The Western Downs region is racing ahead with its goal to become the “drone capital of Australia” following the announcement this week that two Dalby State High School students had won scholarships to learn the art of piloting drones from Remote Aviation Australia.
The scholarships are valued at $2500 each and were offered by Remote Aviation Australia in conjunction with the Western Downs Regional Council.
Submissions from Year 11 students, Ejypt Reuben and Patrick Young, were among the standout entries judged by Western Downs mayor, Paul McVeigh as student after student demonstrated the amount of interest in the technology and how it could be used to benefit the region.
According to Remote Aviation Australia’s flight training manager, Andrew Learmonth, applicants had a variety of ideas about how drone technology could be used.
“Many students saw the value in using remote aircraft for agricultural purposes, such as monitoring pests, checking crop growth rates, inspecting livestock and assessing irrigation,” he said.
“There were other excellent ideas, such as using drones to assist search and rescue operations, aerial inspections of infrastructure and mapping of buildings and land to assist construction.
“Many students also saw the Remote Pilot Licence as a gateway qualification into the broader aviation industry or defence force.”
The licence is an aviation qualification issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that’s needed to fly drones for commercial purposes.
Although no formal training is required to fly them for fun, certification is needed to operate drones without weight or operating restrictions for business purposes or commercial gain.
Drones are currently being used locally to assist organisations in the agricultural, resource and engineering industries.
Ejypt and Patrick will now join local residents on Remote Aviation Australia’s drone pilot course at the Dalby Model Aero Club in early July, learning about the safe operation of drones from instructors with backgrounds in the manned and unmanned aviation industry.
As well as learning how to safely fly multi-rotor drones, participants will learn about Australia’s aviation laws, flight planning, risk management, meteorology and how to improve their non-technical skills.
To learn more about the Western Downs drone pilot course visit www.remoteaviation.com.au or phone Andrew on 0421 080 104.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
