In partnership with the Highland Falls Intermediate School, the West Point Association of Graduates organized a pilot program, called CONNECT, in an effort to engage and educate students, which included an interest in drone technology during this session on March 3.
“This event is not an extension of school. The kids get enough school. This is an activity that keeps kids engaged and active rather than just sitting in their seats,ˮ Michael Hauser, the director of Alumni Support Initiatives at the WPAOG, said.
Students were wide-eyed and eager to learn as Grace Cantwell and Sgt. Tony Reid, co-founders of Drone Cadets, instructed them on drone flight and safety.
First, the instructors divided the students into pairs, handed each group a mini drone, and explained the significance of a pre-flight checklist.
The pre-flight checklist involved a thorough examination of the drones by checking for batteries, ensuring the propellers were functional, looking over the sensor on the bottom side of the drone, and checking the fixed camera.
Next, the students needed to know their mission before commencing, which was to fly a drone per the rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration. “They don’t just make rules for drone pilots,ˮ Cantwell said as she instructed the students. “The FAA makes rules for everyone that flies.ˮ Moreover, students learned the importance of a controlled airspace, which informs the different airspace classifications and defined dimensions pilots fly under in accordance with the FAA.
Leading up to the flight, one student in the drone team would serve as a Pilot in Command and the other a Visual Observer.
The PIC has four responsibilities: complete a pre-flight checklist, plan the mission, communicate to team members what the mission is, and, finally, fly the craft.
The VO also conducts a pre-flight checklist in case the PIC misses a detail during preparation.
Additionally, the VO keeps the drone in his or her visual line of sight as the PIC takes flight, ensuring no obstacles are nearby.
With that, the students were ready to fly their drones. Half the class followed Reid outside to the play yard to watch his drone flight demonstration of a hexacopter drone.
After the demonstration, the students took turns operating the hex drone. Meanwhile, the other group remained in class, flying their mini-drones through hoops and other obstacles to get a feel for navigating the environment.
“It was fun. I definitely learned something new,ˮ a student said. “I already learned how to fly a drone before, but this time I learned how to fly a drone virtually, which was cool.ˮ
Hauser said it was satisfying to watch the kids learn something exciting and dynamic. He will be coordinating six pilot programs throughout the spring and summer season with the hopes of coordinating these educational events full-time around the fall season.
“Our alumni have an affinity for Highland Falls Intermediate School. They lived around this area when they were cadets,ˮ Hauser said. “Some of them came back and taught here; some of their kids went to school here. And so, the alumni wanted to give back to the community.ˮ