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Become an AUVSI Certified TOP Operator™

The Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP) is a UAS community initiative designed to identify industry best practices, set an expected code of conduct and professionalize the drone pilot network. Spearheaded by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and developed in concert with UAS industry leaders, TOP provides a standardized way to evaluate competency of both individual remote pilots and UAS service providers. As a Level 3 TOP Training Provider, DARTdrones training is proven to provide drone pilots with a reliable, safe and professional foundation to further distinguish themselves in the market.

National recognition.

As a certified TOP Operator, you will be recognized for both your professionalism as a remote pilot as well as your dedication to training, safety and reliability. As more commercial drone pilots enter this market, there is a growing need to differentiate yourself. The Trusted Operator Program will do just that.

Customer trust.

The end-users, your customers, who choose services from a certified TOP Operator know they are receiving the 'best of the best' in areas such as demonstrated competency, advanced knowledge and skills, training appropriate to the level of risk, reliability and demonstrated commitment to safety.

New level of professionalism.

Through a consistent training protocol, certified TOP Operators will demonstrate an appropriate level of professionalism to represent their knowledge and dedication to the drone industry. A TOP Operator Remote Pilot Certificate is globally known and can be presented to clients, colleagues, and employers.

Clear path.

DARTdrones participated in developing the Trusted Operator Program and will continue to provide an accurate and comprehensive path forward for all drone pilots. DARTdrones has a team of 40+ instructors who are both manned and unmanned pilots and have 12,000+ hours of combined drone pilot training experience.

Become the 'Best of the Best' in Unmanned Aviation

Get certified as a TOP Operator today. TOP certification is offered at three levels. These levels correspond to the risk, complexity and nature of the applicant’s UAS operations.

Trusted Operator Program Certification Levels

TOP Level 1 Certification

Earn your TOP Level 1 Remote Pilot Certification by showing proof that you have a current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and by completing 14 Online Courses. Level 1 TOP Operators are identified as skilled for flying missions that don't utilize waivers and for aircraft weighing less than 5 pounds.
TOP logo

TOP Level 2 Certification

Earn your TOP Level 2 Remote Pilot Certification by earning your TOP Level 1 plus completing a 1 day in-person course and hands-on flight evaluation. Level 2 TOP Operators are identified as skilled for flying missions that utilize waivers, visual observers, or sensor operators and operate with elevated risk factors and complexity.

TOP Level 3 Certification

Earn your TOP Level 3 Remote Pilot Certification by earning your TOP Level 2 plus completing additional in-person training and hands-on flight evaluation. Level 3 TOP Operators are identified as skilled for flying missions in safety critical and complex areas that require higher levels of risk mitigation and for operations requiring development and testing of new procedures.

AUVSI Trusted Operator Program

How to Become a Certified TOP Operator™

TOP Level 1 Certification

Earn your TOP Level 1 Remote Pilot Certification by completing:
  • 14 Online Micro Courses

  • Proof of Current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate

$ 649

TOP Level 2 Certification

Earn your TOP Level 2 Remote Pilot Certification by completing:
  • TOP Level 1 Certification

  • 1 Day In-Person Training

  • Hands-on Flight Evaluation

$ 1,850

Trusted Operator Program Levels
Not sure which TOP level is right for you?

Our Expert Instructors

Roger Hall

Retired Firefighter Learn More Roger Hall

Alex Abatie

sUAS Photographer & Design Director Learn More Alex Abatie

Josh Haddad

Helicopter Pilot and CFII Learn More Josh Haddad

Dennis Fisher

Drone Business Owner and Manned Aircraft Pilot Learn More Dennis Fisher

Kevin Gillespie

Pilot & Entrepreneur Learn More Kevin Gillespie

Bryn LeRue

Public Safety Officer & Public Safety Drone Pilot Learn More Bryn LeRue

Matt Bettencourt

Navy UAS Instructor Pilot Learn More Matt Bettencourt

Chris Grazioso

Operations Lead for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division’s Drone Team Learn More Chris Grazioso

Randy Eary

Private Pilot, AGI & IGI Learn More Randy Eary

David Barker

Public Safety Drone Pilot Learn More David Barker

Danny Burk

Private & Commercial Pilot & Drone Business Owner Learn More Danny Burk

Mark Kurzinski

Retired Naval Officer turned Drone Business Owner and Instructor Learn More Mark Kurzinski
As seen on ABC's "Shark Tank"

WHY DARTDRONES? We have a proven track record for training pilots in dozens of industries.

22 QUALIFIED
INSTRUCTORS

Our instructors have manned aviation experience flying airplanes and helicopters and have gained the highest drone piloting recognitions in the industry. Many own successful UAS businesses themselves.

10+ CITIES
NATIONWIDE

As featured on ABC's Shark Tank, we are the nation's leading drone training company with an extensive network of alumni and partners throughout the country.

150+ HOURS OF
MATERIAL

Created and refined by UAS training experts, our curriculum is the best in the industry and has been tried and tested by clients in dozens of industries.

25K+ PILOTS
TRAINED

With a community of over 65,000 drone enthusiasts across the US and internationally, DARTdrones is at the forefront of UAS technology.

Expert Instructors

Our students absolutely love our instructors! Our classes are engaging, fun, and extremely informative.

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Advanced Training Courses

We don’t just train our students on the basics. We have extensive advanced training courses to help our alumni succeed in mapping, inspections, disaster response, aerial photography, night operations, and search and rescue.

Step by step guide to earning your drone pilot license

Industry Certified and Vetted Curriculum

Our curriculum has been vetted and certified by AUVSI, the leading UAS industry association, to ensure professional quality.

Instructor Alex flying a drone