WASHINGTON, N.C. – Beaufort County Community College offers eight classes to help you train as a commercial drone pilot or incorporate technology into your existing career or business.
Courses include pilot certification, related software, construction and maintenance. Two of these courses are eligible for scholarships to eligible students. Students can register for these courses by calling 252-940-6375 or visiting www.beaufortccc.edu/conedregistration.
Preparing a commercial UAS certificate
This course prepares students to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 exam, which is required for all commercial UAV (drone) operators. Topics covered include FAA regulations, airspace classification, operational requirements, flight limitations, aviation weather sources, weather effects on performance, weight and balance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communications, physiological factors, and aviation decision making and judgment, and maintenance and preflight inspection procedures. Instructors guide students in obtaining NCDOT permits and registering to take the FAA Part 107 exam. The cost of the FAA exam is $175 (subject to change) and is not included in the registration fee. This $130 course is available from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays from May 25th to June 15th and from 5pm to 9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 9th to 30th , offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays from July 29th to August 19th.
107 and above – Level 1: Basic UAS operations
This course is designed for FAA Part 107 certified pilots and reviews and expands on several concepts introduced on the exam. Topics covered include Part 107 compliant day-to-day operations that do not require exemptions, flying with aircraft less than 5.5 pounds, regulatory knowledge and compliance, general mission planning protocols, maintenance and inspection programs, and safety management systems. Contains an introduction. Upon successful completion of coursework, students take an end-of-course knowledge exam and, upon passing, are certified as Level 1 Trusted Operators through AUVSI. Students who choose the certification option will pay an estimated additional fee of $75 at the time of testing. Students can register and pay online and must have a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to take this $75 course. The two-day course will be held on July 9th and July 11th.
107 and above – Level 2: Advanced UAS Operations
Beyond 107 – This course expands on Level 1 and covers operations requiring FAA exemptions and approvals, UAS operations under FAA Part 119.1 (including crop spraying), high risk operations such as night flights, visual or surveillance operations. The focus is on operations that require personnel. air boss. A focus on crew resource management (CRM) includes the development of procedures related to standard operations (SOPs), emergency procedures, maintenance, flight records, pilot proficiency, and reporting. Upon successful completion of coursework, students will take an end-of-course knowledge test and flight evaluation. If successful, the student will be certified as a Level 2 Trusted Operator through her AUVSI. Students who choose the certification option will pay an estimated additional fee of $75 at the time of testing. Students can register and pay online, and this $130 course requires a valid FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate and her AUVSI Level 1 Top Operator. It will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 16th to 25th.
UAS Pilot Training – First Person View (FPV)
Students will be introduced to the exciting world of first-person video (FPV) UAS technology with the guidance of experienced instructors. FPV drones use an onboard camera that sends a live video feed to goggles worn by the pilot. Through demonstrations and actual flight evaluations, students learn about equipment, technology, safety procedures, and regulations. The student will also be taught how to obtain the FAA TRUST certificate required for all recreational remote pilots. This course requires no previous piloting experience or a Part 107 license. No FPV experience required. Students can enroll and pay for this $75 course online. It will be held on Saturdays from June 1st to June 15th.
UAS Pilot Training – Photos and Videos
Students taking this course must have completed the UAS Pilot Training – Fundamentals course or have demonstrated flight proficiency to their instructor prior to the start of the class. Students will be introduced to best practices in aerial photography and expect to progress through a series of exercises focused on photography and videography. As part of the class, students plan a media project and collect the necessary stock photos and footage. The student will also be taught how to obtain her FAA TRUST certification, which is required for all recreational remote pilots. This course requires no previous piloting experience or a Part 107 license. The date and time may change depending on weather etc. Students can enroll and pay for this $130 course online. Additionally, completion of UAS Pilot Training – Fundamentals or Flight Proficiency Assessment is required. It will be held on Saturdays from June 22nd to August 10th.
UAS Operation – Mapping with Pix4D
Students will explore mapping using UAVs and Pix4D software. Topics covered in this course include equipment and software selection, image capture, digital map and 3D model creation, control point establishment, linear and volumetric measurements, project development and management, and deliverable creation. Masu. Students will learn about data capture using the DJI Mavic 3E or their own equipment. They strive to obtain both Pix4Dmatic Essentials and Pix4Dmapper Essentials certifications. The final project will include a 2D digital map created by the student and a 3D photogrammetry model selected by the student. Students are encouraged to obtain a current FAA Part 107 certificate or enroll in a relevant training program. This class is taught by Pix4D certified trainers. Upon successful completion of the coursework, the student will take an end-of-course knowledge exam, upon passing, she will receive the Pix4Dmatic and Pix4Dmapper certification. Students who choose the certification option will pay an estimated additional fee of $200 per exam before testing. Students can register and pay for this $130 course online and be eligible for a scholarship. It will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from May 23rd to July 2nd.
UAS Operations – Public Safety Mapping with Pix4D
This course is designed for current or future public safety professionals. Students are encouraged to obtain a current FAA Part 107 certificate or enroll in a relevant training program. Pix4DReact is specifically designed for emergency response and public safety applications. In this class, students will learn how to use automated flight to capture images and process them to create measurable 2D maps. Additionally, students will become familiar with the workflow steps used to export and share maps and reports with their teams and other stakeholders. This class is taught by Pix4D certified trainers and practicing public safety professionals. Upon successfully completing the coursework, a student will take an end-of-course knowledge exam, upon passing, she will receive the Pix4Dreact certification. Students who choose the certification option will pay an estimated $200 additional fee before testing. Students can enroll in this course online, but must be employed or certified as a first responder. The class will be held over two days, May 21st and May 22nd.
UAV construction and maintenance
This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific principles associated with both the design and manufacturing stages of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). After completing this course, students should be familiar enough with the parts and components that make up a UAV to troubleshoot repairs. Students will follow the schematic diagrams and connect all the electrical components, gaining an understanding of how everything works together to build the aircraft. The student will complete her FAA TRUST Certificate and learn how to register her UAV online through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Zone. Students utilize computer-based simulators to develop rudimentary flight skills before flying the aircraft for exams and flight skills training. The university will provide a UAV construction kit for use during class. If students would like to provide their own parts, we are happy to do so. The course concludes with an overview of current FAA aviation maintenance rules and regulations necessary for safe and efficient operations. Students can enroll and pay for this $185 course online and be eligible for a scholarship. These evening classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from May 27th to July 31st.
