Master the Systems Behind Safe, Confident & Professional Drone Operations

Learn to implement real-world safety protocols, operational standards, and data management workflows used by professional drone pilots around the world.

This course bridges the gap between basic drone operations and professional practice.

You’ll learn how to apply international standards, manage operational risk and handle your data effectively — ensuring every mission is safe, compliant and purpose-driven!

Not Sure How To Get Started ?

Take my free Drone Readiness Quiz and discover your pilot profile today!

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From Uncertain to Unstoppable: Build Real-World Drone Mastery

Whether you’re flying for research, environmental monitoring, agriculture or consulting — this program will help you operate safely, legally and professionally anywhere in the world!

  • Confidence

    Learn real-world flight safety procedures, conduct risk assessments, and build situational awareness using global protocols — so you’re prepared no matter where you fly.

  • Credibility

    Master operational policies and procedures based on international standards, giving clients and agencies confidence in your skills and professionalism.

  • Clarity

    Manage mission data from request to reporting. Implement naming conventions, metadata protocols, and workflows that make your work auditable, accountable, and trusted.

Who Do I Train?

Department of Environment | Government of Anguilla

How This Course Is Different from the Rest - Here's Why

Most drone courses stop at flight skills or exam prep. This program goes further—teaching the systems, tools, and international best practices that transform certified pilots into trusted professionals. You’ll learn how to manage real-world workflows, deliver results with confidence, and build a career that lasts!

  • Build internal Standard Operating Procedures, flight logs & reports

  • Manage operational data workflows from field to final delivery

  • Navigate commercial drone regulations across different countries

  • Plan & execute flight missions with safety, risk, and crew protocols

  • Confidently scale your drone business, team, or consulting services

  • Earn safety & competency certificates you can display on AirData UAV

Inside the Course

Discover what the Commercial Operations & Professional Piloting course offers

Explore the Course Curriculum

What's included in the four-week cohort program

    1. Welcome to the Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Getting Around the Academy

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Using the SkyTribe Community

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. What To Expect

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Course Overview & Objectives

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Module Overview

    2. Global Industry & Applications

    3. How Drones Are Transforming Work

    4. UAV Types, Components & Payloads

    5. Drone Buyers Guide | Drone Deploy

    6. Selecting the Right Drone

    7. Which Drone Should You Buy | YouTube Playlist

    8. Team Task | National Drone Equipment Inventory

    9. Drone Work | Determine Drone Equipment for Your Work

    10. Learning Check ✅

    1. Module Overview

    2. Global Policy Frameworks

    3. Commercial Operations & SOPs

    4. UAS Team | Roles & Responsibilities

    5. UAS Mission Procedures

    6. UAS Policy & Operations Manual | Table of Contents

    7. Drone Team Training Requirements

    8. Drone Work | National UAS Policy

    9. UAS Policy & Commercial Operations | Team Meeting

    10. Learning Check ✅

    1. Module Overview

    2. Aircraft Safety Features

    3. Drone Flight Safety Tips | YouTube

    4. DJI Safety Settings | Demo**

    5. How to Fly | Screens & System Settings**

    6. Flight Safety Procedures

    7. Emergency Protocols & Records

    8. Safety Systems | Coaching Call

    9. Drone Work | Flight Request & Safety Check

    10. ArcGIS Earth Tutorial | KML Creation

    11. Learning Check ✅

    1. Module Overview

    2. Define Your Site Extent

    3. Why Conduct a FSA?

    4. Flight Feasibility and Safety Assessment

    5. Demo | San Dieguito Lagoon FSA

    6. Drone Work | Feasibility & Safety Assessment

    7. Feasibility & Safety Assessment | Team Meeting

    8. Learning Check ✅

    1. Intro to UAS | Team Meeting 2026.01.20

    2. UAS Policy & Procedures | Team Meeting 2026.01.22

    3. Safety Systems & Protocols | Team Meeting

    4. Flight Feasibility & Safety Assessment | Team Meeting 2026.01.29

About this course

  • $1,000.00
  • 53 lessons
  • 14 hours of video content
  • Online Community Support
  • Live Office Hours
  • Practical Exercises

Q&A Session

Hear about some of the most common questions about this course

My client portfolio includes

My courses have been applied by a variety of industries, applications & end-users

Bonus Materials

Get the professional-grade tools, templates, and workflows I’ve developed over a decade of real-world drone operations. These are the exact systems I’ve used to lead international missions, train government teams & deliver high-quality results!

