The very best drone membership packages and communities in 2024

Within the ever-evolving world of drone know-how, staying forward of the curve is essential. To remain aggressive, maximize your connections and push your expertise to the subsequent stage, you’ll be smart to hitch a drone membership program or group.

And certain, there are many nice, free on-line drone communities, which I’ve outlined beforehand on The Drone Woman (and take part in myself). However it’s typically the paid drone pilot communities that have a tendency to supply a extra sturdy trove of assets and skilled insights.

Free is nice, and at all times most popular. However in my more-than-10 years reporting on the drone trade, I’ve typically discovered that typically the drone membership packages that mandate recurring dues inevitably have larger ranges of engagement and extra high quality dialogue. Plus, the most effective drone membership packages typically embrace greater than only a place to chit chat with others, however may also entail member-exclusive reductions on drone-related merchandise, free assets (corresponding to entry to unique libraries of movies, webinars and PDFs), job boards and typically freebies, like swag or invites to IRL occasions.

Sure, I do know having to pay for yet one more subscription service could be annoying. However drone pilots who personal small companies would possibly be capable to make their drone membership group dues a tax write-off (do test together with your accountant first). And pilots who work for corporations with studying stipends would possibly be capable to make their drone membership rely as a qualifying expense.

With that in thoughts, right here’s a information to a few of the finest drone membership packages and communities to hitch (damaged down by sort of group, however listed in alphabetical order):

AUVSI: finest for coverage makers and established companies

For pilots particularly taken with drone trade advocacy, AUVSI probably matches the invoice. Because the world’s largest non-profit group devoted to unmanned programs (together with drones), AUVSI has been seen as a supply for championing the protected and useful integration of drones into society.

The group represents companies and professionals throughout greater than 60 nations — most of whom work in both authorities, academia or the precise trade (whether or not that’s protection, civil or industrial markets).

AUVSI is behind one of many world’s largest, annual drone occasions: the XPONENTIAL convention. XPONENTIAL 2024, held in April 2024 in San Diego, stood out this 12 months for its new Cyber Metropolis space that targeted particularly on digital protection.

AUVSI membership advantages embrace:

• An invite to hitch a neighborhood AUVSI chapter (which entails IRL meetups)
• An unique profession heart
• Entry to annual, in-depth trade stories
• Reductions to occasions, together with the aforementioned XPONENTIAL convention

AUVSI is finest geared in direction of drone pilots who wish to:

• Contributing to the accountable improvement and use of drone know-how.
• Staying forward of the curve on trade traits and rules.
• Networking with key decision-makers within the drone house.

Membership payment: $150 yearly, although there are many reductions, together with in the event you decide to greater than a 12 months, or in the event you’re an lively or retired army member.

Drone Dojo: finest for tinkerers and DIY drone builders

Drone Dojo will get a shoutout in my information to the most effective free on-line drone communities given its free-to-join discussion board, however there’s one other, more-hidden group that’s way more vibrant: the Drone Dojo Discord.

The corporate first rose to prominence within the drone trade when it launched its Raspberry Pi drone kits. These kits have been revolutionary in taking the guesswork out of what forms of items you want to make your personal drone, as a substitute delivery it to you in a $1,000 Raspberry Pi drone equipment (with a corresponding / taking you thru the method, step-by-step).

Since then, Drone Dojo has expanded its choices with way more programs and kits, together with:

You get entry to the Drone Dojo Discord by becoming a member of its $27-per-month Blue Belt group (however use this hyperlink to get your first month for simply $1). This hobby-oriented group targets DIY-drone builders who prefer to tinker with drones on their very own. Its additionally useful for individuals who wish to be taught extra about the right way to code drones — and even make their very own drone mild present.

Past entry to that unique Discord group, Drone Dojo membership advantages embrace:

• Github code entry
• A t-shirt
• $30 reductions on drone and rover kits
• Entry to all of the Drone Dojo programs

Drone Dojo is finest geared in direction of drone pilots who wish to:

• Tinker, interest, and customarily flip a dream for a drone challenge into actuality.
• Be taught by way of a variety of types, from structured video programs to vibrant on-line communities.
• Truly construct bodily stuff, together with drones and lightweight exhibits.

