From first hover to paid pilot
Pick the level that fits. Every path starts with safety and ends with real flying.
| Path | Who it's for | What you get | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUST walkthrough | Anyone flying for fun, any age | Guided run through the free FAA safety test, registration help, first-flight checklist | Start |
| First Flight lesson | New pilots, families | Hands-on lesson: pre-flight, takeoff, hover, landing, emergency stop, battery care | Book |
| Pathfinder Drone Honor | Pathfinder clubs, youth groups | Full honor class with safety, rules, flight skills and a supervised flight session | Details |
| Part 107 prep | Future commercial pilots | Study plan, airspace and weather coaching, practice exams, test-day checklist | Start |
| Recurrent refresher | Current Part 107 pilots | Help staying current: the FAA requires recurrent online training every 24 calendar months | Ask |
| Church media team | Ministries, schools, nonprofits | Safe, legal filming of events and outdoor services, plus who on your team needs which credential | Ask |
Study, certify, train, fly
Do the first two steps on your own before class. Class time is for flying, not testing.
Get your recreational certificate
Take the free TRUST test online with the Boy Scouts of America (30 to 45 min). Save or print your certificate. Other providers
Take the class
Bring your TRUST certificate. We spend the class on safety, skills and supervised flying.
Get signed off
Your instructor confirms your skills and gives you a personal practice plan.
Ready to fly
You leave certified, trained and legal to fly for fun. Want to fly for money? Become a commercial pilot.
Took TRUST early? Great, you're legal to fly for fun now. The honor itself is earned at the class.
Get your recreational certificate (TRUST)
The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is the FAA's required safety test for people flying for fun. Every FAA-approved test administrator offers it free and online, and you can't fail: wrong answers are corrected to 100% before your certificate is issued. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes.
Download, save or print your certificate. The test administrator does not keep a copy, so if you lose it you have to take the test again.
This is our recommended provider (Boy Scouts of America). See all 16 FAA-approved providers · More info: FAA: Recreational flyers
My first-flight checklist
Tap to check off. Saved on this device.
- Passed TRUST and saved my certificate
- Registered my drone (if over 250 g) and marked the number on it
- Checked Remote ID is working (or my drone doesn't need it)
- Checked the airspace in an FAA-approved app
- Checked the weather and wind
- Batteries charged, props tight and undamaged
- Picked an open spot away from people, roads and power lines
- Know how to use return-to-home and emergency stop
Our recommended test: Boy Scouts of America
We send our students to the Boy Scouts of America test. It's the link we use in our classes and emails.
Take the Free Drone Test (Boy Scouts)
Prefer a different provider? Every FAA-approved provider offers the same free test, and the certificate is valid no matter which one you use.
| FAA-approved provider | Test link |
|---|---|
| Academy of Model Aeronautics | Take TRUST here |
| Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America) Our pick | Take TRUST here |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Take TRUST here |
| Community College of Allegheny County – West Hills Center | Take TRUST here |
| CrossFlight Sky Solutions | Take TRUST here |
| Drone Trust | Take TRUST here |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Take TRUST here |
| HSU Foundation | Take TRUST here |
| Lake Area Technical College | Take TRUST here |
| Pasco-Hernando State College | Take TRUST here |
| Pilot Institute | Take TRUST here |
| Proctorio Incorporated | Take TRUST here |
| Robotics Education & Competition Foundation | Take TRUST here |
| Tactical Aviation | Take TRUST here |
| UAV Coach | Take TRUST here |
| University of Arizona Global Campus | Take TRUST here |
Source: FAA list of TRUST test administrators, checked Oct 14, 2026. Official FAA list
How do you Fly SMART?
The FAA's checklist for everyone who flies for fun. Every student in our classes leaves having done S and M.
S — Sign up (register)
Register if your drone weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more. It's $5, covers all your recreational drones, and lasts 3 years. Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone. Owners under 13 need a parent or other person 13+ to register.
M — Make it legal (take TRUST)
The law requires every recreational flyer to pass the free, online TRUST test and carry proof when flying.
A — Always follow the rules
Fly only for fun, stay at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace, get authorization (LAANC or DroneZone) in controlled airspace, and give way to other aircraft.
R — Respect the airspace
Drones are aircraft. Congratulations, you are an aviator. Other aircraft can and do fly low, not just near airports, so keep your drone in sight. Registered drones must broadcast Remote ID.
T — Team up with your community
Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community-Based Organization (CBO) and learn from experienced flyers.
Source: FAA, Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations, and How to Register Your Drone (faa.gov). Heads-up: the FAA counts volunteer "goodwill" flying for an organization as non-recreational. That falls under Part 107.
Flight lessons
One-on-one or small groups, outdoors at a legal flying site. Bring your drone or use one of ours.
- Pre-flight inspection and settings that keep you safe
- Smooth takeoff, hover, orientation and landing
- Camera basics: framing, smooth pans, reveal shots
- What to do when GPS drops, wind picks up, or the battery runs low
- Respecting privacy and neighbors
Part 107 prep: get paid to fly
To fly for any business purpose you need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. That means passing the FAA knowledge test at an approved testing center, then applying through the FAA's system.
- 4-week study plan built around the FAA test topics
- Reading sectional charts and airspace (the part most people fear)
- Weather, loading and performance, radio communications
- Practice exams with explanations
- Test-day and application checklist
Official source: FAA: Become a drone pilot
Join the mentored pilot programRecurrent refresher
Already certified? Stay current. The FAA requires recurrent training every 24 calendar months. We'll walk you through it and brush up on rule changes.
Ask about refreshers →Church & ministry media teams
Film outdoor services, youth events and camps the right way: who needs Part 107, where you can fly, and how to stay safe over crowds.
Train our team →Schools & clubs
STEM-friendly drone sessions for schools, homeschool groups and youth clubs. Safety, science of flight, and a flying challenge.
Book a session →Request a class or lesson
Tell us who's flying and what you want to learn. We'll reply with dates and options.
Shop drones and arcade games at Professional Drones & Gaming
Starter drones, class kits, parts, and classic arcade cabinets. Every drone comes with a first-flight safety briefing.