Drone Academy
Tiffin University launches the drone academy
Tiffin University has announced the opening of its Drone Academy in response to the growing and expanding drone industry. The Academy has become a place of learning, research and achievement for the advancement of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. Featuring academic classes, training seminars, community outreach programs, certification opportunities and recreational activities like Community Fly Days, the Drone Academy provides theoretical and applied learning for the technological and operational aspects of the industry.
The Academy has been designated to participate in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and allows the Academy and University to collaborate with the FAA, in order to provide aid to students pursuing a career in drone aviation. The designation also provides the opportunity to partner with industry professionals, local government officials, members of law enforcement and other organizations to provide enrolled students with the industry-skills needed to ensure success.
The University also has plans to establish a minor in UAS that will be available to all undergraduate seated students, regardless of their major. The minor will introduce UAS technology to students that can be utilized in many different professions. There will also be a new concentration in UAS for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree that will offer students the ability to explore various UAS platforms and be able to master the concepts of programming for UAS Technologies.
Both the minor and concentration will introduce students to hands on drone flights in class as well as the knowledge to pass their Part 107 Remote Pilot License by the FAA. Students also will gain knowledge in python programming as well as advanced UAS flight platforms. Finally, students are taught the basics of videography and photography using drones.
Through the Drone Academy students can join the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) through the Tiffin University AMA University Model Aviation Student (UMASC) Chapter (in many cases at no charge to the student). This opportunity provides extensive resources, scholarships, grants and insurance for the students in Drone Academy.
Drone Industry Fast Facts
- 854,606 drones registered
- 321,771 commercial drones registered
- 529,331 recreational drones registered
- 267,962 Remote pilots certified
Source: faa.gov/uas/resources/by_the_numbers/
- Businesses and the government have spent an estimated $13 billion on drones.
Source: goldmansachs.com/insights/technology-driving-innovation/drones/
- The drone industry is expected to grow at 15% CAGR (Continued Annual Growth Rate) over the next five years.
Source: mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/drones-market
- The number of jobs operating drones will reach 422,000 by the end of 2022.
Source: droneblog.com/are-drone-jobs-in-demand/
- Through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Research Program, a recent research project completed for the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Ohio UAS Center by Crown Consulting Inc. concluded that Ohio could expect $13 billion economic impact over 25 years by investing in advanced autonomous aircraft sector.
Source: uas.ohio.gov/initiatives/flyohio-initiative/ohio+aam+economic+impact+report
- If Ohio acts to capture this emerging market, researchers concluded that Ohio could expect Advanced Air Mobility to contribute 15,000 new jobs, $2.5 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues and 1.6% GDP growth through 2045.
Source: uas.ohio.gov/initiatives/flyohio-initiative/ohio+aam+economic+impact+report
- In the UAS industry there are several opportunities that exist. Employment opportunities for UAS that currently exist for students:
- Public safety (fire/law/EMS)
- Surveillance
- Fire hot spots
- Scene oversight
- Search and rescue
- o Disaster relief
- o Order delivery and fulfillment
- Commercial photography (real estate, weddings, etc.)
- Commercial movie making
- 3D Modeling (mapping, GIS, etc.)
- Agriculture
- Inspections (tower, bridges, power lines, windmills, cell phones, etc.)
- Geological surveying
- Wildlife monitoring
- Public safety (fire/law/EMS)
Drone Academy Faculty
The Director and Assistant Director of the Drone Academy are a part of the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) as DronePros. As DronePros, they have completed FAA-led interviews and training. The Federal Aviation Administration leads this initiative to promote drone safety. This affiliation allows TU to offer presentations or flight demos to potential students or interested groups and cements our commitment to promoting responsible drone practices.
