Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations

*Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and Convention refugees.
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. Program faculty include the three co-authors of the industry leading textbook on the subject (Unmanned: Textbook for RPAS Studies).
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.
As data gathering and its use is exploding in importance across most fields today, drone use is applicable to a wide spectrum of industries, who are looking for trained operators, data collectors, data analysers and maintenance personnel. Graduates of Fanshawe’s RPAS Commercial Operations program possess the skills, knowledge, and developing experience to conduct a wide range of commercial RPAS operations to meet these client needs.
This one-year graduate certificate will add an in-demand skill set to your toolbox and is a great complement to those who have completed a wide range of programs, including:
Advanced Law Enforcement, Investigations and Security
Broadcasting - Television and Film Production
Business Administration - Marketing
Building Renovation Technology
Construction Engineering Technology - Management
Construction Engineering Technician
Construction Project Management
Construction Job Site Management
Environmental Design & Planning
Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Golf and Club Management (Co-op)
Adam Debevc
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
Test | Score |
---|---|
TOEFL iBT | 88 |
IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands |
CAEL | Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands |
PTE Academic | 59 |
Cambridge English | Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169 |
ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10 |
Duolingo | Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105 |
1. In accordance with Transport Canada's overall requirements, the pilot operating a UAV must:
2. Evidence of Good Health
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. |
*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.