Earning your FAA Part 107 certification is the key to unlocking a job in drones. Under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107, drone pilots are required to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate in order to operate commercially. Getting such a certificate (aka a drone pilot’s license) involves passing a written test. And passing that written test requires mastery of niche, aeronautical knowledge. This is where Part 107 online course kick in. So with that, here’s your Drone Pilot Ground School review — highlighting the pros and cons of one of the biggest online course providers out there.

Drone Pilot Ground School is a comprehensive, online Part 107 course provider that launched back in 2016. It’s a subset of a company called UAV Coach, which was founded in 2014 initially to provide hands-on drone flight training classes. It still offers those in-person drone flying classes, but these days its bread and butter is helping people pass their Part 107 tests. In fact, it’s the provider I used to pass on my first try!

Between 2016 and now, Drone Pilot Ground School has helped more than 60,000 students become certified drone pilots.

And today, Drone Pilot Ground School just launched a huge milestone that’s set to help it grow even bigger. The company just rolled out a major update. The new version should help it reach wider audiences and support unique learning styles. That includes newly-launched Spanish subtitles for its videos, closed captioning, personalized study plans and virtual flash cards.

Here’s my Drone Pilot Ground School review, including a look at all the new stuff in the company’s summer 2024 relaunch, as well as a comparison of how Drone Pilot Ground School stacks up against the other Part 107 online courses out there:

Drone Pilot Ground School summer sale (save $100!)

Before I get to my Drone Pilot Ground School review, I want to clue you in on a limited-time sale. Between now and August 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET, the company is offering $100 off all three of its package offerings. Those range from a $299 self-study option to a $549 guided study that even includes in-person flight training. (Read more about the study tiers, and how much they cost, below.)

Use this link and the discount automatically applies.

The top Drone Pilot Ground School features

DPGS equips you with the tools and knowledge essential to ace the Part 107 exam and become a certified drone pilot. Here’s what you can expect when you enroll in Drone Pilot Ground School:

Video instruction

Forget dry textbooks and monotonous lectures. DPGS features engaging video modules taught by industry professionals. These instructors break down complex regulations, airspace classifications, and drone flight procedures into clear, easy-to-understand concepts.

And in fact, the company overhauled their video library with the summer 2024 relaunch, meaning all new videos. Some of those videos address actual changes in FAA regulation since the videos were initially made. Others just offer a spruce up, better addressing common questions or explaining concepts more clearly.

If you’re curious what a lesson is like, UAV Coach has a sample lesson preview so you can get a sense for their offerings:

Quizzes that mirror the actual FAA test

DPGS goes beyond passive video learning. The course provides a comprehensive arsenal of interactive study tools to solidify your knowledge. That includes quizzes after every lesson. There are also five, full-length practice tests that mirror the real exam format.

What’s more, their answer key has full explanations of each question, clarifying why your answer is right or wrong. In fact, there are more than 400 sample questions. And when you complete the practice test, Drone Pilot Ground School sends over a performance report and breakdown of your incorrect responses.

Virtual flash cards and a cram sheet

This is a brand-new feature only just released in summer 2024. With these digital flash cards, you can more easily swipe through quiz questions, even if you’re on the go.

And for those of you not vigorously swiping through flash cards, you might also skim the cram sheet to cement important concepts before taking the test. With this, key takeaways from each lesson sit in one place.

Future-proofed learning

Unlike some competitors that limit access after completing the course, DPGS grants lifetime access to its materials. This ensures you can revisit information for future reference, keeping your knowledge current as regulations evolve or you delve deeper into specific drone applications. Its also critical in helping refresh your knowledge, supplementing the FAA’s Remote Pilot recurrent online training.

Confidence-boosting (and money-back!) guarantee

DPGS offers a pass-or-your-money-back guarantee. This financial safety net allows you to focus on studying with peace of mind, knowing that if you don’t pass the exam on the first try, you’ll receive a full refund.

Accessible language offerings

The site is inclusive of language, with both closed captioning in English, as well as Spanish subtitles. Whether you’re the type of person who learns best by listening, reading, or actually doing it yourself, this course has a way to absorb the information that works for you.

Here’s how the Spanish subtitles look:

Unlimited support

And if you still need help after all of that, Drone Pilot Ground School promises one on one support. In fact, they say the number of support requests you can make is unlimited. And, you can request support through all sorts of mediums, including email, phone or voice message.

Related read: Part 107 test: everything you need to know (except the answers)

Drone Pilot School review: how much does it cost?

