North Carolina DOT to Host Drone Workshop in Monroe

Drones are an increasingly popular tool for various state and local public safety agencies, as well as many private businesses. The N.C. Department of Transportation wants to help those organizations learn how to safely and effectively leverage this technology into their operations.

To achieve this, NCDOT is bringing back a series of drone workshops for government and commercial operators. The first workshop of 2020 will take place on April 9 on the campus of South Piedmont Community College in Monroe.

The workshop is hosted by NCDOT’s Division of Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program office. State and local government personnel who are interested in learning about this technology are encouraged to attend. Local commercial drone operators are also invited to attend. Nearly 1,000 North Carolinians attended the previous series of workshops, held from 2017-18.

“Drones are becoming a normal part of day-to-day operations of many public and private organizations, said Basil Yap, UAS Program Manager for NCDOT.  “We want to help these groups obtain an understanding of real-world applications for drone technology, and what it takes to safely and effectively implement drones into their operations.”

Space is limited, so prospective attendees should register early. The workshop will last from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and feature presentations, exhibitions, and live flight demonstrations.