The UAS Drone Tech Certificate program teaches students how to use online applications to create GIS databases and perform detailed mapping analysis of spatial datasets. Students also learn the theory, implementation and operations of GNSS.
The UAS courses introduce various products and technologies commonly associated with unmanned aircraft systems used for remote sensing and mapping objectives. Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of flight control operations, including programming telemetry and data acquisition. Numerous flight simulator exercises will be completed to help them build and develop knowledge of the following:
They will work with an online FAA Remote Pilot Test Prep application and complete numerous online practice test sessions, leading to successful completion of the UAS TRUST certification.
Students are then introduced to some of the popular unmanned aerial photographic applications commonly utilized in commercial unmanned aircraft systems operations involving aerial surveys and photography.
For their final capstone project, students will first establish accurate GPS ground control, and they will then plan, implement and conduct a successful photo aerial survey. They will process this data using Pix4Dmapper photogrammetry software to generate survey-grade 2D and 3D maps for assessing terrain in precise detail. Students will utilize resulting point cloud data, 2D and 3D models, digital surface models, digital terrain models, orthomosaics and contour data in other applications such as Civil 3D and ArcGIS.