Drone Flight Soars across MFNSS

Students perform safety checks on the drone before flight. From November 4th to 6th, Pinaymootang students received drone flight training and testing. Cold weather did not deter the students, as they excitedly unpacked drones for safety checks and took to the sky minutes later.

Drone flight training and flight certification are soaring in MFNSS schools. Rockford McKay, science facilitator with MFNSS, has been travelling between schools to train and lead testing for flight licenses. A total of 25 students and staff have obtained their certification with Transport Canada thus far; this number includes students and staff from Lawrence Sinclair Memorial School (Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation), Lake St Martin School (Lake St Martin First Nation), and Sargent Tommy Prince School (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation), and Pinaymootang School (Pinaymootang First Nation). Rockford (Rocky) has reported that the passing rate in the province is 60%, and the students he trained exceeded this rate.

Flight certification opens education opportunities with communities. Teachers and students may implement drone usage into Land-Based activities such as wildlife tracking and research, mapping, and added security opportunities for schools. When certification is obtained, Rocky leaves a drone with the school for further use in class and on grounds where permitted.