There are a few different packages of programming, tailored to fit various price points. They are:

Though, you can use my promo code DRONEGIRL50 to get $50 off!

Who is Drone Pilot School best for?

Given their range of offerings, Drone Pilot Ground School caters to a surprisingly broad set of the population. Here are some specific types of people who would benefit most:

People who need structured learning

Though it won’t be quite as structured as an in-person class, in-person courses may not be practical based on your location, your ability to carve out time to get there, or based on cost (they tend to be far more expensive than online course). DPGS meticulously organizes the learning materials, creating a clear roadmap for mastering all the knowledge areas covered in the Part 107 exam. This structured approach is particularly beneficial for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information.

People who want to learn at any time

Then again, if you prefer a haphazard, learn-when-you-can style, then the no expiration date coupled with tools like flashcards to swipe on the go also make this course for you.

In fact, with its summer 2024 update, Drone Pilot Ground School rolled out a feature called “personalized study plans.” With it, you can create a track allowing you to complete the course in, say, one week. Or, maybe you opt for a timeline that allows you to spread it out over one month. In short, pace your training to your ideal completion time.

Pilots seeking that confidence boost of actual practice

DPGS understands the power of practice. The course includes a multitude of practice tests that mimic the actual FAA exam format. By taking these practice tests, you’ll identify your knowledge gaps, refine your test-taking strategies, and build the confidence needed to excel on the real exam.

Spanish speakers

The Spanish subtitles unlock knowledge of drones for a whole new set of the population. Although you must take the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Exam in English, being able to study in Spanish is critical for some native Spanish speakers to better learn the information to pass.

Professionals seeking certifications

Drone Pilot Ground School can’t issue you a Part 107 certificate. Alas, you’ll need to pass the FAA’s test to do that. (More information on how and where to take the Part 107 test here.) That said, Drone Pilot Ground School can offer you a completion certificate for continuing education purposes. You’ll have to put in a specific support request to get this. But if you do, it’s valued at 20 hours of online learning.

People who need a payment plan

Another unique feature worth pointing out in this Drone Pilot Ground School review? They offer flexible payment plans. If you opt in, you can pay via Affirm, Afterpay, or Klarna. These are all interest-free payments that generally only run soft credit checks.

This can often be a smarter financial move than charging it to, say, a credit card that you’re otherwise unable to pay off in full. That’s because credit cards generally hit you with high interest fees.

Oh, and speaking of money, if you don’t pass the FAA exam, then Drone Pilot Ground School will refund you. Plus, they’ll cover your test center fee, which is typically $175. For what it’s worth, a Drone Pilot Ground School told The Drone Girl that this rarely happens.

The company also added that it has a 99% pass rate for students on their first attempt.

How Drone Pilot Ground School compares to other Part 107 trainings

While DPGS offers a compelling package, explore other drone ground school options before making your decision. After all, while it’s definitely one of the best Part 107 online course providers out there, it’s also among the most expensive. And if price factors into your decision, then it might not be the best after all.

And besides price, know that DPGS primarily focuses on video instruction. If you learn best through interactive elements like live webinars, group discussions, or in-person classes, explore options that cater to these learning styles.

Here’s how DPGS compares to some of the other, most popular Part 107 courses:

Drone Pilot Ground School review: the company’s charitable contributions

Oh, and then there’s one more thing to love about Drone Pilot Ground School: a high degree of giving back. The company donates 1% of its sales to charitable organizations. Those groups vary based on time of year but have included groups such as Freedom Service Dogs of America, Kids in Need Foundation, and National Forest Foundation.

Besides that, it also offers a drone scholarship for high school students. With it, high school students students granted the scholarship receive free access to the course. UAV Coach also reimburses the $175 FAA exam fee.

There’s also a separate Drone Technology College Scholarship open to students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees and who demonstrate an interest in drones. That scholarship entails a one-time, $1,000 cash award.

The final descent: is Drone Pilot Ground School your perfect runway into a drone pilot’s license?

If you’re a beginner seeking a well-structured, informative online course with high-quality video lectures and a robust suite of practice tests, then Drone Pilot Ground School is a top contender. The lifetime access and money-back guarantee add significant value to the package. However, if you’re a budget-conscious learner or prefer a more interactive learning environment, consider researching alternative drone ground schools to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Ultimately, Drone Pilot Ground School provides a solid foundation for aspiring drone pilots to confidently take on the Part 107 exam and embark on a rewarding career in the exciting world of aerial operations.

Convinced by this Drone Pilot Ground School review? Then sign up here to save $50 using promo code DRONEGIRL50.

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