September 1-3, 2026  •  Caesars Forum  •  Las Vegas

PILOT INSTITUTE

September 1-3, 2026 | Caesars Forum | Las Vegas

Exclusive education, training, and resources for professional and aspiring UAV pilots — only at Commercial UAV Expo.

WHY PILOT INSTITUTE

World-Class Drone Education, Now In-Person

Pilot Institute has helped over 300,000 pilots train online. At Commercial UAV Expo, they’re bringing that expertise live — combining on-demand course content with real-world instruction in Las Vegas.

The Pilot Hub | Drone Education by Pilot Institute

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Wed Sep 2
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Essentials for Revenue Growth in 2027

Pilot Hub
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

In the rapidly evolving commercial drone sector, customer acquisition is the single biggest driver of sustainable revenue growth. This session gives you the playbook you need and the pitfalls you'll want to miss for 2027

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Earhart Alden & Associates
Founder / CEO
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Wed Sep 2
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Your Drone Shots Are Costing You Business. Here's Why.

Pilot Hub
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Great flying means nothing if the photos don't deliver. Vic Moss covers the top 5 drone photography mistakes that make clients cringe and how to fix every single one.

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Moss Photography
Owner
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Wed Sep 2
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Thermography Basics: The Niche Worth Learning

Pilot Hub
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Thermal imaging is where serious drone operators go to charge serious rates. In this session, we cover the operations basics and give you a clear picture of what it actually takes to get started.

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Pilot Institute
UAS Program Lead
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Wed Sep 2
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Solar Inspection Thermography Demo

Indoor Airspace Demo Area
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

See firsthand how Thermography can be used for a solar panel inspection in this interactive demo with Jason Wood, Master Thermographer and Pilot Institute UAS Program Lead. Jason will demonstrate best practices for a successful

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Pilot Institute
UAS Program Lead
Presented by Pilot Institute
Wed Sep 2
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Expert Fireside: What I Learned the Hard Way

Pilot Hub
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Every expert in this room has a story they wish they'd heard sooner. In this panel, operators from across the industry get real about the mistakes that cost them and the lessons that changed everything.

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Earhart Alden & Associates
Founder / CEO
Moss Photography
Owner
On The Go Video.biz
Drone Instructor
Texas Drone Company
Founder
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Wed Sep 2
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Leveraging Aviation Safety Culture in UAS

Pilot Hub
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Learn to bring Aviation Safety Culture into the drone industry and into your own missions with Commercial Airline Pilot and UAS SAR expert Kyle Nordfors.

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Mountain Rescue Association
UAS Chairman
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Thu Sep 3
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

From Raw Data to Wow-Worthy Deliverables

Pilot Hub
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Flying the drone is the easy part. Turning that data into something your client actually values? That's where the real work and the real money is. Jared Janacek pulls back the curtain on his full

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Texas Drone Company
Founder
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Thu Sep 3
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Level Up Your Construction Site Safety Knowledge

Pilot Hub
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Don't risk your reputation by not knowing essential site safety professionalism. You may not need to be OSHA certified to fly construction sites, but you should know the safety best practices to be professional, reduce

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On The Go Video.biz
Drone Instructor
Hosted by Pilot Institute
Thu Sep 3
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Inside Enterprise UAS: How Fortune 500s Launch and Scale Drone Programs

Pilot Hub
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Large companies are going all in on drones and building serious internal programs to prove it. In this session, get a rare inside look at how they do it, what makes these programs succeed, and

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Pilot Institute
Co-Founder
Pilot Institute
UAS Program Lead
Raptor Aeronautics LLC
Founder
Hosted by Pilot Institute

Pilot Hub Content Presentations

Daily expert talks on drone regulation, safety, technology, and industry trends.

Connect With the Drone Community

Meet fellow pilots, instructors, and industry professionals. The Pilot Hub is a space to ask questions and make connections.

Expert Guidance

Access Pilot Institute resources, ask instructors your questions, and get guidance on FAA certifications, waivers, and career paths.

