Drone Training

American Air Operations is a national leader in public safety and government drone training. Training for businesses and individuals is also available.

American Air Operations offers training to prepare for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) aeronautical knowledge exam. Those who pass the FAA's exam will receive a Remote Pilot Certificate and can fly for commercial purposes. American Air Operations will teach you everything you need to know to pass the two-hour, 60 question exam. Drone system, flight, and tactical training courses are also offered.

Since 2018, American Air Operations has proudly trained professionals from 393 agencies (federal, state, county, local, tribal, and college/university) and companies in 44 states throughout the United States of America. We are honored agencies repeatedly trust American Air Operations to train their heroes and support the expansion of their drone program.

For more information, or to register for training, please 
e-mail us or call (248) 655-7766.

Course outlines can be viewed below.

Jim Santilli explains unmanned aircraft flight operations to law enforcement officers

Course Outlines

Topics covered during the Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Training, and Drone System and Flight Training, are below.

Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Training

The following is an overview of the topics that are covered in detail during the Part 107 training offered by American Air Operations:

FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS   

  • Part 107 Overview

  • Definitions

  • Falsification, Reproduction or Alteration

  • Inspection, Testing, and Demonstration of Compliance

  • Accident/Safety Event Reporting

  • Requirement for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating

  • Aircraft Registration

  • Foreign Registered UA

  • Change of Address

  • Condition for Safe Operation

  • Medical Condition

  • Remote Pilot-In-Command

  • In-Flight Emergency

  • Hazardous Operations

  • Operation from a Moving Vehicle or Aircraft

  • Alcohol or Drugs

  • Operation at Night

  • Visual Line of Sight Aircraft Operation

  • Visual Observer

  • Operation of Multiple Small Unmanned Aircraft

  • Carriage of Hazardous Material

  • Operation Near Aircraft; Right-of-Way Rules

  • Remote ID

  • Operation Over Human Beings and Categories

  • Operating Limitations

  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) Transponder Equipment Prohibition

  • Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Prohibition

  • Knowledge Recency

  • Certificate of Waiver


AERONAUTICAL CHARTS

  • Nautical Mile vs. Statute Mile

  • Headings

  • Types of Altitude

  • Chart Legend and Interpretation

  • Converting Decimal Degrees to Decimal Minutes

  • Chart Supplements U.S.


AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION, OPERATING REQUIREMENTS, AND FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS

  • National Airspace System

  • Visual Flight Rules (VFR)

  • Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

  • Airspace Categories

  • Air Traffic Control (ATC)

  • Airspace Classifications

  • Controlled Airspace

  • Class A

  • Class B

  • Class C

  • Class D

  • Class E

  • Controlled Airspace Authorization

  • Uncontrolled Airspace

  • Class G

  • Special Use Airspace

  • Prohibited Areas

  • Restricted Areas

  • Warning Areas

  • Military Operation Area (MOA)

  • Alert Areas

  • Controlled Firing Areas

  • Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM)

  • Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

  • Military Training Route

  • Parachute Jump Area

  • Published VFR Route

  • Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)

  • National Security Area (NSA)

  • Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)

  • Flight Restricted Zones (FRZ)


AIRPORT OPERATIONS

  • Preventing Interference

  • Towered Airport

  • Non-Towered Airport

  • Heliport

  • Seaplane Base

  • Runways

  • Air Traffic Patterns

  • Airport Pavement Markings and Signage

  • Right of Way and Scanning

  • Sources of Airport Data


RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

  • Towered Airport Communications

  • Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)

  • Non-Towered Airport Communication

  • Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), UNICOM, and MULTICOM

  • Phonetic Alphabet

  • Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)


NIGHT OPERATIONS AND PHYSIOLOGY

  • Requirements

  • Anti-Collision Lighting

  • Site Assessment and Proper Illumination

  • Night Physiology

  • Off-Center Viewing

  • Aircraft Orientation

  • Aircraft Sensors

  • Night Illusions


EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE

  • Weather Overview

  • Atmospheric Pressure

  • Air Density

  • Density Altitude

  • Air Characteristics

  • Temperature Inversion

  • Air Masses

  • Fronts

  • Cloud Types

  • Stages of Thunderstorms

  • Dangers to Flight

  • Wind, Wind Shears, and Microbursts

  • Convective Currents

  • Ceiling


AVIATION WEATHER SOURCES

  • Weather Briefings

  • Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)

  • Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)

  • Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR)

  • Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

  • Convective Significant Meteorological Information (WST/Convective SIGMET)


PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PILOT PERFORMANCE

  • Stress

  • Fatigue

  • Dehydration

  • Heat Stroke

  • Hyperventilation

  • Vision Impairment

  • Impact of Drugs & Alcohol

  • Fitness for Flight


AERONAUTICAL DECISION-MAKING AND CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

  • Aeronautical Decision Making

  • Crew Resource Management

  • Risk Management

  • Hazardous Attitudes

  • Crew Coordination


MAINTENANCE AND PREFLIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURES

  • Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance

  • Preflight Inspection

  • Record Keeping

  • FAA Inspection & Testing


AIRCRAFT LOADING AND PERFORMANCE

  • Basic Aerodynamics

  • Weight & Balance

  • Stability and Control

  • Center of Gravity


FLIGHT HAZARDS AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

  • Flight Hazards and Emergencies

  • Reporting In-Flight Emergencies

  • Emergency Response


EXAM INFORMATION AND REVIEW

  • Exam Requirements and Registration

  • Integrated Certification and Rating Application (IACRA)

  • Registering for Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) aeronautical knowledge exam

  • Applying for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a sUAS Rating

  • Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG) Aeronautical Knowledge Exam Review

Drone System and Flight Training

The following is an overview of the topics that are covered in detail during the Drone System and Flight Training that is offered by American Air Operations:


AIRCRAFT, PAYLOADS, AND CONTROLLER OVERVIEW

  • Types of Unmanned Aircraft

  • Payload Options

  • Controller Overview


FLIGHT PREPARATION AND PRACTICE

  • Reviewing TFRs and Weather

  • Inspecting the Aircraft

  • Display, Controller, and Aircraft Startup

  • Status Verification

  • Takeoff

  • Landing and Shutdown

  • Practice with a provided and insured aircraft


APPLICATIONS

  • Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)


FLIGHT DISPLAY AND SYSTEM OVERVIEW

  • Explanation of Features and Indicators

  • Flight Modes

  • Maximum Altitude Settings

  • Camera Settings (Wide, Zoom, Thermal)

  • Conducting Firmware Updates

  • Geofence Overview and Unlock Options


FLIGHT PRACTICE AND PROFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION

  • Practice with a provided and insured aircraft