As the drone industry continues to expand, the demand for highly skilled professionals with specialized knowledge and expertise in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) is becoming increasingly imperative. Recognizing this necessity, numerous universities and colleges across the United States are enhancing their curricula by incorporating advanced courses and training programs in UAV technology to cultivate a proficient workforce for the future.
Academic Symposium at the Commercial UAV Expo 2024
The significance of UAV education was prominently showcased at the Academic Symposium at the Commercial UAV Expo 2024. This event convened over 40 professors, administrators, and students from various institutions to deliberate on challenges and opportunities in training skilled personnel for the drone industry.
Jay Seidel, Director of the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College, moderated the discussion. According to Carla Lauter, a journalist at Commercial UAV News, the event provided an invaluable platform for educators and students to connect, exchange knowledge, and explore innovative pedagogical approaches. She emphasized the necessity for stakeholders in drone education to participate in future editions of the Commercial UAV Expo to expand professional networks and identify potential collaborations.
Emerging UAV Training Programs
Many institutions are proactively reforming and broadening their UAV curricula to address the escalating demand for drone-related expertise. Below are some noteworthy drone training programs recently launched across U.S. universities:
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA): Selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a participant in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI), UTA now offers a “Drones and Advanced Construction Technology” course. This program prepares civil and architectural engineering students for the FAA Part 107 certification examination while requiring them to complete a minimum of 15 flight hours to obtain a Construction Drone Professional Certificate.
Utah State University Eastern: The program at this institution extends beyond drone piloting; students actively engage in the design, assembly, repair, and practical testing of UAVs. USU Eastern provides a Drone Certification program, as well as a “Drones for Hire” course, which facilitates internships in agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, and construction projects.
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO): With a $75,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), UNO has initiated a research endeavor aimed at mitigating natural disaster risks, particularly for Indigenous communities. This project, developed in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), integrates expertise in digital governance, geographic information systems (GIS), meteorology, and artificial intelligence. It forms part of UNO’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, originally established in 2017 to equip students with specialized knowledge in UAV applications across industries, including agriculture and public safety.
These developments underscore the transformative potential of UAV education in the United States, addressing the surging demand for skilled drone professionals in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Cre: Commercial UAV News
