Unmanned Vehicle University Drone Pilot Training

UAV Pilot Training

Training for groups and individuals who want to be a professional service provider using small UAVs.

No college degree or prior experience is required!

Request more information

Get contacted by one of our drone experts to answer all of your questions. We will never sell your information to third parties.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DRONE PILOT CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE

This course is designed for individuals looking to break into the dynamic UAS/drone service providing industry.  The ideal candidate for this program is looking to start a small business or be a freelance drone operator.  The commercial applications for UAS are seemingly endless, however, the majority of our students are looking to offer UAS/drone services for clients in industries like film/TV, Telecom, Utility and Energy Infrastructure, Construction, Mapping, Insurance, and many more.

Our Training Program is specifically designed to provide students with both the technical knowledge and operational proficiency needed to be a qualified commercial drone service provider. The program consists of four  phases: Phase 1 (web-based ground school) and Phase 2 (PC-based drone simulator) are conducted from your home. Phase 3 (hands-on flight training) is conducted by one of our expert flight instructors at one of our flight schools located around the USA. Phase 4 (FAA part 107 prep course) is delivered online using the same learning management system as Phase 1At the end of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion detailing the number of hours completed in the program.  The certificate of completion, along with passing the FAA Knowledge exam and obtaining your Remote Pilot In Command Certificate, will provide students with the credentials needed to help launch their career as a UAS/Drone service provider.

What’s Included

PLUS : FAA 107 Test Prep

After students complete all 3 phases, a free prep course for the FAA
part 107 written test will be offered. The prep course will prepare
the students to pass this required test by the FAA.

Program Payment Options

We offer two different payment plans for our drone pilot training certificate. Make two easy payments or do a monthly subscription for 4 months. Save up to $500 when you purchase the full plan.

Full Payment

$3,500One Time Payment
  • Save up to $500
  • Includes Phases 1, 2, 3, and FAA Test Prep

2 Part Payment Plan

Buy each phase of the program separately to spread out the payment costs

Partial Payment 1

$2,000One Time Payment
  • First Partial Payment
  • Includes Phase 1 and 2

Partial Payment 2

$1,750One Time Payment
  • Second Partial Payment
  • Includes Phase 3 and FAA Test Prep

Monthly Subscription

$1,000/month for 4 months
  • Subscription Based Payment
  • Includes Phases 1, 2, 3, and FAA Test Prep

UAV Pilot Training Course Overview

PHASE 1 OVERVIEW – Develop Technical Expertise in UAS

Students will complete the UVU small UAV ground school which consists of the following topics:

UVU Drone Pilot Training Certificate
  • Welcome to the UAV/Drone Ground School and Course Instructors
  • The History of Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Drones
  • Brief History of UASs, UAS Classification Systems
  • Fundamentals of Aero Part 1 – Basic Principles 1
  • Fundamentals of Aero Part II – Basic Principles 2
  • Fundamentals of Aero Part III – Basic Principles 3
  • Basic Rotary Wing Fundamentals – Quad/Multi-copter Aero
  • Aviation Weather Principles 1
  • Aviation Weather Principles 2
  • Remote Sensing Theory 1 – Remote Sensing Fundamentals
  • Remote Sensing Theory II – Sensors 1
  • Remote Sensing Theory III – Sensors 2
  • sUAS Design & Construction 1
  • sUAS Design 2 & 3 + Drone Video System
  • FAA sUAS Regulations Overview
  • Intro to Flight Simulator & Proficiency Expectations
  • Flight Simulator Proficiency Demonstration
  • Out of the Box and Safely Flying and Controlling Your Drone
  • The Know Before You Fly Program
  • Applications of UAS Technology

PHASE 2 OVERVIEW – Build Operational Skills

We will ship the drone simulator to you in the mail. The simulator consists of software and a controller that plugs into your computer’s USB port. After you install the software, you will be able to fly a wide variety different small unmanned aircraft.

This instruction will include both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. . Students will practice the basics of the RC controller, flight characteristics of the individual aircraft, and take off/landing procedures. These are the building blocks needed to develop the operational proficiency needed to be a professional UAS/Drone Service Provider.

The flight instructor that will be conducting phase 3 will contact the student to answer any questions and be available to assist with the simulator classes. This hands-on experience will prepare you to operate several real small UAS  during your 2-day flight training class.

PHASE 3 OVERVIEW – Hands-On Training From the Professionals

After completion of the home-based ground school and simulator training, students will be scheduled for 2 days of flight training at one of our flight training centers. There, students will spend 2 full days learning from instructors who are currently out in the field working as UAS/Drone service providers themselves.  Students will be fully immersed in the field training by going through intensive operational flight training. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the business side of the industry from true professionals with real-world experience.

The best part about the hands-on flight training? We only do 1-on-1 flight training, so each student is given the individual attention needed to really develop their skills and prepare them to offer their services professionally.

Flight Training Centers:

  • Mahopac, NY
  • Denver, CO
  • Detroit, MI

  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Richmond, VA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Sarasota, FL
UVU Pilot Training Certificate Phase 2

Start your training today and take your career to new heights

Buy Now

FAQs

Our drone pilot training program is self-paced, the duration of the program will vary on an individual basis.
The minimum age requirement is 16 years old per FAA NPRM part 107.
UVU has flight training locations across the US:
West coast locations: San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix, AZ, and Denver, CO.
East coast locations: Sarasota, FL, Richmond, VA, and Danbury, CT.
Additional locations can be arranged by special request.
There is no framework in place from the FAA that allows small UAV pilot training programs to be recognized or registered in any way. We utilize the expertise and real world commercial experience of our faculty and flight instructors in order to ensure our training program is the most relevant program in the world.
There are some countries whose citizens will not be able to enroll in our programs. This will be vetted on a case-by-case basis.

Meet Our Expert Drone Flight Instructors

All of our instructors are currently operating in the industry as UAS/drone service providers themselves.  This current real-world experience is a great asset for students in this program.  The instructors are able to share insight and knowledge gained on the business and industry of UAS/Drone service providing, apart from the excellent hands-on operational training students receive.

Gene Payson
Gene PaysonChief Pilot
Instructor Bio
Martin Bedding
Martin BeddingUAV Test Pilot and Trainer
Instructor Bio
Michael Ferguson
Michael FergusonUAV Test Pilot and Trainer
Instructor Bio
Andrew Goldberg
Andrew GoldbergUAV Test Pilot and Trainer
Instructor Bio
Scott Strimple
Scott StrimpleUAV Test Pilot and Trainer
Instructor Bio
Skip Fredricks
Skip FredricksUAV Test Pilot and Trainer
Instructor Bio
Steven Durecki
Steven DureckiFlight Instructor
Read Bio
Matthew Lavin
Matthew LavinFlight Instructor
Read Bio
Rob Hannaford
Rob HannafordFlight Instructor
Read Bio
Dr. Robert Kelnke
Dr. Robert KelnkeFlight Instructor
Read Bio