If you happen to already fly drones for enjoyable, 2025 is perhaps the proper yr to show that interest right into a money-making enterprise. However earlier than you can begin accepting paid gigs, you’ll want a industrial drone license — formally known as a Distant Pilot Certificates beneath the Federal Aviation Administration’s Half 107 laws.
To earn it, you have to go the Aeronautical Data Check, extra casually often called 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 College (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 College, the course I used). With my greater than 10 years of expertise overlaying the drone business, I’ve reviewed the top-rated Half 107 prep programs of 2025 based mostly on price, precise consumer expertise, go ensures, teacher background and extra.
Listed here are Drone Lady’s prime Half 107 on-line check prep programs of 2025:
Choosing the very best 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:
Greatest Half 107 on-line course general (most assets, dwell assist, and many others): Drone Pilot Floor College
Drone Pilot Floor College is essentially the most complete Half 107 prep course, providing:
- 350+ apply questions
- 17-page cram sheet
- Limitless 1:1 teacher assist
- Reside Zoom classes (non-compulsory)
- Lifetime entry
Whereas barely dearer than our price choose, Drone Launch Academy, Drone Pilot Floor College is a longtime participant. It’s the largest of all of the Half 107 check prep packages, for good purpose. In reality, I (Sally, the Drone Lady!) used Drone Pilot Floor College as my solely technique of learning. And sure, I handed the check on my first attempt.
The corporate additionally constantly presents up updates based mostly 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.
Move price assure: If you happen to fail your check, Drone Pilot Floor College covers your testing charge (usually $175) in the event you additionally go one in every of their apply exams with a rating higher than 85%. It additionally guarantees to refund your complete price of your Drone Pilot Floor College course in the event you fail.
Plus, they provide a strong scholarship program the place you could possibly enroll (and get your check charge lined) at no cost.
Greatest Half 107 on-line course on a funds: Drone Launch Academy
Drone Launch Academy presents 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 College. And whereas it has a smaller buyer base, its go price is an extremely excessive 99.02%. It’s not simply the $100 cheaper price ticket that makes this an excellent worth. If you happen to 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 may take greater than 700 apply questions in the event you needed to do all of them.
There’s a little bit of inconsistency within the high quality of their movies, but it surely’s not essentially a nasty factor. It’s clear their content material (corresponding 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 evident, concise, and direct. It contains:
- 35 quick movies
- 36 quizzes
- Cash-back go assure
- Non-obligatory dwell chat with Peltier himself
I contemplate FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Check Prep Course to be a no-nonsense on-line coaching program that features quick 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 selection questions.
Like Drone Launch Academy, John Peltier’s FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Check 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 possibly can 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 doubtless wish to reference John Peltier’s FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Check Prep Course when it comes time to take your Half 107 recurrent check. You need to retake the recurrent check each two years. But when cash is tight, then it’s an excellent choice. (He does provide a separate renewal course for simply $49).
Get a clearer sense for Peltier’s type by studying his 5 Half 107 examination on-line ideas.
Peltier additionally presents tons of different programs that drone pilots may definitely be considering. That features Fujifilm digicam programs and a course on learn how to edit and handle photographs in Adobe Lightroom.
There are execs and cons of in-person vs on-line Half 107 lessons. However the DARTdrones dwell course may present the very best of each worlds.
The DARTdrones dwell digital course presents:
- 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, but it surely’s price it for sure studying kinds. You possibly can ask questions dwell on the video chat system and work together backwards and forwards 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 Check Prep Course. That by itself prices $200.
DARTdrones additionally has workshops tailor-made to particular industries corresponding to mapping and modeling, catastrophe response and inspections. And, its Aerial Images and Videography On-line Course is presently rated the highest general on-line drone picture course.
Greatest Half 107 on-line course for aspiring airplane pilots: Pilot Institute
Initially targeted on crewed plane, Pilot Institute now presents:
- 15 hours of video
- 20 quizzes
- Lifetime entry
- Accredited coaching (IACET)
Pilot Institute has been providing programs to assist individuals go 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 could be very a lot embedded within the drone area. 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 selection examination overlaying drone laws, 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 go price?
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 go the TRUST examination — a a lot shorter, less complicated on-line check for leisure pilots. Be taught learn how 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 have the ability to see every pilot’s certificates and their score (together with that of yours really). Right here’s what it seems to be like when your title comes up within the database:
Do these programs train learn how to fly drones?
No. These programs put together you for the data check solely. For hands-on flight coaching, contemplate an in-person drone course or an reasonably priced on-line course targeted on flying.
Nevertheless, these programs are usually many a whole lot of {dollars}. If you happen to’re on a funds, there are many wonderful on-line drone flying programs — a lot of which price lower than $100.
How did you research in your check, and did you go for a Half 107 on-line check prep course? Go away a remark beneath! And glad flying!
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