Remember when Black Friday actually happened on, you know, Friday? Those days are long gone. This year’s deals are dropping so early, I’m half-expecting Cyber Monday to arrive before Thanksgiving. But hey, I’m not complaining when the savings are this good.
If you’ve been eyeing new drone gear, online courses or creative learning opportunities, now’s the time to strike. Here are the standout deals launching November 20th:
The best early 2025 Black Friday deals (so far)
MasterClass: Up to 50% Off (Nov. 20-26)
MasterClass is running its pre-Black Friday sale with significant discounts on memberships. For drone photographers and aerial filmmakers, these two courses are particularly worth your time:
Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography – Learn from the guy who filmed Free Solo while hanging off a cliff. His insights on composition, lighting and capturing adventure translate directly to aerial cinematography (yes, they used drones in the filming process).
Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking – Herzog’s unconventional approach to storytelling will challenge how you think about drone footage. This isn’t just technical instruction; it’s about creating work that matters.
UAVCoach: 50% off all online courses (Nov. 20 – Dec. 4)
UAVCoach is running their biggest sale of the year with 50% discounts applied at checkout using code FLYDAY25. Note that in-person training isn’t included in this sale. And sorry, my usual promo code DRONEGIRL100 won’t work on this, but hey, use FLYDAY25 because it’s better! Seriously!
Here’s what you’ll pay:
- Drone Pilot Ground School – $149 (regularly $299)
- Flight Skills for Drone Pilots – $49 (regularly $99)
- Aerial Photo & Video for Drone Pilots – $89 (regularly $179)
- The Drone Business Blueprint – $59 (regularly $119)
- Drone Mapping Essentials – $99 (regularly $199)
If you’ve been putting off getting Part 107 certified or want to sharpen your commercial drone skills, this is your window.
HOVERAir: Up to 30% off + free battery
HOVERAir is discounting their entire lineup with bonus free batteries on select purchases. These are solid options if you want something truly portable without registration headaches.
HOVERAir X1 – Starting at $249 The Freedom Fly More Combo weighs just 125 grams, making it exempt from FAA registration. It’s genuinely pocket-sized and dead simple to fly, though don’t expect professional-grade footage.
HOVERAir X1 PRO – Starting at $499 The PRO adds speed (up to 26 mph) and improved AI tracking. Better for outdoor action shots and sports, though still limited in wind.
HOVERAir X1 PROMAX – Starting at $599 This is where it gets interesting: 8K video, active collision detection, and intelligent follow modes, all while staying under 250g. The image quality is genuinely impressive for something this small.
Related read: HOVERAir X1 PROMAX packs an 8K video into a portable drone that competes with DJI
Skiing Combo – 20% Off + Free Extra Battery Designed specifically for winter sports with hands-free modes optimized for skiing and snowboarding. If you’re hitting the slopes this season, this package makes sense.
Related read: DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1: which hand-launch drone is best?
How to know if your Black Friday deal is good
These deals are legitimate, not the inflated “discount” nonsense some retailers pull. MasterClass and UAVCoach sales represent genuine learning value, while HOVERAir’s pricing makes their ultra-portable drones more accessible.
Just remember: the best deal is still the one on gear you’ll actually use. Don’t buy a course that’ll sit unwatched or a drone that’ll collect dust. Buy what fits your actual needs and skill level.
And yes, I’ll be back with more deals as we get closer to actual Black Friday. Because apparently, we’re doing this all month now.
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