The team behind Drone Class.
Drone Class is an EASA-approved online drone training provider, founded in 2018 in the Netherlands. We’ve trained 75,000+ pilots for the EU Drone License — fully online, with a 95%+ pass rate and a 4.9/5 rating. Certificates are issued via the Dutch authority (RDW) and valid for 5 years in all 30 European countries.
Why we exist
Drone rules in Europe are strict — and for good reason. But we believe flying legally shouldn’t be complicated. That’s why we built an online course that takes you from zero to certified in a single day, without classrooms, waiting lists or paperwork.
Drone Class was founded in 2018 by Sander Welgraven and Sem van Geffen, and grew from a Dutch flight school into a training provider active across Europe — with our home base (and practical training location) in Duiven, the Netherlands.
Our instructors are certified drone pilots who fly themselves — for inspections, film productions and training missions. We take a no-nonsense approach: we never train longer or heavier than the regulation requires.
Officially recognised
Our courses and exams are embedded in the official European system — not a private certificate, but the real EU Drone License.
Government-recognised flight school
Recognised by the Dutch government as a flight school (NL-RTF-505/4), EU-recognised flight school (NL-UAS.RE-505) and designated as a UAS entity (IENW/BSK-2024/309430).
rdw.nl →EASA framework
Training follows the European EASA regulation (2019/947), which makes your certificate valid in all EU + EFTA countries.
easa.europa.eu →Official EU Drone License
You receive the Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency — the official document, digitally in your inbox, valid for 5 years.
Drone Class B.V. · KvK 82792593 · VAT NL862606615B01 · Marketing 45, 6921 RE Duiven, the Netherlands · Authorisation (VLOS/BVLOS): NLD-OAT-223-02G
The people who train you
Certified pilots and instructors — the same people who write our courses, our exams and the articles in our knowledge base.
Sander Welgraven
Teaches flight lessons and practical training, and oversees drone applications such as mapping and inspections.
Sem van Geffen
Develops our courses and theory training, and oversees all developments in drone laws and regulation.
Frederik Otten
Built and raced drones before joining Drone Class, where he teaches flight lessons.
Wouter Welgraven
Welcomes candidates and conducts written exams in the Netherlands, also on location for companies and schools.
Frequently asked questions
Is Drone Class a recognised flight school?
Yes. Drone Class is recognised by the Dutch government as a flight school (NL-RTF-505/4), EU-recognised flight school (NL-UAS.RE-505) and designated as a UAS entity (IENW/BSK-2024/309430). Exams are taken under recognition of the RDW, the authority that issues the official EU drone certificates.
Who founded Drone Class?
Drone Class was founded in 2018 by Sander Welgraven and Sem van Geffen. Our home base and practical training location is in Duiven, the Netherlands.
How many pilots have you trained?
More than 75,000 pilots have completed our courses in the open and specific category, with a 95%+ first-time pass rate.
What makes Drone Class different from other training providers?
We take a no-nonsense approach to the legal requirements for drone pilots: we never train longer or heavier than the regulation requires. Fully online, clearly explained, done in a day.
Where is the certificate valid?
The EU Drone License is valid for 5 years in all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, under the European EASA regulation (2019/947).
Join 75,000+ pilots who got their EU Drone License with us.