At a remote-controlled model airplane field in Sarasota, Fla., Justin Woody was struggling to operate a mini-copter.
It was not a toy but an unmanned air vehicle, a drone, and Woody was getting hands-on training on how to fly a variety of them at a three-day session offered by the new Unmanned Vehicles University.
Woody is one of the current crop of students at Unmanned Vehicles University, the only institution in the United States to offer post-graduate engineering degrees, both masters and doctorate, in unmanned aerial vehicle systems. The program, which is the first of its kind, is the brain-child of retired U.S. Air Force colonel and F-4 pilot Jerry LeMieux.
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Check out some programs of this school - www.unmannedengineeria.com
My question is, what does the pilot qualification program do for someone? There is, as far as I know, no FAA issued UAV pilots license, correct?
Chuck, I don't think it's for kids, unless they're really freaking smart kids.
http://www.uxvuniversity.com/about/
I'm hoping they'll start a program, or at least some classes at the university I work for; I want to teach.
I am a big fan of these types of programs. I recall as a child my parents sent me to camps to build rockets, space camp, "hack" electronics, etc. It seems this program may be geared a bit more for the older crowd, anything that can promote critical thinking in our next generation is a big plus in my book!
With any piece of machinery kids need to be taught to be careful and respectful, this seems like just that program and with an ex air force at the helm, structure is guaranteed :)