Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drones are rapidly increasing in number with more than 1.7 million registered drones in the United States. UAS Remote Pilot Certification trains students how to safely pilot drones for commercial and recreational use. There are also expanding applications for municipal operations, including emergency management, police, fire, and public works. Students will learn airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting drone operations. This program prepares students for the FAA Remote Pilot Certification examination.

• Certifications/Credentials:

  Coming very soon, MNTC's Assessment Center at South Penn Campus will be certified by the FAA to offer the FAA's Remote Pilot Certificate test called Part 107. UAS/UAV drone training will also be conducted at the South Penn Campus.

• Courses/curriculum include:
  • Airspace classification and operating procedures
  • Aviation weather sources and the effects on drones
  • Drone performance, include loading
  • Communications, maintenance, and operations procedures

This existing MNTC program, enhanced for aerospace, is planned for Year 3 for both high school and
adult students who, upon completion, can immediately enter the workforce. The program is 1,050 hours and focuses specifically on developing the skills to work with metals used in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance such as stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, 4130 chromoly, and titanium.

Current Welding students have expressed an interest in learning specific skills for jobs in the aerospace
industry. This requires more specialized equipment and metals than the pipeline and construction
industries that have been the focus for job placement in this program in the past. With the recruitment of aerospace manufacturing to central Oklahoma, MNTC’s Aerospace Training Center provides the means to expand training to welders for this industry.

As commercial companies increasingly incorporate this technology into their products and services, workers with these skills will be in high demand.

Unmanned aircraft, such as drones, are increasing in popularity and have a range of applications. They can be used to gather weather data, to collect intelligence information or to produce aerial photographs.

A drone pilot is someone who is capable of effectively operating a drone. This involves the ability to have a drone safely take off and land. Drone pilots must also keep drones on course and ensure they are operated safely and avoid collisions.

In order to fly your drone under the FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.

Both high school students (16+) and adults may attend. High school students having earned their Part 107 certification would receive PLA credit with proof of a current license.

Short-term Training Courses
The following courses in short-term format would provide critical introductory and enhancement training for professionals in the UAS/UAV industry:

• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate - Drone Operator
• Aerial Sensing Data Analytics
• APICs (supply chain management certification for the aviation industry)
• Photogrammetry (3-D Photo Modeling)
• Precision Measurements
• Thermography

Part 147 is the code that governs aviation maintenance schools approved by the FAA.

*We are currently in the application process of becoming a certified Aviation Maintenance Technical School that is certified in Airframe and Powerplant.

• Long-term program for adults
• Prerequisites: TBD
• Program will be a minimum of 1900 hours; full-time only. We are looking at different options. 6-hour days will mean an 18-month program; 8-hour days = 47.5 weeks
• Cost: TBD
• Certifications/Credentials upon examinations: Airframe certification and Powerplant certification, both through the FAA. Possible additional NC3 aerospace certifications

View Career Program Page

This existing MNTC program, enhanced for aerospace, is planned for Year 3 for both high school and adult students who, upon completion, can immediately enter the workforce. The program is 1,050 hours and focuses specifically on developing the skills to work with metals used in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance such as stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, 4130 chromoly, and titanium.

Current Welding students have expressed an interest in learning specific skills for jobs in the aerospace industry. This requires more specialized equipment and metals than the pipeline and construction industries that have been the focus for job placement in this program in the past. With the recruitment of aerospace manufacturing to central Oklahoma, MNTC’s Aerospace Training Center provides the means to expand training to welders for this industry.

The CNC Machining Program is planned for Year 4 for both high school and adult students.

One of the key components of the program is developing industry apprenticeship partnerships in central Oklahoma with the goal for students to spend 20 hours per week in a paid apprenticeship program and
20 hours per week training. The total training time would be 340 hours in 17 weeks. Students would also receive a National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification.