NZ Drone Training Providers Compared: DroneTrust, NZ Drones Academy, Fenix UAS, DroneTraining.co.nz and FlyUAV (2026)
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If you're looking for drone training in New Zealand, you'll find several providers, each with a different approach to how they deliver courses, how far their examiner network reaches, and what certifications they can help you achieve. This article gives a factual breakdown of the main options - what they offer, how they're structured, and what matters when you're making the decision.
We've written this as DroneTrust, so we obviously have a perspective. But we've tried to be accurate about what other providers do well, and honest about where they take a different approach that might suit certain learners better than we do.
What to look for in a NZ drone training provider
Before comparing providers, it helps to know what the important variables actually are:
CAA Part 141 certification. This means the CAA has audited and approved the organisation as a training provider. Your certificate is only as credible as the organisation that issues it. All reputable providers in this comparison hold Part 141 certification.
Delivery format. Some providers are fully online. Others are classroom-based and intensive. Some are a mix of both. This matters significantly if you're in a rural area, have work commitments, or need to fit training around a schedule.
Examiner network. The practical flight test is a requirement for Part 101 and Part 102 certification. How many examiners a provider has, and where they're located, determines how quickly and conveniently you can complete your certification after finishing the theory.
Range of courses. Part 101 and Part 102 are the foundation certifications, but commercial operators often need more - Agricultural Rating, Night Rating, Operational Competency Assessments, and in some cases exposition writing support.
Pricing. NZ drone training providers don't always present pricing the same way. Some list prices exclusive of GST, which can significantly change the real cost. We've noted this where relevant.
Track record. How many students has the provider trained? How long have they been operating? A large student base suggests established processes and examiner relationships.
Provider comparison
| DroneTrust | NZ Drones Academy | Fenix UAS | DroneTraining.co.nz | FlyUAV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAA Part 141 certified | Yes (#TR104722) | Yes | Yes | Yes (#TR8522) | Not published on website |
| Fully online theory and exams | Yes | Partial (online and classroom) | Partial (101 Fundamentals only) | No (classroom intensive) | No |
| Practical flight test | In-person (all providers — CAA requirement) | In-person | In-person | In-person | In-person |
| Students trained | 30,000+ | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| NZ Examiner network | 22 examiners, Northland to Southland + Pacific | Not stated | Not stated | Tauranga-based | Auckland-based |
| Part 101 | Yes - $597 (GST incl.) | Yes - $950+GST ($1,092 incl.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part 102 | Yes - $998 (GST incl.) | Yes - $1,450+GST ($1,668 incl.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Agricultural Rating | Yes - from $3,000 | Not offered | Yes | Not offered | Not offered |
| Night Rating | Yes - $499 (GST incl.) | Yes - $749+GST ($861 incl.) | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| OCA (Operational Competency Assessment) | Yes - $629 | Yes - $630+GST ($724 incl.) | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Survey Course | Yes - $499 | Not offered | Not stated | Not stated | Yes |
| Exposition writing | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Yes (via Aviation Dynamics) | Yes |
| Corporate training | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| FAA TRUST provider (USA) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Pacific Islands courses | Yes | No | No | No | Not stated |
| Overall NZ pass rate | 95.5% (1,430 assessments) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| ADA preferred training partner | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Provider summaries
DroneTrust
DroneTrust is New Zealand's largest online drone training provider, with more than 30,000 pilots trained across New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and the United States. We are a CAA Part 141 certified aviation training organisation (certificate #TR104722) offering fully online Part 101 and Part 102 theory courses and exams - the only NZ provider to offer both entirely online without requiring classroom attendance.
Our examiner network spans 22 examiners from Northland to Southland, plus coverage in the Pacific (including Fiji), so practical flight tests are accessible regardless of where you're based. We also hold FAA TRUST Administrator status in the United States, and offer courses tailored to the Pacific Islands, making DroneTrust the only training provider operating across all three regions.
Our courses are built by a team that includes airline pilots, military aviators, licensed avionics engineers, and flight examiners - including one of only two people in New Zealand authorised to certify drones heavier than 15kg. Across 1,430 New Zealand assessments over the past three years, our students have achieved an overall pass rate of 95.5%, with a 100% pass rate for Night Rating.
DroneTrust is the preferred training partner for the Agricultural Drone Association (ADA) - the industry body for New Zealand's agricultural drone sector - and works alongside the Commercial Drone Association of New Zealand (CDANZ). We're pleased to offer a discount to ADA members on all DroneTrust courses.
For commercial operators, we offer Agricultural Rating, Night Rating ($499 GST-incl.), Operational Competency Assessments, Survey Courses, and Exposition Writing Services. We work with some of New Zealand's largest corporates on fleet-wide drone certification programmes, with direct invoicing and group enrolment options.
Part 101 is $597 (GST inclusive). Part 102 is $998 (GST inclusive), which includes all Part 101 content - there's no need to purchase Part 101 separately first.
NZ Drones Academy
NZ Drones Academy is a CAA Part 141 certified provider based in Plimmerton, Wellington, offering Part 101, Part 102, Night Rating, and OCA courses in online and classroom formats. The organisation was incorporated in August 2024, making it one of the newer entrants in the NZ drone training market.
