NAC041 - Niner Academy: Drone Certification Course

Course Overview

Launch Your Teen’s Future in Drone Technology

Drones are transforming industries—from photography and public safety to agriculture, construction, and logistics. Niner Academy: Drone Certification Course is a hands-on, career-focused summer program designed for high school students in grades 9–12 who want to explore this exciting field and prepare for future FAA drone certification.

Through a blend of classroom instruction and real flight experience, students learn how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) work, how to fly safely and responsibly, and how drone skills can lead to real-world job opportunities in the growing aviation and technology workforce.

Two-Week Drone Certification Experience

The course is divided into two focused weeks that build on each other:

• Week 1 – Ground School & FAA Drone Certification Preparation
• Week 2 – Hands-On Flight Training & Mission Practice

Students may register for one or both weeks. Week 1 is essential for those who want to prepare for the FAA drone certification exam, while Week 2 is ideal for students who are excited to log more flight time and sharpen their piloting skills.

Week 1: Ground School & FAA Drone Certification Preparation

In Week 1, students build a strong foundation in drone operations, safety, and regulations—the same core topics covered on the FAA drone certification exam.

Classroom Topics Include

• Introduction to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and drone types.
• Airspace classifications and how they affect drone operations.
• FAA rules and regulations for drone pilots.
• The impact of weather on flight safety and performance.
• Mission planning, risk assessment, and responsible drone use.
• How drones are used in industries such as photography, public safety, construction, agriculture, and logistics.

FAA Exam Readiness

Through interactive lessons and practice tests, students gain the knowledge needed to feel confident as they prepare for a future FAA drone certification exam. While the course does not administer the official FAA test, it provides a strong foundation for students who plan to pursue certification.

Week 2: Hands-On Flight Training & Mission Experience

Week 2 brings everything from the classroom into the field. Students take the controls and apply what they’ve learned in a supervised, real-world flight environment.

Flight Training Highlights

• Practicing safe takeoffs, landings, and basic maneuvers.
• Completing simulated missions and challenges with training drones.
• Applying pre-flight checklists and safety protocols.
• Learning how to respond to unexpected situations in a controlled environment.
• Building confidence flying drones under guidance from experienced instructors.

From Classroom to Field

With the support of knowledgeable staff, students connect the dots between regulations, planning, and actual flight. They leave Week 2 with stronger skills, better reflexes, and the confidence to operate drones safely and responsibly.

What Students Will Gain

By the end of the Niner Academy: Drone Certification Course, students will:

• Understand core FAA rules, guidelines, and safety standards for drone pilots.
• Demonstrate proper pre-flight checks and safe operating procedures.
• Gain confidence in basic and intermediate flight skills.
• Explore career pathways in UAS, aviation, public safety, agriculture, media, and more.
• Recognize how drones are used to solve real-world problems and support critical industries.

This course is an ideal first step for students interested in formal drone certification and future employment in the rapidly expanding UAS and aviation workforce.

Why Parents Choose the Drone Certification Course

• Designed specifically for high school students in grades 9–12.
• Combines STEM education, career exploration, and hands-on learning.
• Offers a structured pathway toward FAA drone certification readiness.
• Provides supervised practice with training drones in a controlled environment.
• Helps students build responsibility, focus, and technical skills they can use in college and beyond.

Help Your Teen Take Off with Drone Technology

If your high school student is interested in aviation, technology, photography, or public safety, Niner Academy: Drone Certification Course offers the perfect launchpad. From learning the rules of the sky to flying real missions with confidence, this two-week experience helps students build skills that can lead to future certification, college opportunities, and in-demand careers.