USI
USI (Unmanned Safety Institute) is a privately held UAS training and certification company serving individual learners, academic institutions across all 50 states, and commercial enterprises with aviation-safety-derived curriculum and industry-recognized drone pilot and maintenance technician certifications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersDeLand, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What USI does
USI (Unmanned Safety Institute, Inc.) is a privately held UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) training and certification company headquartered in DeLand, Florida, with a Training Center of Excellence in Panama City. Founded in 2014/2015, the company delivers aviation-safety-derived curriculum and industry-recognized certifications for drone pilots and UAS maintenance technicians, targeting three customer segments: individual learners and career changers (including priority placement for veterans and transitioning military), academic institutions (nearly 500 high schools, colleges, and technical schools across all 50 states), and commercial enterprises (1,000+ organizations served, including American Electric Power, AT&T, American Tower, Zipline, and Zillow).
The core product portfolio includes a $99 self-paced FAA Part 107 Exam Prep course, $550 instructor-led workshops, and $4,500 12-week Fast Track Drone Programs delivered at partner colleges in Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. A tiered certification system spans Small UAS Safety Levels 1-2, Visual Line of Sight System Operation (Ground and Flight), Advanced Safety Levels 1-4 for autonomous and BVLOS operations, and a UAS Maintenance Technician program. USI also delivers the IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training course through an exclusive partnership with the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), and Performance Vector Unmanned Safety & Loss Control products in partnership with USAIG. Digital credentials are issued via Accredible and Credly.
USI earns revenue through a mix of one-time course fees, certification exam fees, academic curriculum licensing, and enterprise workforce training contracts. Distribution channels include direct e-commerce (shop.flyusi.org), self-serve online learning (learn.flyusi.org), channel partner colleges, authorized testing centers, and direct enterprise sales. The company holds a 2022 FAA Part 107 Waiver for BVLOS training operations and was named the first ASTM Approved Training Provider in the UAS industry in May 2025, reinforcing a standards-based competitive position that the company markets as differentiating versus generic Part 107 prep providers.
USI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USI
- Legal name
- Unmanned Safety Institute, Inc.
- Website
- https://flyusi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- USI (Unmanned Safety Institute) is a privately held UAS training and certification company serving individual learners, academic institutions across all 50 states, and commercial enterprises with aviation-safety-derived curriculum and industry-recognized drone pilot and maintenance technician certifications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- UAS Training and Certification Services
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Flight Training (611512), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emerging Aviation Maintenance (UAS/Drone, eVTOL & Advanced Air Mobility) (EDAOAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), Aircraft Inspection, Quality Assurance & Airworthiness (IA Prep) (EDAOAFAE), Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where USI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- DeLand
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
USI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Training Courses: Revenue from instructor-led and self-paced online courses including Part 107 exam prep ($99), 2-day workshops ($550), and comprehensive Fast Track programs at partner colleges ($4,500). Courses are sold through e-commerce storefront and direct enrollment.
- Industry Certification Exams: Fees for administering industry certification examinations for UAS Safety Levels, VSO operations, and advanced certifications. Certifications are issued upon successful completion of examination requirements.
- Academic Partnership Licensing: USI provides curriculum and certification programs to academic institutions (high schools, colleges, technical schools) across all 50 states, licensing training content and assessment tools.
- Enterprise Workforce Solutions: Custom training solutions and certification programs sold to commercial enterprises requiring UAS workforce development for their operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | FAA Part 107 Exam Prep - Self-paced online course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2-Day Part 107 Exam Prep Workshop - Instructor-led |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 12-Week Professional Remote Operator Program at West Georgia Technical College |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
USI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USI delivers UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) flight safety training, certification, and workforce development programs based on aviation safety practices. Its core offerings include the FAA Part 107 Exam Prep Course, the Professional Remote Operator (PRO) and Advanced Professional Operator pathways, a hierarchical certification system (sUAS Safety Levels 1-2, VLOS Ground/Flight, Advanced Safety Levels 1-4), 12-week Fast Track Drone Programs at partner colleges, and IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training. Training is delivered via an online learning management system, in-person flight training at the Panama City Training Center of Excellence, and on-site residencies at partner academic institutions.
Product overview
USI (Unmanned Safety Institute) is a training and certification company offering a comprehensive UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) education platform with multiple certification tracks and workforce development programs. The core product portfolio includes the Basic FAA Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($99), Professional Remote Operator (PRO) Pathway, and Advanced Professional Operator Pathway for BVLOS operations. USI offers a hierarchical certification system including sUAS Safety Levels 1-2, VLOS System Operations (Ground and Flight), and Advanced Safety Levels 1-4 for autonomous operations. The company partners with community colleges for Fast Track Drone Programs (12-week accelerated training), and provides business solutions including VISTA and the USAIG-backed Performance Vector Unmanned Safety & Loss Control program. IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training, developed with IBAC, serves the business aviation auditing market. Digital credentials are issued via Accredible and Credly platforms. Programs are aligned with FAA, ASTM International, NIST, and IBAC standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FAA Part 107 Exam Prep Course
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,000+ USI Safety certifications awarded
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use USI
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
USI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature5 records
USI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)flagshipIBAC and USI developed and implemented the IS-BAO RPAS auditor training program. IBAC provides oversight while USI creates training content including coursework materials and online learning management system. Resulting co-branded digital credentials are issued to successful participants.
