About Drone Launch Learning

We provide schools with ready-to-use drone curriculum that saves teachers time and gives students the future-ready skills they need to succeed.

Our Mission

We make it simple for schools to bring drone education into the classroom. By combining hands-on training with FAA certification prep, we help teachers inspire students and prepare them for careers in one of today’s fastest-growing industries.

Who We Are

Drone Launch Learning is part of the Drone Launch Academy family — an industry leader that has trained thousands of professional drone pilots across the U.S. With more than a decade of experience in aviation, drones, and online education, we’ve developed a proven system to deliver high-quality, teacher-friendly curriculum to high schools and community colleges.

Instructors

Col. Don Berchoff (USAF Ret.)

Part 107 Exam Prep Course – Weather

BIO:

Colonel Don Berchoff is a weather instructor at Drone Launch Learning and CEO of TruWeather Solutions, a company providing advanced, real-time weather data for the aviation and transportation industries.

He previously served as Director of Science and Technology at the National Weather Service and collaborated with the FAA on NextGen Air Traffic Management System weather operations. During his Air Force career, Don earned non-rated crewmember wings as an airborne meteorologist, served as Air Force One meteorologist for President George H.W. Bush, and led large-scale weather operations supporting global missions.

His leadership and aviation weather expertise bring invaluable insight to Drone Launch Learning students.

Maj. Nathan Green (USAF Ret.)

Part 107 Exam Prep Course – Weather

BIO:

Major Nathan Green is one of Drone Launch Learning’s weather instructors. He serves as the Meteorological Operations Manager at TruWeather Solutions, where he focuses on how weather impacts drone operations.

Nathan’s Air Force career included leading weather operations for Air Force One, supporting over 120 aircraft and 15,000 soldiers, and serving as a Staff Weather Officer at the Pentagon. A Purple Heart recipient, he later contributed to the FAA’s NEXGEN weather modernization program.

Nathan holds a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology and a master’s degree in Geosciences.

Andrew Zimmitti

Part 107 Exam Prep Course – Regulation

BIO:

Andrew Zimmitti is the legal instructor at Drone Launch Learning. A partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in Washington, D.C., Andrew has over 20 years of legal experience and advises clients on Unmanned Aircraft Systems regulations and compliance.

He is also a private pilot currently pursuing his instrument rating. Andrew earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law and previously served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Navy.

Rut Patel

Drone Mapping and Modeling Fundamentals

BIO:

Rut is the founder of Voyager Industries, a company that uses drones for asset management and inspections across infrastructure, energy, and agriculture sectors.

He brings his real-world experience to the classroom, teaching students how to leverage drones for construction and mapping projects, deliver actionable results, and build strong professional networks in the industry.

David Young

Founder and CEO

BIO:

David Young is a drone enthusiast and an FAA-certified Advanced Ground Instructor. He has been tested and approved by the FAA to help students take and pass their FAA knowledge exams, such as the Unmanned Aircraft exam required for the Remote Pilot Certificate (what you need to fly drones commercially).

Curriculum Development Contributors

Katherine Smayda

Curriculum Developer

BIO:

Katherine Smayda is an experienced educator and curriculum designer with over eight years in K–12 teaching and instructional development.

She holds an Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction and an MBA, and has created engaging, standards-aligned courses for students and educators alike.

At Drone Launch Learning, Katherine combines her classroom experience and instructional design expertise to build practical, teacher-friendly drone curriculum for today’s schools.

Sarah Lewis

Curriculum Developer

BIO:

Sarah Lewis is a certified Secondary Education and Career and Vocational Tech Teacher. Holding a Master’s degree in Workforce Education and Development, her expertise bridges the gap between technology and education, equipping students with crucial drone operation skills for the modern job market.

Sales & Customer Success

Kaylie Mills

Account Executive and Customer Success Manager

BIO:

Kaylie is an Account Executive and Customer Success Manager at Drone Launch Learning.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Technology and Education from Texas A&M University–Commerce, she is a certified agriculture and science teacher with experience teaching CTE, AP Biology, drones, and robotics.

Kaylie combines her background in education and technology to help schools launch successful, hands-on drone programs that prepare students for real-world careers.

Schedule Demo

Why We Exist

Schools are under pressure to deliver relevant, engaging content that connects students to real-world careers. Building new programs from scratch is time-consuming and costly. Drone Launch Learning was created to solve that problem with plug-and-play curriculum designed specifically for STEM, CTE, and Tech Ed classrooms.

Our Approach

Teacher-Friendly

Curriculum built to save time and meet classroom standards.

Student-Centered

Interactive lessons, hands-on flying, and clear pathways to certification.

Future-Focused

Programs that align with FAA requirements and prepare students for tomorrow’s jobs.

Proven Results

Backed by Drone Launch Academy’s 10+ years of experience training drone pilots nationwide.

Looking Ahead

As drone technology evolves, so do we. Our goal is to keep providing schools with the most effective, engaging, and relevant curriculum available — helping educators open new doors for their students year after year.