DARTdrones CEO and Co-founder, Abby Speicher Carroll, stated “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with DEPCO. We are learning a lot while expanding into offering our course to high schools and DEPCO has proven to be an incredible asset in helping us learn.”

The DARTdrones Intro to Drones course is a year-long course that is completely turnkey for teachers. Teachers access online courses, practice exercises, student quizzes, worksheets, career activities, flight activities, and comprehensive lesson plans.

DEPCO Enterprises, LLC’s president, Rod Murphy, stated “Whether you’re flying drones for recreational purposes or starting your own business, drones are quickly becoming a multi-purpose piece of technology. Agriculture, home inspections, healthcare, search and rescue, and many other transportation industries are now using drones on a daily basis. High school and CTE programs are quickly adding drone equipment and curriculum to meet this high demand and high growth workforce. DEPCO is proud to partner with DartDrones to provide teacher and student training materials geared towards a successful outcome and certification.”

The two companies are excited to bring drones to more high schools with this new curriculum.

Click here to obtain free access to Unit 1 of the DARTdrones course.

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is the leading nationwide drone training company in the United States, offering courses in over 25 cities. We offer basic flight training classes, Part 107 Airman Knowledge test prep courses, advanced industry specific training, and UAS program implementation consulting services. DARTdrones has trained over 15,000 drone pilots to date from many of the nation’s largest companies and organizations. DARTdrones utilizes an expert curriculum instruction team as well as instructors with manned aviation backgrounds to maintain the brand of the highest quality enterprise drone training in the country.

About DEPCO

Since 1981, DEPCO Enterprises, LLC has been a leader in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) market. DEPCO offers quality training equipment and curriculum to educational institutions for entry-level career pathway explorations as well as advanced-level, industry specific programs. With product offerings that can include certifications and industry grade equipment, DEPCO prides itself on their ability to train the highly-compensated, skilled workforce of tomorrow.

The post DARTdrones and DEPCO Partner to Bring Drones to More Classrooms Nationwide appeared first on DARTdrones.

Why the New Focus on Drone Workforce Development?

For years, DARTdrones was approached by teachers, college professors, and workforce development instructors seeking a course that they could teach to their students. The DARTdrones team knew it would be a tremendous undertaking to make our Part 107 Test Prep course easy for a teacher new to aviation to teach. The DARTdrones Part 107 Test Prep courses have historically always been taught by DARTdrones expert instructors who are manned aviation pilots. After intensive research about the future of the drone industry, the DARTdrones team could see a clear gap in the future need for professional drone pilots. The DARTdrones team decided to jump full force into filling this gap through licensing curriculum to other teachers, connecting employers with alumni, reconsidering industry certifications, and qualifying for and helping build state industry certifications. We believe this Workforce Development initiative is the future for DARTdrones!

Focused on Young Learners

The “Intro to Drones” course offers students a comprehensive foundation in drone technology, blending technical instruction with hands-on activities and collaborative discussions. DARTdrones prioritizes student engagement, ensuring that even the challenging aspects, such as preparing for the FAA Part 107 Certification Exam, are both educational and enjoyable.

Ongoing Support for Teachers

DARTdrones prides itself on our ability to support teachers along the way. We offer even non-aviation teachers the opportunity to successfully introduce students to drones through customized curriculum and an ongoing support structure. Teachers are always offered: 

• Train the Trainers options – in-person, virtual, and private trainings
• Live question and answer sessions with DARTdrones Instructors
• Virtual check ins with other teachers teaching the same material
• Access for teachers and administrators to track student progress and test scores in our LMS system 

Building the Course

DARTdrones is extremely grateful to have a team of developers dedicated to creating courses that help students and teachers grow in their drone journeys. Hear from Danny Burk, Chief Curriculum Developer at DARTdrones, on what his experience was while building our Intro to Drones Course! 

What Sets DARTdrones Apart?

Most drone curriculum providers fall into 2 categories:

• STEM, which focuses on coding and building drones
• Game playing, which focuses on topics like drone soccer or drone racing

DARTdrones is neither of these. We focus on real world drone operations professional drone pilots are flying for their career. We’ve been training pilots at some of the largest drone programs in the US for over 10 years. Now, we are bringing that same training into the classroom, adapted for younger learners.

