Q: Why do you need to learn to fly a drone as they are automated? A: Learn about the National Air Space (NAS) and where you can fly as well as other tips for flying drones safely. Otoh, you still need to learn how to drive a car, get a license even with self driving cars, or at least for now ;).
Q: Do classes include a live demonstration flight? A: Demonstration flights are weather and other condition dependent.
Q: Can students bring their drone to the classes? A: Yes.
Q: Where have you taught classes in the past? A: Anoka/Hennepin Community Education, Eden Prairie High School, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, North Central University STEM, Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education, and Stillwater Public Library among others.
Q: How long have you been flying drones? A: Over 10 years for singles and quads for about eight years.
Q: How long have you been commercial licensed drone operator? A: Since May 2018
Q: How long have you been waivered to fly at night commercially? A: I received my 107.29 (daylight waiver) back in December 2018 which was valid until April 21, 2021 when daylight waivers were sunset (e.g. phased out). As of April 21, 2021 for those who have either taken the new initial, or recurrent part 107 test, you are now authorized to fly at night without a waiver (e.g. daylight and night waivers no longer exist).
Q: How hard is it to get certified? A: Depends on how well you can learn (or memorize). Getting your FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) certificate is relatively easy and quick, its free from various organizations such as AMA here. The next step takes more time which is getting your part 107.
Q: How many flights have you flown? A: Many thousands including indoors and outdoors.
Q: How many hours in the air do you have flying? A: Over 600 hours air time.
Q: How many miles total have you flown drones? A: Spanning thousands of flights several thousand miles flown.
Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107? A: Additional experience, you also get access to additional airspace and privileges by being a part 107. Keep in mind that part 107 is often thought of as being commercial license, when in reality, its a category or type of certification that allows you to do more, one of those things being commercial activity.
Q: How much money can you make flying drones? A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs that will impact what your earnings will be.
Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them? A: Yes I have, check out our FPV experiences page here. FPV drones are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, including racing, general recreation, as well as for action cinematography videography indoors as well as outdoors. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).
Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside? A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Eden Prairie Central Middle School 8th Grade STEM, Drones, Aviation, Aerial Photo and More Thursday October 10, 2024 Friday May 24, 2024
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Education
Stillwater Area High School Monday October 7, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography and Video Registration information coming soon
Stillwater Area High School Monday September 16, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drones Fundamentals Registration information coming soon
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education. Monday November 11, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday October 21, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday June 3, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Pictures Over Stillwater In Person Training and Consulting
Picture Over Stillwater also provides in-person custom one on one, and group UAS, UAV, Drone classes, seminars, coaching and consulting. Give us a call or send an email to learn more about our drone school, custom education, training, consulting and other drone service offerings.
Courses are lead by Pictures Over Stillwater founder and chief remote pilot Greg Schulz. Greg is an professional FAA Part 107 certified (e.g. licensed) commercial drone operator (e.g. Remote Pilot In Command RPIC). In addition to being FAA Part 107, Greg is also MnDoT aeronautics licensed and insured. His drone flight experience includes having a 107.29 daylight waiver for night flights, 107.41 airspace authorizations to fly in “0” or no fly zones as well as above published altitudes with FAA approval. Greg has accumulated hundreds of drone hours in the air, flown over a thousand drone air miles, spanning thousands of drone flights. As a professional drone operator Greg does projects involving aerial photography, video, photogrammetry (2D/3D model map image survey), inspection and other activity for construction, real estate, events among others, including indoor flights. Greg is also an FAASTeam DronePro representive for Minneapolis region.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Eden Prairie Central Middle School 8th Grade STEM, Drones, Aviation, Aerial Photo and More Thursday October 10, 2024 Friday May 24, 2024
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Education
Stillwater Area High School Monday October 7, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography and Video Registration information coming soon
Stillwater Area High School Monday September 16, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drones Fundamentals Registration information coming soon
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education. Monday November 11, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday October 21, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Aerial Photography and Video – Online & In-Person
Drones for Non-Dummies Drone Aerial Photography and Video course is offered at various Minneapolis St Paul twin cities metro venues and online. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities.
Spring 2021 Drone School SAPS Beginner Class Demo Flight
July 3rd 2021 Hudson Wisconsin Fireworks (Click to buy prints & downloads)
This course is for those who want to learn more about drone based aerial photography and video (recreational and commercial).
Topics covered include rules of the road for aerial photography and video, license and registration, where to fly (and not fly), flight planning and weather, autonomous and manual modes, equipment, hardware, software and other tools.
