions
- 17-page cram sheet
- Limitless 1:1 teacher help
- Dwell Zoom periods (non-compulsory)
- Lifetime entry
Whereas barely dearer than our price choose, Drone Launch Academy, Drone Pilot Floor Faculty is a longtime participant. It’s the largest of all of the Half 107 check prep packages, for good motive. The truth is, I (Sally, the Drone Lady!) used Drone Pilot Floor Faculty as my solely technique of finding out. And sure, I handed the check on my first strive.
The corporate additionally repeatedly affords up updates primarily based on the ever-changing FAA guidelines. For instance, there’s now an easy-to-access PDF file about guidelines round flying drones over individuals. It additionally covers updates round Distant ID.
Go fee assure: In case you fail your check, Drone Pilot Floor Faculty covers your testing price (usually $175) in case you additionally cross one among their apply exams with a rating higher than 85%. It additionally guarantees to refund your complete value of your Drone Pilot Floor Faculty course in case you fail.
Plus, they provide a sturdy scholarship program the place you might be able to enroll (and get your check price lined) totally free.
Finest Half 107 on-line course on a finances: Drone Launch Academy
Drone Launch Academy affords nice worth with out chopping corners:
- 200 apply questions
- 75-page downloadable e-book
- On-line neighborhood and podcast
- Lifetime entry
At $199, it’s $100 cheaper than my prime choose, Drone Pilot Floor Faculty. And whereas it has a smaller buyer base, its cross fee is an extremely excessive 99.02%. It’s not simply the $100 cheaper price ticket that makes this an incredible worth. In case you fail your in-person examination, Drone Launch Academy pays so that you can retake it. That’s an $150 worth in itself, on prime of a course refund (a further $199 worth).
The course wins with its examination simulator that has a check financial institution of greater than 550 apply questions. Combining that with the mini quizzes all through the course, and you could possibly take greater than 700 apply questions in case you wished to do all of them.
There’s a little bit of inconsistency within the high quality of their movies, nevertheless it’s not essentially a nasty factor. It’s clear their content material (akin to filming high quality and on-camera presenters) has improved over time so it feels unfair to ding them on that. However, it doesn’t take a movie critic to identify which movies have been made early on.
Taught by former Air Power pilot John Peltier, this course is obvious, concise, and direct. It contains:
- 35 brief movies
- 36 quizzes
- Cash-back cross assure
- Non-compulsory dwell chat with Peltier himself
I think about FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Take a look at Prep Course to be a no-nonsense on-line coaching program that features brief movies, frequent quizzes, and easy textual content that cuts straight to the purpose. Peltier is a former Air Power pilot who even served because the “Chief of Courseware” throughout his final project within the Air Power. He wrote all academic materials for F-15E coaching squadrons all through the USAF — so he is aware of a factor or two about writing a number of alternative questions.
Like Drone Launch Academy, John Peltier’s FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Take a look at Prep Course additionally comes with a test-pass assure.
It’s additionally the most cost effective of all of the programs on this information. Plus, there’s an choice to make it even cheaper. You may pay $79 for entry to this system for simply 30 days (the $139 price ticket contains lifetime entry). Assume twice earlier than enrolling within the $79 choice, as you’ll possible wish to reference John Peltier’s FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Take a look at Prep Course when it comes time to take your Half 107 recurrent check. You will need to retake the recurrent check each two years. But when cash is tight, then it’s an incredible choice. (He does supply a separate renewal course for simply $49).
Get a clearer sense for Peltier’s type by studying his 5 Half 107 examination on-line suggestions.
Peltier additionally affords tons of different programs that drone pilots may definitely be focused on. That features Fujifilm digital camera programs and a course on the right way to edit and handle pictures in Adobe Lightroom.
There are professionals and cons of in-person vs on-line Half 107 courses. However the DARTdrones dwell course would possibly present the most effective of each worlds.
The DARTdrones dwell digital course affords:
- 8 hours of dwell Zoom-based instruction
- 300 apply check questions
- 50-page research information
- Lifetime entry to on-demand course
You’ll get accountability, personalised Q&A, and follow-up supplies. The founder, Abby Speicher, appeared on Shark Tank, the place Mark Cuban invested within the firm.
- Worth: $375
- Time: Two 4-hour days + ongoing entry
At $375, it’s pricier than the opposite picks, nevertheless it’s price it for sure studying types. You may ask questions dwell on the video chat system and work together forwards and backwards with the teacher, actually getting the chance to select their mind.
What’s nice although is the course doesn’t finish when the Sunday afternoon ends. You’ll have ongoing entry to a 300+ check query financial institution and a 50-page research information. And sure, that $375 additionally contains entry to DARTdrones’ full on-line Half 107 Take a look at Prep Course. That by itself prices $200.
DARTdrones additionally has workshops tailor-made to particular industries akin to mapping and modeling, catastrophe response and inspections. And, its Aerial Images and Videography On-line Course is at present rated the highest total on-line drone picture course.
Finest Half 107 on-line course for aspiring airplane pilots: Pilot Institute
Initially centered on crewed plane, Pilot Institute now affords:
- 15 hours of video
- 20 quizzes
- Lifetime entry
- Accredited coaching (IACET)
Pilot Institute has been providing programs to assist individuals cross their FAA Non-public Pilot written exams lengthy earlier than Half 107 was even a factor. Sure, they provide different coaching programs on issues like checkrides and instrument rankings. Plus, Pilot Institute is the one aviation coaching firm to be accredited by IACET, the Worldwide Accreditors for Persevering with Schooling and Coaching.
- Worth: $249 for lifetime entry.
- Time wanted to finish: 15-20 hours
Pilot Institute may be very a lot embedded within the drone house. One of many cofounders Greg Reverdiau, was instrumental in getting the FAA to delay Distant ID enforcement.
Half 107 check prep generally requested questions
What’s the Half 107 check?
The FAA Half 107 check is a 60-question a number of alternative examination masking drone rules, climate, airspace and extra. It’s required for all industrial drone operators within the U.S. beneath the Federal Aviation Administration’s Half 107.
What’s the cross fee?
As of 2024, the common Half 107 check rating was 79.95%, advert 84.2% of individuals handed.
What if I’m flying drones only for enjoyable?
You continue to have to cross the TRUST examination — a a lot shorter, less complicated on-line check for leisure pilots. Be taught the right way to take the TRUST examination right here.
How can I see if a drone pilot is licensed?
Browse the FAA’s public registry of Half 107-certifed distant pilots right here. That’s a step price taking earlier than hiring a drone pilot to do work so that you can guarantee they’ve the certification they declare. You’ll be capable of see every pilot’s certificates and their ranking (together with that of yours actually). Right here’s what it appears like when your title comes up within the database:
Do these programs train the right way to fly drones?
No. These programs put together you for the data check solely. For hands-on flight coaching, think about an in-person drone course or an reasonably priced on-line course centered on flying.
Nevertheless, these programs are typically many a whole bunch of {dollars}. In case you’re on a finances, there are many glorious on-line drone flying programs — a lot of which value lower than $100.
How did you research in your check, and did you go for a Half 107 on-line check prep course? Depart a remark under! And joyful flying!
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