I am sharing our review of Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy course. When it comes to tackling the learning and exam, the investment of time is significant. The amount of knowledge needed to understand operating safely and correctly in airspace and as a drone pilot is vast. It’s more than massive, bigger than gigantic and feels overwhelming. That’s until we discovered Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy Course.
This course helped us achieve our goal of passing and “nailing the exam.” How? By equipping us with the knowledge and skills to fly safely and effectively, as required by the FAA.
Sheen & Dave Watkins
Initially when we started studying, our goal was passing the test. The more we learned, the more we realized how much there is to know. The awareness, knowledge and steps to consider and do before every single flight is crucial for safety and confidence in flying in FAA airspace.
Another note: Pilot Institute offers a “guaranteed to pass the test” refund if you do not pass the test. Their pass rate is 99.8%!
Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy & Our Goals
Both Dave and I fly drones. I fly the DJI Mavic 3 Classic. Dave enjoys flying his DJI Mini 4 Pro. Before this exam, we flew recreationally. As a full time photographer, my intention is to use my drone commercially as part of my work. To fly a drone commercially, you need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Without this certificate, operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial purposes faces serious penalties. Just as important, the knowledge learned minimizes risks to yourselves and others.
Course Contents
In Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made easy online course, students find a structured outline of materials shared in video format. Hours of videos. Fifteen hours of videos one time through.
Imagine trying to navigate this massive and complex amount of material on your own? With Pilot Institute you are definitely NOT alone!
The quizzes provide study recommendations for areas missed to help learn and retain concepts and information. There’s also study groups, study guides, a flash card app for your smart phone and a final timed test that mimics the FAA testing environment. All are available real time, at your pace and we revisited many of these time and time again.
For Dave and me both, we went through the entire video trainings twice. We took the quizzes multiple times and revisited weak areas. We were also study buddies, helping each other in areas that were our respective strengths and weaknesses. The course features chats per course section offering a study buddy Q & A in the community too.
Two Valuable Resources to Support the Course
Tools Greg Reverdiau, Co-founder at Pilot Institute recommended that made the difference for us included: 1) The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and 2) Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, Remote Pilot and Private Pilot. Both available on Amazon or as a free download on Pilot Institute’s website.
We opted for the book to keep on hand for reference purposes after the course concluded. The handbook helped to dive in further to areas needing additional support. I used the testing supplement in the practice quizzes which helped in learning the charts and navigating the necessary pages quickly during the exam.
In order to pass the FAA Part 107 exam, Greg Reverdiau clearly emphasizes 1) the need to understand each section with a pass rate of 80% minimum and; 2) the need to understand the materials, not memorizing test questions. Both # 1 and #2 go hand in hand. If you do not understand the material beyond the question and answers in a given quiz, passing the test is not likely.
Overall Impression of Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy
From the very beginning, the depth of knowledge and expertise that Greg, the instructor, brings to the table is huge. His passion for aviation is evident in every lesson, and he has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand terms. The course’s organized structure makes it easy to follow, and the content is up-to-date with the latest FAA regulations.
One of the things we appreciated most about Part 107 Made Easy is the emphasis on flying safely and effectively. Greg doesn’t just teach you the rules and regulations; he also provides valuable insights into best practices and real-world scenarios. This helps us prepare for the exam and gives the confidence to operate drones responsibly and professionally.
Beyond the course content, Greg has created a vibrant and supportive community of aspiring and seasoned drone pilots. The online forum is a great place to connect with others who are going through the same journey, ask questions, and share experiences. Pilot Institute’s YouTube channel features scheduled live sessions, live and recorded updates and happy hours. Greg and his team’s dedication to his students creates a strong community extending beyond the course.
Did We Pass?
I am a terrible test taker. Seriously, a nervous wreck. Dave, while a long term school teacher, gives tests more frequently than taking them. As a result of the training provided by Pilot Institute’s Part 107 Made Easy, we passed our exam with flying colors and earned a t-shirt from Pilot Institute with our high scores. We highly recommend this course to anyone looking to obtain their Part 107 license and take their drone flying to the next level.
Beyond the Test
In addition to creating a vibrant community, the learning continues as Pilot Institute’s training both free and fee courses continue after passing the exam. At the end the 107 training, we learn how to register our drones commercially, how to use the UAS facility map website and how to submit an air authorization request. Several other value added modules are available to help navigate moving forward as a commercial drone pilot.
For additional reviews, check out my latest gear review of Nikon’s Z 24-70mm 2.8 S lens.
