Look at the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a… a... drone?! The University of Guam Drone Corps is proud to reveal their first batch of 12 Federal Aviation Administration-certified drone pilots. This joint effort drone program was started in April 2021 by NASA Guam Space Grant and NASA Guam EPSCoR programs. The pilots go through a rigorous, three-week long preparatory drone course, where on completion may take the FAA Part 107b certification exam. At the program, students learn the regulations and training necessary to operate drones safely and responsibly. This class also entails learning the upkeep of drones, drone operations and mechanics, flight times and conditions, etc. Upon passing the certification exam, members are granted a two-year Remote Pilot License to safely pilot drones across the tropical skies of Guam. With their new licenses, they are able to clock their 40 hours of flight time through internships, simulated training, or helping out University of Guam researchers, local government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.

For more information on this article or joining the University of Guam Drone Corps visit: UOG Drone Corps produces first batch of FAA-certified pilots | University of Guam or contact Keanno Fausto (communications coordinator of NASA Guam Space Grant, at faustok9679@triton.uog.edu.