South Panola, Grenada host remote pilot course

In a major advancement for aviation education and workforce development in Mississippi, the South Panola High School Air Force JROTC and Grenada High School Naval JROTC programs jointly hosted the first FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Training Course ever conducted in Grenada. The collaborative initiative brought together JROTC cadets and community members seeking to earn the knowledge and credentials required to become FAA-certified commercial drone pilots.

The training marks another milestone for two of the nation’s premier high school drone education programs. Both the South Panola and Grenada JROTC drone programs have earned national recognition for excellence in drone education, STEM innovation, leadership development, and competitive drone operations. Their continued success is helping position Mississippi as a national leader in preparing the next generation of aviation and autonomous systems professionals.

Twelve participants enrolled in the inaugural course, with ten successfully completing the training. Nine participants went on to take the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test, and six passed on their first attempt, earning the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. The remaining participants came within a few questions of passing and plan to retest in the coming weeks.

The course was made possible through the collaborative support of two Mississippi nonprofit organizations—the National Drone and STEM Advancement Center (NDSAC) and The Bean Path—in partnership with the South Panola and Grenada JROTC programs. Additional support was provided by the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club, Jackson Chapter, which furnished meals throughout the training, and the South Panola High School AFJROTC Booster Club, which supplied study materials for every participant.

Together, these organizations funded the FAA training and testing fees for participating cadets and community members, removing financial barriers while expanding access to career opportunities in the rapidly growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry.

“Providing students and community members with access to FAA certification is an investment in Mississippi’s future workforce,” the event organizers said. “This partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community leaders work together to create pathways into high-demand, high-paying careers.”

Instruction was led by two highly respected military veterans and aviation educators.

Colonel Marvin Reed, Senior Naval Science Instructor for the Grenada High School Naval JROTC Program and a retired United States Marine Corps officer with 32 years of service, including duty as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot, emphasized the broader significance of the training.

“This course is about much more than preparing students to pass an FAA examination,” Reed said. “It equips young people with technical knowledge, leadership, discipline, and confidence that will benefit them throughout their lives. Watching our cadets and community members embrace these opportunities has been incredibly rewarding, and this partnership between South Panola and Grenada demonstrates what can be accomplished when schools work together toward a common vision.”

The course was co-instructed by Technical Sergeant Rodney Williams, Aerospace Science Instructor at South Panola High School Air Force JROTC and widely recognized as one of the driving forces behind the expansion of JROTC drone education throughout Mississippi.

“Several years ago, we believed drones could become one of the most powerful tools for inspiring students and connecting them to meaningful careers,” Williams said. “Today, that vision continues to grow. Through partnerships with Grenada, the National Drone and STEM Advancement Center, The Bean Path, and our many community supporters, we’re creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. This is only the beginning of building Mississippi’s future drone workforce.”

South Panola and Grenada have become two of the nation’s most accomplished JROTC drone programs, earning multiple national championships and top national rankings while mentoring students who have competed at the highest levels of the National JROTC Drone Championship Series. Their success has inspired schools across Mississippi to establish drone education programs, creating new educational and workforce pathways for students statewide.

The partnership between South Panola and Grenada reflects a shared commitment to expanding STEM education, aviation training, and workforce readiness throughout Mississippi. Organizers plan to make the FAA Part 107 training course an annual event while using it as a model for additional regional partnerships across the state.

As the commercial drone industry continues its rapid expansion across agriculture, public safety, infrastructure inspection, emergency management, logistics, energy, construction, filmmaking, real estate, and national defense, initiatives like this ensure Mississippi students and citizens are well positioned to compete for careers in one of America’s fastest-growing technology sectors.

Lt. Col. Leonard Boothe, USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of the National Drone and STEM Advancement Center and Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at South Panola High School, said the initiative represents more than a training course — it is the beginning of a long-term investment in Mississippi’s future.

“With the continued leadership of the South Panola and Grenada JROTC programs, along with the support of organizations like The Bean Path, we are building a statewide ecosystem that prepares students, veterans, and community members for careers in aviation, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies,” Boothe said. “Our vision extends beyond Mississippi. We believe this collaborative model can serve as a blueprint for communities across the nation. By investing in education today, we are developing the highly skilled workforce that will drive tomorrow’s economy while ensuring America remains a global leader in drone technology and innovation.”