DARTdrones is committed to creating a comprehensive training that aligns with our enterprise drone program partnerships. Where we shine, is in our ability to provide pilot training on real-world drone use cases. Since we train the pilots at numerous large oil and gas companies, electric utilities, water authorities, and public safety agencies, we have inside knowledge on how to build out professional curricula to support their operations.

Take a Sneak Peak Inside Our Intro to Drones Course Content

• Year at a Glance
• Sample Practice Exercise: Lesson 3
• Sample Group Exercise: Lesson 1
• Unit 1 Materials List
• Unit 1 Standards and Objectives
• Careers in Drones: Sample Activity

Learn More

Learn more about the DARTdrones Intro to Drones course here or reach out to Mike McCann on our team.

mccann@dartdrones.com

The post DARTdrones Launches Innovative ‘Intro to Drones’ Course for High School Students appeared first on DARTdrones.

John-Michael, a 9th grader at Texans Can Academy, has been an enthusiastic participant in the drone program since its inception in the fall of 2023. The class meets twice a week to study for the Part 107 test, learn about various sUAS drones, and explore the technology behind them. While most students enjoy a day off every other Friday, John-Michael and his peers engage in hands-on drone training, honing their flying skills and practicing complex maneuvers.

Texans Can teacher, Alfredo Carter, who joined the program in its inaugural year, emphasizes the importance of teamwork in drone education. “Getting to see the kids work together is incredible. You witness their communication and teamwork skills grow as they take on roles like the spotter and the drone pilot. This collaboration is what the classroom experience should be like across all subjects,” Carter said.

“Getting to see the kids work together is incredible. You witness their communication and teamwork skills grow”

Program Success Ingredients

The success of the program is evident in the achievements of its students. “You can see by their test scores that they tested well above the average student,” Mr. Carter noted, highlighting the effectiveness of the DARTdrones High School CTE Workforce Development Curriculum. Both students and teachers found the curriculum well-organized and easy to understand, breaking down complex information into manageable segments.

John-Michael expressed his enthusiasm for drone flying, stating, “My favorite part is getting to see new sights and a different perspective of things.” His confidence was unwavering as he prepared for the FAA Part 107 test. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew I was going to pass,” he said confidently. His next goal is to delve into drone photography and videography, potentially starting his own business using his acquired skills.

“I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew I was going to pass”

Mr. Carter praised the training materials provided by DARTdrones, stating, “The information DARTdrones provided was pretty solid. If the students take the time to study the material, they should do well.” He added that witnessing his students overcome challenges and succeed in their training is one of the most rewarding aspects of his role.

Texans Can Academy is committed to providing high-quality, student-centered education, and the success of its drone program is a testament to this mission. The academy’s use of a DJI mini drone has provided students with practical, hands-on experience, preparing them for real-world applications in the drone industry.

About Texans Can Academy

Texans Can Academies is a public charter high school district known for offering high-quality, student-centered education aimed at transforming lives and promoting economic independence. With 13 campuses across Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, the district provides an accelerated path to completing high school and offers robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to prepare students for real-world success.

About DARTdrones Workforce Development Program

The DARTdrones Workforce Development Program offers comprehensive drone training and consultation for individuals, organizations, and educational institutions. Their customizable curriculum and industry collaboration ensure relevance and effectiveness, while their professional training system supports successful drone integration within any organization. DARTdrones is committed to empowering educators and transforming drone education through its Train the Trainer Program.

To learn more about the DARTdrones Workforce Development Program, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com.

The post Texans Can Academy Celebrates First Year Success of Drone Program: Two Students Earn FAA Part 107 Drone License appeared first on DARTdrones.

May 09, 2024 – [UTAH] – DARTdrones, a pioneering force in the drone industry and the largest drone training and consulting company in the US, marks a significant milestone as it celebrates a decade of excellence and groundbreaking achievements. DARTdrones has emerged as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering drone enthusiasts and professional drone pilots.