Owen Fritz
School of Science, Technology and Health
Degrees & Certificates
Ph.D. Candidate, Northcentral University
M.B.A., Tiffin University
B.B.A., Tiffin University
A.A.B., Terra State Community College
CFOT, Certified Fiber Optics Technician
MOS, Microsoft Office Specialist
Professor Owen Fritz began with Tiffin University in the fall of 2015 as an affiliate professor for the School of Business in the areas of Computer Information Systems and Economics. In the spring of 2018, he became a full-time faculty member within the Computer Information Systems program. In 2019, Owen is proud to have worked alongside Dr. George Miller in bringing revamping the Computer Information Systems program into the new Computer Science Program offering a B.S. in Computer Science.
Owen’s research interests include Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT) & Generation Z, Technological Social Responsibility, and Office Applications in the Workplace.
Before academia, Owen has worked a variety of different jobs that have allowed him to develop a wealth of knowledge to pass on to students entering the field. Professor Fritz is a graduate of Tiffin University and is proud to be a #dragonforlife! Outside of the University, he has many different passions and interests that keep him involved in the community. One passion is weather, and Owen is responsible for the Sandusky County Skywarn (Storm Spotters) program that falls under the Sandusky County Emergency Management Agency. Also, he is an Asst. Emergency Coordinator for the Sandusky County Amateur Radio Emergency Service program that is back up communications when disasters should occur. Owen also is an avid fan of basketball as he can see him at most Dragon home games working scoring at the table as well as he is active with many activities around campus including serving as a Faculty Advisor for the ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) Student Chapter.
Professional Memberships
- ACM (Association of Computing Machinery)
- ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League)
- CCSC (Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges)
- NCHE (National Council for Higher Education)
- SIGCSE (ACM Special Interest Group of Computer Science Education)
Bruce Chambers
School of Science, Technology and Health
Ryan Gillmor
School of Science, Technology and Health
Ryan D. Gillmor is a veteran public safety professional, technologist, and community leader with nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement and municipal operations. He currently serves as the IT Coordinator and Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Willard, Ohio, where he oversees technology systems, code compliance, and public safety initiatives. Ryan also serves as one of the Asst. Directors of the Tiffin University Drone Academy.
Ryan’s career began in the early 1990s as a dispatcher and police officer, culminating in 27 years with the Willard Police Department, where he advanced through the ranks to sergeant and supervisor of both officers and the detective bureau. Alongside his law enforcement career, he became a trusted IT consultant, managing servers, databases, and systems critical to public safety operations.
He later served as Deputy Director of the Huron County Emergency Management Agency, where he coordinated countywide emergency response planning, grant administration, and communications systems. His technical expertise also led to the creation of Huron County’s first Mobile Device Forensics Lab in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service.
An FAA-licensed drone pilot, Ryan leads the Willard Public Safety Drone Unit and has introduced innovative programs for schools, including drone education and eSports initiatives. He also teaches as an adjunct instructor for several Ohio police academies, helping train the next generation of law enforcement professionals.
Ryan is a graduate of the University of Toledo, an OPOTA-certified peace officer, and holds advanced certifications in computer forensics and mobile device investigations. A Project Leadership of Huron County graduate and active member of the Willard Fraternal Order of Police. Ryan Gillmor’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to integrity, innovation, and service—qualities that have made him a respected leader in both public safety and community development.
David Gierhart
School of Science, Technology and Health
David has been flying drones for 5 years. Member of the Sandusky County Drone Emergency Response Team. Prior 20 years, building and flying remote control airplanes. Licensed FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot. Mechanical Engineering Associate’s Degree, Terra Technical College. Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree, University of Toledo. Forty-year career as a Draftsman, Product Designer, Plastics Engineer, Quality Engineer. Six Sigma Certified Black Belt in problem solving. Retired in 2011 from Whirlpool Corporation, Clyde, Ohio where I live with my wife Mary. We have five children and five grandchildren.
What sets the Tiffin University Drone Academy apart is that we take pride in having real world instructors with decades of experience in the industry. We want to ensure that students are taught real world practices in this fast changing technology to ensure they are successful in their future careers and endeavors. We link knowledge to professional practice.