BRTC CTC Hosts Recreational Drone Workshop

Clay County Extension agent Christin Holmes speaks to BRTC CTC students

Black River Technical College (BRTC) Career and Technical Center (CTC) recently hosted Clay County 4-H Tech Changemakers Jaxon Burns, Adam Holmes, and Jaydin Stirnaman along with Clay County Extension agents Christin Holmes and Ben Holcomb as guest speakers.

The group conducted a recreational drone pilot workshop with BRTC CTC students. The group taught students the differences between commercial and recreational drone piloting. The group explored the various avenues of potential career paths available to commercial pilots, such as aerial cinematographer, infrastructure inspection, surveying and mapping, agricultural management, emergency services, and wildlife conservation.

The group covered essential regulations guiding flying drones as part of the national airspace, distinguishing between controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and explained the regulations for flying within controlled airspace.

“The workshop assisted the students in acquiring the TRUST Certification, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prerequisite for recreational drone pilots, and developing their drone operating skills,” said Holmes. “It lays the foundation for those sincerely eager to advance to the next training stage, the Part 107 license.”

“This is a great skill for students to possess and add to their resume,” said Director of Career and Technical Education Darenda Kersey.

For more information about BRTC’s CTC program, contact Kersey at (870) 248-4185 or  darenda.kersey@blackrivertech.edu.

 

BRTC CTC student Brantlee Trout, BRTC CTC student Logan Layne, Clay County Extension Agent Ben Holcomb, BRTC CTC student Jathan Moore, BRTC CTC student Eric Copeland, and BRTC CTC student Sam Hunt