Jump Start: The "Buzz" about Drones

The Porterville College Career Education Division hosted three Summer Jump Start Academies this past month, giving Porterville area high school students a first-hand look at some of the career pathways available at PC. 

These Academies, intended for High School Juniors, ran from July 8 through August 1.

These Summer Jump Start Academies were designed as stand-alone four week project-based internship programs focused on in-demand careers in Tulare County. They provide a curriculum designed specifically for incoming Central Valley high school seniors (current juniors) with an interest in learning more about careers in Hospitality, Technology, Health and Safety. The classes run from 8 am until 1 p.m., 4 days a week, and the students get paid to participate in most cases.

The Drone Academy, instructed by Mauricio Vargas, taught students drone assembly, basic operation, and safety, as well as flight logistics. Everything you need to prepare for the FAA’s Part 107 Certification. After class preparation for the certification exams, they were taken to Visalia to take the test itself.

Vargas said of the class, “Since this is the first time the Drone Academy has been offered during Jump Start we’re making sure to focus on the basics - how to program the drones, operate them safely, and the many ways they can be used.”

He explained that drones can be useful in agriculture to survey crops and for irrigation, they can be used by law enforcement and fire departments for search and rescue and aerial surveillance for suspicious activities. Independent companies use drones for a host of functions including safety inspections, remote inspection of power and telecom lines and anywhere it isn’t safe for or is unreacheble by people.

Drones can be used for environmental and conservation surveys. Companies like Amazon have even been researching the use of drones for deliveries.

Jareli Esteban from the Porterville Military Academy said the class was informative and interesting, she learned so many things, and enjoyed the hands-on class activities. “It’s something new compared to the smaller drones I’ve flown before. It’s a great experience and I’m looking forward to getting my drone license.”    

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