🎓 DRONE PILOT TRAINING · BORDEAUX (33) · €350–2,800 LA FORMATION
Drone drone pilot training in Bordeaux
Becoming a professional drone pilot requires mastering a dense European regulatory framework and genuine flying skill. Our courses cover the full journey: preparation for the online A1/A3 theory exam, the French BAPD certificate for sub-category A2, complete specific-category training (CATS theory plus practical STS-01/STS-02 scenario training with assessment and certificate), and trade modules — photogrammetry, thermography, technical inspection, FPV. Sessions alternate between classroom, simulator and a declared training field.
Our instructors are working drone pilots: real-world cases, the pitfalls of prefectural declarations and the actual preparation of a mission in controlled airspace are part of the syllabus alongside theory. Courses are eligible for French professional funding schemes (OPCO, France Travail depending on your file); individual sessions or small groups of 4 to 6 trainees, anywhere in France. Three months of post-course support (regulatory hotline, review of your first mission files) is included.
Free quote — drone pilot training in Bordeaux
Rates
€350–2,800 la formation — the range observed on the 2026 French market, including regulatory preparation, flight and delivery. The exact quote depends on the site, the deliverable and the airspace context in Bordeaux.
Common use cases
- Complete specific-category training (CATS theory + STS practical) to become a professional pilot
- Preparation for the A1/A3 theory exam and the French A2 certificate (BAPD)
- Upskilling in-house teams (construction, energy, local authorities)
- Trade module: photogrammetry, thermography or inspection
- Supervised FPV flying initiation on a dedicated field
- Support in launching a drone business (filings, operations manual, insurance)
The local context in Bordeaux
The Bordeaux-Mérignac CTR, shared with air base 106, covers the west of the conurbation: urban flights require coordination with both civil and military aviation. Sensitive sites abound — the Dassault plant and Mérignac aerospace zone, the Bacalan submarine base, the Aquitaine bridge — and the UNESCO-listed quaysides fall under the built-up-area scenario.
The Gironde metropolis is a complete market: booming real estate around Euratlantique and the Bassins à flot, prestigious wine estates (Médoc, Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Émilion) that are heavy users of vineyard mapping and monitoring, river tourism on the Garonne, and structural inspections from the Chaban-Delmas bridge to the Cité du Vin.
Applicable regulations
The French regulatory path in 2026 works as follows: for the open category, free online A1/A3 training and exam on the DGAC platform (via AlphaTango), supplemented for A2 by declared practical self-training and the French theory exam (BAPD). For the specific category (built-up areas, beyond visual line of sight, STS scenarios), the pilot must pass the CATS theory certificate (exam at a DGAC centre) then complete practical training with a recognised entity issuing the completion certificate; the operator declares its STS scenarios and maintains an operations manual. Every operator — even recreational, from 800 g or with a camera — registers on AlphaTango. Our training fields are declared and our practical courses aligned with European scenario requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a professional drone pilot?
Allow 5 to 10 days of training: 2 to 3 weeks of CATS theory preparation (often remote), then 3 to 5 days of practical STS work in the field. Many trainees are operational within a month, operator filings included.
Can the course be funded by French professional schemes?
Yes: our organisation is Qualiopi-certified, the prerequisite for OPCO funding, company training plans and France Travail support. We provide the quote, syllabus and agreement for your application.
Do I need to own a drone before training?
No: training drones (and the simulator) are provided throughout the course. We then advise you on buying a machine suited to your business and its European class (C0 to C6).
Can this service be flown anywhere in Bordeaux?
Almost: CTR de Bordeaux-Mérignac (aéroport et base aérienne 106); Sites aéronautiques sensibles de Mérignac; Quais classés UNESCO (scénario agglomération). Depending on the exact location, the pilot picks the right framework (open or specific category) and files the required declarations — included in the quote.
Other drone services in Bordeaux
- Aerial photography in Bordeaux from €300
- Aerial video in Bordeaux from €500
- Real estate drone services in Bordeaux from €250
- Weddings & events in Bordeaux from €400
- Roof inspection in Bordeaux from €200
- Facade inspection in Bordeaux from €300
- Aerial thermal imaging in Bordeaux from €500
- Construction site monitoring in Bordeaux from €250
- Surveying & photogrammetry in Bordeaux from €800
- Precision agriculture in Bordeaux from €8
- Security & surveillance in Bordeaux from €600
- Immersive FPV video in Bordeaux from €700
- High-access cleaning in Bordeaux from €500
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