2026 US(AZ): Drone & Photogrammetry Training for Archaeologists (Winter)

Location: Flagstaff, AZ, USA

Season: December 29, 2025 to January 9, 2026

Application Deadline: December 6, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2026-us-drones/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Northern Arizona University and Center for Field Sciences

Project Director:
Dr. Kayeleigh Sharp

Project Description:

Drones (aka Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/UAV) are an essential tool in contemporary archaeological practice. Drones help locate and document sites, increasing site recording effectiveness and saving time and money. Flying a drone is relatively simple and it takes little time to learn how to do it. This field school does teach the basics of drone flying, but spends significantly more time teaching students how to effectively and legally use this tool for archaeological research. Students will learn, and fly, different types of drones with a range of sensors. Students will also learn the legal restrictions of flying a drone in the U.S., over different types of public and private lands. Finaly, students will spend a full week learning how best to record, analyze and interpret drone-born data.

This field school is intensive and designed to provide students with basic skills and knowledge needed to become professional UAV operators – in Academia or Cultural Resource Management. By the end of this program, students will be able to take the FAA Part 107 certification test and become legal & licensed operators that can conduct safe and responsible UAV fieldwork.

Please Note: Anyone flying a drone/UAV for commercial purposes needs a license, officially known as a Part 107 certificate, from the FAA. For recreational flying, you don’t need a license, but you must pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and register your drone with the FAA if it weighs over 250 grams.

Period(s) of Occupation: Contact & Pre-Contact periods

Notes:
Tuition is $2,631; Earn 4 Semester Credit Units through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: None. This is a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity and students will study on-site how to conduct archaeological research under the direction of a range of specialists in the field. Field work involves physical work and exposure to the elements and thus requires a measure of understanding that this will not be the typical university learning environment. You will have to work outdoors in physically demanding environments, and students must plan ahead for both cold and hot weather conditions. Students are required to come equipped with sufficient excitement and an adequate understanding that fieldwork requires real, hard work, in the sun and wind and perhaps even snowy conditions. The work requires patience, discipline, and attention to detail.

Room and Board Arrangements:
This program does not provide room or board. Flagstaff is a major tourist with many accommodations options – from short term room sharing rentals (Airbnb, etc.) to boutique hotels – in a wide range of prices. A list of on and off-campus accommodation will be provided during the online orientation. Flagstaff is a major tourist destination with a wide variety of restaurants, grocery stores and delis. Several restaurants are within walking distance from our lab space on NAU campus.

Academic Credit:
4 Semester Credit Units through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College