Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems Commercial Operations
Image
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
Duration
30 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 January
London
Open
2025 May
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2026 May
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 January
London
Open
2025 May
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2026 May
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
The Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) - Commercial Operations program 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.
Check out what's happening in the RPAS program!
Career Information
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)
Fanshawe's RPAS program was my favourite part of my whole college experience. Getting to learn from professors who actively work in the RPAS world, helped me to kickstart an exciting and rewarding career, and gave me the best set of skills and industry knowledge to land my first big job straight out of college! This program provided me with unforgettable hands-on training to handle everything that multiple industries are crying for!
Eric Neyens
UAV Pilot / GIS Technician, Arcadis
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Adam Debevc
Pathways
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
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| 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 |
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
*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.