Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Suwannee High School (SHS) Naval Junior Reserve Training Corps (NJROTC) is partnering with a couple of aviation organizations to bring “Drones in School,” a program geared to help students obtain their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 107 license, which is a drone pilot’s license.
“We currently have 15 high school students working toward their FAA 107 license, which they all earn in March, with additional certifications and/or licenses being introduced next year,” Debra Kleinsmith, NJROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor, said. “This program will allow high schoolers to have a career to take us into the future.”
The partnership will be with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), which will work with students to secure their 107 licenses. It began with a discussion with the Suwannee County School District, which allowed the NJROTC to start the partnership.
“ERAU has worked with over 40 school districts, and we were included after the school district approved the partnership,” Kleinsmith said.
She is also hopeful that, by next year, the program will also include opportunities for students to obtain their Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) Level One Ground Safety Course credentials.
Kleinsmith noted that students who obtain their FAA 107 license will also be able to earn money for projects involving drone photography and videography. She said that real estate agencies, law enforcement agencies and other programs usually hire drone pilots for this purpose.
Students in grades eight through 12 with an interest in drones or who want to learn more about the “Drones in School” program may inquire through the SHS NJROTC program.