Nebraska Extension offering drone course in Sidney  

(Drones are becoming an increasingly important part of the agricultural landscape, and the Nebraska Extension is offering a course for ag producers. Photo by Chabella Guzman)

By Chabella Guzman

SCOTTSBLUFF -- Ranchers, farmers, and all drone enthusiasts will have the opportunity to take the Nebraska Extension Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep Course on Wednesday, March 4, at the Cheyenne County Extension Office in Sidney.  

  “Farmers and ranchers like to use drones for either crop flying of fungicides or herbicides. Using drones at feedlots for flies or around manure lagoons. Basically, anytime you do an agriculture application with drones, you need the license,” said Nebraska Extension Educator Dirk Charlson.   

The 8-hour in-person course prepares individuals to pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Exam and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate for commercial drone operation.  

“You don’t need an aviation background to complete my course, and it’s only one day. Where, if you go online or take it with some other business, the course can take up to 30 hours. I’ve narrowed it down to eight hours and really focus on the tough parts of the exam,” said Charlson.  

Charlson has been teaching the course for more than 10 years, holds a drone license, and takes the exam every year to make sure he’s providing all the tough, important information.  

The course will be offered on Wednesday, March 4 in Sidney. Pre-registration is required with a $275 registration fee by Monday, March 2. The fee includes study materials, a light breakfast, and lunch.  

An educational discount is available to students and educators. If eligible, a PROMO Code will be provided to you by email. Complete the education discount application at  https://go.unl.edu/part107EducationDiscount. 

 To register for the Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep Course, visit  https://go.unl.edu/part107Course 

For more information on the course or with questions, contact Dr. Dirk Charlson at [email protected] or 402-460-0742 (text or call). 

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Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.