Over the next 10 years, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones are expected to create more than 100,000 jobs with an economic impact of $82 billion. Florida stands to benefit more than almost any other state as new regulations will bring 3,000 new jobs and $632 million in economic impact to the state by 2017, according to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
“Unauthorized drone incursions with commercial aircraft and the drone crash during the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament this past summer have underscored the necessity for greater training of drone operators and greater awareness of airspace regulations. The FAA and the Department of Transportation is developing registration procedures for drone owners in advance of the expected Christmas gifting season,” said Dave Harvey, Fixed AGI, CFI pilot at Tampa Bay Aviation.
Responding to growing interest in and the use of drones, the Workforce Institute at Saint Petersburg College has partnered with the nation’s premier UAS Training and Certification Center to provide online courses and certifications. Additionally, the college has partnered with a local aviation group to provide Private Pilot Ground School training and certification courses. The Tampa Bay Times recently reported about drone training at SPC.
- An eight-hour introductory information class will be offered at the EpiCenter Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m
- The introductory course will be offered through the Workforce Institute’s Learn to Earn program and will include appropriate use, FAA airspace, weather topics, resources for drone operators, and the process to petition the FAA for a “Certificate of Waiver of Authorization” (COA) for commercial drone operators in low-risk, controlled environments
- For more information and to be included in this $69 daylong course, please call 727-398-8466
I first learned about the UAS training course via the “Stay Connected” portion of the College’s website. Drones have always peaked my interest, so I decided to contact Fred, and he set me up to take the course. The course was very well organized, and very informative. The one thing that I found most intriguing during my tenure in the course was the economical impact drones will have in the industry. The information that was so eloquently presented by the speakers inspired me to possibly further my interest in drones as an entrepreneurship. The course gave me a vast awareness of drones on all aspects. I am looking forward to taking the upcoming drone courses.
Yeah, but does this truly make you employable?
The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) classes are designed to prepare an individual for using UAS both personally and commercially. It is anticipated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will release certification requirements for commercial UAS pilots by the end of June this year. According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, over the next 10 years, UAS is expect to create more than 100,000 jobs with an economic impact of $82 billon. Florida stands to benefit more than almost any other state as new regulations would bring 3,000 new jobs and $632 million in economic impact to the state by 2017. The use of UAS is a rapidly growing industry.
Here are some uses for UAS:
Aerial photography, including for: real estate, marketing, advertising, and others
Power line inspection
Search and rescue
Shark patrols over beaches
Power plant smokestack inspections
Firefighting
Agriculture spraying and survey
Research
Journalism
Law enforcement
Border patrol
Manufacturing
Payload Operator (Supply Chain)
Repair and Maintenance Technicians
If you have any other questions regarding UAS courses offered through St. Petersburg College’s Workforce Institute, please contact (727) 341-4445 or workforce@spcollege.edu.
We’re using drones in schools to teach the children 21st century skills. Here’s an article that I wrote about what skills this new technology helps to teach children: http://garyhall.org.uk/uses-of-drones-in-schools.html
For one, everyone else isn t going to enjoy your enthusiasm for your new hobby. As such, you should avoid flying your drone in residential or highly populated areas. Drones tend to raise privacy concerns , so if you re a courteous pilot, you ll try to allay those concerns by flying in sparsely populated or rural areas.
As such, you should only fly when conditions are clear and winds are calm. Drones are designed to be very light and are subject to the slightest breeze. You re not going to be fighting for control in calm conditions but you will have to make course corrections and as such, the calmer it is the more fun and less worry you will have.
Even though your quadcopter drone may not fit in with what they’re flying at the field, the rules the clubs follow and the standards they set are essential safety measures for the pilot of any radio controlled aircraft – whether it be a foot-long mini-copter or a 20-foot long scale model.
when id the next class?
Our next UAS classes will be held in April and May. We are currently modifying the layout for the classes and adding extra courses.
If you have any other questions regarding UAS courses offered through St. Petersburg College’s Workforce Institute, please contact (727) 341-4445 or workforce@spcollege.edu.
Great article Gary. We are in the process of planning UAS summer camp classes for high school students who are interested in drones.
I’m very interested in finding out about more classes and programs you might be having anytime soon as I’m already hooked but I’m very inexperienced and I hope to be able to learn as much as possible in the near further if you can please get back to me I would really appreciate it