Hinds CC to train students to fly unmanned aerial vehicles

RAYMOND — Hinds Community College says in August it will begin training students interested in piloting unmanned aerial vehicles.

The two-year school said in a news release that it is offering the courses because there’s an expected increase in demand in the civilian market for the aircraft.

UAVs have more often been associated with the military.

Randy Pearcy, aviation chair at Hinds Community College, says law enforcement, emergency services, pipelines and mail delivery could all eventually use UAVs. He said that over the next 10 years UAV spending worldwide could top $94 billion.

Hinds will offer four courses related to UAVs and flight training for in various sized aircraft.

Hinds already offers aviation programs at its John Bell Williams Airport and air traffic control at the Rankin campus.