Overview
Drones are an essential tool in contemporary archaeological practice, both in academic research and Cultural Resource Management (aka CRM). Drones help to save funds allocated for surveys and to provide excellent spatial information for site detection and regional study. Flying a drone is relatively simple when you know how to do it. In fact, you can learn how to do that in just a few hours. In this one-week bootcamp style program, you will gain hands-on experience learning basic and advanced flight maneuvers, collecting accurate and relevant data and understanding advantages and limitations of different types of drones and sensors. You will gain the skills to become a certified and professional drone pilot. During the program, you will be introduced to at least three drone types (small drones, quad and hexacopters, Blue Drones, etc) and different sensors (cameras, Infrared, LiDER and more). You will learn how to collect data.
Upon completion, you will have the tools you need to take the FAA Part 107 certification exam. You will be able to conduct safe and responsible sUAV fieldwork and become a professional archaeological drone operator.
ARC Image US AZ Drones (1)
Controlling a drone in flight
US AZ Drones Winter 2026 Carousel 02
Setting up drones and beacon/differential datum point
US AZ Drones Winter 2026 Carousel 03
Preparing midsize drone for flight
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Tracking a done in the field
ARC Image US AZ Drones (7)
Sites at Deadman Wash (AZ)
Instructor(s)
All field school directors are experts in their field and passionate about their work. To discuss the suitability of this program for your career goals – whether within or outside academia – you are invited to contact the directors directly. For a broader discussion which ARC program to choose, you are welcome to contact our staff directly – you can do that through our “Contact Us” page.
Testimonials & Program evaluation
Student Fees (Tuition)
What is Covered
- DEPOSIT IS PART OF TOTAL TUITION COST
- Costs of Instruction
- Cost of Academic Credit Units
- Cost of Drones & Computer Time
- Liability & Accident Insurance
- Cost of Accomedations
Read Before You Pay
- Application: You must apply online for this program – application is free
- Deposit: A $300 nonrefundable deposit (part of the total tuition cost) is required to secure a space in the program
- Credit Card Fee: Payments with credits cards incur 3% processing fee
- Late Fee: A $100 Late Fee will be added to the program costs if tuition is not paid in full by payment deadline
- Cancellation Policy: Carefully read our Cancellation Policy before committing to attending our programs
- Trip Cancellation Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is not provided by ARC. Such policies have changed due to Covid 19. If you wish to purchase an insurance policy that covers pandemic contingencies, explore Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) plans. Insuremytrip or Travel Guard are possible websites where you may explore different insurance policies.
Accommodations
Students and staff will stay at the historic Hat Ranch at Williams AZ. The ranch is owned and operated by Northern Arizona University.
Diet
Students are responsible for their own food. The Hat Ranch has a full kitchen, and students will be able to purchase food supplies at Williams — a short drive away. Students who do not own cars will be driven by project vehicles to Williams twice during the program – once on Sunday (arrival day) and a second time on Tus (third day of the program).
Travel Information
We suggest you hold off purchasing your airline ticket until six (6) weeks before the program begins. Natural disasters, political changes, weather conditions & a range of other factors may require the cancellation of a field school. ARC typically makes a final Go/No Go decision six weeks before program begins. To protect students from potential financial loss, we urge you to purchase airline tickets only six weeks prior to a program beginning.
There will be two meeting points for this program:
- If you fly to Flagstaff, we will meet you at the baggage are on the first day of the program (Sun) at 4:00pm
- If you drive to the field school, make your way to the Hat Ranch at Williams AZ at the first day of the program and arrive by (Sun) at 5:30pm.
Visa Information
This is a domestic program, and no visa is needed for U.S. Citizens.
Non-US Citizens are asked to check the United States embassy website at their home country for specific visa requirements.
Meeting Point
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2026 | 4:00pm | Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, baggage claims area |
| Aug 16, 2026 | 5:30pm | Hat Ranch |
If you missed your connection or your flight is delayed, please call, text or email project director(s) immediately. A local emergency cell phone number will be provided to all enrolled students.
Safety
Our primary mission is student education. Traveling and conducting field work involves risk and students interested in participating in any field schools must weigh whether the potential risk is worth the value of education earned. While risk is inherent in everything we do, we do not take risk lightly. We engage in intensive review of each field school location prior to approval and continue to monitor conditions on the ground to ensure a safe and wholesome education experience.
Students attending our international programs are covered by a comprehensive Health Insurance Policy that covers physical illness or injury, mental or chronic conditions and medical evacuation – if needed. This insurance policy has no deductibles and 100% of the costs are covered up to $250,000 (for more, see here). In addition, we provide Political & Natural Disaster Evacuation policy, which allows us to remove students from program location if conditions change.
Students attending our domestic programs (within the US) must have their own health insurance. Program directors are familiar with local authorities and if in need of evacuation, local emergency services and/or law enforcement will be notified and activated.
We have an explicit and robust Harassment & Discrimination Policy, outlined on our Health & Safety page. If students feel they cannot discuss personal safety issues with program staff, they are welcome to call the ARC emergency hotline and talk directly with an ARC staff member.
Call (+1 323 740-1805) or email (admin@anthroctr.org) if you have questions about the safety of any program.