NASHUA – Nashua Community College recently announced that it will begin a Remote Pilot Certificate preparation course on Aug. 31.

The eight-week class costs $400 and can accommodate up to 15 students.

“This course will be an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate preparation course to operate drones up to 55 pounds,” said Professor Douglas Mitchell, chairman of the NCC Aviation Department. “Students who take this course will learn the knowledge test topics areas needed to pass the ‘Unmanned Aircraft General- Small UAG’ Test needed to get their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.”

Mitchell said the course will be held online and will include drone flying. The course is designed to prepare students for the test they must pass to receive a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. The course will include the following:

-Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation

-Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation

-Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance

-Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance

-Emergency procedures

-Crew resource management

-Radio communication procedures

-Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft

-Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol

-Aeronautical decision-making and judgment

-Airport operations

-Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures

-Operation at night

To pilot a drone, students must also meet a series of requirements:

-Be at least 16 years old

-Be able to read, speak, write and understand English

-Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone

· Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)”

-Pass a TSA Security Background test