Sky’s the Limit, NETC drone piloting programs taking flight

Written by John Clayton
Published in Sandhills Telephone Cooperative's ConNEXTion Magazine March/April 2020

As classes resumed in January at Northeastern Technical College, students took to the skies. NETC's drone piloting and technology certificate program is in its second semester, and it's a response to a growing need for drone pilots across the country and the world. "Even in the first class, when I go over with students what drones actually can do and what you can do for career in it, it's amazing to think about how it's grown," says NETC drone piloting instructor William Duffell. "I don't think people think about everything it actually entails to become a pilot or what you can do with your certificate and your FAA license."

Just under 20 students enrolled in the certification course, which began in May 2019.

The college offers two programs for those interested in piloting unmanned aircraft, and both have accreditation with the Unmanned Safety Institute. USI is providing the curriculum for NETC's 22-credit certificate program and a 62-credit Associate of Applied Science degree. Duffell says NETC is the first school in South Carolina to offer the programs, both of which include unmanned aircraft maintenance, inspection and repair, and aerial photography courses.

He says having the certifications and licenses, which separate professional drone pilots from recreational flyers, also gives pilots the ability to make a living or at least add to their incomes flying drones. "Say you and I are both working in drones, but I have my state certifications and you don't" Duffell says. "Somebody needs a drone pilot and we both submit bids. If I have my safety certifications, 99% of the time, they're going to take me over you, even if I have a higher price they'll have to pay, because of the fact that my safety certifications reduce their liability."

The differences between the abilities of recreational flyers and professional pilots also go well beyond certifications, Duffell says.

"Anybody can have a drone and fly it under what's called a recreational status," he says. "That means it's supposed to be within and under 400 feet and within line of sight, which means you have to keep your drone in sight at all times. Some of the popular consumer drones like the DJI Phantom or the Mavic Pro can go up to 3 miles away – that's obviously not in your line of sight.

So, to fly them legally at that range, pilots need licenses and certifications, which also open doors to careers in a burgeoning new field. "When you switch over as a professional pilot, you find different opportunities for making money with it," Duffell says. "You can find a career or a job. Real estate agents are using drones now to take pictures of properties. Right now fire departments and police departments are all utilizing drone technology in different areas."

NETC President Kyle Wagner says the growing field should attract students interested in piloting drones and in receiving their FAA licenses as well as certifications through the USI-approved programs. Those enrolled in NETC's continuing education program or traditional students seeking their degrees can earn certificates.

"Part of the drone course is the career exploration and how drones will be used in different careers, such as policing, firefighting, forest management and power distribution," Wagner says, noting that those with piloting certifications and licenses can also get a head start as drone pilots in the U.S. military if they want to go that route.

Duffell, the son of a U.S. Air Force pilot, says drone piloting has combined two of his loves; flight and photography. "I started out more on the real estate side of things and combined it with the photography and videography that I've always done, he says."

That work has now morphed into teaching others how to become drone pilots and potentially turn it into a career, and Duffell says the response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. NETC also hosted a "Take Flight" program during its Camp Exploration, a summer day camp for seventh graders through 10th graders. The campers built their own drones and learned about drone safety and the future of drone use.

Students in Duffell's NETC classes also learn the fundamentals of drone flight, starting out with a DJI Tello beginner drone that sells for around $100 and some other models.

"I think they thoroughly enjoy it," he says. "They love flying the drones, and they can even do some trick flying with the Tellos. This spring is the first time I'll be teaching the aerial photography class, and that's going to be a project-based class. They'll have to have a finished video project by the time it's done. I'm really interested to see how that turns out and what kind of goodies and videos I get."

DRONE PILOTING
• The global drone service market is projected to grow 51% over the next eight years, according to a study by Research and Markets.
• The annual base pay for certified drone pilots currently ranges from $62,000 to $70,000, according to uavcoach.com. Government and military salaries range from $33,000 to $40,000 annually.
• Startup costs for a new drone business, including marketing, equipment and other necessities such as insurance and bonding, are estimated at around $25,000.
• A professional-level drone can be purchased for less than $2,000.
• Potential drone-piloting career fields include public safety, real estate sales and surveying, military, public utilities, agriculture, telecommunications, filmmaking and media.

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