Zephyr Drone Simulator, developed by Little Arms Studios, is a virtual UAV training platform designed for drone instructors, flight academies, professional operators, and hobbyists. Read more >>
Using real-world physics and an expanding library of drone platforms and training scenarios, the simulator is designed to provide UAV flight training aligned with FAA operational guidance.
One example of the platform’s use can be seen through Zephyr’s collaboration with Clemson University professor Dr. Joe Burgett. A tenured professor in the Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management, Dr. Burgett teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on drone applications within the built environment. His work with Zephyr has explored how simulation-based instruction can support pilot training, continued education, and operator proficiency for both academic and professional UAV programs.
Little Arms Studios specializes in software development focused on drone simulation, multiplayer applications, mobile applications, UI/UX design, and website development. Zephyr Drone Simulator is one of the company’s primary products, providing a virtual environment for flight instruction and skills development.
Challenges in Traditional Drone Instruction
In-person drone training can present several limitations for instructors and students. According to the source material, instructors are often restricted to training only a few students at a time using physical aircraft, which can slow the learning process and increase operational costs.
Many students entering flight training also lack foundational piloting experience, requiring instructors to supervise closely in order to reduce the likelihood of crashes or equipment damage. These issues can affect both training efficiency and classroom resources.
The source material also notes that students are generally unable to take drones home for additional practice, limiting opportunities for continued skills development outside scheduled instruction periods. Similar challenges exist for professional operators in sectors including construction, utilities, security, and military applications, where maintaining proficiency over time is an ongoing requirement.
Dr. Joe Burgett, President and Director of the South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC), & Professor at Clemson University, “If drone operators don’t fly for six months, they’re going to lose those skills. I think it’s a pretty easy way to require employees who are drone active to have ‘x’ number of hours of stick time every month. It doesn’t have to be a lot, you’d be surprised that even just one hour a month, which is not a lot, keeps it fresh.”
Virtual UAV Training with Zephyr
Zephyr Drone Simulator provides a virtual training environment intended to supplement traditional flight instruction. Trainees can use physical controllers, including gamepads and compatible drone controllers, while practicing within simulated flight scenarios designed to reinforce core piloting skills.
According to the source material, students can gain flight experience in the simulator before operating a physical drone. This approach helps reduce the risk of crashes during early-stage training while also lowering costs associated with damaged equipment.
The platform also includes a backend learning management system that allows instructors and administrators to assign missions, track performance, and review student or operator proficiency. These capabilities support classroom instruction as well as ongoing training programs for professional drone operators.
The source material further states that organizations can use recurring virtual training exercises to help operators maintain flight proficiency and document continued training activity.
Supporting Virtual NIST Testing and Specialized Flight Modules
Zephyr and Dr. Burgett also collaborated on a Federal Highway Administration grant focused on developing a virtual version of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) test for small unmanned aerial systems. According to the source material, this assessment had traditionally been conducted in person but can now be administered virtually.
As part of the same grant initiative, Zephyr and Dr. Burgett developed “Bridge Inspection,” a five-part module focused on safely operating drones around bridge structures. The source material describes bridge flying as one of the more difficult flight maneuvers for drone operators due to the complexity of navigating bridges safely and effectively.
According to the source material, Zephyr is also the only simulator approved by APSA as equal to in-person testing.
Reliability in Academic Training Environments
For educational institutions and professional training organizations, software stability is an important consideration when implementing simulation-based instruction. Dr. Burgett highlighted the platform’s reliability within classroom use and ongoing drone education programs.
Dr. Joe Burgett, President and Director of the South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC), & Professor at Clemson University, “Of all the technology that I use in my classes, Zephyr is about as stable as it gets. Whenever there’s a problem, it’s almost never Zephyr. And when it is, I almost feel happy—because there’s always going to be a fix.”
Through its collaboration with Clemson University and its focus on virtual UAV instruction, Zephyr Drone Simulator supports drone training, pilot proficiency development, and continued education for academic and professional operators.
