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Alden Wheeler Detective Agency & GPS
Professional Drone Classes
FAA-licensed, BPREP-certified drone training in Anderson & Greenville, SC. From Part 107C licensing to advanced Search & Rescue, Thermal Imaging, and NIST/BPREP certification - taught by a credentialed instructor with real-world field experience.
107C
FAA Licensed
5+
Certifications Offered
SAR
Search & Rescue Qualified
L1
Infrared Thermographer
What we teach
Drone Courses & Certifications
All skill levels welcome - from first-time flyers to experienced operators seeking advanced credentials in public safety, thermal imaging, and emergency response.
Course 01 · Licensing
FAA Part 107C Drone Pilot Certification
Prepare for and pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test to fly commercially under federal regulations. Essential for any professional or paid drone operation.
- FAA regulations & airspace rules
- Weather & pre-flight planning
- Emergency procedures
- Commercial operations compliance
Course 02 · Advanced
Search & Rescue Drone Operations
Tactical aerial operations designed for emergency responders, SAR teams, and law enforcement. Taught by a certified Search & Rescue Instructor with field experience.
- Search grid patterns & coverage
- Night operations & low-light flying
- Coordination with ground teams
- Lost person behavior modeling
Course 03 · Thermal
Thermal Imaging & Infrared Operations
Level 1 Certified Infrared Thermographer instruction combining drone operations with thermal camera use for SAR, building inspections, and public safety applications.
- Infrared camera calibration & setup
- Heat signature interpretation
- SAR thermal detection techniques
- Solar & building inspection workflows
Course 04 · Public Safety
NIST / BPERP Drone Certification
Specialized certification aligned with NIST standards and BPREP emergency response protocols. Designed for first responders, public safety agencies, and emergency management professionals.
- NIST drone test method standards
- BPREP emergency response protocols
- Public safety operational procedures
- Incident command integration
Course 05 · All Levels
Everything Drones - Basic & Advanced
The complete drone education experience. Whether you've never touched a controller or you're a licensed pilot expanding your skill set, this comprehensive track covers everything you need for real-world drone operations across multiple industries.
- Basic flight & controls
- Advanced flight maneuvers
- Mapping & surveying
- Solar panel inspection
- Photography & videography
- Real estate & construction
- Site inspection workflows
- Drone maintenance & safety
Your instructor Alden Wheeler
Lead Drone Instructor · Private Investigator · SLED Licensed
Alden Wheeler brings a unique combination of law enforcement background, private investigation expertise, and advanced drone certifications to every course. With credentials spanning FAA Part 107C, BPREP, Search & Rescue, and Level 1 Infrared Thermography, students receive real-world training that goes far beyond classroom theory.
Based in Anderson, SC, Alden serves students across the Upstate South Carolina region through Alden Wheeler Detective Agency & GPS - a full-service agency offering drone services, GPS monitoring, and private investigations alongside professional drone education.
Credentials & certifications
FAA Part 107C Licensed Pilot
BPREP Drone Certified
Search & Rescue Instructor
Infrared Thermographer Lvl 1
Mapping & Surveying Certified
Solar Inspector
Basic Drone Trainer
Advanced Drone Trainer
SLED Licensed PI
Anderson & Pickens Offices
Upcoming training
Next Event
March 21 - 22 2026
AWDA Drone Training Weekend
Anderson, South Carolina
Two-Day Event
All Skill Levels Welcome
- FAA Part 107C
- Search & Rescue
- Thermal Imaging
- NIST / BPREP
- Everything Drones
