MVCC Offers Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Training [VIDEO + AUDIO]

If you have ever been interested in flying or learning about small unmanned aerial vehicles Mohawk Valley Community College now offers a non-credit course called 'Intro to Small Unmanned Aerial Systems.'

The 21 hour course teaches students not only how to operate radio controlled 'quad-copters,' but also how to use them commercially to earn money in a wide-range of different applications.

Brian Pitre of Skyop is the course instructor and personally developed the course material.

He says the course is designed to be a complete introduction to a broad overview of what this technology is about, and covers everything you would want to know to get started.

The class teaches students the basics of flying the drones, but also teaches users the rules governing drones set by the FAA, so new drone pilots won't have to worry about flight restrictions or flying in 'no-fly' zones.

Pitre says the course isn't just for the tech savvy though, in fact he's taught students of all ages.

Pitre says his hope is that each student leaves the course with an enhanced understanding of how dramatic and transformative the technology is.

"It's going to change our lives," Pitre said. "I liken it to what we've seen with personal computers, they changed our life, the Internet, it changed our life, and now we're on the cusp of personal robotics, and it's going to change our lives. Once students understand that and they look into the future, it's normally very exciting."

In the clip below, Pitre talks about the impact of small unmanned aerial systems on business:

Chris Dominicos has completed the class at Monroe Community College and says if you have any interest in small unmanned aerial systems, you need to take this class.

His interest in flying drones as a hobby brought him to the course, and now he plans to use his knowledge to start a career helping farmers with agriculture projects.

Watch Dominicos demonstrate his skill flying the 'quad-copter' below:

I asked Dominicos if the controls used would translate easily for someone who had grown up driving radio-controlled cars, that's when he simply said, "I can't wait to put the controls in your hand."

And he did.

I'm definitely not as experienced flying the drone as Dominicos, but it's easy to see how with some practice anyone can operate one.

Watch me try out(and crash) the 'quad-copter' below:

The 'quad-copters' are extremely durable as you can see, and can even safely land themselves when the battery life runs out.

MVCC will be offering the course on consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. beginning January 24.

The cost of the course is $1499 and includes all course materials, flight simulation software, a radio controller and a 'quad-copter.'

For more information, visit the MVCC website.