Membership payment: Begins at $27 per 30 days, however use my low cost hyperlink to get your first month for simply $1. Excessive tiers unlock extra advantages like deeper reductions, customized zoom name consultations and free rental kits.

Drone Launch Join: finest for pilots trying to launch a drone enterprise

Aspiring to rework your drone ardour right into a worthwhile enterprise? Drone Launch Join is a group that caters particularly to industrial drone pilots — and particularly those that wish to earn a living in drones.

It’s additionally a brilliant compelling drone membership program as a result of members get entry to lots of the courses inside Drone Launch Academy’s sturdy providing of programs, which cowl matters starting from getting your drone pilot’s license, to leveling up your drone firm’s social media presence.

For individuals who have been going to join one thing like Drone Launch Academy’s $199 Half 107 Distant Pilot Examination Prep Course anyway, then becoming a member of for only a quarter a minimum of is a no brainer.

Membership advantages embrace:

• Entry to roughly two-dozen on-line workshops, together with Drone Launch Academy’s Half 107 course, programs that cowl the fundamentals on flying DJI drones, guides to getting airspace authorization and extra.
• Invitation to reside, bi-weekly skilled Q&A classes.
• Extra reductions on pricier Drone Launch Academy programs not included within the Drone Launch Join package deal, corresponding to their $799 Drones to $1k course.
• An invite to Drone Launch Stay, which is an in-person drone occasion taking place later in 2024 in Florida (actual date tbd)

Drone Launch Join is finest geared in direction of drone pilots who wish to:

• Launch a enterprise within the industrial drone trade.
• Safe high-paying freelance or full-time drone pilot positions.
• Community with different industrial drone companies and trade professionals.

Membership payment: $87 quarterly or $290 yearly (annual subscription is successfully two months free).

Although if you wish to be a part of Drone Launch Join, you’ll wish to bounce on this now. Come Friday, June 28, Drone Launch Academy is placing a short lived halt on accepting new members. So get in on this killer membership deal earlier than they put a cap on the group dimension.

EAA: finest for pilots taken with distinctive plane past simply drones

True to its identify, the Experimental Plane Affiliation (EAA) fosters a vibrant group for all issues aviation, together with drones. Whereas not solely targeted on drones, the EAA gives useful assets and networking alternatives for drone pilots.

Its signature occasion, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, is one to not be missed. Held yearly in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, it’s world’s largest airshow and options superb aerial acrobatics, all types of plane on show (starting from fancy non-public jets to enjoyable, experimental planes), and nice leisure. I went to EAA in 2016, and I can’t wait to return.

Annual membership dues begins at $48, and will get you reductions to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (which alone will pay for itself), alongside different advantages corresponding to:

• A month-to-month subscription to Sport Aviation journal
• Invitation to native EAA chapter occasions and conferences
• Free admission to just about 400 museums, together with the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh

EAA is finest geared towards drone pilots who:

• Have a broader curiosity in aviation past simply drones.
• Search a supportive community of pilots and aviation lovers.
• Need to entry member advantages and reductions on all types of aviation-related merchandise and occasions.

Or, you possibly can pay $1,495 for lifetime EAA membership. It technically pays for itself after about 31 years, however that doesn’t account for inevitable, inflation-related will increase in annual dues. Plus, lifetime EAA members get bonuses goodies that cash can’t purchase, like a customized lifetime member jacket, in addition to a lifetime member customized ID card, patch, pin, plaque and decals.

Membership payment: $48 per 12 months (particular person) or $60 per 12 months for a household membership (features a partner and any youngsters underneath the age of 18).

The very best paid drone pilot group for you hinges in your particular objectives and pursuits. Are you chasing breathtaking aerial visuals or aiming to construct a industrial drone enterprise? Do you crave trade advocacy or just wish to keep knowledgeable on rules? By rigorously contemplating your wants, you’ll discover the right group to propel you ahead in your drone pilot journey.

What drone membership packages do you belong to? Was it price it to pay to hitch? Inform me about them within the feedback!

And talking of paid communities, The Drone Woman group is — and at all times might be — free to take part in. I wish to make my content material free to supply entry to data for everybody. That stated, I earn a living purely off sidebar adverts, affiliate hyperlinks and donations like yours. I do know the adverts are annoying, however I need to pay my workers! If you wish to preserve content material like this going and decrease the irritating adverts, please take into account making a donation at this time!

Associated