Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations
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Program Overview
Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) - Commercial Operations, is a one-year Ontario college graduate certificate program. Students will learn the skills to operate, support, design, assemble, and maintain drones. This program will set you apart in the RPAS industry as a multifaceted professional, with a wide range of skill sets designed to meet the varied needs of industry, with an emphasis on aerial data collection and analysis.
Program Details
Program Code
RPS1
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Delivery
Day Time
Full-Time
Duration
30 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2023 January
London - Airport
Open
2023 May
London - Airport
Open
2023 September
London - Airport
Open
2024 January
London - Airport
Open
2024 May
London - Airport
Open
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2023 January
London - Airport
Open
2023 May
London - Airport
Open
2023 September
London - Airport
Open
2024 January
London - Airport
Open
2024 May
London - Airport
Open
Your Learning Experience
The Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) - Commercial Operations program, located at Fanshawe's Norton Wolf School of Aviation & Aerospace Technology’s 80,000 square-foot hangar next to the London International Airport (CYXU), will cover all aspects of RPAS including electrical and electronic systems, communication, navigation, and data collection and use.
In just one year, the program combines practical training to conduct advanced RPAS operations, with specific data and processing knowledge and workflows required to create deliverables. These are quickly being adopted by many industries such as civil engineering, precision agriculture and construction technology. As a student, you will gain skills in photogrammetry and LiDAR workflows, and become highly adept at software such as Pix4D, QGIS and Virtual Surveyor.
Additionally, this program will provide graduates with entrepreneurial, research, and market analysis skills aimed at bridging the gap between the technical and business aspects of the growing and innovative RPAS industry.
Career Information
Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations program possess the skills and experience to conduct commercial operations across a wide spectrum of industries looking for trained operators and maintenance personnel, including:
- aerospace
- agriculture
- emergency response services
- law enforcement and security
- energy and power
- environmental monitoring
- geographical survey
- government
- humanitarian aid
- industrial operations
- civil infrastructure
- mining, oil and gas
- logistics; and
- real estate
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations program:
UAV Pilot
Conduct flight operations in accordance with safety protocols and provide technical support.
Drone Engineer
Develop new imaging software utilizing high-resolution thermal imaging and geographic information system (GIS) mapping to support the design, permitting and deployment of telecommunication Infrastructure.
Drone Pilot
Operate remotely piloted aircraft systems in rural setting across North America with a focus on the agriculture sector.
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Adam Debevc
Admission Requirements
One of:
A Two-or-Three Year Ontario
College Diploma, or Degree
OR
An equivalent qualification from another institution as judged by
the College
OR
Acceptable combination of related work experience and post
secondary education as judged by the College to be equivalent*
Note:
* Applicants may be required to
submit a resume and cover letter that includes details of work
experience
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years
- An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 75% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9 or 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
Familiarity with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and associated systems would be an asset.Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
1. In accordance with Transport Canada's overall requirements, the pilot operating a UAV must:
- Not suffer from any condition which would render them unfit to perform their duties,
- Have a visual acuity of 20/20 or 20/20 corrected ( ie: use of corrective lenses), and
- Have sufficient English language ability so to be understood by local Air Traffic Control when using VHF radio
2. Evidence of Good Health
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| AVIA-6008 | Ground School | 3 | ||
| The RPAS Ground School course enables you to develop the foundational knowledge required for commercial or research operations using RPA systems. The course is compliant with Transport Canada's regulations regarding RPAS pilot training and is required for certification. The course covers the following specific areas of required knowledge: Air Law, Air Traffic Rules and Procedure; RPAS Airframes, Power Plants, Propulsion, and Systems; Human Factors; Meteorology; Navigation; Flight Operations; Theory of Flight; and Radiotelephony [See TP 15263 - Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems]. | ||||
| AVIA-6014 | Flight Operations | 4 | ||
| The Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Flight Operations course enables students to develop the foundational knowledge required for commercial or research RPAS operations. The students will become familiar with operational elements, have an opportunity to earn their Aviation Radio Operator's License, as well as learn how to work with NAV Canada and Transport Canada. The course is compliant with Transport Canada's regulations regarding Advanced RPAS Pilot training and is required for certification. | ||||
| MANF-6002 | Fabrication & Maintenance 1 | 2.5 | ||
| The Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Fabrication and Maintenance (Part I) course develops introductory technical knowledge and skills through hands-on project-based learning. Students will acquire fabrication and manufacturing problem-solving skills while using tools and equipment to fabricate a quad-multirotor racing UAV. | ||||
| MGMT-6149 | Data Analysis & Payload Management 1 | 2.5 | ||
| The Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Data Analysis and Payload Management (Part I) course develops basic to intermediate knowledge and competency in collecting and converting the data collected by RPAS sensor payloads into useful information that can be analyzed and used. Students develop competency by collecting sensor data and converting it into visual information through PIX4D. | ||||
| AVIA-6015 | Flight Training-Basic | 3.5 | ||
| The Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Basic Flight Training course develops introductory student knowledge and competency in flying RPAS for commercial applications. The students develop initial piloting skills using a computer based RPAS flight simulator and a small multi-rotor RPAS. The course is compliant with Transport Canada's regulations regarding Advanced RPAS Pilot training and is required for certification. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London - Airport
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.