ACADEMIC PARTNER
Pierpont Community and Technical College (PCTC) is a progressive two-year institution serving 2,800 students enrolled in over 40 associate degree and certificate programs. The college serves 13 north central West Virginia counties from it's main campus in Fairmont and satellite sites in Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Lewis, and Braxton counties. Pierpont works closely with secondary and technical schools, other colleges and universities, and local employers.
Partnership Vision
The Marcellus and Utica shale plays have triggered an energy boom in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The unprecedented investment into infrastructure and operations has brought well-paying jobs to West Virginia, presenting opportunities to workers who have the necessary technical skills.
Pierpont and Unmanned Response are collaborating to integrate unmanned systems technologies into the region's classrooms, corporate workplaces, and public agencies.
The Marcellus and Utica shale exploration and extraction has reinvigorated West Virginia's energy industry. Economic activity is especially vibrant along the I-79 corridor extending from mid-West Virginia into Pennsylvania, and in the northern panhandle extending into eastern Ohio. Pierpont has fueled this growing market with innovative training and education programs such as applied process, electric utility, and petroleum technologies.
Pierpont has now added unmanned systems technology to its growing portfolio of emerging technology courses. The use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), commonly called drones, is rapidly expanding in the energy sector and beyond. Telecommunications, engineering, law enforcement, fire and rescue, agriculture, transportation, public infrastructure, conservation, and even the sports, arts, and entertainment markets are integrating unmanned and remote monitoring technology into their daily operations.
Training & Education Programs
2019 CLASSES
FAA DRONE PILOT TEST PREP
12-hour non-credit course
Cost: $450.00 (includes all materials)
Location
Pierpont Advanced Technology Center
500 Galliher Drive Fairmont, WV 26554
Days/Times
4 sessions:
Monday Mar 11 thru Thursday Mar 14
9:00am - 12:00noon
Registration
www.pierpont.edu/ce or call 304-367-4920
FAA Drone Pilot Test
The 2-hour Airman Knowledge Test can be taken anytime at the FAA Test Center in the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center at the North Central West Virginia Airport, 1050 East Benedum Drive, Bridgeport WV 26330, 330-842-8300 (the only Test Center in West Virginia) or at any of the 300 FAA Test Centers in the United States listed in this link:
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Centers
The cost of the Test is $150, pass or fail
(This cost is not included in Prep Class tuition)
Prepare for the Test in One Week!
This intensive 4-day course covers all of the topics included in the FAA Airman Knowledge Test (for drone pilot certification). Special emphasis is placed on flight safety, simplifying unfamiliar subject material, utilization of supplementary resources, and overcoming test anxiety.
Requirements to Become a Drone Pilot
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (exceptions for certain medical conditions)
- Be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate an sUAS
- Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved FAA Test Center
- Pass a TSA security background check
Learning Outcomes
- Applicable regulations relating to sUAS rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
- Airspace classification and operating requirements
- Flight restrictions affecting sUAS operations
- Effects of weather on sUAS performance
- Aviation weather sources
- sUAS loading and performance
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Determining the performance of sUAS
- Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Airport operations
- Preflight inspection procedures
- sUAS Maintenance
Who Should Take This Course?
A score of 70% or higher is required to pass the 60 question (multiple choice) Airman Knowledge Test. Anyone who is unfamiliar with fundamental aeronautical science and current FAA regulations will benefit from this course. A review of the test topics below and the (linked) sample test questions illustrate the challenges of relying solely on self-study.
Aeronautical Maps & Symbols
Graphs & Tables
Weather Reports
National Airspace System
The sample test questions prepared by the FAA offers insight into the knowledge that is required to obtain a drone pilot license:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Customized and On-Site Classes
We can conduct standard or customized courses for employers at Pierpont or on-site a client locations. Contact the Center for Workforce Education at 304-367-4920 to see how Pierpont and Unmanned Response can provide customized on-site drone training and consulting services.
Pierpont Center for Workforce Education
500 Galliher Drive, Fairmont WV 26554
304-367-4920 ceinfo@pierpont.edu
