Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Earn your Part 107 License and start a career in unmanned aerials systems.

Not only will you fly drones, you’ll design and build them!

As a student, you’ll have access to 3D printing equipment, an electronics design lab, computer labs with specialized software, flight fields, manufacturing equipment including CNC services, and engineering rooms.

What’s Your Dream?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, often referred to as drones, are an increasingly important part of daily life.

Associate of Applied Science

With your degree in Aviation Unmanned Aerial Systems from Lane, you can use your skills to make the world a better place while having fun flying for Search and Rescue, firefighting, inspections, environmental and wildlife protection, film-making, mapping, and more!

Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems, AAS Catalog Entry

Two years Full-time

$22,253 to $36,115 Whole program, resident student, depending on electives

Details

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Design, manufacture, assemble, calibrate, test, and fly custom unmanned aircraft
Learn to integrate, program, and fly missions with the world’s leading autopilot system, the Ardupilot open-source equipment and software. This is an extremely high-demand skill set in the industry. The Lane UAS Program is one of the few colleges in the n
Learn cutting-edge 3D design and printing systems, and make your own aircraft parts
Understand the principles of autopilots, electronics, radio systems, flight testing, aerodynamics, and advanced sensors such as infrared and multispectral camera payloads
Fly exciting and technical missions with unmanned aircraft in a variety of locations
Become a professional pilot and gain experience flying missions such as mapping historic bridges and rivers, Search and Rescue, inspecting lumber mills, videography of events and parks, 3D modeling buildings, and artistic aerial photography
Obtain your FAA Remote Pilot License and become an unmanned aircraft expert

AFTER LANE

With the real-world experience and degree you obtain in our program, you’ll be prepared for a career as an UAS pilot, either working for a company or for yourself. You’ll be prepared for jobs such as a UAS inspection pilot, UAS cinema pilot, Mapping and Geospatial Information pilot, or Unmanned Systems specialist in the mining, forestry, environmental sciences, or fishing industries, among many others. You’ll have the knowledge, licenses and (optional) certificates to either work for a wide range of cutting-edge companies, or transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree in a field like Geographic Information Systems, Aviation, or UAS systems.

While earning your UAS degree, you also have the option of completing a 12 credit series of electives that include aviation sciences, manufacturing, computer science, CAD software design, and other exciting and practical courses related to Unmanned Technology. When you graduate from the UAS Program at Lane, you will have the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to excel in the industry.

Stackable Certificates

You can choose to pursue either certificate on its own, or get them as a part of your degree! If you’re pursuing the degree, you’ll earn the GIS certificate as a part of your program, and an Aerial Photography certificate in addition to your two-year AAS degree in Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems. You’ll also finish with your degree with your FAA Remote Pilot Small Unmanned Aircraft System License (FAA Part 107 License).

Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems: Geographic Information Science (GIS)

Career Pathways Certificate

This program prepares you for a successful career in Geographic Information Science (GIS) using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). You’ll earn this certificate as a part of your degree.

Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems: Aerial Photography

Career Pathways Certificate

This certificate prepares you for successful careers in Aerial Photography using Unmanned Aerial Systems. You’ll earn this certificate as a part of your degree.

Not sure which is for you? Learn more about the types of degrees & certificates Lane has to offer