Offered by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Canada, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Diploma is a diploma in Aviation Studies programme. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Tuition for international students is CAD 43,429 per total (CAD 24,949 per total for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Aviation Studies
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: On Campus
Local tuition: CAD 24,949 / total
International tuition: CAD 43,429 / total
We have no an application deadline on record for this programme yet — see the official programme page.
— it helps other students.
This two-year diploma prepares students to work as professional remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) pilots, delivered in person at SAIT's Art Smith Aero Centre and Point Trotter Campus. Coursework covers flying a range of RPAS platforms, processing collected data, and maintaining and repairing aircraft to ensure airworthiness, alongside the regulatory and planning requirements set by Transport Canada, including operations conducted Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). Students work toward Transport Canada's Advanced Pilot Certificate and Restricted Operator Certificate-Aeronautical (ROC-A), and the program is positioned to meet Transport Canada's anticipated Level 1 Complex Operations standard. Graduates are prepared for roles coordinating RPAS flight operations, leading RPAS teams in high-risk or complex operations, and conducting inspections and geomatics data collection for agriculture, environmental, construction, and industrial applications. The program accepts international applicants, though it does not currently meet Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Domestic applicants need at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, at least 50% in Math 30-1 or 30-2, and at least 50% in one Grade 12 Science course. SAIT accepts recognised high school course equivalents for applicants educated outside Alberta, and applicants educated outside Canada must provide an international document assessment showing they meet the same standard. All applicants, including those educated in Canada, must demonstrate English language proficiency before admission (SAIT admissions, English Proficiency). SAIT's institution-wide scale accepts IELTS Academic at 6.0 in each skill, TOEFL iBT at a total score of 4.5 with a 4.5 minimum per section, PTE Academic at 53, the Duolingo English Test at 115 overall with 95 minimum per sub-score, and CAEL at 60 overall with 60 in each skill, among other accepted tests. Applications go through SAIT's online portal with the standard non-refundable fee (CAD 120 domestic, CAD 175 international); international applicants should confirm the program's own international-applicant and Post-Graduation Work Permit status.
