Drone UAS Training

What we teach

Drone Courses & Certifications

All skill levels welcome - from first-time flyers to experienced operators seeking advanced credentials in public safety, thermal imaging, and emergency response.

Eyes in the Sky

How UAS Drone Operations Are Reshaping Modern Investigations

Course 01 · Licensing

FAA Part 107C Drone Pilot Certification

Prepare for and pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test to fly commercially under federal regulations. Essential for any professional or paid drone operation.

• FAA regulations & airspace rules
• Weather & pre-flight planning
• Emergency procedures
• Commercial operations compliance

Course 02 · Advanced

Search & Rescue Drone Operations

Tactical aerial operations designed for emergency responders, SAR teams, and law enforcement. Taught by a certified Search & Rescue Instructor with field experience.

• Search grid patterns & coverage
• Night operations & low-light flying
• Coordination with ground teams
• Lost person behavior modeling

Course 03 · Thermal

Thermal Imaging & Infrared Operations

Level 1 Certified Infrared Thermographer instruction combining drone operations with thermal camera use for SAR, building inspections, and public safety applications.

• Infrared camera calibration & setup
• Heat signature interpretation
• SAR thermal detection techniques
• Solar & building inspection workflows

Course 04 · Public Safety

NIST / BPERP Drone Certification

Specialized certification aligned with NIST standards and BPREP emergency response protocols. Designed for first responders, public safety agencies, and emergency management professionals.

• NIST drone test method standards
• BPREP emergency response protocols
• Public safety operational procedures
• Incident command integration

Course 05 · All Levels

Everything Drones - Basic & Advanced

The complete drone education experience. Whether you've never touched a controller or you're a licensed pilot expanding your skill set, this comprehensive track covers everything you need for real-world drone operations across multiple industries.

• Basic flight & controls
• Advanced flight maneuvers
• Mapping & surveying
• Solar panel inspection
• Photography & videography
• Real estate & construction
• Site inspection workflows
• Drone maintenance & safety

Course 06 · Search & Rescue

• Equipment Overview - M30T specs, sensor suite, RC Plus 2, TB30 batteries, firmware updates
• Data Extraction - SD workflow, folder structure, naming standards, thermal DTAT processing
• CalTopo - Map creation, drone segment planning, live-mission tools, post-mission export
• Flight Operations - Pre-flight checklist, DRC Plus 2 controls, waypoint missions, thermal ops
• FAA LAANC - Step-by-step authorization, approved platforms, airspace class reference
• Mission Planning - Nova incident management, DroneSense, DroneDeploy mapping
• Search Types - SAR, Fugitive/LE, Water, HAZMAT, Fire Rescue, Traffic Accident
• Post-Flight - Full checklist, documentation requirements, evidence handling
• Maintenance - Post-mission, 100-hour, storage/transport requirements
• Safety & Compliance - Part 107, emergency protocols, crew resource management

Your instructor Alden Wheeler

Lead Drone Instructor · Private Investigator · SLED Licensed

Alden Wheeler brings a unique combination of law enforcement background, private investigation expertise, and advanced drone certifications to every course. With credentials spanning FAA Part 107C, BPREP, Search & Rescue, and Level 1 Infrared Thermography, students receive real-world training that goes far beyond classroom theory.

Based in Anderson, SC, Alden serves students across the Upstate South Carolina region through Alden Wheeler Detective Agency & GPS - a full-service agency offering drone services, GPS monitoring, and private investigations alongside professional drone education.

Credentials & certifications

• FAA Part 107C Licensed Pilot
• BPREP Drone Certified
• Search & Rescue Instructor
• Infrared Thermographer Lvl 1
• Mapping & Surveying Certified
• Solar Inspector
• Basic Drone Trainer
• Advanced Drone Trainer
• SLED Licensed PI
• Anderson & Pickens Offices

Upcoming training

Next Event

March 21 - 22 2026

AWDA Drone Training Weekend

Anderson, South Carolina

Two-Day Event

All Skill Levels Welcome