Extension home study course prepares drone pilots for exam

April 27, 2017

Lincoln, Neb. — Members of the public interested in earning a a Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate to fly unmanned aircraft (drones) for commercial purposes, are encouraged to refer to a new home study course offered by Nebraska Extension. This home study course focuses on the knowledge needed to successfully pass the computer-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exam to earn a Remote Pilot certificate.

The home study course allows participants to learn at their own pace while interacting with professional unmanned aircraft pilots and fellow course participants. Course instructors will be Wayne Woldt, Nebraska Extension specialist in unmanned aircraft; Yeyin Shi, Nebraska Extension specialist in agricultural information and data; and Jacob Smith, unmanned aircraft pilot and flight director.

An educational content management system, termed CANVAS, will be used as the “virtual classroom” for the course. Within this online environment participants be able to access the core curriculum and “drone coaches” as well as interact with peers as they progress through the learning system. 

Total cost for the home study course is approximately $135. This includes $40 for the course plus the cost of the following required curriculum materials:  

• The King Schools Drone education program, which will be offered at a 15 percent discount off the $99 retail price for those who register for the home study course. This discount amounts to a value of approximately $15.
• ASA Remote Pilot Test Prep workbook, which is required and available on Amazon.com for about $11.

Instructions on how to buy the King Schools product at a discount, and access the Extension educational program website will be provided upon completion of registration. 

At the end of the course, participants will be invited to participate in a live “capstone” face-to-face session (optional).  This session provides an opportunity to join other home study classmates, and the instructors in Lincoln, to discuss any lingering questions or concerns, and finalize participant knowledge on unmanned aircraft. Registration in this home study course and a certificate of completion for the King Schools program will be required to participate in the “capstone” gathering. 

This course, expected to last two months, is an opportunity to meet other remote pilots and prepare for the drone “hands-on flight training” to be offered by Nebraska Extension.

The first group of participants will start the course in May. For more information or to register, visit the NU-AIRE web site at http://nuaire.unl.edu.