Where We’ve Been

Reflecting on the remarkable 10-year journey, Abby Speicher Carroll, Co-Founder and CEO of DARTdrones, shares her sentiments: “It feels surreal to commemorate a decade of relentless dedication and evolution at DARTdrones. What began as a MBA class project has blossomed into a long standing business serving many of the largest drone programs in the country.”

Over the past decade, DARTdrones has epitomized resilience, navigating through challenges and emerging stronger than ever. With a fervent dedication to excellence, DARTdrones has achieved significant milestones, including being featured on Shark Tank, training over 25,000 students, and training with industry giants such as Phillips 66, Boeing, and the FBI.

Abby Speicher Carroll reflects on the journey: “From humble beginnings to global recognition, DARTdrones has been a testament to perseverance and innovation. We’ve expanded our curriculum, trained professionals across diverse sectors, and ventured into international territories, leaving an indelible mark on the drone industry.”

Central to DARTdrones’ success is its exceptional team of instructors, meticulously selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants. Their passion, expertise, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the brand’s identity and fostering a culture of excellence.

SHARK TANK – “Episode 818”- In a special episode featuring millennial entrepreneurs, one will make the deal that takes the award-winning “Shark Tank” across the $100 million threshold of deals made in the Tank, on “Shark Tank,” airing FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.. (ABC/Michael Desmond)

Where We Are Going

Looking ahead, DARTdrones is poised for continued growth and innovation. With a focus on expanding its educational offerings, including licensing curriculum to educational institutions, DARTdrones is committed to empowering the next generation of drone enthusiasts and professionals.

Expressing gratitude to all who have contributed to DARTdrones’ success, Abby Speicher Carroll extends heartfelt appreciation: “To our dedicated team, esteemed instructors, loyal customers, and supportive community, thank you for being integral to our journey. Your unwavering support fuels our passion and propels us forward.”

As DARTdrones embarks on the next chapter of its journey, the future is bright with endless possibilities. With innovation as its compass and resilience as its fuel, DARTdrones is poised to redefine the future of the drone industry.

For media inquiries, please contact support@dartdrones.com.

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is a leading provider of drone training and education, empowering individuals and organizations to harness the transformative potential of drones. With a comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, and a commitment to excellence, DARTdrones is revolutionizing the drone industry one flight at a time.

Follow DARTdrones on Linked and Facebook for updates and insights.

The post DARTdrones Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation and Success appeared first on DARTdrones.

The Wings for Val Foundation honors the legacy of Navy LT Valerie Cappelaere Delaney who was an EA-6B Prowler jet pilot. Every year, multiple scholarships are awarded to women pursuing careers in aviation. Announced at the 2022 Women in Aviation Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee, this year’s scholarship recipient is 17-year-old, Elizabeth Witte. Elizabeth lives in Indio, California. Her interest in aviation began at the young age of 14 after a discovery flight. Her mentors from the aviation and aerospace industry encouraged Elizabeth to begin her journey towards a fulfilling career in aeronautics.

After graduating high school at 16, she decided to begin training to become a corporate pilot. Elizabeth enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the B.S. in Aeronautics program. During a flight session to obtain her private pilot license on December 4, 2020, Elizabeth endured a plane crash. Miraculously surviving the accident with critical injuries, Elizabeth has continued her education pursuing a B.S. in Engineering during her second year of college while still in recovery.

“This scholarship offers me the opportunity to keep flying from the ground. I love every aspect of aviation and this path in drone training can open new doorways in the aviation industry. This Part 107 certification will allow me to contribute to the aviation industry in a new way. Though I may not pilot aircraft in the air at this time, I can pilot them from the ground!”

This is the 5^th year that DARTdrones has participated in the Wings for Val Foundation scholarship program, Founder and CEO Abby Speicher says, “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to continuously contribute to the future of these aspiring aviation professionals. As a female entrepreneur and business owner in the aviation industry, I hope to continue to see women pursuing careers in aviation.”

