Drone Technology Transforming Industries; Will Create 1,500 Jobs in Michigan by 2025
MONROE, Mich. – Monroe County Community College’s Office of Lifelong Learning is offering two new drone operation training courses.
The first one, Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, begins March 2. The other, Remote Pilot Knowledge Test Prep, begins March 18.
Both will take place on MCCC’s Main campus at 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. in Monroe.
Tina Pillarelli, director of Lifelong Learning, said that both of the noncredit courses have been developed in response to drones – small unmanned aircraft – becoming an emerging technology that is transforming industries and creating jobs.
According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, more than 100,000 new jobs will be created nationally by 2025 as a result of unmanned aircraft system technology. AUVSI reports that nearly 1,500 of those jobs will be in Michigan, creating economic impact of $11.3 million.
Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems is intended for students new to drone piloting. This course takes students from learning to fly drones all the way through to preparing for Federal Aviation Administration unmanned commercial pilot certification. It includes 18 hours of hands-on training that provides all the vital skills and information necessary for students to start piloting drones safely and legally. Classes meet on March 2, 3, 9 and 10 from 8:30-1 p.m. in Room 166 of the Career Technology Center. The cost of the course is $1,490. The discounted cost for seniors is $1,167.50.
Remote Pilot Knowledge Test Prep is for students with prior drone experience that wish to keep up with changing Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Anyone operating a drone for any commercial purpose must obtain an FAA remote pilot certification. This highly focused course prepares students for the test to receive this certification. Beyond drone-specific material, students will gain an understanding of much of the ground-school information covered in the FAA’s knowledge test. With successful completion of that test (not included in the course) students can apply for a remote pilot certificate for FAA Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 107, which covers non-hobbyist small unmanned aircraft operations. Classes meet March 18 and 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 164 of the Gerald Welch Health Education Building. The cost of the course is $495. The discounted cost for seniors is $376.50.
The course is taught by Adam Knaggs, a law enforcement officer who holds a degree in criminal justice and an FAA small unmanned aircraft license. Knaggs has flown unmanned aircraft for missions including search and rescue, barricaded persons, crime scene photography, surveillance and accident scene mapping.
To register or for more information about the course, contact the Office of Lifelong Learning at (734) 384-4127. Prior MCCC students can register online via the WebPAL registration link at www.monroeccc.edu.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located in Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.