  • Flight Checklists, Logs & Datasheets

    Access a suite of professional tools — from mission planning, flight checklists, data sheets, equipment logs and maintenance records. These resources are modeled on my own Standard Operating Procedures developed over a decade of running international drone operations and trusted by small nonprofit and large government drone teams alike.

  • Drone Apps, Flight Request Forms & Incident Reports

    Get my list of essential drone apps & desktop software for mission planning, flight safety & reporting — plus a copy of my ready-to-use Google Form for flight requests, mission planning, incident reporting & maintenance tracking templates to help you streamline your workflow and maintain compliance, whether you’re flying solo or managing an entire drone team.

  • Starting a Drone Business (Live Webinar)

    Join my exclusive live session on how to build and brand your own drone services business — from identifying niche markets and setting up operations to getting clients and navigating rules and regulations. Learn what works (and what doesn’t) from my real-world experience running a multi-country drone consultancy and training academy over the past 10 years.

Still Have Questions?

Here's What Most Students Ask Before Enrolling

  • Do I need to have a drone?

    Not necessarily — in fact, this course is the perfect place to start even before you buy! You’ll learn how to assess drone types, specs, and use cases so you can invest wisely based on your goals and industry.

  • Who are these courses designed for?

    Professionals, students, consultants, and anyone serious about launching or leveling up a drone career—whether you’re flying solo or setting up a national drone team. If you want to move beyond “hobbyist” and operate like a trusted expert, this course is for you.

  • What if I have to miss a class or fall behind?

    No worries. This is a self-paced online program hosted on Thinkific, so you can learn on your schedule. All lessons, tools, and templates are accessible 24/7—and you can revisit them anytime.

  • Will I receive a certificate?

    Yes—Actually Two!

    ✅ A Professional Drone Safety Certificate upon completion of core modules.

    ✅ A Commercial Operations Competency Certificate upon passing the final assessment.

    You’ll also receive credentials via AirData UAV, that can be publicly displayed on your portfolio or LinkedIn to showcase your verified skills.

  • Do you offer discounts or payment plans?

    Yes — I offer a wide range of flexible payment options to make this training more accessible. You can pay using major credit cards, PayPal, or select installment plans through providers like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay.

    I also provide discounts for group enrollments and am actively seeking funding opportunities to support a limited number of scholarships in the future. These scholarships will prioritize nonprofit organizations, community groups, and youth. Please contact me if you'd like to explore potential avenues for financial support.

  • Can I get extra help or support?

    Absolutely. After enrollment, you’ll have the option to book 1-on-1 technical coaching or purchase my editable Commercial Ops Manual Template to support your own business setup. These are optional upgrades you can add as needed.

Your career as a professional pilot starts here

Enroll Now for Next Cohort – Learn to Operate Drones Safely, Legally & Professionally!

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ENROLL TODAY

Dr. Kim Baldwin

Connecting People + Technology + Information

I’m a marine ecologist, GIS educator, and commercial drone pilot with over 20 years of experience in environmental mapping, monitoring and training across the Caribbean, California and beyond.

As the Founder and Director of Marine Spatial Information Solutions (MarSIS) Inc., I’ve built a career around one core mission: empowering people to use participatory approaches together with drones & geospatial tools to make data-driven, real-world impact.

Through my Training Academy, I’ve taught hundreds of individuals and organizations how to safely & professionally operate drones, conduct drone mapping missions, collect accurate environmental data and analyze and share their results for agriculture, fisheries, conservation and disaster management. My Participatory-UAS approach brings together science, technology and collaboration — ensuring that every learner, regardless of background, can build confidence and contribute to smarter environmental decision-making.

Whether you’re an individual seeking new skills or an organization building technical capacity, my goal is to make drone technology accessible, practical and transformative. Together, we can learn how to use technology tools to help us protect our planet and strengthen the communities that depend on it.

Come Fly With Me Today!

Dr. Kim Baldwin

Marine Ecologist | Drone Educator | Geospatial Innovator

Building Professional Flight Safety & Data Management Systems

Learn how to operate drones like a true professional — mastering global standards, precision data workflows, and the business systems that set elite pilots apart.