The National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) was formulated through the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program. The NSF ATE program has been funding innovation at two-year colleges for over 25 years focusing on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation’s economy. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities.

https://ncatech.org/

Federal Aviation Administration

• FAA UAS Web page

  • Information from the FAA about unmanned aircraft systems

• CFR14 Part 107

  • Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations - Aeronautics and Space Part 107 - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Federal Code

• Advisory Circular

  • Advisory Circular (AC) refers to a type of publication offered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide guidance for compliance with airworthiness regulations, pilot certification, operational standards, training standards, and any other rules within the 14 CFR Aeronautics and Space Title.

• Waivers

  • A waiver is an official document issued by the FAA which approves certain operations of aircraft outside the limitations of regulation. You may request to fly specific drone operations not allowed under part 107 by requesting an operational waiver. These waivers allow drone pilots to deviate from certain rules under part 107 by demonstrating they can still fly safely using alternative methods.

• FAA Drone Zone

  • Manage drone registration, request waivers, request ATC authorizations in areas where LAANC is not available.

• LAANC

  • LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between FAA and Industry. It directly supports UAS integration into the airspace. LAANC provides:

    • • Drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.

      • Awareness of where pilots can and cannot fly.

      • Air Traffic Professionals with visibility into where and when drones are operating.

• Videos

  • FAA Youtube Channel

  • FAA #DroneGuy

• FAA Webinars

  • Sign Up For Alerts

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Having a firm understanding Geographic Information Systems is a core knowledge competency for a sUAS filed technician. Flying the drone is the easy part taking data often in the form of pictures and turning it into actionable intelligence is the challenge. This is where GIS comes in GIS is makes the maps, surveys, and allows for analysis through remote sensing.

What is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes. ​With this unique capability, GIS reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions.

What is Remote Sensing?

Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or satellites.

Aviation Weather

• FAA Aviation Weather

  • This advisory circular (AC) was published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Service (AFS), with contributions from the National Weather Service (NWS). The publication began in 1943 as CAA Bulletin No. 25, Meteorology for Pilots, which at the time contained weather knowledge considered essential for most pilots. As aircraft flew farther, faster, and higher, and as meteorological knowledge grew, the bulletin became obsolete. It was revised in 1954 under a new title, The Pilots’ Weather Handbook, and updated again in 1965. In 1975 it was revised under its current title.

• Aviation Weather.gov

  • The Aviation Weather Center delivers consistent, timely and accurate weather information for the world airspace system. We are a team of highly skilled people dedicated to working with customers and partners to enhance safe and efficient flight.

• Weather.gov

  • Provides weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

• 1-800-WxBrief.com

  • Weather briefings

  • User Guide