Drone Pilot Training Sign-Ups Open
Registration is still available for a professional development course designed to help students, faculty and staff become professional drone pilots and to perform research safely with drones.
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems 1 professional development course is the first step to becoming a professional drone pilot. It is designed to help people prepare to pass their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate Examination, known as the FAA Part 107 Exam. Additionally, those students sponsored by their organization can complete a project based on their sponsor's needs, such as thermal roof inspections, modeling or other projects.
The course will be offered in-person at the University of Arkansas Global Campus in Rogers. It can also be taken remotely.
The program consists of four sessions on Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27. The course culminates with a live flight day, which must be attended in-person.
The course allows students to learn unmanned aircraft best practices and the basics of data processing software. Students will gain practical proficiency with hands-on flying and will learn about flight weather data interpretation, flight planning, airspace, map reading, and use of platforms to perform video and mapping tasks. Hands-on instruction with various drones, including thermal platforms, will be included.
The course is intended for people who want to become more proficient pilots, flying safely and legally. The course is open to researchers, faculty, staff and anyone interested in using the technology for work or commercial ventures.
Instructor Rich Ham said the course is a good opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a drone pilot.
"There are very few courses that offer the knowledge level required for the FAA remote pilot examination and also teach and evaluate practical UAS flying," Ham said. "Anyone who wants to be a safe and compliant pilot should consider this course."
Participants are responsible for the cost of the FAA exam (about $150), eBook ($90) and the cost of their personal drones, which are not included in the course fee.
The eBook should be purchased at the following link: Remote Pilot eKit
The course is $299 and group discounts apply, along with a 10% discount for U of A faculty, staff and students. For more information or to register, visit the Professional and Workforce Development Website.
Contacts
Rich Ham, associate director
Operations Management - Industrial Engineering
479-575-5521,
richardh@uark.edu
Nick DeMoss, director of communications
College of Engineering
479-575-5697,
ndemoss@uark.edu
Headlines
PetSmart CEO J.K. Symancyk to Speak at Walton College Commencement
J.K. Symancyk is an alumnus of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board.
Faulkner Center, Arkansas PBS Partner to Screen Documentary 'Gospel'
The Faulkner Performing Arts Center will host a screening of Gospel, a documentary exploring the origin of Black spirituality through sermon and song, in partnership with Arkansas PBS at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2.
UAPD Officers Mills and Edwards Honored With New Roles
Veterans of the U of A Police Department, Matt Mills has been promoted to assistant chief, and Crandall Edwards has been promoted to administrative captain.
Community Design Center's Greenway Urbanism Project Wins LIV Hospitality Design Award
"Greenway Urbanism" is one of six urban strategies proposed under the Framework Plan for Cherokee Village, a project that received funding through an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Spring Bike Drive Refurbishes Old Bikes for New Students
All donated bikes will be given to Pedal It Forward, a local nonprofit that will refurbish your bike and return it to the U of A campus to be gifted to a student in need. Hundreds of students have already benefited.