New ULM aviation concentration utilizes drone technology | ULM Forum 05-31-2013
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| The new Robota, LLC “Triton” drone, acquired by ULM for the state's first concentration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. |
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is offering the state’s first concentration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems beginning fall 2013.
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| Karlowitz |
Paul Karlowitz, a former military pilot and airport director, is an associate professor of aviation at ULM.
This new concentration, which will target new employment opportunities for ULM graduates.
“This concentration will give students the knowledge to pursue jobs or even to start businesses that use UAS’s,” said Karlowitz.
“This coursework will ensure students are competitive in the workforce. This is an emerging market strictly controlled by the FAA at present, but once the integration of drones into the National Airspace System is complete, jobs should rapidly grow.”
A pivotal component of the new concentration includes fieldwork using a new Robota, LLC
“Triton” drone recently donated to ULM by alum Bruce Leggitt.
Students will use the drone technology to study applications in agriculture business, biology, and geography.
The drone contains a GPS, a 20-megapixel color camera, autopilot, telemetry equipment, and a near-infrared camera capable of conducting crop analysis and archaeological use.
Drones can determine the relative health of crops by assessing the stress levels of crops by analyzing the overhead near-infrared photos taken.
The drone technology allows for corrective action to be taken before stress damages the crops.
Air Date:
Fri, 05/31/2013