Base 11 to Start Drone Education Program in Detroit

Detroit will soon be home to a state-of-the-art learning lab located at the Coleman A. Young International Airport. Thanks to a Base 11, a Californian nonprofit, students in Detroit will be taught the latest and greatest information on drone technology. Base 11 has promised to invest around $1 million so these students and even the public can get training in the emerging field of drone technology.

The million dollars invested by Base 11 will allow the renovation of 2 hangar bays and equip them with the latest equipment for learning purposes. A multi-year lease has been signed with the city to allow the facility to remain open and operate.

High school students from certain Detroit Public School districts will be allowed to take classes at the facility. Base 11 also intends to run a for-profit company that will function on researching and improving UAVs. While specific details are still in the works, the launch of the new initiative is expected this fall.

This project has been introduced at the most opportune moment because the drone industry is experiencing rapid growth and the onus is on state officials to provide technical training. The program will also include David Aerospace Technical High school students. The school at one point had a dynamic aviation maintenance program, but recently lost its federal certification due to unaccounted for supplies and curriculum during relocation.

Base 11 is now taking the responsibility of helping to re-certify the school so that Michigan can eventually become a leader in drone education and technology. Students at the facility will be able to register for credit courses online that will involve entrepreneurship classes and drone maintenance & flight courses.

Besides just educating the young, Base 11 will also train professionals such as farmers, firefighters, hobbyists, and college professors on how to use drone technology to improve their capabilities at work.