The Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning's Drone Academcy is a five-module, non-credit program geared towards both enthusiastic hobbyists and working professionals who are interested in gaining the knowledge and skills needed for drone operation, aerial photography and videography, FAA-certification exam preparation, and computational photography and 3D mapping.
Each module is able to be completed as a stand-alone option and participants can customize the program depending on their particular areas of interest. Some modules have pre-requisites, which are listed below in the descriptions. Participants who complete all five modules will gain a strong understanding of safe drone aviation, will be prepared to successfully pass the FAA exam, will learn the best practices for making quality aerial stills and videos using Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, and learn how to use Px4d software for landscape mapping and 3D modeling.
Program Descriptions
Safe Drone Operator
In this 8-hour module, participants will learn the fundamentals of drone components and terminology, and will receive hands-on experience to become acquainted with the proper techniques in safe Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) flying and remote control (RC) commands. Participants will learn basic flight training and patterns, safe environmental conditions for flight, and automated drone functions. Each class will include hands-on experience with a University-owned drone.
Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Classroom (Morrill 108), outdoors
Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8 a.m. - 12 p.m
Classroom (Morrill 108), outdoors
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Synchronous Online (WebEx)
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Synchronous Online (WebEx)
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Classroom (Morrill 108), outdoors
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Classroom (Buley 206)
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Classroom (Morrill 108), outdoors
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Classroom (Buley 206)
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Synchronous Online (WebEx)