ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre, a unit of the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology (APSCS&T), in collaboration with the New Delhi-based Centre for Scientific Outreach, organised a one-day Aviation Outreach Programme on Saturday to introduce students to emerging developments in aviation, aerospace and drone technology.

The programme aimed to familiarise young learners with advancements in the sector while encouraging them to explore career opportunities in aviation and allied fields.

Around 100 participants attended the event, including students from Green Mount School and other schools across the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), accompanied by teachers, cadets of the 1st AP Battalion National Cadet Corps (NCC) from Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College, and internship trainees from Dera Natung Government College.

Addressing the gathering, APSCS&T Chairman Dr Tage Taki urged students to make optimum use of the scientific infrastructure available in the state. Highlighting the transformative potential of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), he said drone technology could revolutionise the delivery of life-saving medicines and essential supplies to remote and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr Taki encouraged students to develop a solution-oriented mindset to address real-world challenges and make use of the Reverse Engineering Facility at the Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology, Innovation and Research (CoE-STIR). Stressing the importance of curiosity and innovation, he remarked that “young minds are like a blank canvas.”

Welcoming the participants, AP Science Centre Curator Vivek Kumar emphasised that scientific outreach should extend beyond classrooms to the grassroots level. He noted that drone technology holds immense potential to improve connectivity, development and public service delivery in a geographically challenging state like Arunachal Pradesh.

The programme featured expert sessions combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure. National Aviation Olympiad National Coordinator Vaibhav Varun of the Centre for Scientific Outreach delivered a presentation on emerging aviation technologies in India, covering drone regulations, certification pathways, aviation safety, global employment prospects and career opportunities. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment.

A live drone demonstration was conducted at Parade Ground, IG Park, by North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Guwahati, expert Gajendra Kumar Gangwar. Participants were introduced to UAV fundamentals, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Drone Rules, 2021, sensor payloads, calibration procedures, safety protocols and flight simulations.

The organisers said the outreach programme successfully bridged the gap between classroom learning and practical technological applications by providing students with valuable insights into contemporary developments in aviation and drone technology.