Expert instructor explains why to take award-winning class

Since March 2018, the University of Delaware Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) has been providing comprehensive training and preparing drone pilots for the Federal Aviation Administration’s airman knowledge test, which must be passed to earn the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate that is required to legally fly a drone for commercial use. Paige Fitzgerald began flying drones in 2016 when the FAA Part 107 requirement went into effect, and she has shared her knowledge by teaching many sessions of the award-winning UD PCS Professional Drone Pilot: Ground School and FAA Part 107 Test Prep program. Fitzgerald, who has prepared numerous students from diverse professional sectors to earn the certificate, will continue to do so in a live-online environment. Drawing on her experience as both a drone pilot and an instructor, she has seven reasons why people should take her class.

1. Drones are fun

If you have already flown drones, you know how much fun it is. You’ll never see somebody flying a drone who doesn’t think it’s fun to do. It’s a blast.

2. People really like the class

I’m proud to say that we’ve had incredible feedback from our students who really like what we have done. We provide a ton of information, but we break it down into bite-sized manageable chunks. Our students have a good time and come out of the class feeling really good about what they have learned.

3. Take the certification test with confidence

Probably the most important reason I can give you to take this class is that if you want to make money flying drones, you must have the FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate. If you get paid to fly drones without the certification, you are doing it in violation of federal law. This class enables you to understand what is going to be asked of you on the exam, provides you with test-taking strategies and gives you the confidence to succeed.

4. Add a professional certification to your resume

Whether you are starting out your career or trying to change paths, it’s always good to have a new professional certification. When you receive your drone certification, you can impress your future employers and make your job application stand out.

5. Add a source of income to your household

If you have been noticing people taking real estate pictures and getting hired for other small jobs here and there and are wondering how you can make some extra money flying drones, this is a good class for you. This is a fun way to get that extra source of income for your household.

6. Build your street cred and professional networks

Drones are everywhere, and it is clear who knows what they are talking about and who does not. You will find that people who have a lot of knowledge get sort of touchy if you say something wrong or don’t know what the regulations are. If you can show that you know what you are talking about when you communicate with other drone pilots, you will build your networks and be taken seriously as a professional.

7. Learn from my mistakes

I can tell you as a person who started out with no experience whatsoever, I spent a lot of 2016 and 2017 making very stupid mistakes and very expensive mistakes. By telling you what not to do, I will save you some money before you invest it into buying equipment and running a business.

Discounts and scholarships for the University of Delaware’s Professional Drone Pilot: Ground School and FAA Part 107 Test Prep program are available. For more information, visit pcs.udel.edu/drones, email continuing-ed@udel.edu or call 302-831-7600.