Drone Piloting Program to Launch at Lenoir Community College

KINSTON, N.C. (AP) — Lenoir Community College is set to launch the state's first associate's degree program in drone piloting.

Media outlets report LCC got the approval for the program a few weeks ago, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued new rules allowing routine commercial use of drones.

The unmanned aircraft systems degree will be added as a third track in the aviation major, which already includes traditional piloting and aviation management.

Program Director Jeff Jennings says the program's goal is to "produce some unmanned aircraft entrepreneurship." He says the program will also train drone pilots going into photography, mapping, military and other industries.

The program will begin Aug. 15.