Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is a question about getting a formal drone education. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.
I work for my father-in-law who has owned a mosquito business for the past 19 years. We are testing the waters with the UAS and thinking about doing larvicide treatments for mosquitoes for our customers and for our city and county municipal clients.
My question is: What is the benefit of attending a college or institution to obtain either a degree or certificate for operating UVS or UAS? I currently have no experience whatsoever with UAS. There’s an FFA approved UAS-CTI school about an hour from my front door. Is it worth time (and money, about $6,000) to enroll?
I’m thrilled to see you exploring UAS (unmanned aerial systems) for mosquito control. Drones have proven to be game-changers in agriculture and pest management, offering precision, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
Let’s dive into your question about whether attending a college or institution for a UAS degree or certificate is worth the investment for your business.
The benefits of attending a UAS-CTI school
- FAA-Approved Curriculum: Since you’re new to UAS, attending a UAS-Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) school ensures you get structured, hands-on education directly aligned with FAA standards. You’ll learn not only how to operate drones safely and effectively but also dive into airspace regulations, maintenance, and mission planning—all critical for for-hire drone operations.
- Industry-Specific Training: A good UAS program often includes specialized training, such as how to use agricultural or spray drones, which is directly applicable to larvicide treatments. You’ll gain practical experience with the equipment and software commonly used in pest control.
- Networking Opportunities: Schools like these are hubs for meeting industry professionals, instructors, and peers who might become valuable contacts. They may also help you connect with vendors and manufacturers that provide mosquito control-specific drones or attachments.
- Boost Credibility: A UAS certificate or degree signals to clients—especially city and county municipal ones—that your business values professionalism and safety. This credential can give you an edge over competitors.
- Business Expansion: Beyond mosquito control, you’ll learn how drones can serve other purposes, such as surveillance, mapping, or data collection, opening doors to expand your services.
Drawbacks of attending a UAS-CTI school
As you’re clearly aware, the drawbacks of getting a formal drone education are the financial investment, as well as the time commitment.
Alternative drone education
If you’re hesitant about the time or financial investment, you might consider these alternatives. All of these UAS-CTI school alternatives are either cheaper or require less time. Many are online courses, which you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Self-guided learning + FAA Part 107 Certification
Start by studying for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which is mandatory for commercial drone operations. Plenty of Part 107 resources and courses can help you prepare for under $500. The best Part 107 courses are even cheaper (think $300 or less) and can be done online. Though, there are in-person courses that might jive better with your learning style.
Shorter workshops or industry-specific training
Getting your Part 107 is a critical step in launching a drone business, but it won’t teach you the specifics around using drones to combat mosquitoes. This is where specialization comes in.
Some companies, like DJI or PrecisionHawk, offer workshops on specific drone applications like spraying or mapping. For better or for worse, these workshops are somewhat disguised as a sales pitch. But, use it to your benefit by using them as a low-cost (or sometimes even free) training method. The best way to find these is by going directly to those websites, such as the DJI Enterprise Events site.
Drone manufacturer (or authorized details) training
Once you purchase an enterprise level drone, many manufacturers offer training programs tailored to their systems. Again, some of these are paid, while others are relatively affordable. For example, Drone Nerds is my recommended authorized drone dealer, and they offer a robust set of training.
Considering the potential for drones to transform your mosquito business, a $6,000 investment in a formal drone education could pay off significantly in the long run. If you’re serious about scaling your operations, gaining specialized skills, and staying ahead of industry trends, the UAS-CTI program sounds like a fantastic opportunity. That said, if you’re unsure, you might test the waters with self-study and shorter courses to confirm your interest before committing.
Finally, remember that UAS technology is evolving rapidly, so ongoing education and training are part of the journey. Best of luck with your venture into drone operations — and a killer use case!
If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.
The post Formal drone education: is it worth it? appeared first on The Drone Girl.
– AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems, sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, announced it has been granted Green UAS certification from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems, autonomy, […]
