Those interested in incorporating unmanned aircraft systems into their business operations and agricultural enterprises are encouraged to attend one of five introductory training sessions offered across the state by Nebraska Extension.

The sessions will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the following locations:

• Scottsbluff: Nov. 21, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I

• North Platte: Nov. 22, West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road

• Norfolk: Nov. 29, Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 801 E. Benjamin Ave.

• Mead: Dec. 14, Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G

• Grand Island: Dec. 16, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34

“Emerging technology such as unmanned aircraft systems have the potential to benefit all types of businesses, and especially applications of the agricultural industry,” said Wayne Woldt, associate professor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering and one of the training organizers. Woldt is a rated pilot who developed the Nebraska Unmanned Aircraft Innovation, Research and Education (NU-AIRE) laboratory and flight program, with a focus on research and education in unmanned aircraft systems.

The training will highlight the information an unmanned aircraft operator and pilot would need including: hobby flight, educational interpretation and best practices for privacy concerns; Federal Part 107 rules for commercial flight and piloting; and an overview of applications. At the conclusion of the program, training attendees will have flight time with a small unmanned aircraft system.

In addition to Woldt, others conducting the training are Bill Kreuser and Jacob Smith. Kreuser is an assistant professor in the university’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. He is a rated pilot who works with unmanned aircraft systems as part of his research and extension program to advance the use of this new technology for managing complex agronomic systems. Smith works with Woldt in the NU-AIRE laboratory. He is a commercial pilot, certified flight instructor and unmanned aircraft systems expert.

Space is limited to 45 attendees at each session. The registration fee of $50 may be submitted online at http://nuaire.unl.edu or by mailing a check to Bonita Delhay, Biological Systems Engineering, 234 Chase Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0726. Checks should be payable to the University of Nebraska. The deadline to register is Nov. 15.

For more information, click here or contact Delhay at 402-472-9390 or bdelhay2@unl.edu.