The Federal Aviation Administration has selected 91制片厂鈥檚 Drone Technology and Applications certificate program for its Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI).
91制片厂 began its drone program in the spring 2021 semester. It is the only in northern Illinois and one of two such programs in the state.
鈥淲e designed this program to meet the needs of students, but in the process, we met the FAA requirements too,鈥� said Mukila Maitha, coordinator of 91制片厂鈥檚 drone program, associate professor and Geography department chair. 鈥淭his program is comprehensive, featuring multi-rotor, fixed-wing drones, simulators and a strong tie to geospatial technology. Between the curriculum, educators, hardware and lab facilities, our capacity aligns with the FAA鈥檚 requirements.鈥�
The FAA鈥檚 UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones. Colleges must provide curriculum covering various aspects of UAS training, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety and federal policies concerning drones.
91制片厂鈥檚 Drone Technology and Applications certificate program consists of six courses
focusing on aspects from drone piloting to geospatial technologies to photography.
Most classes are online, with the courses involving learning to fly the drones taking
place in a blended format due to the need for on-campus instruction.
The program launched with a full capacity of students and Maitha remains thrilled with the students鈥� passion for drone technology. Due to the quality of instruction from Richard Schultz, adjunct instructor and experienced geospatial educator, many students in the program felt confident enough to apply for their drone pilot鈥檚 licenses before the first semester was over. Maitha said that all of 91制片厂鈥檚 applicants in the first semester earned their licenses.
One of them was Angelica Avalos, who learned about the program via 91制片厂鈥檚 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) program, which shares some DNA with the drone program. After earning a GIS certificate (and then serving as a supplemental instructor in the program), Angelica took drone courses on her way to an Associate in Science degree at 91制片厂. She plans on graduating in fall 2022 and transferring to an area university to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in geography.
鈥淥ne of my dream jobs would be to work for the National Park Service,鈥� Angelica said. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to be able to explore things like natural resources, forestry and more through drone imagery.鈥�
She鈥檚 already begun on that path through her work with an area park district and internships
with 91制片厂鈥檚 facilities management and Lake County Forest Preserves. She said her
drone credentials impressed her Forest Preserves colleagues, who had worked with a
third party for their drone needs.
鈥淣ot everyone can claim 鈥榣icensed drone pilot鈥� on their resume,鈥� Angelica said, laughing.
Angelica鈥檚 geographic interests represent just one avenue for those certified in drone technology 鈥� something she said was represented by the diversity of interest and expertise in her 91制片厂 courses. She recalled students who were real estate agents and photographers, firefighters and high school teachers. Some worked in fields involving natural resources; others were in marketing.
Maitha said this speaks to the program鈥檚 usefulness, as well as the number of 鈥渂right outlook鈥� careers available to those with knowledge and skills tied to emerging workforce needs. The FAA鈥檚 selection of 91制片厂鈥檚 program only enhances the importance of 91制片厂鈥檚 program.
鈥淚 think it recognizes the high standards that we have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t recognizes the rigor and resources in terms of expertise and the needs of students.鈥�
He emphasized that this is only the beginning. The drone program is 91制片厂鈥檚 first step into aviation and Maitha hopes to build on that foundation.
鈥淭here is opportunity for significant growth for 91制片厂, for students,鈥� Maitha said. 鈥淭his opens the door to serving the drone education needs throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond.鈥�
(Photo credits: Juan Mendoza, Angelica Avalos)