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Twin Cities Drone School

Become an FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot

Sign up for a one-day seminar that will prepare you for the FAA exam.
Next Class: February 19, 2019 in St. Paul, MN
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 in St. Paul, MN. Slots are limited and filling quickly.

Affordable Tuition

Affordable Tuition

Cost for the one-day course is only $399.

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:

  • 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 Checklist

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 & CEO, 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 got his start in aerospace education at the age of 14, when he was appointed Aerospace Education Officer of his local Civil Air Patrol squadron. He took the Model Rocketry curriculum he developed there to St. Cloud Community Education, and later to North Hennepin Community College. In addition, he has five years of teaching experience ranging from middle school and high school, to teaching database development courses at the graduate level.

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 six years and is very excited to see where the industry will go, now that the FAA has finalized its rules on drone operations.

Kind words from our graduates

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

Joel was very helpful and receptive when questions were asked, and hit all of the important points for the test.

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Reid Strait

Lakeville, MN, March 4, 2017

Very professional training with good material presented.

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Nick Gorman

Eagan, MN, November 18, 2017

Great information presented in a well thought-out manner. Nice to have maps and books. The instructor was very well prepared and knowledgeable.

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Wanda Gorgoschlitz

Nisswa, MN, September 19, 2016

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
  • FAA exam must be scheduled separately. FAA testing centers may charge fees for the test.

Our Clients

  • Hibbing Taconite
  • Ron Schara Productions
  • Orbital ATK
  • KIMT-TV Rochester
  • WEAU-TV Eau Claire
  • Mint Roofing
  • Landform
  • Anderson Companies
  • Ulland Brothers Construction
  • Best Buy
  • Marathon Petroleum
  • Dyno Nobel
  • Barr Engineering
  • Weiss Realty
  • Cleveland Cliffs
  • Superior Industries
  • US Minerals

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Commercial Drone Pilot Training
Aerial Photography & Videography
Private Classes
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