Drone Discovery Series

Program Overview

The Drone Discovery Series is a 12-week, 36-hour workforce training program that prepares high school seniors for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification and real-world commercial drone operations. The program integrates technical instruction, hands-on flight experience, employer engagement, and workforce coaching to create a direct talent pipeline into high-demand mobility, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

Participants receive:

• FAA Part 107 curriculum, exam preparation, and multiple practice exams (FAA exam fee included)
• Hands-on flight operations including takeoff/landing, navigation, mapping, and aerial imaging
• Mission planning, airspace interpretation, and weather analysis
• Industry exposure through site visits, employer panels, and professional demonstrations
• Access to professional-grade drones, batteries, maintenance support, insured flight environments, operational equipment, and supervised field training

The program emphasizes FAA compliance, operational safety, and responsible flight practices throughout all training activities.

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Program Highlights

• FAA Part 107 Exam Included
• Hands-On Drone Flight Training
• 12 Weeks | 36 Hours
• Industry Exposure & Employer Engagement
• Workforce and Career Pathway Focus
• Designed for High School Seniors

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What You’ll Learn

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Prepare for and confidently pursue FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification
• Operate drones safely in both simulated and live environments
• Interpret airspace classifications, FAA regulations, and compliance requirements
• Analyze weather conditions and their impact on flight planning
• Apply mission planning, risk management, and crew communication strategies
• Utilize drones for real-world applications across multiple industries
• Explore entrepreneurial and operational applications of drone technology across industry sectors
• Demonstrate readiness through practice exams and a final capstone presentation

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Industry Credential Earned

Participants who successfully complete the program and pass the FAA examination earn the:

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

The FAA Part 107 certification is a federally recognized, industry-portable credential required for commercial drone operations. It is valued across sectors including infrastructure, energy, construction, mobility, logistics, public safety, agriculture, telecommunications, IT, and advanced manufacturing.

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Employment Pathways for Participants

Participants earning the FAA Part 107 certification gain access to cross-sector employment opportunities, including:

• Drone operations technician
• Inspection and mapping roles (construction, utilities, energy, telecom)
• GIS and data collection support
• Public safety and municipal operations
• Mobility and autonomy support roles
• Entry-level positions with employer partners
• Paid project work, internships, and advanced training pathways

The FAA Part 107 credential functions as a portable, industry-recognized certification that supports direct placement into high-demand roles.

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Industry Applications

Commercial drone technology is rapidly expanding across multiple industries, including:

• Infrastructure and construction
• Utilities and energy
• Public safety and emergency response
• Telecommunications
• Agriculture and environmental monitoring
• Logistics and mobility
• Real estate and media production
• Manufacturing and industrial inspections

Drone technology continues to play an increasing role in workforce innovation, infrastructure operations, mobility systems, data collection, and emerging technology applications across the regional economy.

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Who Should Enroll

This program is designed for high school seniors who want to earn the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and gain hands-on experience in commercial drone operations. Participants must be at least 16 years old to take the FAA exam.

Ideal participants include:

• High school seniors interested in aviation, engineering, or emerging technologies
• Students exploring technical career pathways after graduation
• Seniors considering careers in mobility, infrastructure, logistics, or public safety
• Future entrepreneurs interested in applying drone technology across sectors such as IT, construction, manufacturing, public safety, energy, agriculture, defense, telecommunications, real estate, media production, inspections, mapping, and advanced mobility

No prior drone experience is required.