Students in UAS Major Become Flight Instructors

A new program at Embry-Riddle has begun training Uncrewed Aircraft Systems students into becoming Remote Pilot Instructors.

The program is reportedly successful so far, with 13 instructors produced, and each holding Trusted Operator Program credentials. The school is proud to be the 1st academic institution to get TOP certification from AUVSI. In addition to flight operations, students in the UAS program learn how to build, design, and flight-test drones with a bevy of computer modeling and prototyping skills included along the way. 

“The program is a novel approach to drone education and involves a comprehensive curriculum that covers not just hands-on drone flying time and certifications through the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), but it also dives deep into the mechanics and intricacies of drone technology,” said Joe Cabrera, UAS flight instructor and research support specialist at Embry?Riddle. “This will provide students with a unique and innovative learning experience, ensuring they are at the forefront of drone technology and its applications in various industries.”

"Our students graduate not only at the apex of UAS operational expertise but also with the professional acumen to immediately assume leadership roles at top-tier companies," Ehrenkaufer said. "There is truly no other institution that offers such a comprehensive and experientially rich platform for launching a UAS career.”

FMI: www.erau.edu