AlteX Launches GTA’s Only
Designated Drone Flight Field 

Drone Training in GTA! 

By YIFEI ZHAO

Drone Flight Field is no longer just a place for pilots to fly, but to also test equipment, explore technologies and network with other industry professionals.

https://altexacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AlteX_Survey_P4PV2_M2P_Trimbal_002.mp4

It is true that drones don’t require the same level of infrastructure or support as airports. But considering drone operations are outdoor by nature, it takes more than an empty field to make a true flight experience. To provide the complete facility for drone pilots to train, practice, and test, AlteX has launched GTA’s first designated drone flight field, only 30 mins from downtown Toronto. With location support, equipment rental and a full team of training professionals, AlteX has created the ultimate flight experience for Drone Training in Toronto.

AlteX has been providing in-person flight training since 2014. With 5 years of field training experience and operating at various locations, we truly understand the needs of drone pilots when it comes to flight operations. With that experience, we launched our permanent location in King City. But what makes a location ideal for drone pilots?

In manned aviation, airplanes have the big sky to explore after taking-off. Drones however, need to fly within visual range and at low altitudes, which restricts the entire flight within a relatively small area. To support multiple drone pilots flying at the same time, a field with at least 20 to 30 acres is needed. At AlteX Flight Field, we have over 70 acres of open field to support more than 10 pilots flying at the same time.

[video src="https://altexacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AlteX_FField_AutelEVO_001.mp4" /]

Any service is only as valuable as its support. Drone flight field is no exception. Featuring support tents, tables, chairs and landing pads for individual flight units, offices and washrooms for the field, AlteX Flight Field ensures pilots can enjoy a comfortable environment while staying focused on flying. In addition, we also provide bug repellent, sunscreen, water, Wi-Fi, equipment loading cart.  All the little details to make it a true experience for drone pilots…

In addition to the size and support of the field, location is another key factor. AlteX flight field is conveniently situated at Hwy 400 and Lloydtown-Aurora road, an easily accessible location only 30 minutes from downtown Toronto. With rolling hills and well-landscaped grounds, we provide all the comfort and a scenic view surrounded by breathtaking nature.

[video src="https://altexacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AlteX_SunSet_M2P_TakeOff_001.mp4" /]

If you are seeking the perfect place for Drone Training in Toronto, come fly with AlteX on GTA’s only designated drone flight field. Train, practice, test and network, join hundreds of professional drone pilots for the ultimate flight experience!

Behind AlteX
Start of Our Drone Journey 

Capturing Nature Photography in Northern Killarney… 

By YIFEI ZHAO

When I stood on a rocky cliff admiring the breathtaking view, I was very much out of breath from the 2-hour hike with over 20 kg of filming gear on our backs. That was our 7th nature filming expedition that year. Exhausted, I found myself wishing for a flying camera to take away the crane, slider, tripod… and instead giving us the unlimited angel, range and possibilities of filming.

This wish became the first step
of our Drone journey 

Same as any successful technology companies, a concept needs to be supported by execution, trial and error, team collaboration and market recognition. Before AlteX we were many things: a self-assembled quad-copter, the first co-axial drone in Canada, a standing SFOC, an industry partner with Humber College, a brand called NTFG Aerial but most of all, we have been a result driven team who enjoys finding solutions to every client’s goal and working with them to achieve it. With that vision in mind, we built AlteX Academy to help industry professionals find solutions through our drone training program. Our team includes a fleet of drones, professional trainers, and 70 acres of designated training and R&D facility just 30 minutes from downtown Toronto.

We are AlteX, a modern drone training school that uses technology to train for technology. Driven by results, we take students beyond basic regulatory requirements and help them succeed through Safe, Efficient, and Effective operations. Join hundreds of AlteX graduates to find your passion and solution in drones.

Yifei and Alex at northern Killarney on the eve of Launching AlteX.

Fulfilling their dream by carrying only a 3kg Drone package to film this video sequence.

https://vimeo.com/182465551

Become a Professional Drone Pilot
with AlteX ACADEMY 

Our training is designed to help students
through every stage of their operations. 

By YIFEI ZHAO

The year 2014 was still early for drone industry adoption. There were many uncertainties as to where the industry was heading to. Most of the students took the course for their own vision of building a drone business. They brought passion and motivation that inspired us to build AlteX Academy, a dedicated Drone Research and Training Company.

Every AlteX Course is driven by our students’ needs. From a simple workshop to Transport Canada ~ Compliant Ground School, Flight Training, and Workflow Setup. Our training is designed to help students through every stage of their operations.

As the industry continued to develop, more and more working professionals took up drone training. From engineers using drones for survey, police and fire fighters for emergency operations, to filmmakers for aerial cinematography and farmers for agriculture monitoring. They came with highly focused goals for government compliance and a workflow solution that delivers results.

The increase in demand from working professionals brought major challenges to traditional classroom training: accessibility, capacity and learning results.

These challenges can only be resolved through online learning. But online learning raised other concerns such as personal attention, content quality, and learning impact. If only we can build a learning system using technology to address traditional learning concerns, providing a real modern learning platform to train for the technology sector. With this vision, we’ve spent the last 2 years researching, building and testing our own Learning Management System.

We are announcing a new modern Learning Management System. With today’s technology, the implementation of features is much more important than the features themselves. With AlteX 2.0, we have applied user experience to every learning feature and make them work for our students.

AlteX 2.0 is fully compatible with mobile learning. Our on-the-go learning goes beyond the standard mobile compatibility. We designed learning content with graphics elements and a navigation panel that fits mobile screen’s size. Our modular and bite-sized learning material also speeds up content loading on a mobile network.

It seems the most popular technology today is adding Smart to all traditional electronics: Smart Phones, Smart TVs, Smart Homes etc. Smart Systems are widely implemented and improving every aspect of our lives. It’s only logical to also have a smart learning system that works for the learner and trainer guiding students through every stage of learning to achieve results.

With AlteX 2.0, we have implemented many smart features such as Smart Quiz, which generates a Post-Quiz Report designed to shows the students’ strengths and weaknesses in each learning module. This enables them to review learning material with a focus.

We have also implemented Smart Support, which provides live support to answer students’ questions during learning. There are many other features such as content search and a learning guide. AlteX Tech Team is always working on new features to make the learning system work for our students.

But of course, the most important part of training was the actual content. When researching professional training, we saw that learners’ #1 reason for taking professional training is because it was mandatory, either required by industry regulation or by the employer. Then, when asked about their biggest disappointment from professional training, most people chose the quality of the learning content. Even with the most engaging instructor, it’s rare to see a course with well designed learning content.

So, when building AlteX 2.0, we set a goal to build courses that inspire people to learn. We studied students’ attention spans to learn how and why they drop. Then we built content such as Fun Facts, Make Connections and Aviation History to spark student’s interest and bring their focus back.

We also implemented content design standards to manage students’ expectations, as well as best practices to help students find their learning style.

One of the major challenges with online training is learning impact, which relates to learner and trainer interactivity. To address it, we included Instructor-Led Webinars hosted at AlteX Studio. The webinars are short and frequent which helps students to address learning challenges. They are also recorded and available for those unable to attend.

The key to modern learning is to let technology work for both learner and trainer alike. AlteX 2.0 is only the beginning of our vision. Currently, we are developing VR and Simulation Training modules that will create a more emerging learning experience for students anywhere. We are also building more application focused courses to help operators implement drones safely, efficiently and to achieve excellent results.

We very much look forward to bringing the best drone training experience to you!

Stay posted as we release more features and updates.