Drones
Sensors
Data Science
Diversity in STEM
Drone Piloting in Oceanside
In 2022, we launched the Drone Piloting in Oceanside (DPOside) program. DPOside is a career training program based in Oceanside, California, with participant engagement from throughout San Diego County. Participants, who are primarily young adults age 18-28 years old, are learning to professionally fly drones (also known as UAS, unoccupied aircraft systems). Participants are introduced to collecting ocean/coastal data while flying over land and ocean. Participants advance through the self-paced training -- using drones, cell phones, tablets, computers, and study groups -- averaging about 8 hours per week for about 6 months (with breaks for holidays).
An important part of our vision for the DPOside program is to broaden diversity in the drone piloting industry. Our own lived experiences have taught us that, in our Black, Latino/Latina, and Indigenous communities, we have multi-generational knowledge to bring to this emerging industry. We believe that the drone industry will be powerful if a diverse community of pilots, engineers, and entrepreneurs shape it into all that it can be. And at Auguste Research Group, we're here for it! 💪🏾
Are you interested in working with drones?
If you're interested in hearing more details about our DPOside program, please contact us via email (support@augusteresearchgroup.com).
Send us your name, cell phone number, email address, and tell us something about your interest in working with drones. Thanks to our generous sponsors (see names and links below), there is no fee for participants in the program!
Do I need a FAA certificate before applying for the DPOside program?
Nope! During the program, our instructors will guide participants through the knowledge that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires for professional drone pilots. As a participant, you'll learn the material covered by the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (also known as flying under the FAA Small UAS Rule Part 107). Then we can roll down to the testing center and our whole crew can take that test! ✅
We'll also be flying drones together, learning about the work that drones can do above the ocean and coastal areas, and answering every question that our participants have about professional drone piloting.
What are career options for professional drone pilots?
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Collecting and analyzing data for ocean research, collaborating with marine scientists.
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Inspecting solar PV systems in remote, urban, or rural areas, to identify maintenance needs.
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Providing utility inspection data for cell towers and electricity poles.
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Inspecting waterways -- e.g., coastlines, rivers, lakes, dams, and reservoirs.
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Providing grid-based images for environmental surveys and mapping.
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Providing video for construction site inspections.
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Filming content segments for movie directors, real estate agents, and marketing professionals.
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Delivering payloads that range from emergency medical supplies to everyday household goods.
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And many more!
Original and ongoing sponsors
We appreciate the original and ongoing support from our sponsors:
