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New Commercial Drone Textbook Has Been Released

Authors Mike Rivard and Tyler Caros published a new educational resource for drone pilots.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Robotics

Isometric editorial illustration of a technical drone rotor arm and frame on a plain background.
Authors Mike Rivard and Tyler Caros have released a new textbook, 'Drone Dynamics,' designed to prepare students for professional careers in the commercial drone industry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mike Rivard and Tyler Caros have authored a new textbook titled Drone Dynamics: The Technology, Science and Piloting of Commercial Drones. Published by Goodheart-Wilcox, the book provides students with a foundational understanding of commercial drone operations.

Why it matters

The authors intend to prepare high school and community college students for a growing demand for drone pilots and related professional services. The book serves as a guide for those entering the commercial drone field.

The curriculum includes a comprehensive chapter on Federal Aviation Administration remote pilot certification. The material uses photos, charts, and graphs to explain how drones monitor soil and irrigation to aid corn growth.

The players

Mike Rivard

He is the founder of RadFlight and co-author of the new drone textbook.

Tyler Caros

He is a professional at RadFlight and co-author of the textbook.

Goodheart-Wilcox

This Illinois-based company is the publisher of the new educational textbook.

Federal Aviation Administration

This federal agency manages the remote pilot certification standards covered in the textbook.

The details

The text covers the technical aspects and science behind commercial drone use, drawing on the professional background of the authors. Rivard, who founded the company RadFlight in 2011, and Caros, who joined the firm in 2012, aim to ground students in real-world drone applications.

Timeline

  1. Nikola Tesla demonstrated a radio-controlled boat in 1898.

  2. Goodheart-Wilcox began printing educational resources in 1921.

  3. Mike Rivard founded his company RadFlight in 2011.

  4. Tyler Caros began working with RadFlight in 2012.

  5. The textbook was released in October 2026.

The Tech Race

The introduction of this textbook marks a shift toward formalizing drone training as a standard career path for students. It builds upon a long history of remote-control technology that dates back to Nikola Tesla's 1898 demonstration of a radio-controlled boat.

High school and community college students can use this textbook to gain the knowledge required for professional certification. The curriculum provides practical insights into how drones are used in modern agriculture to manage crop growth.

The takeaway

The drone industry is expanding rapidly, creating a need for standardized educational resources to train the next generation of pilots. Students interested in the field should focus on mastering FAA certification requirements as a baseline for professional entry.

Further reading

For more background on the field, explore the latest Robotics news.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.

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Would you consider pursuing a career or certification in the commercial drone industry?