With the popularity of drones taking flight and the rules for flying them constantly evolving, some Inuvik residents are working to sharpen their aviation knowledge.

From Sept. 12 to 14, 10 students took part in Aurora College's first ground school course in the region for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
They learned about air laws and regulations, weather and communications, and the importance of flying safely in shared airspace SA国际影视传媒� earning recognition for completing the course, as well as their restricted operators certificate for radio communication.

SA国际影视传媒淭his technology has arrived now. It's here to stay,SA国际影视传媒� said Sterling Cripps, president of Canadian Unmanned Incorporated and the instructor of the three-day course in Inuvik.

By equipping operators with an understanding of how to operate UAVs within the rules, he said, SA国际影视传媒渢hat's good for everybody in the air and on the ground.SA国际影视传媒�

Dez Loreen is a local filmmaker who uses drones for nature photography and to capture shots for videos.

He's also interested in racing them for fun, he said.

He took part in the course to understand how to operate his UAVs safely, he said, adding drone users are really just pilots.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are so many drones out there,SA国际影视传媒� said Loreen. SA国际影视传媒淚t's really important that we have these people educated and know the rules and operate within them. You have to really know what you're doing.SA国际影视传媒�

Others took the course because they see a commercial opportunity in Inuvik.

Brian Richards said he has received requests to provide photos and video from around town, but hasn't legally been able to do it yet.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat's one reason why I am here,SA国际影视传媒� said Richards, explaining that once he has the right certification and licensing, he will be able to sell his work.

He said the ground school helped him understand what he can and cannot do when flying.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want to be able to provide video of things SA国际影视传媒� and do it in a safe and a legal manner,SA国际影视传媒� said Richards. SA国际影视传媒淭hat's the big one for me.SA国际影视传媒�

The possibilities for using drones in the North are wide-reaching SA国际影视传媒� from search and rescue to environmental studies, said Cripps.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's an exciting time right now,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Matthew Dares, manager of technology development at the Aurora Research Institute, echoed the sentiment.

SA国际影视传媒淭here's a real need in this region for flight operations,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t just made sense for the college to look into providing training in the region, because of the high level of interest.SA国际影视传媒�

With registration for this month's course completely full, Dares said he expects there will be more courses like it in the future.