A hands-on drone operation training course kicked off in Kuwait this weekend, signaling a shift in newsroom capabilities.
The KUNA Center for Development of Media launched the program with the participation of the agency’s staff and colleagues from the Qatar News Agency (QNA). Led by photographer and content creator Eng. Omar Al-Sayed Omar, the course covers the basics of drone operation, photography, and videography, and includes visual and practical sessions that turn theory into on-site skills.
Recent Trends
- Media teams investing in on-site drone training
- On-location drone coverage grows in newsrooms
- Drones become core tools for visual storytelling
drone operation training
Course scope and trainer
The curriculum centers on drone operation fundamentals, camera work, and composition. Participants practice flight planning, take-off and landing, safe piloting, and basic post-processing. The goal is to produce video and photo material that can be packaged for broadcasts or social media with minimal delay.
Curriculum Highlights
Key modules include flight safety, airspace awareness, basic cinematography, and storytelling through aerial shots. The hands-on sessions emphasize real-world scenarios, from event coverage to interview setups, to ensure reporters can rely on drones as a trusted tool rather than a risky novelty.
Participants and schedule
Scheduled to run from November 2 through November 6, the course brings together KUNA staff and QNA colleagues. The hands-on format pairs classroom briefs with visual sessions and controlled flight trials to build practical confidence in drone operations on deadline.
Cross-Border Collaboration
The partnership with QNA illustrates a broader regional push to share best practices in aerial journalism. The program is conducted by Eng. Omar Al-Sayed Omar and supported by the KUNA Center for Development of Media, a unit created in 1995 to raise newsroom skills and editorial capability.
According to MENAFN, the training is designed to elevate safety, efficiency, and storytelling quality in field reporting. This reflects a wider trend in which media outlets blend technical training with editorial goals to deliver timely, accurate coverage of fast-moving events.
For newsroom leaders, the message is clear: drone literacy is moving from a niche skill to a core capability. The shift aligns with regional efforts to modernize reporting tools, while balancing regulatory and safety considerations for responsible aerial coverage.
In this context, the collaboration with QNA signals a growing exchange of best practices that can accelerate the adoption of standardized drone workflows across outlets. The course also serves as a testbed for how media organizations can institutionalize drone competencies while maintaining newsroom efficiency and compliance.
According to MENAFN, the program is part of a structured plan led by Eng. Omar and aims to lift the standard of on-site drone operations across participating bureaus. This development mirrors a broader industry move toward in-house drone capability as outlets seek faster, more vivid coverage of events.
Conclusion
As drones become a staple in the newsroom toolbox, formal training programs like this one help ensure safety, quality, and consistency in aerial reporting. For media groups, it signals that drone operation is no longer optional; it is a necessary skill in modern journalism.
