Page 54 - Thetha Issue 6

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Nelson Mandela University is the
first South African university to
be awarded a drone licence.
By Lize Hayward.

Bird’s eye view benefits
The Drone Unit allows the School
of Engineering to equip students
with specialised skills in a technical
environment supporting both
Drone Licence Gives communities and the niche market of
drone operations.
Mandela University Wings • Researchers and staff have access
to professional drones and
crew for myriad projects, such
as Ocean Science research into
The hard-won achievement will bring than sport flying. mucus sample collection from
it closer to offering diverse and life- “Overnight, all drone activity whale spray.
changing educational experiences at Nelson Mandela University had • The AMTC has developed two
for a better world, says the to stop until we could secure a short courses to train drone
institution’s Advanced Mechatronic Remotely Piloted Aircraft System technicians in preparation for a
Technology Centre (AMTC) director, (RPAS) Operating Certificate (ROC),” possible shortage of qualified staff
Karl du Preez. explains Du Preez. in the growing field.
“This breakthrough is of strategic “My team and I started a rigorous • Employment and economic growth
importance to the University. We three-year application process, with will dovetail from ongoing research
now have the ability to collect data in rigid guidelines, to obtain a ROC and collaboration with industry.
the form of aerial imagery at a much from the South African Civil Aviation • Drone production and
higher rate than ever before. Authority (SACAA), which governs maintenance at the University is
“This enables us to understand commercial and corporate RPAS aimed at the commercial sector.
and more quickly manage large-scale operations in much the same way as
projects linked to the community, a large airline operation.” Drones are an integral aid to
such as fisheries, illegal poaching, Following intensive paperwork, communities, offering search and
whale populations, forestry and training, equipment procurement rescue capability, package delivery
fire control.” and legal assistance, the licence was (The South African Blood Bank
granted in August. recently obtained their own ROC)
Rocky road to success The AMTC is fortunate to have and disaster management assistance.
In 2015, drone flights conducted by two commercially licensed pilots, “The University will be able to
universities, industry and individuals Professor Russel Phillips and Damian help communities solve problems via
became illegal for anything other Moodley, on board, says Du Preez. drone technology,” says Du Preez.

54 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022