UNSW Aviation's mission is to create ‘industry ready and relevant’ graduates. In recognition of the dynamically evolving sector in emerging technology, and an exponential growth in the use of drones or remotely piloted aircraft, UNSW Aviation has introduced the Bachelor of Aviation in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to continue supporting their students to become leaders in the aviation industry.

The opportunities and dynamic nature of the RPAS industry are evident in the vast array of applications and operations that integrate the use of RPAS including emergency services, defence, humanitarian aid, photogrammetry and surveying, medical and disaster relief, retail and supply chain, entertainment, conservation biology, and health and safety management. To be industry-ready and prepared to confidently approach a variety of aviation industry challenges, the program has been designed to provide students with a combination of core knowledge, transferrable skills, and real-life experience in operating and managing RPAS.

Unique to the Bachelor of Aviation in RPAS is the integration of RPAS-specific flight hours, including visual line of sight and beyond visual line of sight training conducted in collaboration with a leading RPAS industry partner. In addition, students will undertake courses in drone programming, information systems and operations management. The program shares a common core with the flying program with students developing traditional aviation skills through the completion of a Recreational Pilot's Licence (RPL). Other key areas of learning include aviation data analytics, safety management, aeronautical knowledge, meteorology, human factors, air law, navigation, and instrument rating, as well as strategic communication and scientific skills, which are shared with the management program. Students will learn key skills and knowledge to embark on a successful career in the RPAS industry, whether it is to create a start-up business, or to fulfill the demands of highly skilled roles within organisations, such as Chief Remote Pilot, Drone Missions Commander, UAV Supervisor, and Drone Operations Manager.

For successful fulfillment of the Bachelor of Aviation in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems program requirements, students will have completed up to 40 crewed flight hours and up to 40 uncrewed flight hours with a range of multi-rotor and fixed-wing equipment, and acquire a respective Recreational Pilot's Licence (RPL) and Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).

*Note: Due to the block training nature of the flight training program, teaching periods might not correspond to standard academic sessions, and students will need to undertake the Professional Pilot Program (flying training) on a full-time basis.