Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

In this course, students will develop an introductory understanding of the diverse applications of drones across various sectors. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify potential drone use cases, assess their feasibility, and contribute to the responsible integration of drones into society.

In this course, you will use the skills you learn to execute an RPAS mission from planning to completion. As you develop and refine the workflow of a mission, you’ll get hands-on experience in RPAS operations, including multi-rotor and fixed-wing RPAS, under the guidance of experienced operators. Topics include mission planning, dispatch, on-site assessments, operational flight skills, data collection, and post-flight operations. You’ll also learn how to respond to emergency situations. At the end of the course, you will complete Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems - Flight Reviewer, based on Transport Canada’s requirements, which allows you to obtain the Pilot Certificate for Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (VLOS)-Advanced Operations. In addition to VLOS you will also gain practical hands-on experience preparing for and conducting your own BVLOS missions. As well as complete any other flying requirements that will support the program’s first semester.

This remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) course gives you the professional skills to plan, conduct and complete complex RPAS operations within Canadian airspace. Current and prospective RPAS pilots will learn effective and safe operations that incorporate important mandatory knowledge requirements. You’ll explore a range of topics including Canadian regulations and best practices, site assessments, meteorology and dispatch. You’ll also examine pre-flight, flight operations and postflight activities and emergency procedures. The information presented in this course will prepare you to challenge Industry Canada’s Radiotelephone Restricted Operator Certificate-Aeronautical (ROC-A) and TC RPAS Small Advanced exam required by CAR Part IX.

In this course you will examine the specific regulations and procedures that apply when flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions with remotely piloted aircraft. You’ll conduct operational risk assessments (ORA), determine the airworthiness of an aircraft and explore the challenges specific to BVLOS environments.

Building upon the foundational skills acquired in the prior flight school course, students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, refine their piloting techniques, and demonstrate proficiency in operating drones for various applications. Through a combination of practical flight training, data collection exercises, and advanced maneuvers, students will expand their capabilities, enhance their situational awareness, and develop the expertise required to operate drones effectively in diverse environments and under varying conditions.

In this course students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical, powerplant, data link and networking systems integral to both small and large drone platforms. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of the components and systems that comprise drones, along with the theoretical knowledge of servicing and maintenance on a variety of drone platforms. They will also gain a depth of understanding in how to create airworthiness schedules for drones and how to remain in compliance with these schedules.

In this course students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical understanding in drone mechanics, powerplant systems, data links, and networking to practical scenarios, gaining proficiency in servicing, maintenance, and compliance management for a variety of drone platforms. By the end of the course, students will emerge with a comprehensive understanding of drone systems maintenance, compliance management, and airworthiness scheduling. They will be equipped with practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and ethical awareness necessary to excel in careers involving drone maintenance, operation, and regulatory compliance.

This course is designed to develop technical writing and presentation skills to ensure workplace readiness. Students will learn how to evaluate communication situations, analyze documents, assess research sources and develop organizational skills to apply in their work. They will learn about and practice designing, formatting and writing a range of professional documents. Students will also develop confidence (through practice) in the development and delivery of effective and engaging presentations.

Equivalents:

• COMN 220
• COMM 1070
• COMM 260

In this course, students will develop the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize drone-mounted sensors for data collection and analysis across a range of applications. With a comprehensive understanding of sensor technologies, they will understand how to plan and execute drone missions, comply with regulatory requirements, analyze sensor data, and derive actionable insights to inform decision-making processes. In addition, the students will also demonstrate the knowledge and understanding needed to obtain a thermography certificate.

In this course students will learn that in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to innovate and communicate the value of novel ideas is crucial for organizational success. This course delves into the principles of intrapreneurship, innovation, and effective communication of value propositions through use cases. Students will learn to develop proposals, cost analyses, scopes, and Request for Proposals (RFPs), while identifying and communicating their unique value propositions (VP). They will understand who to perform small scale business intelligence reporting and effectively identify and communicate risks.

This course explores the intersection of Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operations with Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. Students will learn about Indigenous worldviews, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and their applications in modern drone technology, particularly in environmental monitoring and land management. The course emphasizes respectful engagement with Indigenous communities and sustainable practices in RPAS operations.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the ever-evolving landscape of the drone industry, encompassing industry trends, regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and special topics. Through engaging guest speakers, interactive sessions, and innovative learning methods, students will gain insights into the multifaceted dimensions of the drone industry and develop essential skills for navigating their career paths within this dynamic field.

This course provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial concepts, focusing on the use of Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for mapping and data collection. Students will explore the fundamentals of spatial data types such as vectors and rasters, and develop skills in geospatial data management. The course will cover cartographic principles through the creation of mission maps and how to use this data for RPAS mission planning. Core topics include coordinate systems, data integration, and mapping software tools. By working with data collected from RPAS missions, students will learn how to convert flight data into actionable spatial information for applications like land use planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management.

Building on the foundational knowledge of GIS and RPAS mapping, this course delves into remote sensing techniques and more advanced geospatial analysis. Students will explore the principles of electromagnetic radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum, and learn to work with aerial imagery in both RGB and Multispectral formats. Topics include manual interpretation of RGB imagery, classification of multispectral data, and the processing of image datasets through photogrammetry. In addition, students will gain hands-on experience in collecting and processing LiDAR data, and generating advanced geospatial products such as orthophoto mosaics, digital terrain models (DTM), digital elevation models (DEM), and digital surface models (DSM). The course will also cover applications such as tree canopy models and volumetric calculations through remote sensing analysis.

In this course students will be introduced to essential project management skills tailored specifically for the dynamic field of drone technology. Throughout the course, students will learn fundamental principles of project management and then apply these concepts to a group capstone project in the subsequent semester. In preparation for the group capstone project, students will begin brainstorming project ideas, forming project teams, and conducting preliminary research on potential project scopes. They will apply the project management principles learned throughout the course to develop a comprehensive project plan and proposal, laying the groundwork for successful project execution.

In this course, students will gain the skills to develop, implement, and manage comprehensive risk frameworks tailored to the specific needs of drone operations. They will be equipped with the critical thinking skills and practical tools necessary to navigate the dynamic and evolving landscape of operational risk in the drone industry. Whether working as drone pilots, operators, or managers, graduates of this course will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of drone operations.

Ethics in Technology provides an introduction to ethical theory as it applies to the assessment of current issues related to advancing information technology. Issues covered include intellectual property, network security and privacy focusing on ethical issues in both the fundamental problems and the approaches to mitigate or solve them.

In the capstone project, students will work in teams to tackle real-world problems using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). They will apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained throughout the diploma program to select and develop their own projects. This will involve aligning skills in drone mechanics, regulatory frameworks, operational strategies, and project management with their chosen scope using a holistic approach to problem solving. Industry partners will be actively engaged in the student capstone projects and provide students with valuable insights that will enhance the learning experience and foster connections with professionals in the RPAS field. Upon completion, students will demonstrate their ability to design, execute, and present innovative solutions, honing their skills to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

In this course you will learn the use of common hand and power tools, hands-on practice with precision measuring tools and basic electrical and electronic standard practices. All these skills will be applied to final project, the assembly and configuration of a multi-rotor RPA.