This course is now being offered as Drone sUAS Operators Comprehensive Course. For information on our certificate program, please visit here.
Offered in partnership with the NH Department of Transportation, this program is designed for current or future UAS pilots based in New England. Familiarize yourself with UAS equipment and safety protocol while learning more about how UAS technology is being used in different contexts. After completing this program, deep dive into these content areas by signing up for one of our content-specific 2-day workshops focused on emergency response, GIS/engineering and photography. This four-day Drone Operator program focuses primarily on hands-on flight activities that are appropriate for the beginner or intermediate drone pilot. Approximately half of the class time will focus on outdoor flight exercises that introduce students to progressively more difficult navigational tasks and scenarios.
Drawing on recent case studies and knowledge gleaned from the NH DOT and FAA, our instructors will focus on operational laws, airspace, insurance, equipment, system operation, flight roles, role coordination and many other topics. The UNH Drone Operator workshop and follow up courses provide the highest quality experience for the most affordable price. Case in point: Our largest competitor charges $580 for a one-day operator workshop compared to our $1250 four-day program. Perhaps most importantly, UNH’s programs prioritize flight time, support from Part 107-certified flight instructors and frequent interaction with regional UAS experts who are familiar with the nuances of UAS operation in New England. See our program agenda, student testimonies and FAQ section for more details.
All students completing the UNH Drone Operator workshop will receive a certificate of course completion, and a UNH Drone Academy hat.
Students do not need to bring their own UAS to this course. Several different UAS platforms will be available to students for hands-on exercises. The age requirement for this program is 15. Please note that this course caps at 20 students to allow for a low flight assistant to student ratio.
Course Agenda
UNH Drone (UAV/UAS) Operator Certificate
*Subject to change
Day 1 – Introductions, Regulations, Safety, Ethics
Classroom
9:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast, Introductions, review course schedule
10:00 – 11:00 – Safety precautions, Preflight checklist review, FAA regulations
11:00 – 12:00 – Part 107 introduction, Hobbyists vs Commercial Pilots, DJI App Introduction
12:00 - 1:00 – Lunch
Outdoors
1:15 - 3:30 – Flight Exercises (weather permitting)
- Overview of checklist
- Basic control movements
- Figure 8s, circles
- Depth perception
- POI
Day 2 – UAS Equipment, Flight Scenarios, DJI App
Classroom
9:00 - 10:00 – DJI App overview, Components of a UAS
10:00 – 11:00 – Review of “What if” scenarios, flight training
Outdoors
11:00 – 12:30 – Flight Exercises (weather permitting)
- POI
- WayPoints
- Maneuver through cones
- Locate objects
- Camera stability
12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 – Flight Continued (weather permitting)
Day 3 – Regulations, Mapping, Advanced Flight
Classroom
9:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast, commercial drone usage, mapping introduction
10:00 – 11:00 – Mapping technology, usage
Outdoors
11:00 – 12:00 – Flight Exercises (weather permitting)
- Utilization of VO – No look drone
- Line of sight
- Cone obstacles
- Revisit past exercises
- Mapping demonstration (Jim)
12:00-1:00 – Lunch
1:00-3:30 – Flight Exercises Continued (weather permitting)
Day 4 – Mastering Controls, UAS Applications
Classroom
9:00 – 10:30 – Breakfast, review situations from past classes, questions (hobbyist, commercial)
Outdoors
10:30 – 12:00 – Flight Exercises (weather permitted)
- Spark through the woods
- Photography/Videography
- Drone Bingo
- Revisit past applications & exercises
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 3:30 – Flight Exercises Continued (weather permitted)
The Browne Center for Innovative Learning
340 Dame Road, Durham, NH, 03824
From the South - Boston
- Follow I-95 North into New Hampshire
- Take Exit 4, on the left, to merge onto NH-16N/US-4 W to White Mountains
- Take Exit 6W to merge onto US-4 toward Durham/Concord...
From the North - Maine
- Follow I-95 South into New Hampshire
- Take Exit 5 onto NH-16N / US-4 W toward Newington/Dover
- Take Exit 6W to merge onto US-4 toward Durham/Concord...
Directions Continued
- Take the NH-108 Exit toward Durham/Newmarket
- Turn onto NH-108 South
- Turn left at the lights to stay on NH-108 South
- Turn left onto Durham Point Road, follow for 3.3. miles
- Turn right on Dame Road, turns into dirt road, follow for .4 miles
- Turn left at the blue Browne Center sign (sign is on right side of road)
- Follow driveways to the end, past main building into the large parking lot
