School of Aeronautics drone program ranked sixth in U.S.

SuccessfulStudent.org, an online resource geared toward prospective college students, ranked Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics sixth on a list of the “15 Best Drone Training Colleges” in the United States.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University, Oklahoma State University, Indiana State University, Kansas State University, Salina, and the University of North Dakota were rated as the top five schools. Factors that influenced the rankings were the university’s academic reputation, hands-on drone training in piloting/engineering, variety of courses, and accreditation.

Liberty’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is the most recent degree concentration added to the School of Aeronautics and includes both online and on-campus coursework.

UAS is the technology used to remotely pilot unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), popularly referred to as drones in their military application.

The School of Aeronautics partners with top UAS industry leaders to train students to become certified UAS operators through the use of flight simulators and by performing flights within FAA-approved airspace. Academic courses cover such topics as Military Intelligence and Information Security.

Students are able to operate and become certified on two different UAS aircraft using the world’s most common command and control system currently available. They also earn a manned aircraft private pilot license with an Instrument rating.

Besides military-related fields, career opportunities for students with drone training include filmmaking, law enforcement, search and rescue, storm chasing, traffic reporting, border patrol, disaster relief, seismic study, forestry, and agriculture.