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Band Member Creates New Drone Club

  • Published
  • USAF Heritage of America Band

A new lunchtime meetup group for the recreational hobby of building and flying remote-controlled drones, called the Langley Drone Club, will soon be taking to the skies over Hampton Roads, thanks to the enterprising leadership of Technical Sergeant Michael Henrie, a member of the USAF Heritage of America Band.  The new club meets every Wednesday over lunch, at the Community Commons on Langley AFB.  Club members will receive an introduction to the hobby, and will learn essential skills for building and flying a drone, as well as advice on how to prepare for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new knowledge test for operators of small unmanned aircraft. 

 

According to TSgt Henrie, “We’re going to learn to solder, program the flight controller on the laptop, assemble the frames, practice flying on the simulator and with micro drones that can be flown indoors…eventually we’ll plan to go out to an approved flying area here on Langley and compete in drone racing…of course it's all going to be done safely and compliant with all base and federal regulations.”

 

Joint Base Langley-Eustis policy guidance has approved small areas on both Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).  Operators must comply with both FAA and the local base Commander’s policies.   Questions on this policy can be directed to the 633 ABW Safety Office at (757) 764-5057.

 

TSgt Henrie, who has flown remote-controlled (RC) airplanes and helicopters for more than 15 years, purchased his first drone in 2013, and was soon hooked on the many possibilities for both recreational and commercial use that they provide, including real estate photography, mapping, construction/tower inspections, and precision agriculture.  Recently, TSgt Henrie was awarded a Remote Pilot Airman Certificate by the FAA, a new certification program that began in late August of 2016, following the dramatic increase in drone use, and requests from drone hobbyists for legalizing their use.

 

TSgt Henrie has been sharing his new skill with the community, as well:  “Back in August of 2016 I did a demonstration for the Newport News Fire Department, Emergency Management, Special Operations, Public Works, Engineering, and Risk Management sections discussing the benefits of using sUAS in their operations.  Prior to that I created a program at York River Academy teaching a dozen or so high school students how to build and fly a [small] size drone.  And in November I was at the Newport News Aviation Day doing demonstrations with the kids.”

 

For more information about the Langley Drone Club contact TSgt Henrie at michael.henrie.1@us.af.mil