May 09, 2024

PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog

Professional Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

Location(s): In Person (Art Smith Aero Centre), In Person (Point Trotter Campus)

Launch a cutting-edge career with our Professional Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to operate drones across various commercial sectors.

As industries such as agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, energy, construction, cinematography and emergency response rapidly integrate drone technology, the need for qualified pilots continues to increase.

This program offers a comprehensive education that includes the construction, maintenance and operation of drones, familiarization with Transport Canada’s stringent aviation guidelines, and hands-on experience with geomatics data. You’ll also learn to conduct inspections and mapping for environmental, agricultural and industrial applications and become familiar with the key elements of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and their business applications.

As a student, you will be trained to:

create basic GIS-ready data outputs from RPAS projects
coordinate RPAS flight operations with various RPAS pilots and projects
lead RPAS teams in high-risk, complex operations
carry out complex image analysis and create high-level geospatial outputs for RPAS projects
develop policy for RPAS operation at the company or federal level
ensure company compliance and site audits
contribute to your company’s business plan and design.

You will develop the technical skills necessary to navigate the technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and the strategic insight to enhance company value and comply with regulatory standards.

Once you graduate, you’ll be prepared to become a drone pilot and take on pivotal roles within your organization, leveraging RPAS technology to meet and exceed business objectives and client needs in many rapidly evolving fields.

Traits, skills and aptitudes

Following Transport Canada ’s requirements, remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) pilots must:

not suffer from any condition which would render them unfit to perform their duties
have a visual acuity of 20/20 (the use of corrective lenses to achieve this is acceptable)
have sufficient English language ability to be understood by local air traffic control when using VHF radio
provide evidence of good health
be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.

To become a drone pilot and operate RPAS, you’ll also need:

a strong interest in aviation
the ability to think in 3D
strong concentration skills
the ability to remain calm under pressure
IT and math skills
the ability to make quick decisions in emergencies, give accurate instructions and accept considerable responsibility.

Accreditations, designations or certifications

Graduates will be certified in:

Transport Canada Advanced Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
Visual Line-of-Site (VLOS) pilot
Restricted Operator certificate with Aeronautical qualification (ROC-A).

Credential

After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Professional Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems certificate.

Program length

15 weeks

Not open to international applicants

This program is not available to international applicants at this time.

Not eligible for CAJG

This program is not eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant.

Related careers

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (22313)
Pursers and flight attendants (64311)
Managers in transportation (70020)
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (72404)
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (72600)
Air traffic controllers and related occupations (72601)
Air transport ramp attendants (74202)
Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (93200)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:

a minimum of 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2, and
a minimum of 50% in Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, and
a minimum of 50% in one Grade 12 Science course.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside of Alberta.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline

The Professional Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems certificate requires 18 credits (eight courses) to complete.

Required courses

AERO 200 - Advanced Mapping for RPAS 1.5 Credits
AERO 201 - Basic Mapping for RPAS 1.5 Credits
AERO 202 - Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS) 3 Credits
AERO 208 - Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems - Professional Flight School 3 Credits
AERO 209 - RPAS System Servicing 3 Credits
AERO 212 - RPAS - Professional Operations and Planning 3 Credits
INSP 200 - Visual Inspection Level 2 1.5 Credits
PROJ 222 - RPAS Capstone 1.5 Credits

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Books and supplies

Books are approximately $50 - $150.

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

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.

Required equipment/tools

You’ll require a drone build kit, which can be purchased from SAIT for approximately $1,000 - $1,200. This kit will be used to build and understand how all the components of a basic drone work.

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

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

You’ll be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in the shop and performing flight duties. Some of this equipment can be purchased from SAIT and others will need to be sourced elsewhere. The cost for PPE is between $250 to $400.

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

Transportation program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our School of Transportation.

Phone: 403.284.8471
Email: transportation.info@sait.ca