ECC to offer new drones program

Loading… Most Popular Stories

• Nash board OKs largest solar farm
• Nashville hardware store to relocate
• Construction starts on future tire store
• Search begins for superintendent
• Man kills himself after high-speed chase

ECC to offer new drones program

Thomas Parrish, information technology studies instructor at Edgecombe Community College, will teach courses in the college’s new Drone certificate program, which begins this fall.

More Stories Camp provides lyrical life lessons Board hears input on superintendent search Group seeks to display historic documents Edgecombe board updated on sewer project Area student awarded criminal justice fellowship

From Contributed Reports

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

This fall, Edgecombe Community College will launch a unique certificate program in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones).

ECC will be the only community college in the state to offer the program.

The new Drone certificate will be available through the College’s Geospatial Technology program and will emphasize training in mapping and other geographic data, in addition to preparing students for certification testing.

“Drones are becoming an important tool for many industries as well as for government agencies,” said Trey Cherry, department chair of Information Technology Studies at ECC. “For example, small drones are used in disaster-related projects. An insurance adjuster can evaluate multiple homes with a drone in the same amount of time it would take to survey a single house on foot.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in drone applications, and with that comes the need for highly skilled drone aviators. That’s where Edgecombe Community College enters the picture.”

The new Drone certificate can be completed in two semesters and requires seven courses. Five of the classes are online, and two meet on the Tarboro campus of ECC. Course topics include a survey of GIS/GPS, drone operations, georeferencing and mapping and aerial photo applications.

A key unique element of ECC’s program is a focus on the legal aspects of drone aviation.

“If you’re using a drone for profit, you are required to have a license. One of our courses prepares students for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems flight certification through the Federal Aviation Administration and the NC Department of Transportation,” Cherry said.

Faculty in ECC’s Geospatial Technology program will instruct the geospacial classes. Thomas Parrish, information technology studies instructor, will teach the drone courses. An FAA-certified UAV pilot, Parrish heads up the College’s Continuing Education drone program.

“New applications for drones are emerging constantly,” Cherry adds. “Cell tower inspections, construction site mapping, solar farm surveys — the uses are endless. Our goal is to train drone aviators who are skilled at flying drones, understand the legalities and know how to apply the technology.”

To learn more about ECC’s new Drone certificate program, contact Cherry at cherryt@edgecombe.edu.

From Today Playwright honored for her work All-Area: Softball: Southern Nash's Bailey had hit in every game on way to 43-hit season ECC to offer new drones program Night watch staff offers a 'good night' with Carolina Care