Also covered are drone and camera photo and video modes, settings, time lapse and hyper lapse, panoramic, automatic vs manual settings and much more.
Additional topics include what type of drone and camera equipment are best as well as accessories, along with post processing tools. Students aged 12-17 may attend with an adult. Weather permitting a demonstration flight will be flown.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Eden Prairie Central Middle School 8th Grade STEM, Drones, Aviation, Aerial Photo and More Thursday October 10, 2024 Friday May 24, 2024
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Education
Stillwater Area High School Monday October 7, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography and Video Registration information coming soon
Stillwater Area High School Monday September 16, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drones Fundamentals Registration information coming soon
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education. Monday November 11, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday October 21, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday June 3, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Hobby Recreational and Part 107 – Online & In-Person
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. This course moves beyond the basics looking at drone decision making, flight planning, how to prepare for your FAA Part 107 (commercial) and TRUST (hobby recreational) among other certifications.
Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations, insurance, practical tips, techniques, trends to be aware of. Weather permitting drone demonstration flights may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Classes for 2023 have been added for Minneapolis in March and Richfield/Bloomington in June. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Pictures Over Stillwater Back To School Fall 2020 Drones For Non Dummies Community Education Classes
Pictures Over Stillwater Back To School Fall 2020 schedule includes additional school districts, times, online and in-person, as well as new classes along with updated content. In addition to Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education, earlier this year Pictures Over Stillwater added Anoka Hennepin Community Education to our schedule.
For fall 2020 we are excited to welcome additional districts including St Anthony and St Louis Park Minnesota community education to our schedule. Besides additional districts, Pictures Over Stillwater is also adding a new FAA Part 107 Commercial operator test prep class to the schedule as part of Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education.
In addition, existing class content has also been updated to reflect new and emerging drone regulations for recreational and commercial drone operators among other topics. Note that Stillwater Area Public Schools community education are currently planned for in-person and may be subject to change or onclude online. All other Pictures Over Stillwater fall 2020 classes will be held online.
In-person Stillwater Area Public Schools fall 2020 classes
Drones – Recreational Use for Beginners (click here to register) Tuesday, September 29, 2020 – 6:00 to 8:00PM
Note: This is an in person class, may change to online Stillwater Area High School : PAC – G115 (Health)
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyists, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies. If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, this course is for you. You will learn about basic drone safety, rules of the road and air, registration, certification, license, drone types, when, how and where to fly (or avoid). Bring your drone as a guest to participate in the discussions. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Drones – Beyond the Basics (click here to register) Tuesday, October 6, 2020 – 6:00 to 8:00PM
Note: This is an in person class, may change to online Stillwater Area High School : PAC – G115 (Health)
This course moves beyond the basics looking at drone decision making, flight planning, how to prepare for your FAA Part 107 among other certifications. Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations, insurance, practical tips, techniques, trends to be aware of. Weather permitting drone demonstration flights may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Drone Aerial Photography and Video (click here to register) Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – 6:00 to 8:00PM
Note: This is an in person class, may change to online Stillwater Area High School : PAC – G115 (Health)
This course is for those who want to learn more about drone-based aerial photography and video (recreational and commercial). Topics covered include rules of the road for aerial photography and video, license and registration, where to fly (and not fly), flight planning and weather, autonomous and manual modes, equipment, hardware, software and other tools. Additional topics include what type of drone and camera equipment are best, as well as accessories and post processing tools. Students aged 12-17 may attend with an adult. Weather permitting a demonstration flight will be flown. Prerequisites: Drones Beyond the Basics or related experience.
Drones – FAA Part 107 Commercial Operator Prep (click here to register)
Monday, October 12, 2020 – 6:00 to 8:00PM
Note: This is an in person class, may change to online Stillwater Area High School : PAC – G113
This class provides insight and preparation tips for those planning on taking the FAA Part 107 Commercial UAS / UAV / Drone Operator certification test for the first time, or taking the two-year renewal. This is also a good for those who want to learn more advanced drone topics. Class will discuss what is in the test, along with tips on how to study, practice and prepare. Topics include rules, safety, operations, airspace, charts and weather considerations. It is strongly encouraged that students have the ASA Remote Pilot 2020 Test Prep book to follow along during class.
Prerequisites include either Drones Beyond the Basics course or hands on drone operation experience beyond the basics. Part 107 test prep book is available via Amazon (here).
