LHS Drone Tech Program Members Earn Remote Pilot Licenses

Six members of the Liverpool High School Drone Tech Program recently received their official Remote Pilot Licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Liverpool High School graduates Nicholas Allen, John Kempisty Jr., Cade Leombrone and Kyle Szymanoski, along with LHS technology teacher Matthew Starke, received licenses.

Preparation for the FAA Remote Pilot Exam is part of the Drone Tech Program’s curriculum. Heading into its third full year, the LHS Drone Tech Program introduces students to an emerging technology that is now utilized in a range of career fields.

The two-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is available to LHS juniors and seniors. It provides students with hands-on experiences as they explore existing and new applications for this technology. The program covers topics such as photography & videography, engineering, computer aided design (CAD), business, agriculture and emergency services.

Students taking Drone Tech courses fly drones every class day throughout the year, whether outside on the LHS campus, indoors in their WRE classroom or attached gym, on field trips, and in other spaces.

Juniors taking the course will receive one science credit (General Physics) and seniors will receive one math credit (Math 12) toward graduation. Students completing both years of the program will receive a CTE endorsement on their diplomas.

High school students interested in learning more about the LHS Drone Tech Program should e-mail Starke at mstarke@liverpool.k12.ny.us. To check out activities the students are working on, visit Starke’s Twitter account (@StarkeInd).