Area residents interested in flying drones commercially can attend a workshop at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Jan. 6-8 to help them prepare for the FAA certification exam.

The workshop, offered by the office of workforce development and community education, is set for 5 to 8:30 p.m. each day in room 213 of Lybyer Hall, 605 West Main St., in West Plains.

Residents must pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam to fly drones commercially, university officials said. The workshop will cover the FAA’s Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 107 exam requirements to become a certified pilot of small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), more commonly known as drones.

What you’ll learn

Topics that will be covered include airspace, aeronautical charts, weather, Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs), aircraft loading, airport operations, judgment and decision-making, radio communications and more, all of which are included in the remote pilot certification exam.

The cost of the workshop is $150 and includes all materials for the class such as test preparation materials, notebooks and charts. Students may keep the materials after the workshop concludes.

University officials pointed out that drones have many applications in agriculture, engineering technology, law enforcement, fire and rescues, and real estate, among others.

Those interested in registering can do so online at WP.MissouriState.edu/Workforce/Courses.

For more information about the workshop or other programs offered by the workforce development and community education office, visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Workforce, call 417-255-7788 or email TrevorCressman@MissouriState.edu.