Board of Directors member, Caroline Desroches, states “The Wings for Val Foundation (W4V) scholarship program is extremely important to me as Val’s sister and board member of the foundation. These scholarships allow Val’s incredible legacy as a Navy pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice to be carried forward to current and future generations of women. The W4V Drone Training & Photography Scholarship given in conjunction with DARTdrones means a lot to me and our foundation. The recipients of this award have been able to take advantage of the cutting-edge training offered by DARTdrones and become FAA licensed remote pilots. Since we began offering this scholarship in 2018, there have been five young women who have received this scholarship and become licensed remote pilots. We couldn’t make this happen without our partnership with DARTdrones.”

Participants interested in applying for the Wings for Val Foundation scholarship are encouraged to apply by visiting https://wingsforval.org/scholarship/apply/

About the Author

Sarah Cavalcanti joined DARTdrones in 2021 after relocating to Salt Lake City from her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. As the Digital Marketing Associate, Sarah is a key member of the Marketing department and manages brand, social media efforts, and DARTdrones’ strategic marketing strategies. Sarah’s enthusiasm for the drone industry began via her education, receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography as well as a personal love of videography.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post DARTdrones Donates Scholarship to Women in Aviation Through Wings for Val Foundation appeared first on DARTdrones.

Unique Leadership

At the heart of DARTdrones is leadership that spans a generation. CEO and Co-Founder, Abby Speicher, and her father Chris Speicher as Chief Visionary Officer, stand together at the helm of this company.

As Seen on Shark Tank 

In 2017, DARTdrones co-founder and CEO Abby Speicher was featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in a special episode featuring millennial entrepreneurs. At that time, DARTdrones was a fledgling company offering in-person Part 107 test prep courses only. Since then, Abby and her team have developed and expanded, added over twenty specialized courses for individuals and organizations to the curriculum.

Forbes 30 under 30 Recognition

In 2019, Abby, as co-founder of DARTdrones, was named one of Forbes 30 under 30 for enterprise technology. She is literally a force to be reckoned with!

Diverse Instruction

DARTdrones has a fleet of instructors  with some serious experience behind them. From Navy helicopter pilots to Pulitzer prize winning photojournalists, and FEMA Search and Rescue to thermal drone pilots and firefighters, the team and the resources they carry with them is second to none. The aviators bring a breadth of knowledge that has become the scaffolding upon which the DARTdrones curriculum is built.

Passion for Community

DARTdrones stands firmly behind the public safety sector, having donated over $500,000 in free drone training dollars to saving lives. This is near and dear to many on the instructor team, which is honored to have Search and Rescue, firefighters, law enforcement, and retired military pilots amongst its ranks.

Real-world Experience

The curriculum developed for DARTdrones was built by Director of Training Amelia Owre, a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot. She also built a training program called FireScout that instructs drone pilots on how to operate near wild and urban fires.

Empowerment and Support

With a strong female leader, DARTdrones is passionate about encouraging women to pursue aviation, and has participated in the Wings for Val scholarship foundation for the last 4 years. In 2021, Abigail Wells was presented with the Drone Training Scholarship, and aims to use it for drone-based wildlife surveys.

It truly is an honor to celebrate these seven years as leaders in drone education and entrepreneurship. DARTdrones strives to continue to elevate the standard of drone pilot training and be a steadfast ambassador for the drone industry. Above all, we’re throughly grateful for those who entrusted us with their drone training education and believed in our mission, making the past seven years possible. We couldn’t have done it without you.

About the Author

Sarah Cavalcanti joined DARTdrones in 2021 after relocating to Salt Lake City from her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. As the Digital Marketing Associate, Sarah is a key member of the Marketing department and manages brand, social media efforts, and DARTdrones’ strategic marketing strategies. Sarah’s enthusiasm for the drone industry began via her education, receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography as well as a personal love of videography.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post Celebrating Seven Years of DARTdrones appeared first on DARTdrones.

 
This is the 4th year that DARTdrones has participated in the Wings for Val Foundation scholarship program, Founder and CEO Abby Speicher says, “As a female entrepreneur and business owner in the aviation industry, it’s an honor to be able to contribute to this worthy cause. We at DARTdrones appreciate the work that the Wings for Val Foundation does and understand the significance of providing scholarships to women pursuing careers in aviation.”
 
