| Commercial UAS Certificate Prep |
This course will prepare students to take the FAA Part 107 exam required of all commercial UAV (drone) operators. Topics covered include FAA regulations, airspace classifications, operating requirements, flight restrictions, aviation weather sources, effects of weather on performance, weight and balance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communications, physiological factors, aeronautical decision-making and judgment, and maintenance and preflight inspection procedures. Instructors will guide students through registering to take their FAA Part 107 Exam. The FAA examination costs $175 (subject to change) and is not included in the registration fee. Recommended Workbook: 2024 Remote Pilot Prep - ASA |
| Online Commercial UAS Certificate Prep |
The online version of this course will cover the same material as the in-person meeting described above but will do so in a largely self-paced format. Each week students will review presentations and videos, complete activities, and take practice quizzes. Additionally, each week there will be a 1-hour live video group session with your instructor that will serve as a guided study session and provide time for review and questions. Students are expected to attend one of four video sessions that will meet in the morning and evening. As with the in-person session the instructor will prepare students to take the FAA Part 107 exam required of all commercial UAV (drone) operators and will guide students through registering to take their FAA Part 107 Exam. The FAA examination costs $175 (subject to change) and is not included in the registration fee. Recommended Workbook: 2024 Remote Pilot Prep - ASA |
| Online Commercial UAS Certificate Preparation (First Responders Only) |
The description and requirements are the same as the Online Commercial UAS Certificate preparation course above. Costs for all active First Responders in North Carolina are 100% waived. Students should contact BCCC Continuing Education at (252) 940-6375 or email Ben Poulin at [email protected] to register. Online registration is not available. |
| Beyond 107 - Level 1 & Level 2: Advanced UAS Operations |
This course is designed for FAA Part 107 Certified Pilots and revisits and expands on several concepts introduced on the exam. Topics covered include routine operations in accordance with Part 107 that do not require a waiver, flights using aircraft less than 5.5 pounds, regulatory knowledge and compliance, general mission planning protocols, maintenance and inspection programs, and introductions to safety management systems. Additional topics include operations that require FAA waivers and approvals, UAS operations under FAA Part 119.1 (including crop dusting), and those with elevated risk factors such as flying at night, and those necessitating visual observers or an Air Boss. A focus on Crew Resource Management (CRM) includes developing procedures related to standard operations (SOPs), emergency procedures, maintenance, flight records, pilot proficiency, and reporting. Upon successful completion of coursework, students will sit for end-of-course knowledge exams and a flight assessment and, if successful, become certified as Level 1 & Level 2 Trusted Operators through AUVSI. Students who elect the certification option will pay an additional estimated $100 charge to AUVSI at the time of testing |
| Beyond 107 - Level 3: Hazardous UAS Operations |
Expanding on Beyond 107 – Level 3, this course focuses on operations in safety-critical and complex areas that require higher levels of risk mitigation. Examples include industrial and chemical facilities, and infrastructure such as wind turbines, powerlines, communication towers, rail, and pipelines. Operations include those from moving vehicles, in confined areas, close to severe weather, and in remote, harsh, hostile, or testing environments. Upon successful completion of coursework, students will sit for an end-of-course knowledge exam and flight assessment. If successful, students will become certified as Level 3 Trusted Operators though AUVSI. Students who elect the certification option will pay an additional $100 estimated charge to AUVSI at the time of testing. |
| UAS Pilot Training - The Basics |
Students will receive hands-on training and will learn the fundamentals of flight, navigation, safety protocols, and flying techniques. Students will be expected to progress through a series of basic maneuvers that will lead to proficiency in routine flight operations. Students will also be guided through obtaining the FAA TRUST certificate required for all recreational remote pilots. Neither previous piloting experience nor a Part 107 license is required for this course. The dates and times of meetings may change due to weather conditions. |
| UAS Pilot Training - First Person View |
Students will be introduced to the exciting world of First-Person Video (FPV) UAS technology with guidance from experienced instructors. FPV drones use onboard cameras that send a live video feed to goggles worn by the pilot. Through demonstrations and practical flight assessments students will learn about equipment, technique, safety procedures, and regulations. Students will also be guided through obtaining the FAA TRUST certificate required for all recreational remote pilots. Neither previous piloting experience nor a Part 107 license is required for this course. No prior FPV experience is required. |
| Aerial Photography & Videography |
Credential: The Recreational Unmanned Safety Test (TRUST), Federal Aviation Administration Students will be introduced to the best practices of aerial photography and videography and can expect to progress through a series of media-focused maneuvers. As part of the class students will plan a media project and gather the requisite stock photos or footage. Using their images or video students will create a product using editing software. Students will also be guided through obtaining the FAA TRUST certificate required for all recreational remote pilots. Neither previous piloting experience nor a Part 107 license is required for this course. |
| Photo Editing & Production |
This class is not specific to UAV operations and introduces students to the basics of creating photo and video content, editing, and postproduction with photography and videography. Students will learn the specifics of camera operation, planning shots, recording video and sound and producing deliverables. Students are not expected to have any prior experience. Equipment, including computers, and software will be available for use. |
| Capturing Aerial Imagery for Inspections & Mapping |
In this hands-on course students will learn the fundamentals of aerial imagery as it relates to inspections and mapping. Equipment preparation, inspection and care, regulations and safety guidelines, mission planning and flight preparations, photography techniques, manual and autonomous data acquisition, mapping software and tools, and analysis of aerial data will all be covered. This course will help to prepare students to leverage aerial imagery for inspection and mapping tasks effectively for application in a variety of commercial industries. |
| Processing Aerial Imagery with Pix4Dmatic |
Students will explore mapping using UAVs and Pix4Dmatic software. Topics covered in this course include equipment & software selection, capturing imagery, creating digital maps and 3D models, establishing control points, linear and volumetric measurements, project development and management, and producing deliverables. Students will be able to use provided datasets or their own aerial image sets. This class is taught by Pix4D Certified trainers. Online courses will cover the same material. Upon successful completion of coursework, students will sit for optional end-of-course knowledge exams and, if successful, earn their Pix4Dmatic and/or Pix4Dmapper Certifications. Students who elect the certification option will pay an additional $130 estimated cost per exam directly to Pix4D prior to testing. |
| UAV Fabrication & Flight |
This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific principles associated with the building and testing phases of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Upon completion of this course, students will be familiarized with the parts and components that make up UAVs well as have the ability to troubleshoot repairs. Following schematics students will connect all electrical components while developing an understanding of how everything works together to produce aerial vehicles. Students complete the FAA TRUST Certificate and will learn how to register their UAV online through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Zone. Students will utilize computer-based simulators to develop rudimentary flight skills before flying the machine for testing and flight skills training. The college will provide UAVs build kits for use while in class. If students would like to supply their own parts, they are welcome to do so. This course ends with an overview of the current FAA aviation maintenance rules and regulations required for safe and efficient operations. Scholarships are available. |
