Professional Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

Admission requirements

Application dates

Applications are accepted until the program start date but are subject to change.

• Fall 2022 start: applications opened on Oct. 6, 2021.

Program requirements

At least 50% in the following courses or their equivalents:

• English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2
• Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30,
• one grade 12 science course

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.

SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. 

Direct entry: four-step process

Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.

Step 3: Apply and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.   

• Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full. 

Step 4: Log in to mySAIT.ca to check your admission status and monitor changes to your application status. 

Failure to meet anticipated final grades will result in offers being rescinded.

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. 

We receive a significant number of applications for this program so the selection process can take some time. Every effort will be made to maintain the timeline above. We appreciate your patience. 

Courses

Program outline

Course code	Course name	Credit
AERO-200	Advanced Mapping for RPAS	1.5
AERO-201	Basic Mapping for RPAS	1.5
AERO-202	Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS)	3.0
AERO-208	Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems - Professional Flight School	3.0
AREG-209	RPAS System Servicing	3.0
AERO-212	RPAS- Professional Operations and Planning	3.0
INSP-200	Visual Inspection Level II	1.5
PROJ-222	RPAS Capstone	1.5
Program total		18.0

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines. 

Costs 2021/22

Domestic tuition and fees*

Year	Tuition fees	SAIT fees	Saitsa fees	Health and dental plan	Total
1	$8,900	$793.20	$287.77	$252	$10,233

_{*Fees and tuition are based on a two-semester full course load structure. There may be additional fees for practicums and terms held outside of this time frame.}

SAIT fees

• Campus athletic and recreation fee: $183.20
• Universal transit pass (Upass): $310
• Student support fee: $150
• Student technology fee: $150

Health and dental fees

Domestic students

• Health plan: $122
• Dental plan: $130

Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.

International students

• Health and Dental plan: $252

For more information on health and dental benefits for international students, please contact the International Centre.

Books and supplies*

Books are approximately $50 to $150.

A mandatory drone build kit must be purchased from SAIT for approximately $500 - $1000.

For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.

Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

_{*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.}

Costs 2022/23

Domestic tuition and fees

Cost per credit: $529

Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	SAIT fees	Saitsa fees*	Total
1	1	$9,522	$458	$407.50	$10,387.50

_{*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.}

SAIT fees

• Campus athletic and recreation fee: $98
• Universal transit pass (Upass): $160
• Student support fee: $100
• Student technology fee: $100

Saitsa fees

Student Association fee

• Maximum: $145.50

This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.

Health and dental fees

• Health plan: $127
• Dental plan: $135

Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.

For more information on health and dental benefits for international students, please contact the International Centre.

Books and supplies*

Books are approximately $50 to $150.

A mandatory drone build kit must be purchased from SAIT for approximately $500 – $1000.

For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.

Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

_{*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.}

Next steps for incoming students

Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.

Orientation

To find the time and platform, visit our orientation page.

Computers and laptops

This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Required equipment/tools

A tool list and timeline for purchasing the items will be provided at orientation.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

The industry-approved PPE you'll need will be discussed during orientation.

Preparation courses

To support your success, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience and ETHI 110: SAIT Ethical Practices.

Required textbooks

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase is required this term.

Contact

Phone: 403.284.7018
Email: aerocentre@sait.ca

Academic chair

Stephanie Hogewoning, Academic Chair
Email: stephanie.hogewoning@sait.ca

Next steps for all students

Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!

Next steps for accepted students

Important dates and deadlines

Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.

Important dates