Classroom courses are scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch only. If you're based outside these cities, you'll need to factor in travel and accommodation on top of the course fee. Pricing is listed exclusive of GST - Part 101 at $950+GST ($1,092 at checkout), Part 102 at $1,450+GST ($1,668 at checkout).
NZ Drones Academy does not offer Agricultural Rating, Survey courses, FAA training, or Pacific Islands courses. No student volume or pass rate data is published.
Fenix UAS
Fenix UAS is based in Feilding, Manawatu, and positions itself as a specialist consultancy and training provider with backgrounds in commercial aviation, military, and regulatory roles. They are CAA Part 141 certified and offer a broader scope of regulatory support than most providers.
Their course range includes Part 101 (an online fundamentals course recently launched), Part 102, Night Rating, Agricultural (agrichemicals) rating, OCA, and SMS for RPAS Operators. They also assist with exposition writing. Pricing is not published on their website - you'll need to contact them for a quote before you can compare costs.
Feilding is not a convenient location for most NZ operators. Their model suits organisations with complex or high-risk operational requirements who need ongoing regulatory consultancy - it's less suited to individuals or businesses looking for straightforward certification at a known price.
DroneTraining.co.nz
DroneTraining.co.nz (operating as Aviation Training Limited, Part 141 certificate #TR8522) is a Tauranga-based provider offering in-person, instructor-led training delivered by qualified helicopter and aeroplane pilots. Their differentiator is an aviation-first perspective on airspace, including an optional helicopter flight designed to give students a manned pilot's view of the airspace drone operators share.
All courses are classroom-based and delivered in Tauranga. There is no online option, and no flexibility on location or scheduling - if you're not in the Bay of Plenty, travel is required. Pricing is not published; you'll need to contact them directly.
DroneTraining.co.nz does not offer online courses, Agricultural Rating, Survey courses, FAA training, or Pacific Islands courses. No student volume or pass rate data is published.
FlyUAV
FlyUAV has been operating since 2012 and is one of the longest-established UAV companies in New Zealand. Based in Albany, Auckland, they offer Part 101 and Part 102 training alongside commercial services including aerial survey, photography, and consulting.
CAA Part 141 certification is not published on their public website. Pricing is not published. No student volume or pass rate data is available.
Their instructors have practical commercial operating experience, which may appeal to operators in similar industries. For straightforward certification, the lack of published information on accreditation, pricing, and outcomes is worth noting.
What makes DroneTrust different
Fully online, start to finish. DroneTrust is the only provider in New Zealand where you can complete your entire Part 101 or Part 102 theory course and online exam without attending a classroom or physical training centre. The practical flight test requires an in-person session with one of our examiners - that's a CAA requirement - but everything else is done at your own pace, on any device, wherever you are in the country.
30,000+ students trained. No other provider in this comparison has published a comparable figure. NZ Drones Academy lists "3,000+ UAV operational hours" on their website, which refers to the operational experience of their instructors - a different measurement entirely. DroneTrust's 30,000+ refers to the number of pilots who have completed training through our platform.
Nationwide examiner reach. Our 22 examiners are based from Whangarei to Te Anau, with coverage in the Pacific. When you finish your theory, you're not waiting for the next available classroom slot in Wellington or Christchurch - you book your practical test with an examiner in your region.
Pricing that includes GST. DroneTrust prices are GST-inclusive. Some competitors list prices exclusive of GST. The real cost of Part 101 training at NZ Drones Academy ($950+GST) is $1,092 at checkout - compared to $597 at DroneTrust. For Part 102, the difference is even larger: $1,668 incl. GST versus $998.
Pass rates we can actually show you. Across 1,430 New Zealand assessments over the past three years, DroneTrust students have achieved an overall pass rate of 95.5%. Night Rating: 100%. 102 OCA: 99.7%. No other provider in this comparison publishes equivalent data.
The full commercial pathway in one place. Part 101 and Part 102 are the starting point, not the finish line. DroneTrust also offers Agricultural Rating (the only online provider to do so), Night Rating, OCA, Survey Course, and Exposition Writing Services. If you're building a commercial operation, you can progress through the entire pathway without switching providers.
Which provider suits which learner
You want fully online, flexible, self-paced learning: DroneTrust. We're the only NZ provider offering fully online Part 101 and Part 102 theory and exams.
You're a rural operator and need examiners near you: DroneTrust. 22 examiners from Northland to Southland.
You want in-person, instructor-led training and can travel to Wellington, Christchurch, or Tauranga for fixed course dates: NZ Drones Academy or DroneTraining.co.nz.
You want your training delivered by helicopter and fixed-wing pilots: DroneTraining.co.nz.
You need US FAA training as well as NZ certification: DroneTrust (the only provider offering both).
You're a corporate or government agency needing fleet-wide certification: DroneTrust, Fenix UAS.
The bottom line
DroneTrust is New Zealand's largest online drone training provider by student volume - 30,000+ pilots trained across NZ, the Pacific, and the US. We're the only provider offering fully online Part 101 and Part 102 courses and exams, with 22 examiners from Northland to Southland to complete your practical assessment.
If you're ready to get started, take our course recommendation quiz or browse our courses. If you have questions, contact our team - we're happy to talk through what you need.
Information in this article is accurate as of May 2026 based on publicly available provider websites. Pricing and course availability may change - we recommend confirming directly with each provider.
