The Bird's-Eye View: Drones Taking Flight on Campus

A drone hummed over Criss Library as it was piloted by students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Aviation Institute on a recent September evening.

Students Jason Chan and John Koch, who are both seniors pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation-Unmanned Aircraft Systems, were assisting UNO’s Office of University Communications to film drone footage of campus for marketing, advertising and editorial publications.

As the students helped the Office of University Communications, they were doing something else too, something valuable. They were gaining experience.

Koch said the opportunity gave him flight experience and the experience of taking photos and video while flying the drone.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

Chan said it allowed him to practice procedure, communications, and pre-flight planning.

This experience could lead them to jobs, too. Like jobs in agriculture where drones are being used for livestock management and crop inspection. Or it could land them jobs in construction, photography, or land surveying.

Chan said UNO’s program is excellent for students because it has good professors, good facilities, and a variety of drones to learn to fly.

But it’s the bird’s-eye views that inspire them.

“Being able to get that cool vantage point, that unique view that you don’t get to see from the ground. It’s a view that a lot of people don’t get to see,” said Koch.