Wings for Val Chairman, Pat Cappelaere states “The drone scholarship is becoming popular as a steppingstone to becoming a pilot. With the help of the elite team of instructors at DARTdrones, our scholars quickly realize that it is just another small step to actually fly. What seemed out of reach, now becomes possible. This opens up new opportunities for young ladies to reach for the sky and belong to this incredible community that we are helping build.”

Participants interested in applying for the Wings for Val Foundation scholarship are encouraged to apply by clicking here.

About the Author

Sarah Cavalcanti joined DARTdrones in 2021 after relocating to Salt Lake City from her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. As the Digital Marketing Associate, Sarah is a key member of the Marketing department and manages brand, social media efforts, and DARTdrones’ strategic marketing strategies. Sarah’s enthusiasm for the drone industry began via her education, receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography as well as a personal love of videography.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post DARTdrones Donates Scholarship to Women in Aviation Through Wings for Val Foundation appeared first on DARTdrones.

More Than Doubled Our Flight Instructor Count

DARTdrones now has more than 40 flight instructors. Since “Shark Tank” filmed, we’ve added several manned aircraft pilots to our drone pilot training team who have impressive resumes, including:

• Karl Schwab, a Marine Corps veteran who is licensed commercially in multi- and single-engine planes.
• Randy Eary, who has been a private pilot since 2002.
• Jack McIntosh, who holds a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
• Jerry White, who has flown commercially and as a corporate pilot.

All of these instructors teach drone license courses to prepare students for the FAA Part 107 exam, hands-on drone training, advanced, industry specific drone classes and more.

Drone Pilot Training Now in 28+ Cities

DARTdrones now offers classes in more than 28 cities across the United States. We’ve doubled what we offered since Abby Speicher aired on “Shark Tank”. We now offer commercial drone training courses in the following cities:

15 New Courses and More to Come

When Abby went into the Tank, DARTdrones only offered their in-person flight training course. After filming “Shark Tank”, DARTdrones knew many people would wonder how to become a drone pilot. The company realized there was a need for drone license courses and other types of drone pilot training courses for new and advanced UAV pilots. The company created new curriculum and added a number of classes, including:

• In-Person Part 107 Test Prep: This in-person drone license course teaches students how to get their FAA commercial drone license with one of our expert instructors.
• Online Part 107 Test Prep: A comprehensive online course which teaches students how to get a commercial drone license.
• Starting a Drone Business under Part 107: After creating curriculum about how to become a drone pilot, DARTdrones wanted to teach students how to become a drone entrepreneur as well. This online course will do just that!
• Aerial Photography: An online course which will teach students how to use their drone to capture stunning photography.
• Aerial Mapping and Modeling Workshop: A new two-day intensive workshop teaching Aerial Mapping and Modeling using the DroneDeploy software.
• Aerial Inspections Workshop: A new two-day intensive workshop teaching Aerial Inspections.
• In-Person Aerial Photography & Videography: An intensive one-day course which teaches students how to produce professional and cinematic drone photos and videos.
• DARTdrones Wings Program: A comprehensive program consisting of 3 courses in 1. Students will take a flight assessment, verify their Part 107 Remote Pilot’s License, and complete a series of 14 online micro courses to earn their DARTdrones Wings.
• Search and Rescue, Thermal and Night Operations: A two-day, in-person workshop with our expert public safety instructors which provides hands-on experience in aerial search and rescue missions, thermal imaging, and night operations.
• Night Flight: Three online drone training courses covering night flight operations, night physiology and guidance on obtaining a night operations waiver.
• Real-World Flight Planning and Execution Program: 14 scenario-based e-learning courses which take students through interactive sUAS flight issues and emergency scenarios to prepare for real-world missions.
• Disaster Response: An interactive online course that provides a clear path to understand the challenges of a disaster zone, vital operational factors, the Incident Command structure, equipment considerations, clearance to fly, coordination efforts, ways to help, and more.
• AUVSI Trusted Operator Program Certification Training: DARTdrones became a Level 3 TOP Training Provider, offering TOP Level 1 and Level 2 Certification training. The program is proven to provide drone pilots with a reliable, safe and professional foundation to further distinguish themselves in the market.
• Drones for Beginners: The company knew a lot of ‘Shark Tank’ viewers would be interested in learning more about the drone industry, which drone is right for them, and exactly how to become a drone pilot. This $19.99 course is a fun video-based course narrated by our CEO, Abby Speicher.

