Announcing the Launch of FTC Professor Joseph Kuhl’s Drone Class

Over one million drones were sold in 2015. Many of these drones are being flown by first time pilots unaware that they may be violating FAA regulations and possibly endangering people on the ground and in the air. Five Towns College Professor Joseph Kuhl has taken the first step in making the sky a friendlier place for everyone.

Kuhl, a private pilot and owner of a drone based Aerial Video/Photography business, has designed and teaches a new course called SCI 112 UAV Pilot basics (UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and is the proper term used for what the media has called “drones”).

“There are so many drone pilots out there that don’t even realize they are breaking rules that could possibly result in fines or criminal charge,” said Kuhl.

The SCI 112 Pilot Basics class teaches students how to fly safely and legally using a combination of in classroom flight simulators and actual drone flights in the college gym as well as on the sports field. Topics such as aerodynamic principles and the Nation Airspace System are also discussed in detail.

Kuhl went on to say, “Drones have many applications ranging from Aerial Video/Photography to Mapping to Agriculture to someday maybe even package deliveries. Our students are filmmakers and they will be using the aircraft to film spectacular shots that were once only possible by renting a full size helicopter and pilot. But before they can focus on camera settings, they must first know how to operate the aircraft. This course will give them the skills needed to succeed.”

Kudos to Professor Kuhl for launching this initiative and be on the lookout for more overhead course offerings!!