Who knew a great idea could come from crashing a drone?
Who knew a great idea could come from crashing a drone?
I started UAV Coach in 2014 after crashing my first drone in downtown Manhattan. I was too excited to fly and didn’t take the time to properly train. I throttled my DJI Phantom 1 up to about 20 feet, lost control almost immediately, and had no idea how to bring it back down. The next few seconds were terrifying — I narrowly missed cars, a couple of pedestrians, the side of a building, and somehow managed to crash into the tire of a parked car.
So, I launched UAV Coach to help others avoid the mistakes I made. Since then, we’ve grown into a team dedicated to training and empowering drone pilots at every stage of their journey.
In 2016, we launched Drone Pilot Ground School, an online test prep course that has helped over 70,000 pilots pass the FAA exam and earn their Remote Pilot Certificate. With a 99%+ pass rate, we go beyond test prep — providing expert support to help students succeed before and after certification.
Whether you’re flying for fun or looking to get your Part 107 certification, we’re here to help you fly safely, confidently, and with purpose.
Alan Perlman | Founder
Our Core Values
Our Brand Promises
Our brand promises are based on our 3X Guarantee, along with our responsibility as a leading authority and provider of news, education and valuable information for the drone industry.
Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
If you don’t pass the FAA exam after taking our course, we’ll refund you AND cover your test center fee ($175).
30 day Money Back Guarantee
Not 100% satisfied with the course? Let us know and we will give you your money back. No questions asked!
Most Up-to-Date Content
Rules and regulations are constantly changing. We have the industry’s most updated course content so you’ll always have the freshest information.
Our Team
ALAN PERLMAN
FOUNDER
Alan founded UAV Coach in 2014 with a focus on education, safety, and commercial opportunity. He holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and is the lead course instructor for Drone Pilot Ground School. Earlier in his career, he ran a boutique marketing agency in NYC, helped build HubSpot’s customer certification program, and traveled to 50+ countries as a cost-of-living research analyst. Alan has a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. He spends his free time with wife/business partner Lana, their two kids and dog and is always planning his next outdoor adventure.
LANA AXELROD
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Lana holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and has over a decade of experience in strategic planning, financial analysis, product management, marketing and customer experience. Prior to joining UAV Coach, Lana managed credit card products at American Express and spent several years on Wall Street at Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. Lana has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She spends her free time with her husband/business partner Alan, their two kids and dog and enjoys travel and home improvement shows.
MIKE MCGUIRT
CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGER
Mike served nearly 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he held various management and leadership roles in human resources, supporting personnel around the globe. Most recently, he spent 3 years as a high school Aerospace Science Instructor, where he started and grew the drone program. Mike has a BS in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University and an MA in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Mike and his wife of over 30 years raised two sons and lived in many unique places; they now reside in Jonesboro, AR.
JUDY HINTZ
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Judy has held management and operations roles in education, transportation, and finance. Most recently, Judy was a Regional Director at International Experience, a non-profit student exchange organization, where she worked with U.S. host families and high schools to help international students fulfill their dreams of studying abroad in the U.S. She has also held roles at Schneider National and Associated Bank. Judy has a BBA in International Business from St. Norbert College. She enjoys time with her husband and two sons and spending the afternoon with a good book.
LIZ ROBERTSON
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Liz is a career marketer with a focus on digital strategies, rebrands, and new programs / products and a passion for growing small to mid-size companies. Prior to joining UAV Coach, she spent her marketing career in the apparel / retail industry in roles at Abercrombie & Fitch and University Tees. Liz has a BS from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. In her free time, she enjoys cooking new recipes and hanging out on a patio with her husband and golden retriever.
ADAM GORDON
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Adam is a passionate photographer and filmmaker with a knack for social media marketing. Recently graduating with a BS in Communication Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno, he combines a love for flying drones with a talent for teaching others about photography. An avid hiker and dedicated to capturing breathtaking moments, Adam thrives on creating visually compelling stories and helping others enhance their photography and drone skills.
ZACC DUKOWITZ
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Zacc is a writer with professional experience in education technology and digital marketing. Zacc also holds the rank of nidan in Aikido, a Japanese martial art, and is a widely published fiction writer. Zacc has an MFA from the University of Florida and a BA from St. John’s College.