Last updated: November 15, 2026
The top drone pilot training schools for 2027 are Pilot Institute for value and strong video lessons, Drone Pilot Ground School by UAV Coach for the most complete Part 107 prep, DARTdrones for live and hands-on flight training, Drone U for a wide course library, and Drone Launch Academy for a budget Part 107 course. King Schools, Sporty’s, Gold Seal, Embry-Riddle Worldwide and Kansas State Polytechnic round out the list.
In the US, anyone flying a drone for business needs an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, which means passing a knowledge test at an approved testing center. Online courses cover the test, while in-person schools and universities teach practical flying, mapping, inspection and public safety skills.
Once certified, see our lists of drone inspection companies and drone insurance companies to plan your next steps.
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Institute | Online (US) | Not disclosed | Part 107 prep and drone business courses |
| Drone Pilot Ground School (UAV Coach) | Online (US) | Not disclosed | The most complete Part 107 prep |
| DARTdrones | United States | Not disclosed | Live virtual and hands-on flight training |
| Drone U | United States | Not disclosed | Online and in-person courses |
| Drone Launch Academy | Online (US) | Not disclosed | Budget Part 107 prep |
| King Schools | San Diego, CA | 1975 | Part 107 prep from an aviation training veteran |
| Sporty’s | Batavia, OH | 1961 | Part 107 apps and courses |
| Gold Seal | Atlanta, GA | 2003 | Online ground school |
| Embry-Riddle Worldwide | Daytona Beach, FL | 1926 | UAS degrees and certificates |
| Kansas State University Polytechnic | Salina, KS | 1965 | Hands-on UAS degree programs |
Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy course uses short video lessons, quizzes and a large question bank, with a pass guarantee and lifetime access.
It also teaches manned flying and drone business skills, so it suits pilots who want to keep learning.
Drone Pilot Ground School by UAV Coach is one of the most popular Part 107 courses, with hundreds of practice questions, study guides and support from instructors.
It offers a money-back guarantee if you fail and has trained tens of thousands of students.
DARTdrones runs live virtual Part 107 classes and in-person flight training for individuals, enterprises and public safety agencies.
Its team of experienced instructors makes it a good fit for organizations training many pilots.
Drone U offers Part 107 prep plus courses on mapping, inspection, thermography and running a drone business, online and in person.
Its membership gives ongoing access to new courses and a community of working pilots.
Drone Launch Academy offers a lower-cost Part 107 video course with practice tests and a refund guarantee.
It suits self-starters who want to pass the test without paying for extras.
King Schools, known for decades of pilot ground school courses, offers an online Part 107 ground school and test prep.
Its structured lessons suit learners who like a traditional aviation training style.
Sporty’s, the well-known pilot shop, offers a Part 107 course and test prep app that works across phone, tablet and computer.
Its low-cost question bank is a handy add-on for anyone studying.
Gold Seal offers online ground school for crewed pilots and a UAV ground school for the Part 107 test.
It is a solid choice for learners who may also move into crewed aviation.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers online and campus degrees and certificates in uncrewed systems, from operations to engineering.
It suits people building a long-term career in drones rather than just passing Part 107.
K-State Polytechnic’s UAS program combines degree studies with extensive flight training and research work on beyond visual line of sight operations.
It is one of the best-known university programs for drone operations careers.
We looked at online courses, flight schools and universities and weighed:
Online courses such as Pilot Institute, Drone Pilot Ground School and Drone Launch Academy are enough for the knowledge test.
New pilots and teams starting inspection, mapping or public safety work benefit from hands-on training such as DARTdrones or Drone U.
Degrees from Embry-Riddle or K-State Polytechnic open doors to roles in aviation, engineering and drone program management.
Choose a course with a pass guarantee and lifetime access so you can retake the test without paying again.
You pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test at an approved testing center, then apply for your remote pilot certificate through the FAA’s IACRA system.
Most people study for 15 to 20 hours over one to three weeks before taking the test.
The FAA knowledge test fee is usually around $150 to $175 at approved testing centers, separate from any course fees.
Yes for most people. Structured courses raise pass rates and teach airspace and weather rules you will use on every job.
Pilot Institute and Drone Pilot Ground School are the strongest online choices, DARTdrones and Drone U lead for hands-on training, Drone Launch Academy, King Schools, Sporty’s and Gold Seal are good alternatives, and Embry-Riddle and K-State Polytechnic suit long-term careers.
For more drone rankings, visit our Drones & UAS hub.