Please know that there are no academic prerequisites to begin this program; however, there are job requirements that you should review before you begin your coursework. Some of the job requirements are specific and limiting. We want to make sure you are aware of some of these requirements before you devote time and money to the career, so we have listed SAMPLE job announcements, below. While some companies will have different requirements, you may want to investigate your options and talk privately to your instructor if you have any concerns or questions.

Commercial Drone (Heavy Payload) Operator

Minimum Qualifications:

• FAA Private Pilot Certificate, Single Engine Land privileges with Instrument Rating
• Current Class II or higher FAA medical certificate
• 500 flight hours as pilot-in-command of an unmanned or manned aircraft
• Ability to deploy OCONUS
• Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experienced with radio controlled aircraft and Piccolo-based UAVs
• Currently Qualified UAS Pilot
• 200 hours of pilot-in-command time with UAS

Drone Engineering

Required Skills:

• Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Familiarity with computer programming (specifically Python, JavaScript, and C++).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Unquestionable ethics and commitment to excellence.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with robotics and basic electronics.
• Experience with UAVs and/or RC piloting.
• Keen understanding of civilian airspace and aeronautical charts.
• FAA Remote Pilot Operator license.

Drone/Unmanned Aircraft/Pilot/Airport Inspector

Three years professional experience in the following areas:

• Aviation safety and legal compliance inspector for a governmental agency; OR Manager of a fixed base operation; OR Instructor or professor of aviation management or aviation sciences at an accredited university/college; OR Aviation program administrator for a large education, business or governmental organization.
• Experience with Model or other unmanned aircraft operations.
• Extensive knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations sufficient to research, ensure compliance, educate and train pilots and unmanned aircraft operators and other airport operations.
• Computer knowledge and experience sufficient to create training materials, manage database of airport information, analyze reports and issue data to stakeholders.
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to write, prepare and present technical information.

Required Certifications:

• FAA Remote Pilot – small unmanned aircraft systems certificate;
• Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate;
• Single Engine Land rating with FAA certification to operate high performance and complex aircraft;
• 1,000 hours pilot time and 500 hours as pilot-in-command; and
• Current First Class Medical Certificate by the time of appointment.

Captain Ed Valdez, Department Coordinator
Technical Education 1-210
(714) 484-7253
evaldez@cypresscollege.edu

Part-time Faculty:

Curt Castagna: ccastagna@cypresscollege.edu

Jeff Co: jco@cypresscollege.edu

Elizabeth “Beth” Ennis: eennis@cypresscollege.edu

Chuck Gifford: cgifford@cypresscollege.edu

Jacqueline Aguet Graham: jaguetgraham@cypresscollege.edu

Sherry Groff: sgroff@cypresscollege.edu

Larry Hack: lhack@cypresscollege.edu

Michael “Mike” Hannah: mhannah@cypresscollege.edu

Marilyn “Mimi” Ivey: mivey@cypresscollege.edu

Jane Jepson: jjepson@cypresscollege.edu

Charmaine Kaimikaua: ckaimikaua@cypresscollege.edu

Steve McCormick: smccormick@cypresscollege.edu

Tommy Mellana: tmellana@cypresscollege.edu

Cira Oropeza: coropeza@cypresscollege.edu

Nancy Matsui: nmatsui@cypresscollege.edu

Iwalani “Evie” Palicz: epalicz@cypresscollege.edu

Kathleen Reiland: kreiland@cypresscollege.edu

Mary Ann Saunders: masaunders@cypresscollege.edu

Katy Straughan: kstraughan@cypresscollege.edu

Thomas Sutfin: tsutfin@cypresscollege.edu

James Wilcox: jwilcox@cypresscollege.edu