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Twin Cities Drone School

Become an FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot

Sign up for live online training that will prepare you for the FAA exam.
Next class starts May 5th
Staying at home? This is a perfect time to pick up your drone certification.
Private group classes also available.

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FAA Part 107 Drone Test Prep

FAA rules allow anyone who passes an FAA knowledge test to fly drones commercially. This FAA certification is required for all drone operations, except those that are purely for recreation.

If you do any of the following, you will need to hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate:

  • Aerial photography
  • Land surveys and mapping
  • Mining and aggregates
  • Industrial equipment inspections
  • Agricultural surveillance
  • Construction site surveys
  • Public safety, security, and law enforcement
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Drone Flight
Convenient Locations

Convenient Locations

Our next class is a live stream online only. Slots are limited and filling quickly.

Affordable Tuition

Affordable Tuition

Cost for the entire course, including all study materials, is only $299.

Complete FAA Knowledge Test Preparation

Complete FAA Knowledge Test Preparation

You will learn everything you need to know in order to pass the FAA exam and operate your drone safely.

Who Is The Class For?

This class is for drone pilots who want to become FAA Certified for Commercial Operations.

The main focus of the class is preparing you for the FAA exam and getting your Remote Pilot License.

Because the focus is on passing the FAA exam rather than how to fly drones, the class is appropriate for beginners and experienced pilots alike.

UN Drone
UN Drone

Curriculum

You'll learn all of the following:

  • Legal and regulatory considerations for drone operations
  • Certification requirements and operating rules
  • Obtaining waivers for select operating rules
  • National Airspace System
    • Classification of airspace
    • Special use airspace
    • Temporary Flight Restrictions and Notices to Airmen
    • Air traffic control
    • Airport operations
  • Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
    • Power systems
    • Radio receivers, transmitters, and telemetry
  • Care, operation, and maintenance of lithium batteries
  • Aircraft loading, weight and balance
  • Meterological factors in small unmanned aircraft flight
  • Flight crews, crew resource management, and aeronautical decision making
  • Aeromedical and psychological factors
  • Preflight operations
  • Normal operations
  • Emergency operations
  • Accident reporting requirements and procedures
  • Aircraft maintenance and airworthiness requirements

What's Included

You'll walk away with all course materials, including slides, worksheets, and reference materials. You'll also walk away with clear direction on how to further your skills and step-by-step instructions for getting your FAA license. Tuition also includes the Remote Pilot Resource Pack:

  • Free access to our eight hour online video course
  • Practice exams
  • Twin Cities Aeronautical Sectional Chart
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul Terminal Area Chart
  • North Central Chart Supplement (Airport/Facilities Directory)
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  • Federal Aviation Regulations (digital copy)
  • Airman's Information Manual (digital copy)
  • Study Checklists

What's Not Included

This course does not include any actual drone flying. Here's why:

  • The focus is on how to get your FAA certification, not how to manipulate the controls.
  • Some students will already have drone flying experience.
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Meet The Instructor

Joel Roggenkamp

Joel Roggenkamp

Founder, Twin Cities Drone School

Degrees

M.Ed., Business and Industry Education, University of Minnesota

FAA Certifications

Private Pilot License, Airplane Single Engine Land, with Instrument Rating
Remote Pilot Certificate with sUAS Rating

Bio

Joel Roggenkamp is a friendly and experienced educator and aviator who takes a student-centered approach to his teaching. He earned his flight ratings through the aviation program at St. Cloud State University. His teaching career began when he accepted a position as Aerospace Education Officer in his local Civil Air Patrol squadron. He has five years of experience teaching at the high school level and is currently an instructor at South Central College.

His aviation experience includes Cessna 152s and 172s, and most recently, flight time in a light sport Pipistrel Alpha. As well, Joel has been building and flying small unmanned aircraft systems for over ten years and is very excited to see where the industry will go. He's been helping pilots earn their FAA drone certificates since 2016.

Kind words from our graduates

Twin Cities Drone School is an excellent resource for anyone pursuing Part 107 certification. I attended the in-person class and found the curriculum to be well organized and the study materials handed out were very helpful as well. Above all, Joel was very knowledgeable and personable. He was able to present complex concepts in an easy to understand way and even made it fun. I also made use of Joel’s online course at Top Flight Drone School and found it to be equally well organized and thorough. Using only the materials he provided I was able to pass the Part 107 test with a score of 92% - no small feat for someone out of college for many years. Thanks, Joel!

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Nick Nelson

Eagan, MN, February 9, 2019

A great class for the beginner with zero experience or someone who regularly flies. The class was well-organized and interesting.

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Steve Sutherland

Eagan, MN, October 6, 2018

If you're thinking about getting your license, you MUST take this class, as it would be really difficult to gather this information on your own.

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Steve Goodwin

Eagan, MN, November 18, 2017

Very professional training with good material presented.

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Nick Gorman

Eagan, MN, November 18, 2017

I left feeling perfectly prepared to take the written test.

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Mark Pafko

Lakeville, MN, September 24, 2016

Getting Your FAA License Is Easy

Sign up for our next class

  • Regular Price: $399
  • Live stream discounted price: $299
  • Includes access to our eight hour online video course
  • FAA exam must be scheduled separately. FAA testing centers may charge fees for the test.

Online Class Schedule

This is a three-part class. Plan to attend ALL THREE of the sessions:

  • Wednesday, May 5: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 12: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 19: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Important Information for Online Live Stream Classes

  • You will receive your books, maps, and study materials in the mail prior to the first class.
  • You'll get a link to the online meetings in your email a day prior to the class.

Our Clients

  • Hibbing Taconite
  • Ron Schara Productions
  • Orbital ATK
  • KIMT-TV Rochester
  • WEAU-TV Eau Claire
  • Mint Roofing
  • Landform
  • Anderson Companies
  • Ulland Brothers Construction
  • Nodak Insurnace
  • 3M
  • Best Buy
  • Marathon Petroleum
  • Dyno Nobel
  • Barr Engineering
  • Weiss Realty
  • Cleveland Cliffs
  • Superior Industries
  • Grand View Lodge
  • Whitetail Properties
  • Henderson Designs
  • Edina Realty
  • KW Realty
  • Renters Warehouse
  • US Dept. of Agriculture
  • Morrison County, MN
  • St. Louis County, MN
  • Hubbard County, MN
  • City of Minneapolis
  • City of St. Paul
  • City of St. Cloud
  • City of Maplewood
  • City of Edina
  • City of Wadena
  • Belle Plaine Public Schools
  • Waconia Pulbic Schools
  • Morris Public Schools
  • Greenway Public Schools
  • Minnetonka Public Schools
  • Morris Public Schools

Contact Us

Twin Cities Drone School
Phone: (763) 412-1967



As Seen In

Minnesota Monthly
St. Paul Pioneer Press
WCCO-TV
tech.mn
Brainerd Dispatch
Savage Pacer
Pine and Lakes Echo