Advances in drone technology in recent years has led to an explosion of cottage industries for drone pilots in numerous industries such as real estate, filmmaking, agriculture, public safety and telecommunications and now one of the top-rated training schools is offering classes in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
UVA Coach announced last week it had created new 90-minute in-person drone flight training classes for drone pilots to gain hands-on flight time with an instructor.
Drone education and proper training have become are at a premium since President Trump signed the FAA Reauthorization Act last month, implementing new regulations on commercial and recreational drone operators across the country. Violation of FAA regulations could result in significant civil penalties, in some case fines of up to $20,000.
The in-person training is a new addition to UAV Coach’s existing training curriculum which has been operating Drone Pilot Ground School online since 2016. The prep course prepares U.S. drone pilots to pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test and receive a Remote Pilot Certificate.
“Over the last two years, we’ve helped thousands of pilots get certified through our online test prep course,” UAV Coach CEO & Founder Alan Perlman said. “And while the FAA doesn’t require flight proficiency as part of the certification process, enough students expressed interest in learning how to manage their flight operations and getting more comfortable with the DJI software that it made sense for us to start offering in-person flight training classes.”
Students do not have their own drone in order to take the course. UAV Coach’s team of instructors provide several top of the line drones for the class.
During an in-person flight training class, students can expect to have 30 to 45 minutes of hands-on flying time to master orientation, basic flight maneuvers and more advanced flight skills and learn best practices of being a safe drone pilot. UAV Coach has taught more than 13,000 students in its Drone Pilot Ground Schools since 2014.
“We’re proud of the impressive team of instructors we’ve brought on board,” UAV Coach Chief Operating Officer Lana Axelrod said. “They’re passionate about the industry and excited to share their knowledge with students.”
Anyone interested in the class can book online at https://uavcoach.com/drone-training; to select the Flushing Meadows Corona Park training location, students should select New York – North Bellmore instructor Christian Tucci from the drop down menu on the booking form.
The class is available 7 days a week during daylights hours and costs $199 for each individual.
But, buyer beware. The city’s Parks Department says UAV Coach does not have permits, and the program goes against Parks’ rules.
