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Fly a drone in Mather Library

January 11, 2018

University Relations

The 12 brightly colored hula hoops serve as the checkpoints for the library’s drone racing track. UAF photo by Josh Hartman.
The 12 brightly colored hula hoops serve as the checkpoints for the library’s drone racing track. UAF photo by Josh Hartman.


Drones are fun to watch, but even more fun to fly. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 1-2 p.m. anyone with a PolarExpress card can have that opportunity. The event will be at the Keith B. Mather Library, and will be overseen by Associate Research Professor Peter Webley and Matthew Westhoff, a drone pilot. Webley and Westhoff will teach participants about drones and how to fly them responsibly.

The Alaska Center for Unmanned Aerial System Integration has set up a drone racing course in the basement of the library, where UAF students, faculty or staff will be able to check out a “tiny whoop” drone to fly in the netted-off course.

After training, PolarExpress card holders will be able to check out a drone just like a library book. Those who don’t have a card can watch drone flights without checking one out themselves. Anyone from across the university system is encouraged to come.

For more information visit the Facebook event page.