For those who already fly drones for enjoyable, 2025 is perhaps 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 rules.
To earn it, you could go the Aeronautical Information Check, extra casually often called the Half 107 check. This check is your ticket to flying drones legally for business functions within the U.S.
However make no mistake: passing it isn’t simple 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 check, I used one course Drone Pilot Floor College (which is definitely a decide on this information!), and handed the Half 107 check with a rating of 90% (something 70% or increased is a passing rating). Since then, I’ve reviewed almost 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 protecting the drone business, I’ve reviewed the top-rated Half 107 prep programs of 2025 primarily based on value, precise person expertise, go ensures, teacher background and extra.
Listed below are Drone Woman’s high Half 107 on-line check prep programs of 2025:
Selecting one of the best Half 107 on-line check prep course for you:
The perfect 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 sources, stay help, and many others): Drone Pilot Floor College
Drone Pilot Floor College is probably the most complete Half 107 prep course, providing:
- 350+ follow questions
- 17-page cram sheet
- Limitless 1:1 teacher help
- Stay Zoom periods (non-obligatory)
- Lifetime entry
Whereas barely costlier than our price decide, 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 Woman!) used Drone Pilot Floor College as my solely technique of learning. And sure, I handed the check on my first attempt.
The corporate additionally repeatedly gives 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 folks. It additionally covers updates round Distant ID.
Go price assure: For those who fail your check, Drone Pilot Floor College covers your testing charge (usually $175) in case you additionally go one in all their follow exams with a rating better than 85%. It additionally guarantees to refund the whole value of your Drone Pilot Floor College course in case you fail.
Plus, they provide a strong scholarship program the place you could possibly enroll (and get your check charge coated) free of charge.
Finest Half 107 on-line course on a funds: Drone Launch Academy
Drone Launch Academy gives nice worth with out slicing corners:
- 200 follow questions
- 75-page downloadable e-book
- On-line neighborhood and podcast
- Lifetime entry
At $199, it’s $100 cheaper than my high decide, 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 important worth. For those who fail your in-person examination, Drone Launch Academy can pay so that you can retake it. That’s an $150 worth in itself, on high of a course refund (an extra $199 worth).
The course wins with its examination simulator that has a check financial institution of greater than 550 follow questions. Combining that with the mini quizzes all through the course, and you would take greater than 700 follow questions in case you wished 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 (comparable 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 evident, concise, and direct. It consists of:
- 35 quick movies
- 36 quizzes
- Cash-back go assure
- Elective stay 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 Pressure pilot who even served because the “Chief of Courseware” throughout his final task within the Air Pressure. He wrote all instructional 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 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 may pay $79 for entry to this system for simply 30 days (the $139 price ticket consists of lifetime entry). Suppose twice earlier than enrolling within the $79 choice, as you’ll probably 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 have to retake the recurrent check 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 may actually be considering. That features Fujifilm digital camera programs and a course on learn how to edit and handle images in Adobe Lightroom.
There are professionals and cons of in-person vs on-line Half 107 lessons. However the DARTdrones stay course would possibly present one of the best of each worlds.
The DARTdrones stay digital course gives:
- 8 hours of stay Zoom-based instruction
- 300 follow check questions
- 50-page examine information
- Lifetime entry to on-demand course
You’ll get accountability, customized 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, but it surely’s value it for sure studying types. You may ask questions stay on the video chat system and work together forwards and backwards with the teacher, actually getting the chance to choose 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 examine information. And sure, that $375 additionally consists of 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 comparable to mapping and modeling, catastrophe response and inspections. And, its Aerial Pictures and Videography On-line Course is at present rated the highest total on-line drone photograph course.
Finest 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 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.
- 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 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 protecting drone rules, 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 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 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 to be like when your title comes up within the database:
Do these programs educate learn how to fly drones?
No. These programs put together you for the information check solely. For hands-on flight coaching, contemplate an in-person drone course or an inexpensive on-line course centered on flying.
Nonetheless, these programs are usually many tons of of {dollars}. For those who’re on a funds, there are many glorious on-line drone flying programs — a lot of which value lower than $100.
How did you examine to your check, and did you go for a Half 107 on-line check prep course? Go away a remark under! And completely happy flying!
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