County College of Morris (CCM) is offering an opportunity to take advantage of in-demand careers as it prepares students to become certified drone pilots.
The Drone Pilot Certification course, which runs from January 24 to April 29, teaches students what they need to know to work as commercial drone pilots. The course offers drone-flight lessons, drone-pilot readiness training and in-class preparation for the certification exam administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Interested members of the community are invited to meet the drones up close and talk with the instructors on Saturday, January 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CCM’s Health and Physical Education building, near Parking Lot 7.
Certified drone pilots Kelvin King, Carlos Velasquez, Andrew Flor and Devon Keena teach the course and instruct students in both the practice and theory of piloting commercial drones.
“Drone pilots are in high demand in industries such as photography, real estate, forestry, logistics and distribution, emergency management, surveillance and agriculture,” says King, who is also an airline pilot. “This course allows CCM students to be among the first in New Jersey to earn drone pilot certification.”
The course is taught in a hybrid mode, combining remote instruction with in-person labs. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – noon. Labs take place on Saturday on CCM’s campus at 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph.
Students who complete the entire course are able to take advantage of internship opportunities. The cost is $3,999, which can be paid in two installments. To register, go to www.ccm.edu/workforce/drone-pilot/.
“Piloting commercial drones is an emerging and well-paying career, and we are thrilled to be teaching this new course,” says Velasquez. “I suspect many CCM students will enjoy the course, and I’m eager to guide them on their journeys to becoming certified drone pilots.”
