Prove Your Expertise. Become a Certified Level 1 TOP Operator™
As a Trusted Operator Program Level 1 Remote Pilot, you will earn global recognition for your dedication to safety, advanced unmanned pilot skills and reliability within the drone industry.
Trusted Operator Program™ Level 1 Remote Pilot Certification course built by
- Jerry White, Airline Pilot & Business Owner
- Colin Romberger, Embry Riddle Masters in UAS
Trusted by Top Organizations Across the Nation
Stand out as a certified remote pilot by earning the drone industry’s first industry qualification. The AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) was created to fill gaps in the drone industry and help drone pilots differentiate themselves.
The TOP Level 1 courses teach the practical knowledge that is missing from the Part 107 Exam.
The TOP Program certifies pilots at different levels.
TOP Level 1 Pilots Must Complete the Following Training:
- UAS Code of Conduct
- Remote Pilot Responsibilities
- Privacy
- Mitigating Risks
- FAA ‘Dirty Dozen’
- Communication
- Risk Management
- Hazard Identification
- Historical Data
- Risk Matrix
- Likelihood of Risk
- Severity of Risk
- Risk Mitigation
- Pilot Considerations
- Customer Expectations
- Video Size
- Frame Rate
- Video Format
- Video Standards
- Color Settings
- Controller Settings
- Gimbal Tuning
- Aircraft Response Settings
- Considerations
- Customizations
- Implementation
- Flight Planning
- Preflight
- Crew Briefing
- Flight Execution
- Emergency Procedures
- Post Flight
- Maintenance
- Hazard Identification
- Satellite Imagery
- Flight Planning
- Manmade Structures
- Terrain Variations
- Natural Obstructions
- Low-Level Turbulence
- Interference
- Forecast Sources
- METARs
- TAFs
- Visibility, Clouds
- Sky Condition
- Precipitation
- Wind
- Temperature
- Part 107 Requirements
- Go/No-Go Decision Making
- Airspace Classifications
- Controlled Airspace
- Uncontrolled Airspace
- Prohibited and Restricted Areas
- TFRs
- LAANC Authorizations
- Part 107 Requirements
- Roles
- Responsibilities
- Positioning
- Crew Management
- Crew Briefing
- Communication Methods
- Communication Procedures
- Aerodynamics
- Aircraft Axes
- Angle of Attack
- Turbulent Air
- Weight and Balance
- Prevention
- Disorientation Responses
- Practice Maneuvers
- Close Range Line of Sight
- Medium/Long Range Line of Sight
- First Person View
- Prevention
- Emergency Responses
- GPS Signal Loss
- Datalink Interference
- Compass Errors
- Flyaways
- Hardware and Software Failures
- Battery Issues
- Collisions
- Types of Communications
- CTAFs
- Scanners
- Transceivers
- Standard Format
- Common Conventions
- Traffic Patterns
- Aircraft Position
- Manufacturer Recommendations
- Preflight Inspections
- Post Flight Inspections
- Flight Logs
- Aircraft Logs
- Patterns of Wear and Tear
- Maintenance Protocols
- Battery Types
- Capacity
- Specifications
- Charge Cycle
- Discharging
- Maintenance
- Damage
- Disposal
- Storage
- Flight Regulations
- Registration Requirements
- Responsibility of Remote PIC
- Daylight Operations
- Hazardous Operations
- Crew Regulations
- Operating Limitations
Meet our Trusted Operator Program™ Level 1 Remote Pilot Certification developers
Jerry White
TOP Certified Instructor
Colin Romberger
TOP Certified Instructor
What You Get
- 8+ Hours of Classes
- 14 Online Micro Courses
- A Digital Copy of the TOP Protocol Certification Manual
- AUVSI TOP Level 1 Certificate
- Listed on TOP Operator Directory as TOP Level 1 Pilot
Why Earn Your TOP Level 1 Certificate with DARTdrones?
Differentiate Yourself
The Trusted Operator Program is designed to help drone pilots differentiate themselves by proving safety and expertise.
TOP Early Adopter
DARTdrones participated in the creation of TOP by working with dozens of experts in the industry.
Interactive Training
Beyond earning your TOP Level 1 Certificate, the training required for TOP is extremely informative and interactive.
Availability for TOP Level 2
If you'd like to progress to earn your TOP Level 2 certificate, DARTdrones offers TOP 2 Trainings in-person in multiple cities.
Most TOP Alumni
DARTdrones has trained more TOP alumni than any other company. We also have thousands of alumni across the country and train some of the largest organizations in the world.
Show Your Dedication to Safety
This industry certification is helps the drone industry progress by promoting safety.
WHY DARTDRONES? We have a proven track record for training pilots in dozens of industries.
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.
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.
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.
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
Learn from our specialized team of instructors, comprised of manned pilots and drone business owners. Our classes are engaging, dynamic, and extremely informative.
Advanced Training Courses
We don’t just train our students on the basics. We also offer extensive advanced training courses to help our alumni succeed in mapping, inspections, disaster response, aerial photography, night operations, search and rescue, and more.
Industry Certified and Vetted Curriculum
DARTdrones’ curriculum is vetted and certified by AUVSI, the leading UAS industry association, to ensure professional quality.
FAQs
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has developed the Trusted Operator Program (TOP) for drone pilots and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training organizations. The TOP is a UAS community initiative to facilitate best practices, codes of conduct and professionalism for drone pilots. As a TOP Training Provider, DARTdrones facilitates consistent and expert training to provide drone pilots with a reliable, safe, and professional foundation to further distinguish themselves in the market.
Students will receive instant access to all online steps upon registration. All materials are housed in DARTdrones online learning platform. Students can access these courses and assessments at anytime.
All Trusted Operator Program certifications are valid for two years from the date of issue.
No. If you do not already have your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, you will need to earn it before you can gain your TOP Level 1 Certification. DARTdrones offers both an in-person and online Part 107 Test Prep course You will also have to pay approximately $175 to the testing center to take the exam.
TOP Operators are required to complete each level before they can progress to the next level. Even if you are experienced and wanted to earn Level 3, you would have to complete Level 1 and 2 first.