Best Drone Membership Programs and Communities of 2024

In the ever-evolving world of drone technology, staying ahead of the curve is critical. To stay competitive, maximize your connections, and take your skills to the next level, it’s smart to join a drone membership program or community.

Of course, there are plenty of great, free online drone communities, which I’ve previously described (and participated in) on The Drone Girl. However, it is often the paid drone pilot community that offers more powerful resources and expert insight.

Free is good and always preferred. But in reporting on the drone industry for more than a decade, we have often found that drone membership programs that require recurring membership fees inevitably provide higher levels of engagement and better discussion. Additionally, the best drone membership programs often include more than just a space to chit-chat with others; they also entail members-only discounts on drone-related products and free resources, such as access to exclusive video libraries, webinars, and PDFs. can be. , job boards, and sometimes even giveaways like swag or invitations to IRL events.

Yes, we know it can be annoying to have to pay for one more subscription service. However, drone pilots who own small businesses may be able to treat their drone membership community dues as a tax write-off (check with your accountant first). And pilots who work for companies that receive a learner’s allowance can count their drone membership as a qualifying expense.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to the best drone membership programs and communities you can join (sorted by group type, but listed in alphabetical order):

AUVSI: Best for policymakers and incumbents

For pilots who are particularly interested in drone industry advocacy, AUVSI may be a good fit for you. As the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to unmanned systems (including drones), AUVSI is at the forefront of the safe and beneficial integration of drones into society.

The group represents companies and experts from more than 60 countries, many of whom work in government, academia, or real-world industries (such as defence, private or commercial markets).

AUVSI sponsors the XPONENTIAL conference, one of the world’s largest annual drone events. XPONENTIAL 2024, held in San Diego in April 2024, stood out this year with a new cyber city area specifically focused on digital defense.

AUVSI membership benefits include:

• Invitation to join your local AUVSI chapter (including IRL meetings)
• Exclusive Career Center
• Access annual in-depth industry reports
• Discounts on events, including the aforementioned XPONENTIAL conference

AUVSI is best suited for drone pilots who want to:

• Contribute to the responsible development and use of drone technology.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and regulations.
• Network with key decision makers in the drone field.

dues: $150 per year. There are many discounts, including if you commit for more than a year or if you are an active or retired military member.

Drone Dojo: Best for repairmen and DIY drone builders

Drone Dojo was mentioned in our guide to the best free online drone communities because it has a forum that’s free to join, but there’s another hidden community that’s much more active. This is the Drone Dojo Discord.

The company first made its mark in the drone industry with the launch of its Raspberry Pi drone kit. This kit was revolutionary for taking the guesswork out of guessing what types of parts you would need to build your own drone and shipping it to you in a $1,000 Raspberry Pi drone kit. ).

Since then, Drone Dojo has expanded its offerings with even more courses and kits, including:

You can get access to the Drone Dojo Discord by joining the Blue Belt community for $27 per month (but you can use this link to get your first month for $1). This hobby-oriented community is aimed at DIY drone builders who enjoy operating their own drones. It’s also useful for people who want to learn more about how to code drones or want to create their own drone light show.

In addition to access to the exclusive Discord community, Drone Dojo membership benefits include:

• Github code access
• t-shirt
• $30 off drone and rover kits
• Access to all Drone Dojo courses

Drone Dojo is best suited for drone pilots who:

• Tinkering, having hobbies and generally making your drone project dreams a reality.
• Learn in a variety of styles, from structured video courses to active online communities.
• Actually build real things, including drones and light shows.

dues: It starts at $27 per month, but use our discount link to get your first month for just $1. The higher your tier, the more benefits you can enjoy, including more discounts, personalized Zoom call consultations, and free rental kits.

Drone Launch Connect: Best for pilots looking to start a drone business

Do you want to turn your passion for drones into a profitable venture? Drone Launch Connect is a community specifically for commercial drone pilots, especially those who want to make money with drones.

It’s also a very attractive drone membership program because members get access to many classes within Drone Launch Academy’s robust course offering, covering topics ranging from obtaining a drone pilot’s license to increasing your drone company’s social media presence.

In any case, for anyone considering enrolling in a program like Drone Launch Academy’s $199 Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep course, it’s only natural that you’d enroll at least a quarter of the time.

Membership benefits include:

• You’ll have access to about two dozen online workshops, including Drone Launch Academy’s Part 107 course, a course that covers the basics of flying a DJI drone, how to obtain an airspace clearance, and more.
• We invite you to live expert Q&A sessions held every other week.
• Additional discounts are available on more expensive Drone Launch Academy courses not included in the Drone Launch Connect package, such as the $799 Drones to $1,000 course.
• You are invited to Drone Launch Live, an in-person drone event taking place in Florida in late 2024 (exact date TBC).

Drone Launch Connect is best suited for drone pilots who:

• Enter the commercial drone industry.
• Get a high-paying freelance or full-time drone pilot job.
• Network with other commercial drone companies and industry experts.

dues: $87 quarterly or $290 per year (annual subscription is effectively 2 months free).

If you’re interested in participating in Drone Launch Connect, you’ll want to do so now. On Friday, June 28th, Drone Launch Academy will temporarily suspend accepting new members. So get in on this killer membership deal before they limit the size of your community.

EAA: Best for pilots interested in unique aircraft beyond drones

True to its name, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fosters a vibrant community covering all things aviation, including drones. EAA doesn’t just focus on drones, it also provides valuable resources and networking opportunities for drone pilots.

Our flagship event, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, is an event you don’t want to miss. Held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this is the world’s largest air show, featuring amazing aerial acrobatics, aircraft of all types (from luxury private jets to fun, experimental planes), and great entertainment. I went to EAA in 2016, and I can’t wait to go back.

Annual membership fees start at $48, and along with the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh discount (which can be paid for on your own), you’ll receive:

• Monthly subscription to Sport Aviation magazine
• Invitations to local EAA chapter events and meetings
• Free admission to nearly 400 museums, including the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh

EAA is best suited for drone pilots who:

• Have a broad interest in aviation, not just drones.
• Find a support network of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
• I would like to receive member benefits and discounts on various aviation-related products and events.

Alternatively, you can pay $1,495 for a lifetime EAA membership. Technically, you’ll pay for it in about 31 years, but that doesn’t account for the inevitable increase in annual dues due to inflation. Lifetime EAA members also receive money-can’t-buy bonus items, such as a custom Lifetime Membership jacket, as well as custom Lifetime Member ID cards, patches, pins, plaques and decals.

dues: $48 per year (individual) or $60 per year for family members (including spouse and children under 18).

The best paid drone pilot community for you will depend on your specific goals and interests. Are you seeking breathtaking aerial footage or looking to build a commercial drone business? Do you want to advocate for your industry or simply stay informed about regulations? By carefully considering your needs, you can find the perfect community to pursue your drone pilot journey.

Which drone membership program do you belong to? Was it worth paying to join? Tell us about them in the comments!

Speaking of paid communities, the Drone Girl community is always free to join. I want to make my content available for free so everyone can access the information. That said, I only make money from sidebar ads, affiliate links, and donations like you. I know ads are annoying, but you have to pay your employees! If you want us to keep content like this and keep annoying ads to a minimum, please consider donating today!

Related