According to a news release, the new eight-week virtual course provides an introduction to unmanned aerial vehicles and explores advanced topics including regulations, airspace operations and navigation. The course includes a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 drone preparation course for students to earn a remote pilot certification, which demonstrates an understanding of regulations, operating requirements and procedures for safely flying drones.
“Being able to learn from the experts at Draganfly is an incredible opportunity. As more businesses and governments turn to drones, it is crucial for us to understand how to meet their needs effectively,” O’Nesha Burke, an ASU student and recipient of the Draganfly Drone Pilot Scholarship, said in a public statement.
ASU’s new course is similar to others that have emerged recently across higher education focusing on drone technology, particularly at smaller institutions such as at Clark State College in Ohio, which expanded its drone course offerings last year; Grossmont Community College in California, which has offered free drone pilot training; and Navarro College in Texas, which incorporated drone research into other subjects.
According to FAA data cited in the news release, more than 865,000 drones have been registered and over 280,000 remote pilots have been certified as of May, as demand for drones for public- and private-sector uses increases.
