Drone Pilot Schools in United Arab Emirates

These schools train drone pilots in United Arab Emirates, from first flights to commercial work. Programs, schedules, and pricing change often, so contact each school directly for current details.

7 schools listed
How to become a pilot

Since January 2024, a UA Pilot License from GCAA or the relevant local authority has been mandatory before flying commercially or for government work, a genuine change from the earlier rules that required only training with no formal license. Applicants must be 18 or older (waivable at the authority's discretion), a UAE resident, and complete training at an approved training operator.

The regulation does not specify an exam pass mark or fee; those are set by the approved training providers as part of the course.

Regulator
GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) ↗ CAR-UAC Issue 02
About the regulation

Civil drone operation in the UAE is regulated federally by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), with Dubai's Local Appropriate Authority (DCAA) sometimes serving as the actual licensing counter under the same federal framework. The core regulation, CAR-UAC, covers commercial and governmental drone use, including photography, survey, media, agriculture, inspection, and mapping.

Every commercial or government operator needs a UA Operator Authorisation plus a separate Letter of Conformity per aircraft from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Standard limits, absent special approval, are daytime flying, visual line of sight, 400 feet altitude, and a 25 kilogram weight cap.

Confirm current requirements on the authority's official site before you enroll or fly.

This page is for general orientation and may not reflect the latest regulatory changes. It is not legal advice: confirm current rules, fees, and permitted zones with your country's civil aviation authority before you fly.

A listing in this directory is not an endorsement, accreditation, or certification of any school, and does not indicate affiliation with or vetting by us. Confirm a school's credentials and authorizations directly with the school and the relevant authority.

Schools

AUS Drone Academy

Run by the American University of Sharjah's College of Engineering, following the DCAA RPAS permit path.

Sharjah
Visit website ↗
weltahir@aus.edu

Falcon Eye Drones (FEDS)

Falcon Eye Drones (FEDS) is a GCAA/DCAA/GACA-approved commercial drone services provider in the UAE and Saudi Arabia that also runs a Drone Academy offering pilot training workshops and operational briefings.

DubaiRiyadh
Visit website ↗
enquiry@feds.ae +971-4-4250886

Other countries in Middle East

List your school

If you run a drone training program anywhere in the Middle East, we would like to include it. Send us the school name, website, and a short description; listing is free.

Email partners@neblihq.com

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