Program qualifies students to operate drones Through a partnership with a regional organization, Florence 1 Schools is providing a unique opportunity for its high school students to gain a remote pilot’s license. Students who are enrolled in engineering class at South Florence and West Florence, or computer coding class at Wilson High, will be offered the iFLY Drone Pilots certification course. “We are extremely excited about this opportunity which has been made available to our students,” said Chris Rogers, Florence 1 Schools STEM Director. “At the conclusion of the course, almost 60 students will be eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s Pilot Examination. Upon successfully passing the exam, they will be awarded their Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Remote Pilot’s License.” Rogers said the program benefits students through its connection with academic standards including global competitiveness, 21st century sustainability and recognition by the FAA; the opportunity to obtain gainful employment and a remote pilot’s license leading to various career pathway options. According to the course description, iFLY is an innovative program designed by AINautics UAV Academy and STEM U, LLC. It connects youth ages 16 – 18 to the Drone Industry by preparing them to become certified FAA Remote Pilots. A team of FAA Certified Flight instructors, UAV Academy experts, and commercial pilots teach the course. The course is designed to prepare high school students for the certification. “This drone certification class can help students determine if they would like to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering or computer programming of drones,” said Rogers who attended the recent SC Department of Commerce workshop. “Using what they learn in the course, students will be able to enter the workforce immediately or maintain information that will help them with future studies or future careers,” he added. Christopher Williams, Director of Partnership Development for iFLY has indicated that career opportunities available for students with the training include: military drone pilot, firefighter, disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement, oil and gas operations, seismic study, border patrol, traffic reporting, storm chasing, agriculture, package delivery, forestry, engineering, computer science, commercial contractors and film. “The program is designed to prepare scholars for 21st century sustainability while providing them global capacity,” noted Williams. South Florence High School’s Blake Nichols who will be enrolling the course said, " Drone pilots are in high demand, and I like the listing of job opportunities that are available. “I believe the drone certification course will open many opportunities for students trying to figure out what they want to do in their future,” said Wilson High School student Raelyn Ott. “It will give students the chance to test their interests and provides options when choosing an area of work. I expect the drone certification class to give me basic knowledge about drones, which is expected to become an extremely big industry in the near future.”
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