BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A new chapter of aviation history is unfolding at Texas A&M’s RELLIS campus. More than 80 years after military pilots trained on those same fields, a new generation is taking to the skies — without ever leaving the ground.
The campus, in partnership with the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), celebrated the graduation of its first three students from the Professional Remote Operator Program on Thursday, marking a major milestone for the historic site.
For decades, the skies over the former Bryan Army Air Field were filled with the sound of roaring military engines.
Activated in 1943 during World War II, the site prepared combat pilots and later served as a training ground for future astronauts, including Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Virgil “Gus” Grissom.
Today, the mission looks a little different.
Launching New Careers
The 12-week program combines rigorous online coursework with three days of hands-on, in-person flight operations. It is designed to prepare students for a rapidly growing commercial industry.
“I joined it because I felt like this was a great opportunity to get a very solid foundation to launch a career into drone operation,” said Geoffrey Hamilton, one of the three inaugural graduates.
The first graduating class also included Toheeb Agboola and Hart Bassana.
source:(KBTX)A Higher Standard of Safety
Garrett Klinger, program manager and instructor for USI at Texas A&M-RELLIS, said watching students apply their online studies to real flight is highly rewarding.
“Just seeing the neurons connect once they actually get on the sticks, move them around and see like, ‘Okay, I’m doing this, that’s going to correlate to the drone,’ so it’s kind of cool to see them actually go through and use the information they’ve learned and what I’m teaching them to fly and operate a drone,” Klinger said.
Klinger has operated machines much larger than drones.
“Being a helicopter pilot, it’s a little different, right? Because you’re actually not in the cockpit. You’re standing still, seeing the inputs on your aircraft go,” Klinger said.
Unlike programs that only teach for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) basic test, this curriculum goes much further.
“Employers need people who can do more than pass an FAA exam,” said Brad Hall, director of operations at Texas A&M-RELLIS. “They need professionals who understand how to operate safely and help manage a successful drone program. These graduates now have that foundation.”
The graduates leave RELLIS with a suite of credentials, including:
An FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)USI Visual Line of Sight Operations Ground Certification (Safety Level 3)USI Visual Line of Sight Operations Flight Certification (Safety Level 4)A Texas A&M-RELLIS Certificate of CompletionContinuing an Aviation Legacy
Unmanned aviation is becoming an essential tool for major industries across Texas, including agriculture, public safety, construction, and infrastructure inspection.
“More than 80 years ago, this airfield prepared military aviators to serve the nation,” said John Barton, executive director of Texas A&M-RELLIS. “Today, RELLIS is once again preparing aviation professionals for a changing economy, where unmanned aircraft systems are becoming essential tools for employers across Texas.”
With the first cohort graduated, RELLIS and USI are already preparing for the next class. Classes are scheduled to begin monthly, with the next session starting on September 8.
The deadline to enroll in the upcoming September program is September 1. For more information or to register, visit the USI Fast-Track Drone Program website.
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