Nieto MinistriesNieto Ministries · Pathfinders
FAA-compliant class

Your Get-Ready checklist

Progress saves on this device. When all required steps are green, head to the Pre-Class Pass tab to print your readiness pass.

How do you Fly SMART?

The FAA's checklist for everyone who flies for fun. Do S and M at home before class.

S
Sign up (register). Register if your drone weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more — $5, covers all your recreational drones, lasts 3 years. Mark the number on the outside. Under-13 owners need an adult 13+ to register.
M
Make it legal (TRUST). Pass the free online TRUST test and carry proof when you fly.
A
Always follow the rules. Fly for fun, stay ≤400 ft in uncontrolled airspace, get LAANC/DroneZone authorization in controlled airspace, and give way to aircraft.
R
Respect the airspace. Drones are aircraft — keep yours in sight; registered drones must broadcast Remote ID.
T
Team up with your community. Follow an FAA-recognized CBO's safety guidelines and learn from experienced flyers.

Source: FAA — Recreational Flyers & CBOs; How to Register Your Drone. Volunteer "goodwill" flying for an org is non-recreational → Part 107.

The ready-to-fly path

  1. Study — learn the rules & safety (this app).
  2. Certify — take TRUST at home, bring the certificate.
  3. Train — safety, skills & supervised flying in class.
  4. Fly — honor awarded at class after the instructor signs off each requirement.

Class plan

  • Safety & stewardship — people, wildlife, privacy, shared sky.
  • Rules of the sky — recreational vs. commercial, registration, Remote ID, altitude, why the DC area is special.
  • How drones fly — rotors, batteries, GPS, sensors, controls; hands-on parts walkthrough.
  • Flight session — pre-flight check, takeoff, hover, a simple course, landing.
  • Honor sign-off — instructor reviews each requirement; paperwork to the club director.

For club directors

  • Send club name, # of students, age range.
  • We confirm date, site & airspace; provide training drones & safety gear; send completion records.
  • Ask about combining clubs for a district or camporee session.

Flight-area safety

No flying over people. Everyone signs the waiver. The flight session runs as a controlled operation under the instructor's FAA Part 107 certificate.

FLIGHT AREA (instructor controlled)
FLIGHT BOX · one drone at a time
PIC — instructor + student
SPECTATOR LINE · no one past this line while flying
spectators, families, waiting students — never over people
  • Marked flight area with a spectator line; no drone flies over anyone.
  • One drone at a time, direct supervision; instructor can take control instantly.
  • Small training drones only in class; personal drones after class, with approval, same rules.
  • Flying cancelled for wind, weather, airspace restrictions, or any safety concern.

Pre-Class Readiness Pass

Confirm you're ready, then print/save your pass and bring it to class. Honest self-check — your instructor verifies at the door.

✈ Pre-Class Readiness Pass
—

    Required before class: TRUST certificate printed, drone registered (if 250 g+), honor requirements reviewed, and waiver signed.

    TermTap to start

    Press "New quiz".

    Fly for fun & keep learning

    Sharpen your stick skills and get inspired. (External sites — have a parent/leader okay any downloads or purchases.)

    🏁 Watch pro drone racing

    See the fastest FPV pilots in the world.
    Drone Champions League ↗

    🎮 Fly a simulator (practice & race from home)

    Crash a thousand times for free, then fly the real one clean.
    DRL Simulator — Steam ↗ VelociDrone ↗

    🛒 Need a drone or gear?

    Professional Drones & Gaming — starter drones, class kits, parts, and classic arcade cabinets. Every drone comes with a first-flight safety briefing.
    Visit the store ↗ Shop drones ↗ eBay store ↗

    🛰 Know-before-you-fly tools

    Register (FAADroneZone) ↗ B4UFLY — where can I fly ↗ Remote ID ↗

    A simulator is the cheapest way to get good — crash a thousand times for free, then fly the real one clean.

    Completion certificate

    Certificate of Completion
    This certifies that
    __________
    has met the requirements for the
    ✈ Drone Honor
    Nieto Ministries Pathfinders

    Verify against the official requirement list before awarding.

    Hands-free Drive Mode

    Press Start — reads the term, pauses, reads the answer, auto-advances.