Drone Pilot Training

Weekend In The Catskills

Learn to fly a drone and prepare for your FAA Drone Pilot Course during a hands on weekend retreat with expert instruction.

Next Drone Training

2/6/2026 to 2/8/2026

Learn how to fly drones safely, confidently, and professionally in a real-world environment. This immersive three-day Drone Pilot Training Retreat combines hands-on flight time, expert instruction, and FAA guidance.

Ready To Become A Confident Drone Pilot?

If you’re searching for drone pilot training, FAA drone certification prep, or a hands-on drone course near New York, this retreat is designed for you.

Instead of learning through trial-and-error or online videos, you’ll train directly with a licensed commercial drone pilot. You’ll gain real flight experience, understand airspace and safety requirements, and leave with a clear path forward to flying professionally or recreationally.

Between training sessions, relax with great meals, comfortable lodging, and the peaceful surroundings of High Range Retreat.

Topics You'll Cover During The Drone Pilot Training

This drone pilot training is ideal for beginners and intermediate pilots. Core topics include:

Drone equipment overview & setup
Fundamentals of flight & aircraft control
Safety, situational awareness & risk management
Pre-flight & post-flight checklists
Professional drone pilot workflow
Weather fundamentals for drone pilots
Understanding airspace & authorizations
Choosing your first (or next) drone
Aircraft maintenance & care
Capturing aerial photos and video

Meet Your Instructor

Shachar “Shac” Melamed

Shachar “Shac” Melamed is a commercial drone pilot and instructor with over 10 years of professional flight experience, including both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

Shac is the owner of Blue Sky Drones and has trained pilots working in real estate, surveying and mapping, inspections, and search & rescue. His instruction focuses on safety, repeatable workflows, and confident decision-making in real-world flight conditions.

Certifications

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot
EASA Remote Pilot (A1 / A2 / A3)

Learn From a Certified Commercial Drone INstructor

What To Expect

Click to Reserve Your Spot, select the number of peope attending, choose accommodations, and get ready for your weekend!

Reserve Your Retreat Tickets

Start by selecting your ticket. Your ticket includes all drone training sessions and meals. Space is limited to maintain a high instructor-to-student ratio.

Choose Your Accommodations

Stay onsite in a private or shared room. Local participants may attend training without lodging, and companions are welcome to stay without joining the course.

Experience the Weekend

All logistics are handled. Train during the day, relax in nature each evening, and leave with practical drone pilot skills you can immediately apply in life.

What Shac's Students Say

“Shac built a customized training curriculum designed to our specific needs, and delivered it in a very effective way, from classroom to hands-on flights with SAR scenarios. All our team members passed the NIST test...and are now qualified by the two departments to fly operationally.”

Ron G., New York

"As someone with ZERO experience I was nervous about my abilities to actually fly safely. Shac was very patient...very informative, and included basic as well as advanced maneuvers, take off and landing...He’s very knowledgable and experienced and got me on my way quickly."

Beth L., New Jersey

What Your Drone Retreat Includes

The Drone Pilot Training Retreat includes the following:

A weekend of expert instruction to master take-off, landing, manuevering, and drone safety
Learn advanced manueving with commercial applications
Learn to capture professional quality aerial photography of videography
FAA TRUST certification guidance & Part 107 Test Preparation
Access to a private What's App group so you can ask questions and connect with your classmates before arriving
All meals (7 Total) included and prepared by local restaurants
Evening entertainment and relaxation
Access to property amenities
A shared or private room in our guest house (optional, for an additional fee)

Drone Pilot Training Itinerary

Three Days of Flight Training & Skill Development

Day 1 – ARRIVAL & INTRODUCTION

4:00 PM – Arrival

Settle into your accommodations.

6:00 PM – Intro to Drone Piloting

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Group Welcome Dinner

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM – Evening Activities

11:00 PM – Lights Out

Day 2 – Core Flight Skills & Safety Fundamentals

7:30 AM to 8:45 AM – Breakfast

Saturday Morning – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Foundations of Safe & Confident Drone Flight

Objective: Learn the foundations of safe & confident drone flight.

Welcome, orientation & safety briefing
Drone equipment overview & setup
Understanding drone components & flight systems
Fundamentals of flight & aircraft control
Situational awareness and risk management
Pre-flight checklists and professional pilot habits
Initial hands-on flight practice

Outcome: Students can safely set up, launch, control, and land a drone using professional pre-flight procedures.

