In case you already fly drones for enjoyable, 2025 may be the proper yr to show that pastime right into a money-making enterprise. However earlier than you can begin accepting paid gigs, you’ll want a business drone license — formally referred to as a Distant Pilot Certificates below the Federal Aviation Administration’s Half 107 laws.
To earn it, you have to move the Aeronautical Information Take a look at, extra casually referred to as the Half 107 take a look at. This take a look at is your ticket to flying drones legally for business functions within the U.S.
However make no mistake: passing it isn’t straightforward with out prep. I most likely 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 take a look at, I used one course Drone Pilot Floor College (which is definitely a choose on this information!), and handed the Half 107 take a look at with a rating of 90% (something 70% or larger 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 inexpensive than Drone Pilot Floor College, the course I used). With my greater than 10 years of expertise overlaying the drone trade, I’ve reviewed the top-rated Half 107 prep programs of 2025 based mostly on value, precise consumer expertise, move ensures, teacher background and extra.
Listed below are Drone Lady’s prime Half 107 on-line take a look at prep programs of 2025:
Choosing the perfect Half 107 on-line take a look at prep course for you:
The most effective 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 total (most assets, reside help, and so forth): Drone Pilot Floor College
Drone Pilot Floor College is probably the most complete Half 107 prep course, providing:
- 350+ apply questions
- 17-page cram sheet
- Limitless 1:1 teacher help
- Dwell Zoom periods (non-obligatory)
- 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 take a look at prep packages, for good purpose. Actually, I (Sally, the Drone Lady!) used Drone Pilot Floor College as my solely technique of finding out. And sure, I handed the take a look at on my first strive.
The corporate additionally repeatedly gives 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 folks. It additionally covers updates round Distant ID.
Move price assure: In case you fail your take a look at, Drone Pilot Floor College covers your testing price (usually $175) if you happen to additionally move considered one of their apply exams with a rating better than 85%. It additionally guarantees to refund your complete value of your Drone Pilot Floor College course if you happen to fail.
Plus, they provide a sturdy scholarship program the place you might be able to enroll (and get your take a look at price coated) without cost.
Greatest Half 107 on-line course on a funds: Drone Launch Academy
Drone Launch Academy gives nice worth with out reducing 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 move price is an extremely excessive 99.02%. It’s not simply the $100 cheaper price ticket that makes this an important worth. In case you fail your in-person examination, Drone Launch Academy can pay 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 take a look at financial institution of greater than 550 apply questions. Combining that with the mini quizzes all through the course, and you can take greater than 700 apply questions if you happen to 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 foul 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 had been made early on.
Taught by former Air Pressure pilot John Peltier, this course is obvious, concise, and direct. It contains:
- 35 quick movies
- 36 quizzes
- Cash-back move assure
- Elective reside chat with Peltier himself
I take into account FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Take a look at 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 Pressure pilot who even served because the “Chief of Courseware” throughout his final task within the Air Pressure. 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 affordable 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 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 take a look at. You should retake the recurrent take a look at each two years. But when cash is tight, then it’s an important choice. (He does provide a separate renewal course for simply $49).
Get a clearer sense for Peltier’s fashion by studying his 5 Half 107 examination on-line ideas.
Peltier additionally gives tons of different programs that drone pilots might actually be occupied with. That features Fujifilm digital camera programs and a course on tips on how to edit and handle photographs in Adobe Lightroom.
There are professionals and cons of in-person vs on-line Half 107 lessons. However the DARTdrones reside course would possibly present the perfect of each worlds.
The DARTdrones reside digital course gives:
- 8 hours of reside Zoom-based instruction
- 300 apply take a look at questions
- 50-page examine 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.
- Value: $375
- Time: Two 4-hour days + ongoing entry
At $375, it’s pricier than the opposite picks, nevertheless it’s value it for sure studying types. You possibly can ask questions reside 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+ take a look at query financial institution and a 50-page examine 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 Pictures and Videography On-line Course is presently rated the highest total on-line drone picture course.
Greatest Half 107 on-line course for aspiring airplane pilots: Pilot Institute
Initially centered on crewed plane, Pilot Institute now gives:
- 15 hours of video
- 20 quizzes
- Lifetime entry
- Accredited coaching (IACET)
Pilot Institute has been providing programs to assist folks move their FAA Personal Pilot written exams lengthy earlier than Half 107 was even a factor. Sure, they provide different coaching programs on issues like checkrides and instrument scores. Plus, Pilot Institute is the one aviation coaching firm to be accredited by IACET, the Worldwide Accreditors for Persevering with Training and Coaching.
- Value: $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 take a look at prep generally requested questions
What’s the Half 107 take a look at?
The FAA Half 107 take a look at is a 60-question a number of alternative examination overlaying drone laws, climate, airspace and extra. It’s required for all business drone operators within the U.S. below the Federal Aviation Administration’s Half 107.
What’s the move price?
As of 2024, the common Half 107 take a look at rating was 79.95%, advert 84.2% of individuals handed.
What if I’m flying drones only for enjoyable?
You continue to must move the TRUST examination — a a lot shorter, less complicated on-line take a look at for leisure pilots. Be taught tips on 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 value 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 really). Right here’s what it seems like when your identify comes up within the database:
Do these programs train tips on how to fly drones?
No. These programs put together you for the data take a look at solely. For hands-on flight coaching, take into account an in-person drone course or an inexpensive on-line course centered on flying.
Nonetheless, these programs are typically many tons of of {dollars}. In case you’re on a funds, there are many wonderful on-line drone flying programs — lots of which value lower than $100.
How did you examine in your take a look at, and did you go for a Half 107 on-line take a look at prep course? Go away a remark under! And pleased flying!
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