A Drone Workshop

[Neal W]

I will be teaching an Introductory Drone Workshop this summer at my church camp. The session as now planned is for about 2 hours. I'm hoping to do some of it outside, weather permitting. I have my Part 107 and have a DJI Air3 and Neo with me.

What topics would you include?


Thanks for your good ideas.

Neal

 

[Prop Wash]

Since you are US-based, maybe start with the FAA rules, basic operations (pre-flight checks, what each control stick does along with gimbal control, situational awareness (flying with the least risk of hitting buildings or landing in trees, etc).

Those are my ideas.

 

[Cafguy]

Thats a great Idea!! The more people getting into the hobby the better! I would have to agree with the above post The best, most important lesson is responsibility. I think some line of site flying around objects of some sort to learn basic handling would keep their interest during the boring "responsibility" thing lol

 

[hank970]

This might be splitting hairs but, to me, "workshop" implies a greater level of hands-on participation than a course involving a lecture and demonstration. At least that's how photography workshops function. Photographers bring their own camera gear, attend an illustrated lecture on technique, scatter for a while to shoot photos using their newly acquired knowledge, and finally, gather together with the instructor and other participants to share and critique results.

It might be better to bill your event simply as a basic introduction to drones and perhaps invite any attendees with a continuing interest to join you later for one-on-one outings.

Best of luck with your course!

 

[LeeB]

I conduct workshops like this, frequently to middle and high school students but also to adults.

I take the opportunity to do the TRUST certification as a group so everyone is a certified recreational pilot. Going through the test together gives you a chance to discuss the regulations and add information not in the test. If you don't have your TRUST yet, you should go through it prior to your workshop so you are familiar with the test.

You can also do a presentation on the fun things you can do with a drone and show some of your examples. Then time, airspace and weather permitting you can give a short flying demo and have each attendee control the drone for 30-45 seconds (depending on how many people, perhaps longer depending on time and interest) doing some very simple maneuvers just to get the feel of it.

Feel free to DM me if you would like to discuss this further.

 

[MARK (LI)]

I agree with the concept of introducing them to the TRUST cert through FAA DRONE ZONE so they can read the basics, ask you some questions if necessary ,and take the TRUST test.....then continue with some questions from you students and answers from you in relation to the TRUST test and the basic information they would have seen in DRONE ZONE. Depending on class size I would limit the first class to the time necessary for this aspect. After digesting the rules of the road in the sky, some may lose interest.
The second class I would introduce the class to the drone, pre flight, use of controls , starting up and going for short flights.....if they are using your drone have the max altitude and distance on a short leash...have fun and good luck to your students

 

[Cymruflyer]

Start off with a bit of amazing drone video, so they see what a drone sees when flown properly. Maybe something like some of the members on here have posted from Austria or Switzerland. Then maybe show something local to you or around Ohio. That gets them excited.

Then tell them this is the fun part, but that fun comes with responsibilities. Then run through the basic legality of flying. Point out some stupid things people have done and point out what could have happened if things really went bad and the possible fines and jail time that you can get hit with. Compare it to driving a car with no license and no regard for safety, so they can all get a better understanding of what could happen driving that way.

Then go over the simplicity of the controls and how well the drone handles wind and show it's precision. Then ask for some questions and let them know that they will be able to have a go, hands on, straight after. Then after they have had a go at flying, ask them for more questions.

Then maybe finish it off with another short enjoyable drone video and close the class. This way, you get them excited from visuals, right at the start, explain the responsibilities that come with such a fun sport, show some examples of what can happen when you do not take it seriously and don't obey the laws, to make them understand and appreciate the dangers doing it wrong, then they are explained and shown in person, how amazing the drone can fly and then get to try it themselves, get to ask questions and end it all with another inspiring video, to keep the brain excited about flying. Hope that helps.

 

[Neal W]

Great ideas here! Thank you everybody for offering your thoughts. The workshop, entitled "A Drone Workshop" will be held in mid-July and will run about 2 hours. I hope we can move outside to an open area on the campus to give folks a bit of "stick time." I'm thinking of ending the class with a DJI Quickshot video that I can then email to all there.

 

[mavictk]

I will be teaching an Introductory Drone Workshop this summer at my church camp. The session as now planned is for about 2 hours. I'm hoping to do some of it outside, weather permitting. I have my Part 107 and have a DJI Air3 and Neo with me.

What topics would you include?


Thanks for your good ideas.

Neal

Pre-check including looking for swollen batteries.
Use of Air Aware to check airspace