Part-Time Drone Pilot Instructor

Lansing School District•Lansing, MI

About The Position

The Drone Pilot Instructor will lead a hands-on, career-focused drone education program for high school students. The instructor will teach students drone knowledge, safety practices, flight skills, and professional skills to prepare them to pursue an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. Instruction will combine classroom learning with practical drone activities and connect drone technology to careers in fields such as construction, forestry, agriculture, public safety, real estate, environmental science, photography, surveying, and other emerging industries. The position is part-time, scheduled for 10–12 hours per week over 36 weeks per year, for an estimated 360–432 annual hours. Activities may include classroom instruction, flight sessions, student project development, individual student support, FAA exam preparation, career exploration, and program planning and documentation. Outdoor instruction may require flexibility depending on weather, daylight, and safe flying conditions. The program aims to help students develop knowledge of drone operations, aviation, safety, and FAA requirements; gain hands-on experience operating drones and completing projects; explore career applications; build workplace skills; and prepare eligible students to pursue the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The program prepares students for the FAA certification process, but the FAA establishes eligibility and certification requirements.

Requirements

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Demonstrated experience safely operating drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Ability to work effectively with high school students.
Strong communication and classroom-management skills.
Ability to explain technical information in an age-appropriate way.
Commitment to aviation and student safety.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or training youth.
Experience with drone photography, mapping, surveying, GIS, inspection, forestry, construction, or another UAS application.
Experience preparing students for FAA Part 107 testing.
Knowledge of FAA airspace and LAANC procedures.
Experience developing hands-on STEM or career-and-technical education activities.

Responsibilities

Teach drone and aviation fundamentals, including drone components, controls, batteries, maintenance, pre-flight procedures, safe operations, weather, airspace, flight restrictions, and emergency procedures.
Develop instruction and practice activities covering FAA Part 107 knowledge areas, including regulations, airspace, weather, aircraft performance and loading, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communications, airport operations, inspections, night operations, and aeronautical decision-making.
Demonstrate safe drone flight techniques and supervise student flight activities.
Teach takeoff, landing, hovering, maneuvering, and mission planning.
Provide opportunities for students to practice photography, mapping, inspection, and other appropriate drone applications.
Establish and enforce safe flight procedures for student activities.
Help students understand workplace uses of drone technology and explore related careers.
Incorporate workforce-development skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, project planning, workplace safety, professionalism, résumé development, career exploration, and presentations.
Track student progress toward the FAA knowledge examination and explain the certification process, including obtaining an FAA Tracking Number, scheduling and passing the test, completing the FAA application through IACRA, and completing required security vetting and application steps.
Support classroom instruction, hands-on flight sessions, project development, individual student support, exam preparation, career exploration, and program planning and documentation.