The African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) has graduated its first students in March at a ceremony in Malawi, enabling them to build and operate drones and analyze the data from them.
The students are now licensed drone pilots by the government of Malawi, are certified AUVSI Trusted Operator Program Level 2 pilots, and have the skills needed to enter the drone and data analytics workforce, according to ADDA.
"This is just the commencement of great things from us," graduate Anne Nderitu, a student from Kenya, said at the graduation. "We have received world-class knowledge in the drone technology, and it is upon to use it to use this knowledge to lead an create a better Africa."
Trusted Operator Program
Trusted Operator Program
Speakers highlight importance of Remote ID rulemaking, safe operations during Hill Day
One of the biggest topics of discussion during AUVSI’s annual Hill Day on Wednesday, Sept. 25 was remote identification and the progress, or lack thereof, on this rulemaking.
“This is one issue we’re not going to let up on,” said Rep. Daniel Lipinski.
Like many in the UAS community, Lipinski, who co-chairs the House UAS Caucus, believes the FAA is moving too slow on the rules for remote ID. These sentiments were echoed by Rep. Sam Graves, the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“I think that has a lot to do with the simple fact that I don’t think they really know which direction they’re going,” Graves said.
UNLV launching UAS Certificate Program this spring
This spring, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will launch a new UAS Certificate Program at UNLV Continuing Education. The 40-hour training course meets the requirements of AUVSI’s Trusted Operator Program (TOP) Levels 1 and 2.
During the course, a variety of topics will be addressed, including operation, policy, safety, and the different applications of this technology within the UAS industry.
UNLV says that those who complete the program will be eligible to become FAA-licensed commercial UAS pilots, ultimately putting them at the forefront of Nevada’s growing UAS industry. The first session is scheduled over two weekends, Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3.
