Drones once were mysterious flying objects commonly used by the military, but now the world has become abuzz with people using them for recreational and commercial purposes.
They’re being used for everything from weddings and real estate to accident investigations and maintenance inspections.
There are so many drones, in fact, that the North Central Texas Council of Governments began an education series two years ago that now is available to the public on its YouTube page.
Learning best practices in use of drones
The FAA predicted significant growth of commercial drones. The number of drones registered for recreational use was forecast to reach roughly 1.4 million by this year, and by next year it is expected that roughly 350,000 UAS pilots will be needed.
The FAA said that drone operators must know the latest industry developments, including best practices and where to safely fly their aircraft.
To that end, the NCTCOG’s UAS Safety and Integration Task Force organized and hosted a series of monthly virtual workshops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 21 workshops conducted over a two-year period are available free for anyone interested in learning more about drones — whether they have been using them for a while or just fly drones for fun.
The continuing evolution of drone tech
The “Know Before You Fly Your Drone” workshops have been posted on the NCTCOG Transportation Department’s YouTube page.
“Drone technology continues to evolve, creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to fly their own aircraft, whether as a hobby, for business, or to help first responders make our communities safer,” Ernest Huffman, NCTCOG program manager, aviation planning and education, said in a statement. “NCTCOG was pleased to partner with many impressive professionals to help people understand the technology and how to use it safely and effectively.”
The workshops cover a variety of topics, including drone types, use cases, careers, business opportunities, and more, NCTCOG said. There is even a workshop focused on drone racing.
Each workshop is guided by aviation and UAS professionals to provide expertise and career insights, the organization said.
Established in 1966, NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments created to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development.
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