Introduction to Drone Technology

Course Details

• Wednesdays, October 16 - November 13, 2019, 5-7 pm
• Pizza and refreshments served each class. 

Course Description

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), most commonly referred to as drones , have become an increasingly valuable tool for a variety of industries. What are the requirements to use drones legally and become a certified drone pilot? How will this exponentially growing industry fare in the future? What about privacy concerns? In this course, we will investigate these questions and many more.This course is a hybrid onsite-online course, meaning there will be a mix on activities in a classroom together with online resources and assignments. The class will provide hands-on training in basic drone flight skills with an emphasis on drone safety , as well as activities for planning drone missions, and developing policies and procedures. Discussion topics will enhance understanding of the current drone market and the need for qualified remote pilots. These are a valuable skill set in a market that is growing exponentially both here in the United States and around the globe. My goal is to facilitate an inclusive, participatory learning community where each of us is a resource for each other. There will be a variety of activities and assessments to accommodate different learning styles, including reading and written assignments, quizzes, discussions, and a final project.

Prerequisites

There is NO prerequisite for this course. This is an introductory course with no previous knowledge about drones or prior flight experience needed.

Instructor

Susan Bickford has a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science: Resource Conservation from Antioch University New England and is a certified Remote Pilot. She works as the Stewardship Coordinator at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells Maine and has developed and taught in the Geospatial Information System (GIS) Minor at the University of New England. Sue is interested in bringing drone technology into the Environmental Science field and has worked with educational and environmental institutions to help make this happen. Instructor Contact information : Email: suebickford@wellsnerr.org

Drone Equipment Requirements

Training drones will be supplied for the first two weeks of class. These drones are very stable, are equipped with propeller guards and are ideal for flying in the indoor flight area of the classroom. During these two weeks we will review the different types of drones, discuss what jobs they can fulfill, and explore a variety of drone buying guides.

FMI

• For course information contact Sue Bickford @ suebickford@wellsnerr.org
• For logistical information contact Emily Greene @ egreene@une.edu