Kerrville Tivy High School senior obtains FAA Drone Pilot License

Tivy High School Senior Lee McDonald has earned his FAA Drone Pilot License, the first Tivy student to complete the process through the Career & Technology Education Aviation pathway offered for students at Tivy.

McDonald went through the training program with about 20 hours worth of video and numerous tests before taking the final exam in San Antonio in February. All of his studying definitely paid off as McDonald only missed one question.

“As the first student, I feel more like it’s about being able to help other students, show them that they can do it. I think it feels cool that I have it.”

McDonald now has an official license to operate drones for commercial use. As a cadet in the AFJROTC program at Tivy, McDonald says he has a passion for flying, thanks to his youth which was spent near Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls while his father was in the service.

McDonald is currently working on obtaining his pilot’s license as he awaits finding out if he will be accepted into the United States Air Force Academy. McDonald is one of two Tivy cadets awarded a full scholarship to attend an accredited aviation university this summer to participate in private pilot license training.

As for the recent drone license, “I think this is a good thing to have in case something ever goes wrong. I have a really cool backup plan,” McDonald said.