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UHCL at Pearland offers drone pilot training, preparation for FAA pilot certification
July 13, 2022 | UHCL Staff
With the expansion of drone applications across almost all sectors of industry, University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland is answering the call to offer training to become a licensed professional drone pilot. In partnership with DartDrones, one of the nation's leaders in drone training, UH-Clear Lake at Pearland Continuing Education is offering a 3-day basic sUAS flight training and 107 pilot test preparation program for those who seek to gain the professional drone piloting skills necessary for FAA certification.
The Drone Academy will take place Aug. 5-8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UH-Clear Lake at Pearland. There are four in-person courses: Basic Drone Operator, Aerial Mapping and Modeling, Public Safety and Emergency Response, and Aerial Inspection.
Executive Director for Professional Education and Extended Programs Lisa Gabriel said the need for skilled, certified drone pilots was increasing in nearly every area. "Energy and construction companies need drone pilots to do inspections and mapping," she said. "There is also a great need for pilots in police and public safety departments, the military, agriculture - they're needed almost everywhere."
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International predicts that by 2025, at least 100,000 jobs will be created for qualified, licensed drone pilots, with job growth continuing over the next five years.
Gabriel added that regardless of what specialized sector a pilot chose to pursue, the training and certification offered by the Drone Academy was foundational and would be the starting point for all pilots.
"When you're done, you will be ready to sit for the licensing exam," she said. "For anyone serious about a career in the drone piloting industry, this training is versatile and certainly in high demand."
Drone Academy instructors are experienced in aviation and U.S. Army sUAS operations and can help a future drone pilot on their way to a career in mapping, inspections, disaster response, aerial photography, night operations and more.