Pictures Over Stillwater Online courses for fall 2020
Oct 10, 2020 Sat 10AM – 1PM – Drone Recreational Use for Beginners (Part I)
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyists, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies. If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, this course is for you. You will learn about basic drone safety, rules of the road and air, registration, certification, license, drone types, when, how and where to fly (or avoid). Bring your drone as a guest to participate in the discussions. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult.bb
Oct 24, 2020 Sat 10AM – 1PM – Drone Recreational Use (Part II – Beyond basics)
This course moves beyond the basics looking at drone decision making, flight planning, how to prepare for your FAA Part 107 among other certifications. Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations, insurance, practical tips, techniques, trends to be aware of. Weather permitting drone demonstration flights may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Congratulations Stillwater Area High School Class of 2020
Learning Links and Resources
The following are some additional resources for learning more about UAS, UAV aka Drones including where and how to fly, equipment, software, tools and more that are covered in our Drones for Non Dummies classes.
Pictures Over Stillwater Back To School Spring Summer 2020 Drones For Non Dummies Community Education Classes are being presented online during the month of May.
Drones – Recreational Use for Beginners (online via Zoom) Saturday 10AM-1PM October 10th and 24th. Watch for registration information soon.
Watch for upcoming updates on possible future summer online classes, as well as fall 2020 class options.
Join Greg Schulz, FAA Part 107 (with daylight waiver) and MnDOT Aeronautics licensed UAV / Drone operator and aerial photographer to learn more about Drones in these community education classes.
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies. In addition to more options for drones to meet different budgets, there are also new rules and regulations that apply to recreational hobbyist as well as commercial use. If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, these course are for you (or them).
Summer 2020 School Year Community Education Courses
For the summer 2020 school year, the following Community Education courses are being offered.
Drones for Non Dummies
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies. If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, this course is for you. You will learn about basic drone safety, rules of the road and air, registration, certification, license, drone types, when, how and where to fly (or avoid). Bring your drone as a guest to participate in the discussions. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Stillwater (On-line), Tuesday May 19, 2020, 6-8PM, Register here
Drones for Non Dummies – Beyond the basics
This course moves beyond the basics looking at drone decision making, flight planning, how to prepare for your FAA Part 107 among other certifications. Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations, insurance, practical tips, techniques, trends to be aware of. Weather permitting drone demonstration flights may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Stillwater (Online), Tuesday May 26, 2020, 6-8PM, Register here
Pony Stadium Drones for Non-Dummies Demo Flight
Drone Aerial Photography and Video
This course is for those who want to learn more about drone based aerial photography and video (recreational and commercial). Topics covered include rules of the road for aerial photography and video, license and registration, where to fly (and not fly), flight planning and weather, autonomous and manual modes, equipment, hardware, software and other tools. Additional topics include what type of drone and camera equipment are best, as well as, accessories and post processing tools. Students aged 12-17 may attend with an adult. Weather permitting a demonstration flight will be flown. Prerequisites: Drones for Non-Dummies: Beyond the Basics or related experience.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Classes for 2024 have been added for Minneapolis and Stillwater. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Got a Drone for Christmas or know somebody who did? Did you or somebody you known get a drone for Christmas or as another gift? Here’s a link to a great information video from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about knowing what to do before you fly your new drone. Step one is registering it, then knowing the rules of the road and airspace among other tips.
FAA Holiday Drone Messaging, Know Before You Fly
November 4-8 2019 is the first annual FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week (#drones4good) initiative. As a participant in this weeks activities including being part of a free webinar open to the public on November 5, Pictures Over Stillwater has prepared the following non-branded video to showcase and promote drone safety and benefits of using licensed, insured drone operators.
In addition to Aerial Photography and Video, other focus areas during the FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week included:
View the following video to learn more about the benefits of using licensed (FAA Part 107 and applicable state licenses), insured drone operators.
Note that Minnesota in addition to FAA Part 107 certification requires an additional licenses from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDoT) Aeronautics for commercial drone operators doing work for others. Pictures Over Stillwater is FAA Part 107 certified including daylight waiver and various airspace authorizations as well as registered aircraft. In addition to meeting FAA requirements, Pictures Over Stillwater is also licensed by MNDoT for drone operations including aerial photography, video and imaging, as well as insured and registered aircraft.
Have an event or other activity you are looking for aerial and ground based coverage (still video and photography)? Contact us and we can discuss options to meet your needs.
