A new Bellevue College course is addressing the next wave in technology: drones.
“Now we’re beginning to see the next wave, it’s the wave of robots and they’re coming. There’s going to be all different kinds of automated vehicles out there,” said Greg Foy, a veteran of the technology industry and one of the men behind the drone course.
Foy, instructor John Stout and their partners created the Beginning Drone Piloting and Safety course at Bellevue College. Over three days, Stout will teach basic drone flying techniques through simulators and drone practice, as well as basic terminology, aeronautical principles and safety considerations. It is also the first class in a series of three classes that will culminate with students learning to program unmanned vehicles, according to Bellevue College administrators.
“This was a unique and cool class,” said Mark Veljkov, program manager at Bellevue College’s North Campus. “We decided to offer this class because it stresses the importance of safe, legal drone use, and will offer a platform to teach people the acceptable methods of flying and the potential employment opportunities of all types of unmanned vehicles.”
Over the last few years, the popularity of drones has grown rapidly. Unlike their predecessors – the model airplane or remote-controlled helicopters – drones are relatively easy to use, affordable and come with a wide range of capabilities. They are used in Bellevue in everything from photography to, soon, package delivery by Amazon.
Drone sales nationwide are expected to approach $130 million in 2015, a 55 percent increase from 2014, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. The CEA expects retailers will sell 400,000 units this year.
As he read and heard more about drone usage across the country, Foy saw similarities between it and the start of the PC revolution. “I thought that theres’s going to be a need for a company or organization to standardize training and give out certification, just like we saw happen with computers. That was really the impetus behind starting this,” he said.
The course will cater to the growing number of drone users in the Seattle area. In the larger context, it is the first step in the group’s plan to create a drone accreditation program in the area and eventually an independent school with a variety of course offerings around unmanned aircrafts.
Given the rapid growth of the drone industry and the technology’s potential, regulation has become an issue.
Having spotted the similarities between personal computers and drones, Foy and Stout partnered with other Eastside residents to create the Unmanned Vehicle Institute and work remedying the licensing issue.
There are currently no widely recognized organizations distributing certification, and drones must only meet a handful of Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines; They are not allowed within five miles of airports, must fly below 400 feet and avoid stadiums and manned aircraft operations.
The FAA is in the process of amending those regulations to create specific rules addressing the operation, certification and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems.
Bellevue does not currently regulate drone usage, although drone operators that create a substantial risk of injury or actual injuries could be charged with reckless endangerment or assault, said Bellevue Police spokesperson Seth Tyler.
The Unmanned Vehicle Institute has many hurdles to jump through before being able to license drone users, including applying for FAA exemptions and federal financial aid. But Foy said he is confident it’s a worthy cause.
“I really believe this is a phenomenon that is going to explode,” he said.
The three-day course starts at Bellevue College’s North Campus on Oct. 16 and runs through Oct. 18. If successful, the group plans on offering more courses in the future.