Drone Consulting Program

DARTdrones also offers consulting for enterprise and government teams with services including equipment procurement and system design, developing standard operating procedures manuals and UAS integration plans, and submission of airspace authorizations and waivers.

Over 14,000+ Drone Pilots Trained

With so many new cities, instructors, and courses since “Shark Tank” filmed, DARTdrones has reached more students than ever before. We’ve now had more than 14,000 students take our drone training classes from various organizations across the globe.

Public Safety Grant Program

As a way to give back, DARTdrones pledged over $500,000 in free drone training to over 300 police and fire departments around the country. The 2021 Public Safety Drone Training Grant is currently open for applications and offers funding to departments for courses such as Part 107 Test Prep Training, Flight Training, Search and Rescue Drone Training, Accident Investigation and Aerial Disaster Response Training, as well as various consulting and legal documentation writing services.

As you can see, a lot has happened since we aired on ABC’s “Shark Tank”, and our team plans to continue growing and training pilots in countless industries. If you’d like to learn more about our drone pilot training courses or just learn more about the drone industry, sign up for our newsletter, call us at 800-264-3907 or email us at info@dartdrones.com.

The post Since ‘Shark Tank’: DARTdrones Drone Pilot Training School Keeps Growing | Updated 2021 appeared first on DARTdrones.

Just last year, the US Department of Transportation selected 10 state, local, and tribal governments as participants in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program, which paved the way for an expansion of local governments’ drone programs.

In fact, the interest in utilizing drones is predicted to drive commercial-grade UAV shipments to more than 2.6 million annually by 2025, according to a report from Tractica in 2015.

As a result of more local government agencies investigating and starting drone programs, reports of the benefits of drone technology are multiplying every day. With the wide range of benefits and cost savings taxpayers can expect from using drones in local government operations, surveying, and emergency response, it only makes sense to invest in starting or expanding drone programs at the state, county, or even town level.

Local governments can use drones to improve communities and save tax dollars

Imagine you’ve gone hiking in a remote area just outside a small town. If you get injured or lose your way, the process of sending a search party (especially when terrain is impossible for vehicles to cross) takes time, money, and the complex coordination of a team of volunteers. In emergency scenarios, every minute counts, and if a town can deploy a drone with a high-definition camera and heat-sensing equipment,  the time it takes to find and bring you home can be drastically reduced.

In addition to search and rescue capabilities, local governments can use drones to respond to emergencies and improve their daily operations. Zoning, for example, used to require that city employees visit and survey plots of land on foot. With drones, a single public servant can inspect and map hundreds of times more ground in the same amount of time it would take without the technology. 

From regions around the country, more examples of drones benefiting communities and saving taxpayers money include:

• Governmental agencies using drones for natural disaster and emergency response
• Cities and towns conducting drone surveys of watersheds and reservoirs
• States utilizing drones to assess construction sites and building conditions
• Departments of parks and recreation piloting drones to find missing persons
• Police teams using drones to give SWAT operations better views before officers need to expose themselves to danger
• Zoning departments mapping and enforcing codes with drone survey capabilities

Drone programs can be created efficiently and sustainably

Even though drones have a reputation for being expensive, with the right advising and planning at the beginning stages of creating a drone program, local governments can invest in resources and implement procedures that can be shared across departmental lines — making drone programs efficient and solid investments of tax dollars.

“The best approach to creating a local government drone program is to build from the top-down from the beginning,” said Michael McCann, Local Government Consultant and Enterprise Account Manager of DARTdrones. “If you can put a plan in place at the municipal level before individual departments start their own programs with their own plans, resources can be shared and costs reduced.” 

By adopting the right processes and training for the public servants that will be using drones at the start,  local governments will see a return on their initial investments quicker. 

“The efficiency of equipment usage will be optimized to avoid duplication, necessary FAA waivers will be obtained for every department’s benefit rather than just one, training will be standardized across departments, and SOPs will be adopted across departmental lines,” continued McCann.

