Roots2Wings
The next century of flight needs more than just pilots.
Roots2Wings is developing two $1,000 learner pathways: Curiosity (In development), an in-person recreational drone-learning course with guided flight, safety, and the FAA’s free TRUST test; and Innovation (In development), a mentor-guided, remote-first course focused on commercial drone knowledge and preparation for the FAA’s Part 107 certification process.
The courses · In development
Curiosity and Innovation: two ways to explore flight.
Curiosity — In development. An in-person recreational drone-learning course with guided flight, safety, and the FAA’s free TRUST test.
Innovation — In development. A mentor-guided, remote-first course focused on commercial drone knowledge and preparation for the FAA’s Part 107 certification process.
A learner seat costs $1,000 per pathway and can be paid directly as tuition or supported through sponsorship. Need-based scholarships will be available.
Course availability and local partners will be announced as delivery is arranged; an interest inquiry is not enrollment.
Read the FAA’s TRUST information and approved test administrator list (opens in a new tab).
The Roots2Wings pathway
Both pathways run with local mentors, museums, airports, and clubs.
| Curiosity · In development | Innovation · In development |
|---|---|
| Format: In person | Format: Remote-first, mentor-guided |
| Focus: Recreational flight + safety | Focus: Commercial drone knowledge |
| FAA tie-in: Free TRUST test | FAA tie-in: Part 107 preparation |
| Seat: $1,000, tuition or sponsored | Seat: $1,000, tuition or sponsored |
| Status: In development | Status: In development |
Free self-study (in development)
We’re also developing FREE recreational self-study materials for people who prefer to explore on their own.
Our current milestone: the first 100.
We are raising $100,000 for the first 100 students. Each $1,000 splits 40/30/20/10; its $400 Roots2Wings share funds one student's course. Course places are confirmed with local delivery partners and reported separately. Gifts of every size help.
Course availability and local partners will be announced as delivery is arranged; an interest inquiry is not enrollment.
A few useful distinctions
Is TRUST the same as Part 107?
No. TRUST is the FAA’s free recreational safety test. Innovation (In development) prepares students for the Part 107 process, which is a separate FAA certification. Course participation does not guarantee certification.
Does this form reserve a spot?
No. Course availability and local partners will be announced as delivery is arranged; an interest inquiry is not enrollment.
Who should use this form?
Parents, guardians, adult family members, schools, mentors and prospective delivery partners can contact us here. Please keep child-participant information out of this general inquiry.
Can I choose either pathway?
Yes. Curiosity (In development) focuses on in-person recreational drone learning; Innovation (In development) is remote-first and mentor-guided, with commercial drone knowledge and Part 107 preparation. Register your interest to tell us which pathway interests you; this is not enrollment.
What does a learner seat cost?
$1,000 per pathway, paid as tuition or funded by a sponsor. Need-based scholarships will be available, and the TRUST test itself is always free.
How does my gift connect to a student?
Every $1,000 splits 40/30/20/10. The $400 Roots2Wings share funds one student's course; the rest funds the events, media, and administration that make it possible. We report dollars received, confirmed places, and students served separately.
Help a young person find their next step.
Parents, guardians, schools and prospective partners: tell us your hub and how you would like to participate. Please do not include a child’s personal details.
Regional roadmap
We are connecting local schools, airports, museums, mentors and community supporters around the Roots2Wings pathway. Start with a useful relationship. Build the capacity to follow through.
Three regions. Deliberate development.
Target windows guide preparation. Activities and available places depend on local leadership, delivery arrangements and resources.
| Region | Target window | Hubs | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| West | 2027–2028 | Phoenix · Las Vegas · San Diego | Planning |
| Central | 2029–2030 | St. Louis · Chicago · Oshkosh | Planned |
| East | 2030–2031 | New York · Washington, DC · Lakeland | Planned |
Phoenix · Las Vegas · San Diego
Our first focus: the West.
2027–2028 · Planning
Phoenix
Help connect Arizona schools and families with aviation, museum and engineering relationships. We are seeking convenors, mentors and introductory-course delivery conversations.
2027–2028 · Planning
Las Vegas
Turn early event conversations into year-round school, aviation, community and industry relationships. MCON is an early live-event opportunity within this wider work.
2027–2028 · Planning
San Diego
Connect the Spirit of St. Louis engineering story with today’s museums, educators, aviation organizations and technical mentors.
Regional windows can overlap.
The Central window runs from 2029–2030; the East window begins in 2030 and continues through 2031. That overlap is intentional. We will develop local leadership and delivery capacity at a pace the relationships can support.
Nine local functions, working together.
| Local function | Contribution |
|---|---|
| City director | Convene the committee, coordinate next steps and maintain local accountability. |
| Airport connection | Connect aviation operations, appropriate access and the local flying community. |
| Museum connection | Bring history, interpretation and collections into learning. |
| School connection | Connect educators, families and appropriate participant pathways. |
| Engineer / mentor connection | Make technical questions and the people behind the work accessible. |
| Government coordinator | Connect relevant public services and civic resources. |
| Industry coordinator | Develop useful employer, provider and resource relationships. |
| Media coordinator | Share accurate stories and communicate local opportunities. |
| Community coordinator | Connect volunteers, local groups and practical support. |
Moving from introductions to active partnerships.
Adding a name to a list is just the start. A real partnership requires clear goals, local ownership, and actionable next steps. We will publicly list our local leads as these community partnerships finalize.
Who can help connect your city?
Choose a hub and tell us about your role, organization or proposed contribution. This is a conversation about developing the network.
Explore the original record
Browse the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection
Explore the engineering drawings and photographs behind the Spirit of St. Louis, and connect historical records with aviation and STEAM learning.