Drones are soaring in popularity, and in Porter County, they’re becoming more than just a hobby.
Thanks to a partnership between Purdue Extension Porter County and Porter County Government, a specialized drone training program gives residents the skills they need to fly safely, legally, and effectively.
Whether for business, agriculture, or education, Purdue Extension’s hands-on program is helping participants unlock the full potential of drone technology.
Leading the initiative is Nicole “Nikky” Witkowski, an agriculture and natural resources educator who has been running the program since 2019. With drone use expanding across industries, the need for proper training has never been greater.
“People don't realize the regulations surrounding drones,” said Witkowski. “Anytime you use it for an occupation is considered commercial usage”
Purdue Extension’s training program covers everything from basic drone operation to preparation for the FAA Part 107 certification – a requirement for anyone using drones commercially.
“To fly a drone for these purposes, you need an FAA Part 107 license,” said Witkowski. “We provide training for this exam and support safety regulations as well.”
The next Purdue Extension training occurs on March 18 and 19. Registration is available online, and all questions can be sent to nikky@purdue.edu.
There are many potential commercial uses for drones.
Real estate agents and landscape designers use drones for stunning property photos, farmers rely on them for aerial mapping and crop monitoring, and emergency responders find them invaluable for search and rescue.
“We see a lot of real estate agents, government officials, firefighters, and farmers come to our trainings,” said Witkowski.
With such a broad audience, the course is customized to fit participants' needs, ensuring they get the most relevant and practical information. Throughout every course, however, is the hands-on training every student receives.
“We always tailor our trainings to who is there,” said Witkowski. “We make sure we provide a lot of different examples and different uses of drones in each training. We also give people hands-on time to experience some of the drones we have. In fact, we literally hand over remote controls to our drones and let people fly during the training.”
Participants start with small indoor drones before moving on to standard models, practicing real-world flight scenarios.
With a focus on preparing for the FAA exam as well as safety, Witkowski and her colleagues ensure that participants are set up for success for years to come.
“Everyone in our program gets a copy of all the materials to keep for life,” said Witkowski. “We also encourage all participants to use the binders we provide as a place to keep records and maintain as their flight record notebook.”
Beyond professional applications, the program has made a significant impact in local schools. Witkowski visits local classrooms to teach kids about responsible drone use, giving them an experience that goes beyond textbooks.
“For example, I recently spoke to a class of fifth graders in Kouts Elementary,” said Witkowski. “During those lessons, we discuss all the safety aspects of a drone and even sometimes let the students fly and code.”
To learn more about Porter County Government and its impact on the community, please visit portercountyin.gov.