Pilot Institute Courses & Workshops

Pilot Hub Sessions

The Pilot Hub sessions open to all attendees

WORKSHOP - Cutting Edge Industry Insights: Essentials for Every Drone Pilot

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Description: Join this workshop, featuring four master sessions and a Q&A with Pilot Institute subject experts on the critical topics you need to know, and then continue the conversations at the VIP networking lunch. Topics include the latest information about waivers, education, business development, and industry advances. This workshop is ideal for anyone seeking to stay current with the industry landscape and connect with fellow industry professionals, and is suitable for all levels of experience.

Price: $199 

ONLINE + ONSITE COURSE -
Drone Business Made Easy

Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM 
Location: Pilot Hub

Description: Learn how to build a profitable drone business on a strong foundation with the Drone Business Made Easy course from Pilot Institute, covering everything from pricing and marketing to legal requirements. Six hours of the course will be on demand, with the final module delivered LIVE in the Pilot Hub at Commercial UAV Expo. It’s the perfect combination of education and real-world insight to jumpstart your drone business. As a bonus, this pass includes a one-year membership in Pilot Institute’s Premium Community, providing business support, monthly workshops, and a network of experts and drone business owners, a “$199 value”.

Price: $299 – Includes a complimentary Exhibit Hall Pass or $100 off a Full Conference Pass

Capacity is Limited – Register Now to Secure your Spot!

ONLINE + ONSITE COURSE -
Drone Mapping, Modeling and Surveying

Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM 
Location: Pilot Hub

Description: Drone mapping has higher-paying jobs and less competition. Learn how to deliver profitable mapping services from an expert who has completed over 5000 missions with the Drone Mapping, Modeling & Survey Bundle from Pilot Institute. Over eight hours of the course will be on demand, with the final module delivered LIVE in the Pilot Hub at Commercial UAV Expo. Learn everything you need to know to create and deliver professional drone maps, models, and surveys to clients.

Price: $399 – Includes a complimentary Exhibit Hall Pass or $100 off a Full Conference Pass

Capacity is Limited – Register Now to Secure your Spot!

Visit the Pilot Institute in Booth 725!

Drone Training — FAQs

Do I need a drone license to attend the training workshops?

No prior certification is required. The sessions are designed for all experience levels — from first-time hobbyists to seasoned commercial operators seeking to expand their skills.

The Pilot Hub is a dedicated education area on the Exhibit Floor hosted by Pilot Institute. All Pilot Hub content sessions are open to every registered Expo attendee at no extra charge.

Add-on online-to-onsite courses and workshops have an additional charge

The workshops cover FAA Part 107 exam prep, waivers, and regulatory updates in depth. Pilot Institute is an FAA Safety Team Industry Partner and TRUST Test Administrator, making it ideal for pilots preparing for certification.

Pilot Institute is bringing pilot-focused education to Commercial UAV Expo, offering training, resources, and expert insights to help you fly safer, smarter, and more confidently. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these opportunities connect you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in the UAV industry.

PILOT INSTITUTE TIMELINE

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Workshop: Cutting Edge Industry Insights: Essentials for Every Drone Pilot *Additional purchase required

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Online to Onsite: Drone Business Made Easy *Additional purchase required

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Pilot Hub Content *Open to all registrants

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM - Drone Demonstration *Open to all registrants

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Online to Onsite: Drone Mapping, Modeling and Surveying Course *Additional purchase required

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM - Drone Demonstration *Open to all registrants

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Pilot Hub Content *Open to all registrants

PILOT HUB

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Bringing Aviation Safety Culture to UAS

1:40 PM – 2:20 PM

Composition, the Building Blocks of Great Photography

2:20 PM – 3:00 PM

Mapping Mastery: Workflows That Win Jobs

Thursday, September 4, 2025

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Using Heavy Lift UAS to Deliver Lifesaving Tools in Search and Rescue

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Deep Dive into Part 108

INDOOR AIRSPACE DEMONSTRATION

Heavy Lift UAS Drone Rescue Demonstration

See firsthand how heavy lift drones can deliver life-saving equipment, improving rapid response times and ultimately saving lives. Kyle Nordfors of Mountain Rescue Association and Weber County Search and Rescue will demonstrate how UAS technologies can enhance SAR and Public Safety missions. After the demonstration, join Kyle in the Pilot Hub for a presentation diving deeper into subject.