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Commercial Drone Pilot
Fly small drones for pay: real estate and film shoots, inspections, mapping and agriculture.
Licensing: Any non recreational drone flight generally needs the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (age 16, knowledge test about $175 at an FAA approved testing center, TSA security check), kept current with free FAA online recurrent training every 24 calendar months. TRUST is for recreational flyers only. Spraying crops also needs a Part 137 agricultural aircraft operator certificate and exemptions; flights outside Part 107 limits need a waiver.
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BeginnerStart here. No experience needed.11
Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC 677)Federal Aviation AdministrationYou renew your Part 107 aeronautical knowledge for another 24 months in this free FAA online course, which covers the Operations Over People rule, night flying without a waiver, and requesting night authorizations in controlled airspace.RequiredFreeSelf pacedFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateFederal Aviation AdministrationYou prepare for and pass the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General Small knowledge test on regulations, airspace, weather, loading, emergencies and night flight, then apply through IACRA and a TSA check so you can fly drones for work.Required$175FAA Part 107 Operational WaiverFederal Aviation AdministrationA Part 107 waiver lets you fly outside specific rules, such as beyond visual line of sight or from a moving vehicle, once you submit a safety explanation through the Aviation Safety Hub showing the hazards and how you will reduce the risk.Sometimes requiredVaries90 daysFAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate (UAS spraying)Federal Aviation AdministrationThe AAOC authorizes you to spray or spread chemicals and agricultural products by drone. You first petition the FAA for exemptions, then apply for the certificate and fly under its terms, your COA and your Remote Pilot Certificate.Sometimes requiredVaries120 daysDroneDeploy Mining Analyst CertificationDroneDeployYou learn to use DroneDeploy drone data at a mine to measure stockpile volumes, confirm haul road slopes, report progress and turn volumes into financial figures with stockpile reports.CertificateFree3 to 8 hrsDroneDeploy Pilot Certification (DroneDeploy Academy)DroneDeployYou learn to collect drone data safely and reliably with DroneDeploy flight, using its flight templates and settings and following best practices so your drone program can start small and scale. The free certification takes 3 to 8 hours.CertificateFree3 to 8 hrsThe ArcGIS Imagery MOOC: Foundations and FrontiersEsri TrainingYou work through ArcGIS workflows that combine imagery, remote sensing and geospatial data, practicing how to acquire, manage and analyze imagery in 2D and 3D views and with AI enhanced analysis to build information products for decisions.CertificateFreeThe Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)Federal Aviation AdministrationThis free FAA test walks you through the safety and regulatory basics of recreational drone flying, such as airspace restrictions, controlled airspace authorization, preflight checks and keeping your drone in sight. You keep the certificate and show it if asked.CertificateFreeFAA Remote Pilot Small UAS Study Guide, ACS and Sample QuestionsFederal Aviation AdministrationThese free FAA materials, the Remote Pilot Study Guide, the UAS Airman Certification Standards and sample questions, show you which knowledge areas the Part 107 test covers so you can study regulations, airspace, weather, performance and airport operations.TrainingFreeSelf pacedAI and Robotics for Energy Integrity (micro credential)University of Houston, UH EnergyIn this seven week hybrid course you learn how machine learning supports nondestructive testing, how deep learning and computer vision help robots analyze inspection data, and how photogrammetry builds digital twins of energy assets.Certificate$1,4007 weeksSinclair College Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Autonomous Systems Short Term CertificateSinclair CollegeAcross seven courses and 23 credits, you study how AI and autonomous systems apply to aviation, human factors and perception, human autonomy teaming, and you learn Python data analytics and data science to turn sensor data into decisions.TrainingPrice not publishedIntermediateBuild on the basics. Some experience or a first certificate helps.1
AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) Certification, Levels 1 to 3Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)Through an accredited provider you build drone operator skills in stages, from air law, airspace, weather and emergency planning at Level 1 to crew resource management, risk management and in person flight assessments at Levels 2 and 3.Certification$260,30 daysAdvancedFor experienced pros. Most require years in the field.1
Skydio Professional Operator (SPO) and Skydio Expert Operator (SEO)Skydio AcademySPO checks your knowledge of Skydio aircraft from preflight and launch through flying, landing, postflight care, maintenance and troubleshooting. SEO adds field flight lessons so you can operate Skydio drones and software safely on real jobs.CertificationPrice not published4 hrsClick any line for full cost, rules, renewal and sources.
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