Thirteen participants from the University of Guam Drone Corps program have earned their Federal Aviation Administration remote pilot certificates, marking the first time the training was extended beyond students to include UOG employees and local agency staff. The cohort celebrated a 100% passing rate on the FAA Part 107b exam this summer.
The Drone Corps, co-administered by NASA Guam Space Grant and NASA Guam EPSCoR under UOG’s Land Grant agInnovation Research Center, partnered with drone services company 2cofly for instruction. The program, which began in 2021, has now produced 55 certified remote pilots to support safe and responsible drone use across the island’s airspace.
Participants represented organizations including the Guam Coral Reef Initiative, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, the Northern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District, nonprofit Tåno, Tåsi, yan Todu, and several UOG programs. Reef restoration biologist Natalie Scott said the certification allows her team to expand surveys of Guam’s reef and coastal habitats, while student Katherine Perez highlighted applications for supporting local farmers through precision agriculture.
2cofly project manager and co-instructor Javier Garrido, a former Drone Corps member, credited teamwork for the cohort’s success. “I’m honored to have led the first cohort to a 100% Part 107 passing rate and look forward to future cohorts meeting this standard,” he said. The Drone Corps continues to emphasize training that blends environmental stewardship, research, and technology innovation.
