LCC to offer commercial drone pilot degree starting this fall
EUGENE, Ore. — Lane Community College will offer a 2-year degree in commercial drone piloting, starting this fall.
The college will offer an associated of applied science degree and certificates in aerial photography and geographic information systems as part of the interdisciplinary program.
The state Higher Education Coordinating Commission approved the Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems program August 2.
Dean Pat O'Connor said LCC "assessed industry need and won enthusiastic support from the local community to promote the safe, responsible and licensed use of UAS technology. Several area high schools, including Creswell, South Eugene, West Lane Tech and others, expressed a keen interest in partnering with Lane."
“This program will be especially useful to people who need workforce training for out-of-sight operations such as mapping, firefighting, real state surveying, building inspections—there are many applications,” says O’Connor.
Flight Tech Instructor Sean Parrish will be the lead faculty member for the program.
According to LCC:
Students will gain extensive knowledge of the national airspace system and the integration of UAS. They will get hands-on experience with hobby grade and advanced commercial sensors and equipment and learn how to safely pilot multi-copters and fixed wings in normal and emergency situations. They will learn about Federal Aviation Administration airspace waivers, and how to build, program, and repair unmanned aircraft.
The college also noted:
Demand for UAS skill sets is reflected in a recent Burning Glass Technologies report as well as Department of Labor statistics. The national personnel recruiting site Indeed.com lists the current average salary of a drone pilot at $76,625.
Examples of drone videography:
