Fullerton College Drone Program: Pioneering Education in Autonomous Systems

Fullerton College is at the forefront of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) education with its innovative Drone Program. Recognizing the transformative impact of drones across various industries, the college offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the skills, certifications, and knowledge necessary to excel in this dynamic field. From entry-level courses to a Bachelor of Science degree, the program provides a pathway for individuals of all backgrounds to become proficient in drone technology and its applications.

A Comprehensive Curriculum

The Fullerton College Drone Program offers a range of courses catering to different skill levels and interests. These courses cover a wide spectrum of topics, from the fundamentals of drone piloting to advanced techniques and specialized applications.

Introductory Courses

TECH 150: Introduction to Drone Piloting: This 8-week, entry-level course introduces students to the principles, guidelines, and regulations governing the effective piloting of unmanned aerial vehicles. It emphasizes safety, ethics, and relevant laws associated with drone flight, preparing students to take and pass the FAA’s Part 107 certification exam.
TECH 151: Drone Applications: This full 16-week entry-level course builds upon the foundation laid in TECH 150. The first 8 weeks are identical, focusing on the basics of piloting an unmanned aerial system and exploring its applications in various careers. The second 8 weeks delve into applications training, where students learn to use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Pix4D Mapper with drones. TECH 150 and TECH 151 are NOT sequential courses and are taken separately.

Advanced Piloting and Operations

Advanced Drone Piloting Techniques: This 16-week course focuses on advanced drone piloting techniques, including multiple drone operations, field operations, extended operation, first-person view (FPV) piloting, and more. Students will fly to NIST standards and AUVSI Trusted Operator certification, emphasizing safety and the development of best practices and policies. TECH 150 OR TECH 151 are prerequisites of this course.

Specialized Applications

Unmanned Systems Construction: This 16-week course introduces students to the basics of unmanned systems, including their parts, construction, and functionality. Students will create a functioning aerial, terrestrial, or submersible system.
FAA Part 107 Test Preparation: This online, self-paced course reviews and prepares students to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s initial aeronautical knowledge test, helping them pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Test for a remote pilot certificate.
First Person View (FPV) Drone Piloting: This course introduces first-person view (FPV) drone piloting skills with hands-on flying and lecture. The course also introduces students to basic maintenance and repair of small quadcopter drones used in FPV. Piloting skills for cinematic, freestyle, and racing of FPV aerial quads will be taught and developed throughout this course.
Drones for Filmmaking and Photography: This 16-week course equips students with the ability to use UAVs (drones) in filmmaking, photography, and cinematography. Special emphasis is placed on equipment selection, aerial photography and video storytelling, editing, and safety and ethical considerations.
Thermography with Drones: This 16-week course focuses on how thermography is used for a variety of conditions including monitoring/predictive maintenance and identification. Students will learn how to collect, interpret, and analyze infrared data by using a drone and aerial imaging.
Drone Mapping and Data Processing: This 16-week course introduces students to the skills in data acquisition and data processing techniques for mapping using Pix4D Mapper. Students will learn principles of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and how to use them to acquire data, create mapping images, point clouds, overlays, and 3D meshes. Programs like Drone Deploy will also be introduced.
Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging with Drones: This 16-week course teaches students how to capture and gain experience in the proper use of multispectral and hyperspectral imaging methods of remote imaging for various applications including agriculture, inspection, surveying, and many others.

Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems

The Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems at Fullerton College is designed to prepare students for advanced careers in the rapidly expanding fields of drone operations, autonomous platforms, robotics, and data acquisition. Unlike traditional aviation programs, this program emphasizes workforce development, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Key Features

2+2 Model: The program follows a 2+2 model, offering students an affordable and smooth pathway to graduation.
Hands-on Experience: Students gain practical experience with enterprise systems, LiDAR mapping, autonomous inspections, and fleet operations.
Industry Partnerships: The program fosters collaboration with industry partners, providing students with opportunities to participate in field projects, registered apprenticeships, and experiential learning.
Selective Admission: Admission to the program is selective and based on a combination of academic achievement, technical aptitude, and demonstrated interest in the field.

Applications Across Industries

The Fullerton Drone Lab teaches students to become better and safer pilots while also highlighting the diverse applications of drones in various industries. Students from all sectors can learn how drones can enhance their workplace and improve safety.

Drones are used in a wide range of fields and have a wide variety of applications. Students in the program will learn how to apply drones and autonomous systems in different career uses.

Read also: A Legacy of Excellence

Some key applications include:

Aerial Photography and Cinematography: Capturing stunning visuals for film, television, and marketing.
Precision Agriculture: Monitoring crop health, optimizing irrigation, and applying pesticides with greater efficiency.
Infrastructure Inspection: Inspecting bridges, power lines, and other critical infrastructure for damage or wear.
Environmental Monitoring: Assessing environmental conditions, tracking wildlife, and monitoring pollution levels.
Emergency Response: Providing situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, and delivering aid in disaster-stricken areas.
First Person View (FPV) Drones: High-speed, precision flying for filmmaking, racing, and other specialized applications.

Industry Recognition and Partnerships

The Fullerton College Drone Program is recognized by the FAA as part of its Collegiate Training Initiative. It is also a certified Service Provider by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).

The program has developed the first-ever registered apprenticeship program in the country for drone piloting and has been named the most built-out drone program in California.

A Groundbreaking and Affordable Option

The Fullerton College Drone Program is a ground-breaking and affordable option for those interested in learning about operations, management, applications, and programming in a rapidly growing field with a hands-on approach. This will be the college’s first and only bachelor’s degree program.

“Being able to provide this level of training in such a growing tech field will be transformative for both our students and for the industry,” said Seidel.

Read also: Career Opportunities at Fullerton

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