KCC introduces new drone technology course

Klamath Community College’s agriculture program in partnership with Digital Media Design and Geographic Information System will offer a drone technology course for the first time in the fall of 2024.

The Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Flight Technology I course instructs students in Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) manual flight skills and the FAA Remote Pilot certification exam materials.

The commercial use of sUAS is an emerging industry that provides students with an opportunity to explore high-risk, high-reward technologies. These systems offer a platform for students to enhance their flight skills and find applications in various fields, including agriculture, digital media, environmental monitoring and law enforcement.

The course has an optional accompanying lab, Unmanned Aerial Systems Flight Technology I Lab where students will use a simulator to gain working skills in flighting commercial drones and working operations. Those flight hours can be used on job applications to work with drones. In addition, students will be exposed to commercial drone flight in the field.

The course offered at KCC will cover the skills for becoming a certified FAA Remote Pilot, characteristics of the professional sUAS Operator, principles of commercial use of sUAS, the roles of sUAS Operator, developing a flight report, proficiency in sUAS flight safety and operations, guidelines of best practice within the profession, strategies effective teamwork, risk management, principles of problem-solving in ethical decision making and roles of leadership.

For more information about the Drone Course, KCC agriculture degrees and certificates, visit www.klamathcc.edu/ag, or contact KCC Agriculture Program Lead Isadora Peres de Souza at 541- 880-2315 or email peresdesouza@kcc.edu.