1:00 PM – Lunch

Saturday Afternoon – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Hands-On Flight Skills & Core Maneuvers

Objective: Develop precise flight control and situational awareness through guided maneuver training.

Review of morning flights & skill refinement
Basic and intermediate flight maneuvers
Orientation control and precision flying
Emergency procedures & loss-of-signal scenarios
Introduction to aerial photo & video fundamentals
Guided outdoor flight sessions with instructor feedback

Outcome: Students can perform controlled maneuvers, respond to common flight issues, and fly with improved accuracy and confidence.

7:00 PM – Dinner

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM – Evening Activities

11:00 PM – Lights Out

Day 3 – Advanced Flight Application & Certification Pathways

7:30 AM to 8:45 AM – Breakfast

Sunday Morning – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Advanced Concepts, Airspace & Real-World Flying

Objective: Understand real-world flight decision-making, FAA requirements, and environmental factors.

Weather fundamentals for drone pilots
Understanding airspace, restrictions & authorizations
FAA rules, TRUST certification overview & compliance
Professional drone pilot workflow
Selecting your next drone based on mission type
Aircraft care, maintenance & battery management
Advanced maneuver practice

Outcome: Students can assess airspace and weather conditions, comply with FAA rules, and plan flights responsibly.

1:00 PM – Lunch

Sunday Afternoon – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Practical Application & Next Steps

Objective: Apply skills in realistic flight scenarios and establish a clear path toward certification or professional use.

NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology) obstacle course challenge
Scenario-based flight exercises
Aerial photo & video application flights
FAA Part 107 preparation guidance
Career paths: real estate, inspections, mapping & search and rescue
Q&A, personalized feedback & next steps discussion

Outcome: Students complete scenario-based flights, understand next steps for FAA Part 107, and leave with a personal development plan.

6:30 PM – Group Dinner & Wrap-up

Departure

Can’t Make The Upcoming Retreat?

Be the first to know when new dates open for our Drone Pilot Training Retreats. Enter your email below to get early access and priority booking.

Have More Questions About Drone Pilot Training?

Have a question? Speak with me directly about the upcoming Drone Pilot Training Retreats.

Ariel Remen

Retreat Coordinator & Property Manager

Common Questions About The Drone Pilot Training Retreat

How much is the drone pilot training cost?

The drone pilot training cost is $1,299 per person for a 3-day, 2-night drone training that covers everything from safety to advanced manuevering, and photography. After this weekend retreat you’ll be prepared to fly a drone professionally for real estate, estimating, surveying, inspections, videography, and other applications, as well as expertly fly for leisure.

Do I need prior drone experience?

No. This retreat is beginner-friendly and also valuable for intermediate pilots looking to improve skills and safety.

Do I need to bring my own drone?

Not required. Details on recommended equipment will be provided before the retreat.

Will this help me prepare for the FAA Part 107 exam?

Yes. While the exam isn’t administered onsite, the retreat provides foundational knowledge and guidance to prepare you for Part 107 certification.

Survival materials and tools will be provided
Comfortable clothing, a hat, gloves, and hiking shoes
Warm layers for evenings, lighter wear for daytime
Sunscreen, bug spray, and a bathing suit for the jacuzzi
Small overnight bag for two nights
Optional: fishing rod for nearby fishing opportunities

Can I come with a companion who doesn’t join the activity?

Yes, companions are welcome to stay and enjoy the amenities. When you reserve your room, simply add an additional guest as a “non-participant”.

I live nearby, can I attend just the training?

Yes, locals can join as day participants without overnight accommodations. You can purchase your ticket, but decline to reserve sleeping accommodations.

What is the cancellation policy?

Within the first 7 days of booking, you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. After that, you can cancel up until 48 hours before the start of the Drone Pilot Training and receive a credit towards future retreats. Within 48 hours of booking, due to limited space there is a strict no refund policy.

What happens if weather affects flying?

Weather planning and decision-making are part of the training. Alternative instruction and adjusted flight sessions will be used if needed. If the weather is too severe, we will reschedule for an alternative date. If you can not make the backup date, you will receive a credit for the full value to use towards a future retreat.

Is this course hands-on?

Yes. This training emphasizes real flight time with instructor feedback.

What are the sleeping accommodations like?

We have several rooms in the guest house for you to choose from. You can either reserve a bed in a shared room, or book one of the private rooms we have available.

How do you handle meals?

Meals will be prepared by local restaurants in the area. You’ll have several options to choose from for each meal. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions we will make sure to accommodate you. Please add a note at checkout when you reserve your spot.