NEW LEXINGTON -- On a cloudy fall afternoon, drone propellers buzzed over the grassy field at New Lexington High School's track where a group of students gathered around instructor Aaron Cordle. Sophomore Taykin Verkest gently pushed his drone's controls, sending it into a tight spiral above the football field. On the other end of the track, junior Alexandra Pyle focused intently on perfecting a shot for her latest class project.
New Lexington High School's drone program, now in its second full year, has quickly become one of the most exciting additions to the school's offerings.
"It's been a blast," Verkest said, smiling after completing his flight for the day. "I wasn't really into drones before this, but once I saw what they could do, I got hooked."
His attraction to the program started last year when he watched a demonstration at a school showcase in March, where drones were flying around, showing off what the program had to offer.
"It just looked cool," he said.
What began as an interest turned into something more serious as Verkest realized the skills he's learning could lead to future career opportunities. With Cordle's help, he's now working toward his FAA Part 107 certification, a license required for commercial drone operators.
Pyle's reason for joining the program is more personal. Her older brother Mason -- last year's valedictorian -- was one of the first students to pass the FAA's Part 107 test through the program. His success inspired her to follow in his footsteps.
"He was always talking about how fun it was and how much he learned," Pyle said after her flight session. "He even helped me practice a little over the summer."
Like her brother, she's aiming to earn her FAA Part 107 certification by the end of the year.
"I see how people are using drones in real estate, videography, and agriculture. It's a skill that could really open up career opportunities," she said.
Cordle shares his students' excitement about the growing opportunities in the field. With a background in aviation and technology, he designed the course not just to teach students how to fly drones but also to give them a solid understanding of FAA regulations.
"We're learning how to fly with purpose, whether that's shooting video, mapping, or doing inspections. These kids are learning real-world skills," Cordle explained.
The course also dives into STEM principles, teaching students the science behind how drones operate. Verkest mentioned how factors like wind and humidity can affect drone performance.
"It's more complicated than people think," he said. "But it's really interesting."
Cordle has made sure the students understand these technical elements, preparing them for challenges they might face if they decide to pursue drone-related careers.
The program has come a long way since its early days as an after-school activity with only a handful of participants. Last year, just two students, including Pyle's brother, earned their FAA Part 107 licenses. This year, 20 students are enrolled and Cordle expects even more to pass the test by the end of the school year.
"The interest has been huge," Cordle said. "It's fun, but it's also preparing them for real jobs. That's why it's taken off."
Pyle agreed, noting how her brother's success has motivated her to take the course seriously.
"He did it last year, and now he's in college, but he's already using his license to make money on the side," she said. "He's done some real work, flying his drone, taking pictures and videos."
As drones buzzed overhead, Cordle moved between students, offering advice and answering questions. The drones, including industry-leading models like the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Classic, give students hands-on experience with the kind of equipment they might use professionally one day.
"We want them to be familiar with the tools that are out there," Cordle said. "These are the same drones that professionals use, so by the time they graduate, they'll already have a leg up."
For Verkest, the class is both fun and practical. "There's so much you can do with drones," he said. "And it's not like you're just sitting in a classroom all day. We're out here flying, figuring things out as we go. It's really cool."
Pyle is excited about the potential career opportunities.
"I love getting smooth cinematic shots," she said, landing her drone after her flight. "But it's not just for fun. I can see myself doing this in the future."
With the drone program growing rapidly, Cordle is optimistic about its future. He hopes to expand the curriculum further, offering students more specialized paths as they progress.
"The sky's the limit," he said, laughing at his own pun.