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.
The drones are a problem and should be regulated in public places where people would like to have a little bit of peace: Sitting at the beach one evening and enjoying life, someone started playing with a drone and it droned on and on and one without regard for all the people who came to listen to the lapping of the waves. Annoying doesn’t quite describe the experience.
It’s only a matter of time before they’ll be towing advertising banners.
As if 16-20 year olds are the only ones needing/wanting instruction. And at $200 instruction + $150 *optional* FAA test? Yikes. I own a drone and am learning on my own (safely at empty playing fields). However, I’m 63…. sigh. Lost opportunity.
Since so many kids are fascinated by drones, it’s such a good idea to teach them how to operate them safely and to be taught by an FAA safety specialist is such a great opportunity! Parents should be encouraging their kids to enroll asap!