FEATURE STORY
Living in Tomorrow:
How PHSC’ s UVSO Students Are Leading the Future of Drone Innovation
On April 25, 2026, Pasco-Hernando State College’ s East Campus in Dade City transformed into a hub of innovation as the College hosted its annual Drone Safety Day. What began as participation in a national safety campaign has evolved into a signature student-led event that reflects something much larger: the rapid growth of emerging technologies and PHSC’ s commitment to preparing students to lead in that space.
Drone Safety Day is part of a nationwide initiative organized by the Federal Aviation Administration( FAA). The annual campaign promotes responsible drone operation under the theme“ Fly RIGHT: Register your drone, Interact with others, Gain knowledge, Have a safety plan and Trust and Train.” While the initiative focuses on safety awareness, PHSC’ s Unmanned Vehicles Systems Operations( UVSO) program has expanded the concept into a full-scale, five-hour interactive festival designed to educate, engage and inspire the community.
For PHSC Aviation Instructor, Megan Kostelnik, Drone Safety Day represents the culmination of hard work and hands-on learning. Rather than relying solely on lectures, the UVSO curriculum immerses students in practical applications that mirror industry expectations. Students conduct flight planning, site surveys and safety checks before every mission. They analyze environmental variables, troubleshoot technical issues and learn to respond to unexpected challenges in real time.
“ This is not a lecture-based program,” Kostelnik said,“ students graduate with real-world experience translating directly into career readiness.” With the unmanned systems industry continuing to expand across sectors such as infrastructure inspection, agriculture, emergency response, land surveying and environmental monitoring, graduates are positioned to enter a workforce offering competitive salaries, often between $ 60,000 and $ 120,000 annually, with a twoyear degree.
Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to participate in micro-drone racing, operate flight simulators, pilot small maritime systems and observe demonstrations of advanced unmanned aircraft platforms, including infrared and thermal systems, LiDAR applications and fixed-wing aircraft technology. Families could explore hands-on children’ s activities, and attendees were also able to complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test( TRUST) certificate required for recreational drone pilots. Every element of the event, from logistics and promotion to system setup and live demonstrations, was planned and executed by UVSO students.
For students, the program often becomes more than a technical education; it becomes a turning point. Angela Miles entered the program without a clear vision for her future. Today, she describes working with unmanned systems as working“ with technology that represents the future.” The program’ s emphasis on critical thinking has reshaped how she approaches challenges, both in and out of the classroom. Operating unmanned aircraft systems requires careful preparation and discipline. Before a drone ever leaves the ground, students must assess airspace, confirm weather conditions, document flight plans and ensure compliance
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