University of Kentucky organizers of the Kentucky Agriculture Training School are kicking off the 2022 growing season with a March that repeats the popular Drone Pilot Certification Workshop. Scheduled for March 15-16 at the Hopkins County Extension office, it is the second opportunity producers have to prepare for becoming certified drone pilots. Participants will take the Federal Aviation Administration's remote pilot certification exam March 17 at an FAA testing center.

Drones have many potential applications in agricultural production systems and becoming a FAA-certified remote pilot is the only legal way a person can operate a drone for commercial use. During the intensive, two-day training, Mandy Briggs, assistant chief flight instructor with Parkland College's Institute of Aviation, will help participants acquire the skills they need to receive their certification. Briggs' students have more than a 99% success rate on the exam.

The cost to attend the workshop is $400 and the cost to take the exam is $175. The $175 is due when the exam is scheduled. Certified Crop Advisors will receive 12 continuing education units in precision agriculture for completing the workshop.

Contact Lori Rogers, KATS coordinator, at lori.rogers@uky.edu for more information.

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