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Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations
Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations is a one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program. Students will learn the skills to design, support, operate, market and maintain RPAS or UAV commercial operations. This program provides graduates with entrepreneurial, research, and market analysis to bridge the gap between the technical and business aspects of this growing industry.
Become a qualified drone pilot and take to the skies! - 2022/2023
Please note: This program will not be offered in May 2022.
The Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) Commercial Operations program, located at Fanshawe's Aviation Centre next to the London International Airport, will cover all aspects of RPAS systems including electrical and electronic systems such as communication, navigation and data systems.
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 that 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.
Program Availability
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2022 September
London - Airport
Open
2023 January
London - Airport
Open
2023 May
London - Airport
Open
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2022 September
London - Airport
Open
2023 January
London - Airport
Open
2023 May
London - Airport
Open
Program Details
Program Code
RPS1
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Adam Debevc
Delivery
Day Time
Full-Time
Full-Time
Credential
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
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
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.
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| AVIA-6008 | Ground School | 3 | ||
| The Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Ground School course enables students to develop the foundational aviation knowledge required for commercial or research RPAS operations. The course is compliant with Transport Canada's regulations regarding Basic and Advanced RPAS Pilot training and is required for certification. | ||||
| 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. | ||||