Kentucky Drone Pilot Certification Workshop Dec 15-16

By Blake Jackson

The Kentucky Agriculture Training School (KATS), a program of the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, will host a two-day drone pilot certification workshop and exam on Dec. 15-16. The course prepares participants for the FAA Small UAS Rule, Part 107 certification required for commercial drone use.

“This is an intense prep course for the Drone Pilot Certification Exam as required by the FAA, for those who plan to use drones commercially,” said KATS coordinator Lori Rogers.

“Drones are an increasingly popular tool in agriculture to help save time and increase production. They are used in mapping, spraying, scouting, crop and livestock monitoring and more.”

The workshop is intended for drone pilots seeking certification, the final step to offering professional agricultural drone services. Mandy Briggs from the Institute of Aviation at Parkland College will lead the course, and her students have achieved a 99% success rate on the FAA exam. The course focuses on exam preparation and does not include instruction on flying drones.

Sam Anderson, director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Environmental Services division, noted the workshop’s value. “The workshop provided practical training and resources that helped me successfully prepare for and pass the FAA Part 107 exam,” Anderson said.

“Because of this, drone use can become a key part of our investigation process, improving our ability to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth in an even more efficient and precise manner.”

The workshop will be held at the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office in Madisonville, KY, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT on the first day, with evening practice exams.

On the second day, participants return at 8 a.m., and the optional two-hour exam will be held at Madisonville Community College.

The workshop fee is $400, covering lunch and study materials, while the exam costs $175. Certified crop advisors can earn 12 CEUs. Pre-registration is required by Dec. 5 and is limited to 20 participants.

For registration or more information, visit Eventbrite or contact Lori Rogers at lori.rogers@uky.edu, 270-365-7541 ext. 21317.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-seregalsv