$100k in grants are available for local government drone programs

Although local governments may be apprehensive about the potential costs associated with starting or expanding drone programs, over $100,000 in grant funds are now available through the DARTdrones Local Government Grant.

“DARTdrones is committed to reducing the financial burden of implementing local government drone programs, which can save lives, radically improve community safety and security, and make public servants’ jobs easier in numerous ways,” said Abby Speicher, CEO and Co-Founder of DARTdrones.

The application period will be open from December 9 through Friday, January 31, 2020. The DARTdrones Grant Committee will distribute full or partial funding for drone training and consulting to local governments around the country. If you’re a citizen who wants to see a drone program created in your community, encourage your representatives to read more about the grant program or if you’re a local government representative, apply today.* 

For questions about how to best start creating a drone program or about DARTdrones drone training courses in general, please call 800-264-3907 or email info@dartdrones.com.

*Individuals are not eligible to apply for this grant. Applicants must be a current representative of a local government.

How to Apply For a Local Government Grant

1. Click here to begin your department’s grant application.
2. Once that initial application is submitted, you will receive an email with the complete DARTdrones Local Government Grant application process.
3. After your application is submitted, the DARTdrones Grant Committee will review and reach out in February and March of 2020.
4. Please note, the application deadline is January 31, so ensure your application is complete before this date.

The post Unexpected Benefits Taxpayers Are Seeing from Drone Programs  appeared first on DARTdrones.

Introducing the DARTdrones Local Government Grant

Following the immense success of the DARTdrones Public Safety Grant — with $500,000 of training awarded to more than 250 police and fire departments across the country this year — DARTdrones is now launching the Local Government Grant Program. The DARTdrones Grant Committee will accept applications from cities, towns, states, departments of parks and recreation, and any public service departments that missed the opportunity to apply for the previous grant.* The deadline for applying for the grant is January 31, 2020, so representatives from local governmental bodies are encouraged to apply today.

“DARTdrones is committed to reducing the financial burden of implementing local government drone programs, which can save lives, radically improve community safety and security, and make public servants’ jobs easier in numerous ways,” said Abby Speicher, CEO and Co-Founder of DARTdrones.

This grant provides training to teach public servants how to formalize and optimize their drone programs. Drone technology is applicable to both emergency response and daily operations, and local governments can use drones to improve communities on a number of fronts. In regions around the country, examples of drone program successes include:

• Governmental agencies using drones for natural disaster and emergency response
• Departments of parks and recreation piloting drones to find missing persons
• Cities and towns conducting drone surveys of watersheds and reservoirs
• States utilizing drones to assess construction sites and building conditions
• Police teams using drones to give SWAT operations better views before officers need to expose themselves to danger
• Zoning departments mapping and enforcing codes with drone survey capabilities

Getting drone training from DARTdrones at the beginning of the establishment of a drone program has numerous financial and practical benefits for local governmental agencies.

“The best approach to creating a local government drone program is to build from the top-down from the beginning,” said Michael McCann, Local Government Consultant and Enterprise Account Manager of DARTdrones. “If you can put a plan in place at the municipal level before individual departments start their own programs with their own plans, resources can be shared and costs reduced. The efficiency of equipment usage will be optimized to avoid duplication, necessary FAA waivers will be obtained for every department’s benefit rather than just one, training will be standardized across departments, and SOPs will be adopted across departmental lines.”

To start your drone program strong and with an eye towards sustainable growth, apply today. For questions about DARTdrones drone training courses or the Local Government Grant Program, please call 800-264-3907 or email info@dartdrones.com.

*Individuals are not eligible to apply for this grant. Applicants must be a current representative of a local government.

How to Apply For a Local Government Grant

1. Click here to begin your department’s grant application.
2. Once that initial application is submitted, you will receive an email with the complete DARTdrones Local Government Grant application process.
3. After your application is submitted, the DARTdrones Grant Committee will review and reach out in February and March of 2020.
4. Please note, the application deadline is January 31, so ensure your application is complete before this date.

The post DARTdrones Announces Local Government Grant appeared first on DARTdrones.