Drones over Mississippi

RAYMOND, Miss. - Unmanned Aerial Systems, also known as drones, are becoming more popular with consumers which is leading the Federal Aviation Administration to create more rules and regulations. No public institution can train students to fly unmanned aircraft, says Dennis Lott, Program Director for Hinds Community College UAS Training Program. HCC uses flight simulators instead to train students to operate drones. "We're not saying don't regulate this industry. We're saying hurry up and regulate the industry.” Anyone can fly drones as a hobby without FAA certification. Mississippi State University is conducting research with UAS. Camp Shelby has the nation's first training center for drones. (Source: WTVA 08/14/14) Golden Triangle Note: MSU's Bagley School of Engineering and the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Alabama have a working agreement to facilitate collaborative research opportunities related to UAS. MSU's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is developing an ultra-light, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.