Reports of remotely piloted aircraft — also called unmanned aerial vehicles or drones — near airports and public gatherings are raising concerns. That has led to a new online course in small RPA safety, offered with a special discount for General Aviation News readers.
“Safe and responsible sharing of the skies is what our training is all about,” noted Dave Hook, president of Planehook Aviation Services. “There’s a misunderstanding that people flying drones are operating in the Wild West. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like every other flying activity here in the United States, there are rules and regulations that apply.”
Online training provider Opango, Incorporated teamed with Planehook to make the safety courses available online. Opango is a long‐time provider of online aviation training.
“Dave Hook is a 34-year veteran flight instructor and a camera drone owner. Teaching others how to fly responsibly is something he knows how to do well. Opango is pleased to partner with Planehook in helping to improve the safety of our skies,” states Opango CEO Tom Allen.
Aeronautical Decision Making for sUAS Operators is the first of the online aerial drone safety courses available on Opango. The course teaches the same kind of systematic, risk‐based approach to making good aeronautical decisions that pilots of manned aircraft learn.
“The goal is to encourage responsible UAV owners and flyers to use similar flying safety and risk analysis thought processes already being used by manned aviation,” said Hook. “The U.S. National Airspace must be shared safely.”
Hook added that readers who send an email to [email protected] and put in the subject line “SUAV Safety Course” will get a reply with a unique 50% discount code off the course price of $17.