Central Grampians LLEN has launched its ‘Drone Zone’ course for young people interested in building and flying unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Various models of drones, flight simulator software and remote controls were on display at the LLEN’s Ararat campus on Friday for prospective students get a hands-on experience.
Marian College students Cale Manly, 15, from Stawell, and Nathaniel Kuchel, 16, from Ararat, helped design the course while on work experience at the LLEN.
Nathaniel said the course would cover the basics as well as the air safety regulations around flying the small, battery-powered robots.
“We teach people the basics of drones, like how to fly, how to build them and the components, how to control it and also the rules and regulations,” he said.
Knowing and complying with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s regulations is important, with groups like wedding parties and political groups threatened with fines for using drones to capture footage in built-up areas.
Cale said he wanted the course to be an introduction to drone flying.
“I just want to get people involved so they can have fun like we do,” he said.
The LLEN’s racing drone flight simulator allowing students to learn the controls without waiting for batteries to charge or the risk of real-life crashes.
“The simulator really helps people who are not used to the controls to get to know it,” Nathaniel said.
Cale said students could build up their confidence in the simulator.
“If you crash in the simulator, you don’t have to pay for a lot of expensive things,” he said.
CGLLEN executive officer James Skene said young people from around the region, from Lake Bolac to Stawell had shown interest.
“Part of the idea is to give young people access to high-level information technology, for their careers or just their interests,” he said.
“We hope to build up a group of young people who are able to fly drones and go to events, like filming at the skate park.”
For more information on the course, contact CGLLEN.