Part-Time Drone Pilot Instructor
Quick Summary
The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI.
Schedule: 10–12 hours per week
Program Year: 36 weeks per year
Estimated Annual Hours: 360–432 hours
Position Summary
The Drone Pilot Instructor will lead a hands-on, career-focused drone education program for high school students. The instructor will teach students the knowledge, safety practices, flight skills, and professional skills needed to pursue an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107.
The instructor will combine classroom instruction with practical drone activities, helping students understand how drones are used in fields such as construction, forestry, agriculture, public safety, real estate, environmental science, photography, surveying, and other emerging careers.
The FAA currently requires applicants for a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to be at least 16 years old and to pass the initial aeronautical knowledge examination.
- Introduce students to drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and aviation.
- Teach basic drone components, controls, batteries, maintenance, and pre-flight procedures.
- Introduce students to safe and responsible drone operations.
- Teach weather, airspace, flight restrictions, and emergency procedures.
Develop instruction and practice activities covering FAA Part 107 knowledge areas, including:
- FAA rules and regulations
- Airspace classification and operating requirements
- Weather and its effects on drone operations
- Aircraft performance and loading
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Airport operations
- Maintenance and pre-flight inspections
- Night operations
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Demonstrate safe drone flight techniques.
- Supervise student flight activities.
- Teach takeoff, landing, hovering, maneuvering, and mission planning.
- Provide opportunities for students to practice photography, mapping, inspection, and other appropriate applications.
- Establish and enforce safe flight procedures for all student activities.
Help students understand how drone technology is being used in the workplace.
Potential career applications include:
- Forestry and environmental conservation
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Surveying and mapping
- Real estate
- Photography and videography
- Infrastructure inspection
- Public safety
- Engineering
- Environmental science
- Technology and entrepreneurship
Incorporate workforce-development skills into the program, including:
- Professional communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Project planning
- Workplace safety
- Professionalism
- Résumé development
- Career exploration
- Presentation skills
Track student progress toward the FAA knowledge examination and help students understand the certification process.
The FAA process includes obtaining an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), scheduling and passing the initial aeronautical knowledge test, completing the FAA application through IACRA, and completing the required security vetting/application process.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Demonstrated experience safely operating drones/UAS
- Ability to work effectively with high school students
- Strong communication and classroom-management skills
- Ability to explain technical information in an age-appropriate way
- Commitment to aviation and student safety
Nice to Have
~1 min read- Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or training youth
- Experience with drone photography, mapping, surveying, GIS, inspection, forestry, construction, or another UAS application
- Experience preparing students for FAA Part 107 testing
- Knowledge of FAA airspace and LAANC procedures
- Experience developing hands-on STEM or career-and-technical education activities
The schedule may include:
- Classroom instruction
- Hands-on flight sessions
- Student project development
- Individual student support
- FAA exam preparation
- Career exploration activities
- Program planning and documentation
Some outdoor instruction may require flexibility based on weather, daylight, and safe flying conditions.
By the end of the program, students should have:
Requirements
~2 min readThe Drone Pilot Instructor will help high school students turn an emerging technology into real-world skills, career exploration, and a pathway toward professional drone operations.
Location & Eligibility
About this job
- Pay per year
- ≈ $41,600–$62,400 a year
- 19% below the $64,480 median for Teacher jobs on Jobera (2,321 salaries).
- Who can apply
- United States
- Posted
- Today
Listing Details
- Posted
- November 5, 2026
- First seen
- November 5, 2026
- Last seen
- November 5, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 79%
- Scored at
- November 5, 2026
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