- USAIG Performance Vector UnmannedcorePartnership to provide Safety & Loss Control products and services. USAIG is empowering individuals and organizations with time-honored aviation safety tools, practices, and education through USI.
- Central Arizona CollegecoreFast Track Drone Program partnership offering accelerated UAS training. USI instructors teach live online with in-person flight training at the college location.
- West Georgia Technical CollegecoreFast Track Drone Program partnership providing 12-week Professional Remote Operator Program and 12-week UAS Maintenance Technician Program. Hybrid structure with online and on-site training at Carrollton Campus.
- Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegecoreFast Track Drone Program partnership in South Carolina for accelerated UAS training with industry certifications.
- Texas A&M-RELLIScoreFast Track Drone Program partnership in Texas for accelerated UAS training leading to Remote Pilot Certificate and USI certifications.
- Ohio Fast Track ProgramscoreFast Track Drone Program partnerships across Ohio for accelerated UAS training with industry-recognized certifications.
- Censys TechnologiescoreProvided FAA Part 107 Waiver Support Services for USI's BVLOS training waiver application. USI utilized Censys Sentaero BVLOS aircraft for waiver demonstration.
- Accredible / CredlycoreDigital credentials platform powering USI certification badges. Provides verified, vetted data for each certification credential issued by USI.
- Amazon Career Choice ProgramflagshipUSI selected as education partner for Amazon Career Choice Program, enabling Amazon employees to pursue drone pilot training and certifications.
- Web ManualsminorPartnership for UAS document management solutions, providing standardized documentation tools for drone operators.
- AirModominorAirModo Drone Insurance App partnership providing safety benefits to USI certified pilots.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
USI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DJI: DJI is the global dominant drone manufacturer with a flight training simulator and partner training programs. Broad incumbent in UAS ecosystem with overlapping enterprise pilot enablement goals.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle offers accredited UAS degree programs, certificates, and Part 107 prep through its Worldwide campus. A broader aviation education incumbent with overlapping UAS curriculum and academic channel partnerships.
- Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI): AUVSI is the largest US trade association for UAS/drone industry, running XPONENTIAL conference and offering training/certification programs. Broader incumbent in the same ecosystem that USI engages with for industry alignment.
Emerging players
- Skydio: Skydio is a leading US drone OEM that increasingly offers training programs and pilot enablement for its autonomous drone platforms. Adjacent capability overlap through enterprise pilot training and certification tied to its hardware.
Direct peers
- Drone U: Drone U offers drone pilot training focused on commercial drone business operations and Part 107 prep. Comparable B2C individual learner focus with similar course-based monetization model.
- UAV Coach: UAV Coach offers Part 107 prep courses, drone training bundles, and community resources for individual drone pilots. Closely comparable audience (career changers, new pilots) and course-based delivery model.
- Pilot Institute: Pilot Institute is a leading online drone training and Part 107 prep provider with a similar self-paced + workshop model targeting individual drone pilots and professionals. Directly comparable course catalog, pricing tier, and target learner.
- Drone Pilot Ground School: Drone Pilot Ground School is a dedicated Part 107 online prep company competing head-to-head with USI's $99 self-paced course. Direct competitor in the entry-level pilot certification market.
- DroneLaunch Academy: DroneLaunch Academy provides drone pilot training courses, Part 107 prep, and business-focused drone training programs. Comparable online course catalog and target audience of aspiring commercial drone operators.
Regional players
- Altus Unmanned Aerial Solutions: Altus Unmanned is a US-based drone services and training company offering UAS pilot training and commercial services. Regional competitor with overlapping course offerings and commercial UAS services focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
USI social profiles
Digital presenceUSI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
USI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
USI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
USI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about USI
What does USI do?
USI delivers UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) flight safety training, certification, and workforce development programs based on aviation safety practices. Its core offerings include the FAA Part 107 Exam Prep Course, the Professional Remote Operator (PRO) and Advanced Professional Operator pathways, a hierarchical certification system (sUAS Safety Levels 1-2, VLOS Ground/Flight, Advanced Safety Levels 1-4), 12-week Fast Track Drone Programs at partner colleges, and IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training. Training is delivered via an online learning management system, in-person flight training at the Panama City Training Center of Excellence, and on-site residencies at partner academic institutions.
Is USI a public or private company?
USI is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was USI founded?
USI was founded in 2015. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is USI based?
USI is headquartered in DeLand, United States, in the North America region.
How does USI make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are industry Certification Exams, academic Partnership Licensing and enterprise Workforce Solutions.
Who are USI's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DJI, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). Skydio is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Drone U, UAV Coach, Pilot Institute, Drone Pilot Ground School and DroneLaunch Academy. Altus Unmanned Aerial Solutions is listed as a regional player.
Does USI have an API?
No public API is recorded for USI.
What industry is USI in?
USI's product category is UAS Training and Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAFAO, Emerging Aviation Maintenance (UAS/Drone, eVTOL & Advanced Air Mobility), with a secondary code of IMABAIAO, UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.