unmanned aircraft system operations students inspecting a drone

Unmanned Aircraft System Operations

B.S. Aero

Be among the first generation of unmanned aircraft specialists with training from the university that started it all.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have gone from strictly military use, to a wide variety of life-saving and commercial applications. With this unique UND program, you’ll gain the expertise in unmanned aircraft to execute and manage applications in the military, firefighting, disaster relief, law enforcement, surveillance, aerial photography, transports and future uses of this rapidly evolving area.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why earn a degree in unmanned aircraft system operations?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 16
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

With 50 years of experience in aviation education, training, and research, UND was the first to offer a UAS degree in 2009. We continue to be national leaders in UAS education today. You'll gain expertise to work in a crew environment as a Pilot operator, sensor operator, or other key team member of unmanned aircraft systems. You'll also gain a clear understanding of National Airspace System (NAS) safety and operations procedures.

UND is one of the first universities to enter into a long term relationship with the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) and become part of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI-UAS) program. We are poised to deliver up-to-date UAS education that matches the requirements of the NAS. This ongoing collaboration with the FAA will further ensure UND students are qualified to enter into careers involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Our Grand Forks campus has been called "the Silicon Valley of unmanned aircraft systems" by the New York Times. UND students are given the opportunity to interact with small and large UAS companies such as Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and Customs Border Protection. Flights are conducted regularly where UND flight students are jointly flying next to Unmanned Aircraft in the National Airspace System.

UND's UAS Aviation Degree

UND offers a comprehensive UAS Aviation degree. It includes relative topics such as: human factors, crew resource management, autonomous systems, counter UAS applications, experience in small, medium and large UAS, safety management, and aircraft systems.

The UAS program offers two career tracks to specialize in:

  • Advanced high altitude, autonomous commercial systems
  • The emerging and dynamic small UAS market

Non-aviation majors also have the opportunity to obtain a minor in UAS Operations to use in their particular discipline.

AABI Accredited Program

UND Aerospace was the first four year degree UAS Operation program to receive Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Accreditation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). 

Student Achievement Data

Unmanned Aircraft System Operations at UND

  • Learn the skills to perform and coordinate strategies in UAS operational environments, as well as solve problems as they arise.

  • Gain UAS airmanship skills commensurate with a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating.

  • Gain essential knowledge in UAS related topics such as industry trends, ground and flight systems, remote sensing, aerodynamics, human factors, safety, crew resource management, UAS law and policy. These are all key principles common to UAS operations.

  • Gain a working knowledge of UAS technologies and their application in governmental and civil operations.

  • UND was among the first institutions selected for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new Collegiate Training Initiative for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

  • In 2020, students in UND's flight training programs (plane, helicopter, UAS) broke a record for hours flown (126,000).

  • UND received the most FAA grants to study drones in 2021. UND is the lead research university on mitigating GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast risks, shielded UAS operations-detect and avoid (DAA), and UAS flight data.

What can you do with a degree in UAS?

100K

Average starting salary for a UAS pilot

CNN Money

140B

Global UAS market by 2024

Slate

As the only university-accredited for UAS by AABI, UND has been at the forefront of educating the first generation of UAS pilot operators and professionals in related fields. With large employers in various industries seeking the unique and specialized UAS skills to deploy and manage program, graduates can expect plentiful opportunities.

UND graduates with a B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft System can expect exciting opportunities in several industries, including:

  • Oil and Gas
  • Windmill Inspection
  • Construction
  • Agriculture
  • Military and defense
  • Law enforcement
  • Firefighting
  • Transport
  • Surveillance
  • Aerial photography
  • Air and rescue

When You Major in Unmanned Aircraft System Operations

An Unmanned Aircraft System Operations degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Commercial Aviation
  • Strategic Planning
  • Operations Management
  • Flight Training
  • Aviation

Unmanned Aircraft System Operations alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • General Atomics
  • Northrop Grumman Corporation
  • AV Flight Services, Inc.
  • Northern Plains, LLC
  • Aai Corporation

UAS Courses

AVIT 331. UAS Flight Systems. 3 Credits.

This course of instruction introduces the student to the systems common to most Unmanned Aircraft with focus on those that differ significantly from their manned counterparts. Specific emphasis is placed upon autopilot systems and their integration with flight controls and airborne communications systems. Prerequisites: AVIT 126, AVIT 324, and a minimum GPA of 2.6. Corequisite: AVIT 332. F,S.

AVIT 333. UAS Remote Sensing. 4 Credits.

This course presents the theory and operations of common sensors used by the operators of unmanned aircraft systems. Theory is combined with operational scenarios in order to provide the student with the ability to match specific sensors with anticipated missions. Prerequisites: AVIT 126, AVIT 324, and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S.

AVIT 332. UAS Ground Systems. 3 Credits.

This course introduces the student to those subsystems that comprise the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ground control and mission planning system. The launch and recovery systems typical of current UAS are also covered. Prerequisites: AVIT 126, AVIT 324, and a minimum GPA of 2.6. Corequisite: AVIT 331. F,S.

AVIT 438. UAS Operations. 4 Credits.

This course of instruction will develop the student's knowledge and skills that are needed to safely employ unmanned aircraft systems. Course content includes aircraft operating software, launch and recovery operations, payload operations, normal and emergency procedures, and mission planning and execution. Specific emphasis will be placed upon aircraft and payload selection based upon proposed mission analysis. Students must complete the appropriate flight lessons to satisfactorily complete the course. Prerequisites: AVIT 126, AVIT 238, AVIT 325, AVIT 331, AVIT 332, AVIT 337 and a minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S,SS.

AVIT 208. Aviation Safety. 3 Credits.

This course provides the student with a detailed introduction into aspects of aviation safety, aviation safety programs, risk management, and the associated components of pilot psychology, physiology, human factors, and accident review and investigation. Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 2.6. Prerequisite or Corequisite: AVIT 102 or AVIT 105 or AVIT 142. F,S,SS.

AVIT 323. Aerodynamics - Airplanes. 3 Credits.

This course will provide the student a study of the physical principles of airplane aerodynamics, thereby fostering an appreciation of the factors affecting aircraft performance, stability and control, and special flight conditions often experienced by commercial pilots of fixed-wing aircraft. The student must complete the appropriate flight lessons to satisfactorily complete the course. Prerequisite: AVIT 222; open to Aviation majors and minors only; minimum GPA of 2.6. F,S,SS.

Leader in Action

Eric Goetsch assisted in the reconnection of power to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas as UAV Operator with SkySkopes.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the aviation department?

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