Online Part 107 courses suit self-motivated learners who only need to pass the FAA knowledge test. In-person training suits people and teams who want an instructor to answer questions, work through sectional charts and practise flying. Both lead to the same FAA test, taken at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.
If you are preparing for your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, you will quickly find two kinds of training: self-paced online courses and instructor-led classes. This article compares them fairly, explains when each one makes sense, and lists the questions to ask before you book either.
Same Destination: The FAA Knowledge Test
Whichever way you prepare, you take the same exam: the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test. According to the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, it has 60 questions, a two-hour time limit and a passing score of 70 percent. You must be at least 14 to take it and 16 to hold the certificate. If you do not pass, FAA rules allow a retest after 14 calendar days.
The test covers regulations, airspace and chart reading, weather, loading and performance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communication, airport operations, maintenance and preflight inspection, and night operations. After you pass, you apply through IACRA and clear a TSA security check. The FAA lists each step, and none of them depends on how you studied.
To book the test, you create an FAA Tracking Number in IACRA and schedule an appointment at a Knowledge Testing Center. Bring government-issued photo identification. The testing fee is set and collected by the testing center, separately from any course fee, so confirm it when you schedule. Your result can take up to 48 hours to appear in IACRA before you complete your application.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The table below compares the two formats on the points that matter most to new pilots and to organizations training several people.
| Online course | In-person training | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning format | Video lessons, readings and practice quizzes | Live instruction with discussion and worked examples |
| Instructor access | Usually email, chat or forums | Questions answered on the spot |
| Sectional chart practice | Self-guided on screen | Worked through together on printed or digital charts |
| Flight practice | Usually none | Depends on the provider; ask |
| Scheduling | Any time, at your own pace | Fixed sessions set with the provider |
| Team consistency | Each person studies separately | Everyone receives the same instruction |
| How pricing works | Typically a per-person fee | Typically per person or per group, depending on location |
When an Online Course Is Enough
An online course is often the right choice if you:
- Are comfortable studying alone and keeping to your own schedule.
- Already understand aviation basics, for example as a manned pilot or an experienced hobbyist.
- Only need the certificate and do not need help with flight skills.
- Want the lowest-cost route to the test.
If you hold a current Part 61 pilot certificate with a flight review, you may not need the UAG test at all. The FAA offers an online training path for eligible manned pilots, so check the FAA instructions before you pay for any course.
If you choose an online course, look for content updated for current rules, practice tests with an explanation for every answer, plenty of sectional chart exercises, and a way to ask a real person when you get stuck. A course that only offers memorized answer banks may get you through the test without the understanding you need when you fly.
When In-Person Training Is Worth It
In-person training costs more time and usually more money, but it pays off for some learners and most organizations:
- Visual and hands-on learners. Airspace and sectional charts are easier to understand when an instructor walks through them with you.
- First-time flyers. If you have never flown a drone, an instructor can help you connect the rules to real flying.
- Teams. Companies that need several pilots get one consistent session, shared terminology and the same procedures.
- Public agencies. Police and fire departments can combine Part 107 preparation with discussion of public aircraft operations, night work and department policy.
- People with limited study time. A scheduled session is harder to postpone than a video course.
The main trade-offs are scheduling and cost. You need a date that suits everyone, and per-person pricing is usually higher than a self-paced course, although group sessions at your own site can reduce travel and time away from work.
A Hybrid Approach
A hybrid plan also suits busy schedules. Self-study can fit around work in short sessions, while the instructor-led part is booked once you know which topics you need help with. Ask the in-person provider whether the session can be adjusted to focus on your weak areas rather than repeating material you already know, and whether practice questions are reviewed together.
Many learners combine the two. They start with self-study or an online course to learn the basics, then book an instructor-led review focused on the topics they find hardest, often airspace, sectional charts and weather reports. This works well for teams too: everyone completes the same reading, then the group meets with an instructor to work through questions together.
Three Example Scenarios
These examples show how the choice often plays out in practice:
- An experienced hobbyist going commercial. Someone who has flown recreationally for years and wants to take paid real estate work may do well with an online course, adding a short instructor-led review if airspace questions cause trouble.
- A construction company certifying several superintendents. Training the group together at the job site gives everyone the same instruction and lets the instructor relate airspace and safety topics to the actual site.
- A sheriff’s office starting a drone program. In-person training lets the agency cover Part 107 preparation alongside public aircraft operations, night operations and department procedures in one setting.
- A career changer with no aviation background. A hybrid approach often works best: self-study for the basics, then live instruction for charts, weather and first flights.
Questions to Ask Either Type of Provider
- Who wrote or teaches the material, and which FAA certificates do they hold?
- When was the content last updated for current Part 107 rules, including night operations and Remote ID?
- How many practice questions are included, and are explanations provided?
- Is flight practice included, and how much time does each student get?
- What does the fee include, and what is paid separately, such as the testing center fee?
- What are the refund or retake terms?
Our guide on how to choose a drone training school explains each question in more detail. For test content, see the 15 most common Part 107 exam questions.
How Drone Universities Delivers In-Person Training
Drone Universities was founded in 2014 and is based in Los Angeles. We teach in person, and our instructors travel to students in all 50 states, so training takes place at your home, business, job site or agency. Our in-person FAA Part 107 class prepares you for the UAG knowledge test, which you then take at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. We also train at your location for advanced skills such as inspection, mapping and public safety operations.
If an online course suits you better, that is a reasonable choice. If you would like an instructor to come to you, request training or call 1.818.255.0406. You can also compare providers on our drone school guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an in-person Part 107 class better than an online course?
Neither is better in general. It depends on how you learn, how much time you have, and whether you want instruction and flight practice beyond the test itself.
Can I take the Part 107 test online?
No. The initial UAG knowledge test is taken in person at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. The recurrent training you complete every 24 calendar months afterward is online and free.
Does in-person training include flying?
It depends on the provider and the course. Ask whether supervised flight practice is part of the course or booked separately, and how much time each student spends on the controls.
How long does each option take?
Online courses are self-paced, so the time depends on you. In-person courses run on a fixed schedule set with the provider; ask how many hours of instruction are included.
Which is better for a team?
In-person training usually works better for teams, because everyone hears the same instruction, works through the same examples and can follow the same procedures afterward.
Do I need recurrent training either way?
Yes. Every remote pilot must complete the FAA’s free online recurrent training within each 24-calendar-month period to keep flying under Part 107.
