UND Aerospace designated by Draganfly as a UAS factory training center

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

8-13-2013

Campus Unit

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Abstract

Designation--unique to UND--will enhance UAS education

The University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace) was recently recognized as a Factory Training Center for Draganfly Innovations Inc. unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Draganfly Innovations, a company started in 1998 by Christine and Zenon Dragan, produces a wide range of compact unmanned aircraft systems and other remotely operated vehicles, including a line multiple-rotor designs. The company is based in Saskatoon, Sask.

UND's receipt of this designation followed its successful delivery of a two-day Draganfly UAS Operator Course to four Illinois State Police personnel.

The Draganfly UAS Operator Course (catalog listing Avit 470) now complements the very successful UND Aerospace Scan Eagle Simulator Course.

"We are the only Draganfly designated factory training center in the world," said Alan Frazier, assistant professor at UND Aerospace.

Implementation of the Draganfly-based course opens the door to supplementing UND's UAS simulator training with actual hands-on UAS flight training, according to Frazier.

UND is a designated Department of Defense Center of Excellence for UAS Research, Education and Training. The UND UAS academic program--including a UAS bachelor's degree--was the first in the country.

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