Self-paced Online Prep Course for FAA Part 107 Exam to Become Certified Drone Pilot Begins June 24

Article by: Melinda Eddleman

The applications for flying an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drone are innumerable beyond being a hobbyist. Using an UAS can range from inspecting real estate and farmland to taking those memorable videos during weddings and other special events that call for a bird’s eye view rather than taking shots at ground-level.

Beginning June 24, Del Mar College (DMC) will offer Fundamentals of UAS (GUAS 2071), an eight-week self-paced online course designed to prepare individuals to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Exam to become a FAA-certified drone pilot. Ambitious students can even complete the course in as little as four weeks.

The course runs though Aug. 12 and costs $99. Register through the College’s Center for Economic Development by calling 361-698-1328 or stopping by in-person at 3209 S. Staples. (Registration will be taken through the end of the month since the course is self-paced with two modules released every week for the first four weeks.)

Course details are available at https://delmar.edu/continuing-education/corporate-services/corporate-college.html or by emailling jnelson1@delmar.edu.

As an accredited college course through Del Mar's distinguished Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program, individuals passing the course with a B or greater can petition to have their hours converted to three (3) credit hours toward a certificate or associate’s degree. (Note:This class does not guarantee students will pass the FAA Part 107 Exam, and individuals must test at a FAA-approved Test Site. Cost for the exam is $150 and is not part of the fee for taking the online preparation course.)

Taught by Del Mar College faculty member, John Nelson, who was recently named 2019 National Educator of the Year by the National Science Foundation for his significant contributions to the education and training of today’s UAS–GIS technology workforce (http://www.highimpact-tec.org/hitec2019_award.php), the curriculum covers:

• Airport Operations: Reading a Chart Supplement; Runways and Traffic Patterns; Right of Way and Towered versus Nontowered Airports

• Weather and Micrometeorology: Standard Conditions and Density Altitude; Wind and Currents; Moisture, Fog and Frost; Reading a METAR Report; Operating in Extreme Weather; Clouds, Ceilings and Visibility and Stable versus Unstable Air (Understanding Air Masses)

• Drone Flight Operations: Hazardous Flight Operations; Emergency Operations; Lost Link Procedures; Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM); Crew Resource Management (CRM); PAVE, IMSAFE & DECIDE; Models; 5 Hazardous Attitudes; Radio Communications; UAS Loading and Performance; UAS Maintenance and Inspection and Pre-Flight Checklist

• Drone Rules and FAA Regulations: The Basics of Part 107 Regulations; Crew Member Definitions; Registering Your Drone; Reporting an Accident or In-Flight Emergency; Operating Limitations: Height, Speed, Minimum Visibility and Cloud Clearance; FAA Compliance: Flight Logging, Inspections and Required Documents; Flying at Night; Flying Over People and Moving Vehicles; Flying Visual Line-of-Sight; Alcohol, Drugs and Physiology and Airspace Authorization and Waivers

• National Airspace System (NAS): Class B Airspace; Class C Airspace; Class D Airspace; Class E Airspace; Class G Airspace; Special Use Airspace and Military Training Routes (MTRs)

• Reading Sectional Charts: What’s a Sectional Chart? Latitude and Longitude; VFR Checkpoints; Notification Boxes; MSL versus AGL; Airports and Radio Frequencies and Maximum Elevation Figures

Please be advised that a person applying for a remote pilot certificate with a “sUAS” rating must meet and maintain the following eligibility requirement per FAA 107-2 Section 107.61 Eligibility, as applicable: Be at least 16 years of age. Individuals can take the class before they are 16 years of age, but they need to be 16 years of age for eligibility to take the FAA exam to pass and earn the 107 license certification.