Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched a summer programme to give school students practical experience in drone operations, maintenance and assembly, expanding efforts to build a skilled workforce for emerging aviation technologies.The DroneX Summer Technical Programme, organised in partnership with WingTech, targets pupils in Grades 9 to 11. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on training intended to develop technical competence, encourage innovation and promote the safe and responsible use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The programme was launched under the patronage of Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Eng. Nayef Ali Al Abri. It forms part of a broader push to introduce younger generations to advanced aviation systems while helping participants explore academic and professional opportunities in engineering, technology and civil aviation.
DroneX is divided into three specialised tracks. The first focuses on operational flight, teaching participants how drones are controlled and how flight procedures are planned and carried out. A second track covers technical maintenance, including the inspection of equipment, identification of faults and basic servicing requirements.
The third track introduces students to the manufacture, assembly and piloting of first-person-view drones. FPV aircraft transmit live video from an onboard camera to a screen or headset, allowing the operator to fly from the perspective of the drone. The technology is widely used in racing, filming, inspections, training and specialised commercial operations.
Organisers said the structure would allow students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and work directly with systems used across the expanding drone industry. Practical exercises are designed to strengthen problem-solving, teamwork and engineering skills while helping instructors identify young people with an aptitude for aviation technology.
Safety is a central element of the training. Students are being introduced to responsible flight practices, operating restrictions and the need to protect people, property and controlled airspace. Such instruction is increasingly important as drones become more accessible and their civilian applications expand.
Oman regulates unmanned aircraft through civil aviation rules covering registration, operating permissions and risk management. Small recreational aircraft may qualify for limited exemptions, but users remain subject to safety requirements and restrictions established under civil aviation law.
The authority has also taken steps to improve oversight of commercial drone activity. A licensed drone traffic management service has been established to support aircraft registration and the management of unmanned operations, reflecting the growing need to integrate drones safely into national airspace.
The student programme follows wider efforts to develop advanced air mobility in Oman. The Civil Aviation Authority has promoted a phased approach involving regulation, infrastructure, technology testing and partnerships with specialist companies. Areas under consideration include autonomous aircraft, electric vertical take-off and landing systems and new services for logistics, surveillance and emergency response.
Drones are already used internationally for infrastructure inspection, aerial mapping, agriculture, environmental monitoring, photography and disaster assessment. Their ability to reach difficult terrain quickly has also increased interest from energy companies, construction businesses and public safety agencies.
For Oman, training younger students could help create a domestic talent pipeline for these applications. Technical familiarity gained before university may encourage participants to pursue engineering, robotics, computer science, aviation management or aircraft maintenance.
The initiative supports Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to develop a diversified, knowledge-based economy with stronger links between education, innovation and labour-market requirements. Expanding science and technology skills is viewed as essential to reducing dependence on imported expertise and improving the competitiveness of national industries.
Partnerships between regulators and technology companies can also expose students to workplace practices that schools may not be equipped to provide. WingTech’s role includes supporting practical modules and offering specialist knowledge connected with aircraft construction, flight and maintenance.
The summer timing allows students to undertake concentrated technical instruction without disrupting the academic year. It also provides an organised setting for experimentation during the school holiday, when demand for educational programmes and vocational activities typically increases.
Participants are expected to leave with an understanding of drone components, flight controls and operational preparation rather than merely learning how to operate a consumer device. Assembly work can introduce concepts involving electronics, motors, batteries, sensors, radio communication and aerodynamics.
Maintenance training is equally significant because safe drone operations depend on equipment reliability. Students are being taught that pilots must inspect aircraft, monitor battery performance, identify damaged components and understand how technical faults can affect flight stability.
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Oman