(Arlington, Texas) — Like many North Texans, you may have received a drone as a gift this holiday season. Maybe you’re finding drones, also called unmanned aircraft systems, more useful for business or emergency response.
Perhaps you are considering pursuing a career in the industry.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting the first of a series of drone workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at its Arlington offices, 616 Six Flags Drive.
UAS professionals and FAA industry experts will address FAA rules and regulations for drones, how to register drones, tips on operation and pre-flight planning best practices and potential remote identification rules. Attendees, ranging from those that have never flown a drone to the professional drone operators wanting to practice safe operations, will learn about the FAA Know Before You Fly campaign and policies.
“With drones growing in popularity and significance in our daily living, it has become imperative that North Texans be aware of regulations, best practices and where to safely fly these aircraft,” said Adrian Doko, president of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, Lone Star Chapter.
In North Texas alone, there are more than 20,000 registered UAS, whether by hobbyists, first responders or businesses. And there are career opportunities for ages 16 and older.
Over the next two years, NCTCOG will partner with cities, universities and other interested parties to host 12 free drone workshops across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For information on locations, times and dates, visit
www.northtexasuas.com. To register for the next workshop please visit
https://knowbeforeyoufly.eventbrite.com.
NCTCOG has been working with partners on issues related to this evolving technology. The workshops are currently being sponsored by various UAS industry stakeholders and are supported by the North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force.
The taskforce was organized to serve as an information “clearinghouse” for academia, public- and private-sector entities and the general public.
To address integration issues and carry out solutions, the task force has formed working groups focused on education and public awareness, legislation, training and integration.
DETAILS
WHO: Recreational and licensed drone operators
WHAT: Know Before You Fly Your Drone Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 18
WHERE: North Central Texas Council of Governments, 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington
WHY: Encourage UAS safety best practices and open a dialog between local users and the North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force as a conduit for resources within the community.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Drone simulators used for training to become licensed; display of drone technology
About the North Central Texas Council of Governments:
NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication and make joint decisions.
NCTCOG serves a 16-county region of North Central Texas, which is centered on the two urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth. Currently, NCTCOG has 238 member governments including 16 counties, 169 cities, 22 school districts and 31 special districts. For more information on the NCTCOG Transportation Department, visit www.nctcog.org/trans.
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Did you get a drone as a gift this holiday season?
Maybe you’re finding drones more useful for business.
Perhaps, you are looking to invest in drones for your police or fire department, understanding how they can help with investigations.
Or you might want to pursue a career in the industry.
Whatever the reason, drones, also called unmanned aircraft systems, are growing in popularity and significance as they become more affordable and advanced. In North Texas alone, there are more than 20,000 registered UAS, whether by hobbyists, first responders or businesses. And there are career opportunities for ages 16 and older.
From professional operators to those who see the aircraft flying near their homes, it is becoming imperative that North Texans be aware of the rules and regulations, best practices and where to fly these devices.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting the first of a series of drone workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at its Arlington offices, 616 Six Flags Drive.
Over the next two years, NCTCOG will partner with cities, universities and other interested parties to host 12 free drone workshops across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For information on locations, times and dates, visit
www.northtexasuas.com. To register for the next workshop please visit
https://knowbeforeyoufly.eventbrite.com.
Attendees will learn the drone rules and regulations, upcoming remote identification rules, how to register their drones, and tips on operation, including pre-flight planning and conducting a safe flight.
NCTCOG has been working with partners on issues related to this evolving technology. The workshops are currently being sponsored by various UAS industry stakeholders and are supported by the North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force.
The taskforce was organized to serve as an information “clearinghouse” for academia, public- and private-sector entities and the general public.
To address integration issues and carry out solutions, the task force has formed working groups focused on education and public awareness, legislation, training and integration.
About the North Central Texas Council of Governments:
NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication and make joint decisions.
NCTCOG serves a 16-county region of North Central Texas, which is centered on the two urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth. Currently, NCTCOG has 238 member governments including 16 counties, 169 cities, 22 school districts and 31 special districts. For more information on the NCTCOG Transportation Department, visit
www.nctcog.org/trans.
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