Mississippi's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pathway prepares students for careers operating and maintaining commercial drones and unmanned aircraft systems. Students develop expertise in drone operations, flight safety, regulations, maintenance, and applications while understanding UAS technology and industry practices. This pathway serves growing demand for UAS operators across agriculture, mapping, inspection, and media industries.
Curriculum emphasizes practical flight operations, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance. Students learn to operate drones safely, understand FAA regulations, maintain equipment, and apply UAS technology reflecting practices used by commercial UAS operators.
Graduates qualify for commercial drone pilot positions with FAA certification or continue into specialized UAS applications. Growing commercial drone market creates diverse career opportunities.
Unmanned Aerial Systems at a Glance
2
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Mississippi CTE Standards for Unmanned Aerial Systems require demonstrated competency in safe flight operations, regulatory compliance, and equipment maintenance. Students must prepare for FAA Part 107 commercial drone pilot examination aligned with state framework from Mississippi Department of Education and Career Success.
Pathway standards integrate safety consciousness with technical proficiency and regulatory knowledge. Students develop understanding of UAS applications and industry best practices.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Transportation Systems and Logistics |
| Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Commercial Drone Pilot
Entry LevelSalary range: $80,090 - $172,490
Adjusted for cost of living: $91,752
UAS Operator - Agriculture
ExperiencedSalary range: $67,970 - $115,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $100,790
UAS Operator - Mapping/Inspection
ExperiencedSalary range: $28,510 - $45,010
Adjusted for cost of living: $39,581
UAS Program Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $58,360 - $133,270
Adjusted for cost of living: $101,146
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students work with commercial UAS operators throughout Mississippi, gaining experience in drone operations and applications.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Mississippi CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Mississippi Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Mississippi's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Mississippi standards and industry needs evolve
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