Drone pilot course

An introductory course for small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) pilots was held at the New York State Emergency Preparedness Training Facility in Oriskany, New York. Instructors from across the country, including Sandy Brosnahan (lead instructor) and Seth Ackerman of the USGS WHCMSC, collaborated to deliver the training. The course was designed to prepare remote pilots to support emergency flood response efforts, with a focus on collecting Large-Scale Particle Imaging Velocimetry measurements at stream gauges. This remote sensing method enables high-water flood discharge data collection without putting personnel in potentially dangerous conditions. All course attendees earned a certification as new sUAS pilots under the Department of Interior.