Civilian UAV School

[nugget61]

Link

Inevitable, I guess, but still sad.
4 year college degree in UAV's. Potential for a grad school.

Note the story tagline [referencing similarity to TOPGUN: Does that mean they're always playing volleyball?

 

[Brett327]

Link

Inevitable, I guess, but still sad.
4 year college degree in UAV's. Potential for a grad school.

Note the story tagline: "Basically, it's like "Top Gun" except the pilots never leave the ground."
Does that mean they're always playing volleyball?

It's a stupid premise. It's not as though the USAF is going to say, "Alright, from now on, everyone who flies UAVs will need a degree in UAV Ops." Also, the kid they interviewd apparently thinks we're at war with Iran - moron.

Brett

 

[Steve Wilkins]

It's a stupid premise. It's not as though the USAF is going to say, "Alright, from now on, everyone who flies UAVs will need a degree in UAV Ops." Also, the kid they interviewd apparently thinks we're at war with Iran - moron.

Brett

I doubt UND's aviation program would invest in an undergraduate degree program with plans for extending it to graduate studies based on a stupid premise. Just one man's opinion here, but I have a feeling UND knows what they're doing.

 

[Brett327]

I doubt UND's aviation program would invest in an undergraduate degree program with plans for extending it to graduate studies based on a stupid premise. Just one man's opinion here, but I have a feeling UND knows what they're doing.

I didn't say the program was stupid, just the way it was portrayed in the article. This is no different than many school's "aviation" degrees or like Riddle. I'm sure they'll get all kinds of business from the nerds who actually want to fly UAVs.

Brett

 

[HeyJoe]

I doubt UND's aviation program would invest in an undergraduate degree program with plans for extending it to graduate studies based on a stupid premise. Just one man's opinion here, but I have a feeling UND knows what they're doing.

Likely they want to be first on the block in competing for students (ie $$$). On-line degress were frowned upon, but look at how many schools offer them now.

I didn't say the program was stupid, just the way it was portrayed in the article. This is no different than many school's "aviation" degrees or like Riddle. I'm sure they'll get all kinds of business from the nerds who actually want to fly UAVs.

Brett

Oh yeah!, and they'll never have to leave comfort of their "cockpit" (Microsoft Simulator) once the on-line syllabus is available.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Likely they want to be first on the block in competing for students (ie $$$).

Yep....or funds for research through a graduate program. Other than that, they must be seeing something the rest of us aren't. Clearly there needs to be market for this program (i.e. students), but I don't see that market growing if they aren't producing employable graduates.

On-line degress were frowned upon, but look at how many schools offer them now.

And sadly, they're still frowned upon by many

 

[Stearmann4]

Geesh, talk about pigeon holing yourself with a degree. Oh, and UAVs don't need pilots, they need "operators."

MR-

 

[eddie]

I have a friend who is seriously trying to start a low-altitude, high-res aerial-photography / mapping company using infared stabilization linked to a GPS/autopilot on small RC planes. Other than seemingly huge issues of legality of commercialization WRT the FAA, he is quite confidant there will be a huge market for this kind of thing. Personally, I am skeptical, but is there any really good reason there will never be civilian UAVs?

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Geesh, talk about pigeon holing yourself with a degree

No more or less than any other degree.

 

[Beans]

I have a friend who is seriously trying to start a low-altitude, high-res aerial-photography / mapping company using infared stabilization linked to a GPS/autopilot on small RC planes. Other than seemingly huge issues of legality of commercialization WRT the FAA, he is quite confidant there will be a huge market for this kind of thing. Personally, I am skeptical, but is there any really good reason there will never be civilian UAVs?

I saw a seminar from Aurora where they were working on something a bit similar, only they were just trying to piece together how it would navigate itself. "Synthetic vision" tech has a lot of applications regardless of FAA certification issues.

 

[PropStop]

I think I'd rather have a BA in Ancient Greek with a minor in Mongolian Theater.

 

[Brett327]

I have a friend who is seriously trying to start a low-altitude, high-res aerial-photography / mapping company using infared stabilization linked to a GPS/autopilot on small RC planes. Other than seemingly huge issues of legality of commercialization WRT the FAA, he is quite confidant there will be a huge market for this kind of thing. Personally, I am skeptical, but is there any really good reason there will never be civilian UAVs?

I could see news and police going there if the cost ever comes down to compete w/ manned helos.

Brett

 

[Flash]

I could see news and police going there if the cost ever comes down to compete w/ manned helos.

Brett

Already there.

 

[jfulginiti]

It's a stupid premise. It's not as though the USAF is going to say, "Alright, from now on, everyone who flies UAVs will need a degree in UAV Ops." Also, the kid they interviewd apparently thinks we're at war with Iran - moron.

Brett

The interviewee is actually the director of the program...... even better. Could be a typo I guess.

 

[Brett327]

Already there.

I was thinking more of the local flavor of LE, like the good old San Diego county Sheriff guys - sorry Exhelodrvr.

Brett