Broward College Announces Launch of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

  • Press Releases | 31 March 2016 | 1 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New program to focus on ground school and first-time operations of drones

Fort Lauderdale, FL (Thursday, March 31, 2016) – Broward College has announced a new, comprehensive, one-day, eight-hour ground and operations course titled "Flight of the Drones" as part of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Drones Flight School. The new course will prepare students with the knowledge to pilot a drone and provide hands-on piloting practice. Classes will begin in late April. 

According to forecasts from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUSVI), an Arlington, Virginia-based trade group that advocates for the advancement of the unmanned systems and robotics community, the economic impact of UAS integration is significant. In the United States, AUSVI predicts that more than 70,000 jobs will be created, with an economic impact of more than $13.6 billion. This benefit is projected to grow though 2025 when AUSVI foresees more than 100,000 jobs created and an economic impact of $82 billion.

Utilized in a variety of industries such as film, real estate, legal, construction, and agriculture, drones quickly are becoming commonplace. UAS Flight School at Broward College will cover the following: 

  • Understanding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for flight
  • Knowledge to begin using a UAS/drones, based on latest federal, state and local laws
  • Skills to operate a multi rotor
  • Knowledge of unmanned electronics, software, general flight principles and pre-flight checklists
  • Hands-on operation of a UAS
  • Guided flight/piloting practice for each student

The one-day course currently is slated from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 30, May 21, June 18, and July 2. All classes begin at 8 a.m., and start at the Innovation Hub at Cypress Creek 6400 NW 6th Way in Fort Lauderdale, and end at Markham Park at 5 p.m. The cost is $499 per person.

For more information about the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Flight School at Broward College, contact Dr. Gwynne Gonzalez at (954) 201-7800, or ggonzale@broward.edu.

ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE

Serving approximately 56,000 students annually, Broward College provides residents with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees, and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The mission of the College is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners. For more information, visit www.broward.edu.