One of the highlights of last April’s Maker Faire came when a Federal Aviation Administration official awarded Staples High School sophomore/aspiring drone operator Ryan Felner his Remote Pilot Airman certificate. (For the back story on how it happened — after Ryan thought his life was ruined — click here.)
This month, Westport is once again on the FAA’s radar.
From July 24-28, the agency will help sponsor the nation’s 1st-ever Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aviation Career Education Academy.
That’s ACE for short. And “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” is government-speak for “drones.”
Brandon Malin’s drone view of the Staples High School pops concert at Levitt Pavilion.
The course is designed for 16-20-year-olds. Students will learn how to safely fly a drone, through hands-on instruction and more.
Hopefully, they’ll then pass the FAA Remote Pilot Certification test (July 31 and August 1).
The course will be held at Staples High School. Tuition of $200 covers all materials. The certification test is an additional $150.
And no, you do not have to own your own drone. They’re provided.
For more information or to sign up, click here; call Mark Mathias at 203-226-1791 or email mark@remarkablesteam.org.
(In addition to the FAA, the course is co-sponsored by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Remarkable STEAM, Westport Public Schools and the Westport Library.)
David Pogue’s drone.