USI

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.

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

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

• UAS flight safety training
• Drone pilot certification
• FAA Part 107 exam prep
• BVLOS operations training
• UAS workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

DeLand

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Enterprise Workforce Solutions: Custom training solutions and certification programs sold to commercial enterprises requiring UAS workforce development for their operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2022IBAC 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 UnmannedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFast 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 CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFast 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 CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFast Track Drone Program partnership in South Carolina for accelerated UAS training with industry certifications.
• Texas A&M-RELLIScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFast Track Drone Program partnership in Texas for accelerated UAS training leading to Remote Pilot Certificate and USI certifications.
• Ohio Fast Track ProgramscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFast Track Drone Program partnerships across Ohio for accelerated UAS training with industry-recognized certifications.
• Censys TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided FAA Part 107 Waiver Support Services for USI's BVLOS training waiver application. USI utilized Censys Sentaero BVLOS aircraft for waiver demonstration.
• Accredible / CredlycoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital credentials platform powering USI certification badges. Provides verified, vetted data for each certification credential issued by USI.
• Amazon Career Choice ProgramflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUSI selected as education partner for Amazon Career Choice Program, enabling Amazon employees to pursue drone pilot training and certifications.
• Web ManualsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for UAS document management solutions, providing standardized documentation tools for drone operators.
• AirModominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAirModo Drone Insurance App partnership providing safety benefits to USI certified pilots.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad 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

• Xx.com/Fly_USI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Fly_USI
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlywithUSI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fly-usi
• Instagraminstagram.com/fly_usi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about USI