drone in air with blue sky and clouds

UNLV to Launch Drone Pilot Certificate Program through Continuing Education this Spring

Training course will help participants become FAA-licensed drone pilots and place them at the forefront of Nevada’s booming UAS industry.

UNLV is offering a drone pilot certificate program through Continuing Education this spring. (Aaron Mayes/UNLV Creative Services)

A new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Certificate Program launches this spring at UNLV Continuing Education.

The 40-hour training course covers operation, policy, safety, and numerous applications within the UAS industry. Those who complete the program will be eligible to become Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-licensed commercial drone pilots, placing them at the forefront of Nevada’s growing UAS industry. The first session is scheduled over two weekends, February 22-24 and March 1-3, 2019.

Demand is growing rapidly for licensed operators in both the commercial and public sectors, including search and rescue, construction, agriculture, photography and 3-D mapping, environmental monitoring, and more. According to FAA forecasts, the fleet of available commercial drones could grow from 110,000 to more than 450,000 by 2022, increasing the need for licensed pilots.

While hobbyists are permitted to operate registered UAS as long as they abide by rules for model aircraft, anyone piloting a UAS for commercial purposes must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

With UNLV’s new certificate, participants will not only build strong technical understanding of UAS operation through classroom and online instruction, they’ll also gain experience through hands-on, interactive flight instruction. Students are introduced to UAS system design, flight methods, and local and federal regulations.

This course meets the requirements of ASTM F3266 - 18, Standard Guide for Training for Remote Pilot in Command of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Endorsement, and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Trusted Operator Program Levels 1 and 2.

The certificate program is open to anyone interested in this rapidly growing field of aviation and is currently open for registration. Registration is $1,899.00. Learn more by contacting UNLV Continuing Education at continuing.education@unlv.edu or 702-895-5099.

About UNLV Continuing Education

UNLV Continuing Education, a unit of the Division of Educational Outreach, designs and delivers high quality non-credit programs, courses, workshops and seminars to both professional and casual learners. Its professional development certificate programs, certification preparation programs, and precertification programs in high-demand fields can help Southern Nevadans advance or open up new career possibilities.

Learn more at continuingeducation.unlv.edu.

Campus Units:

UNLV Lifelong Learning

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