The RPAS Hub: Drone Education, Training and Research at BCIT
Welcome to the RPAS Hub
Welcome to the RPAS Hub, BCIT’s collaborative centre for education, training and research in drone technology.
Drones, now referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems or RPAS, merge aircraft technology with fields as diverse as surveying, emergency response, and equipment inspection—all areas of BCIT expertise. As British Columbia’s leader in aerospace and technology education, we are committed to ensuring the successful application of RPAS technology to learning, research, and industry.
Hub News
Salmon Habitat Protection
As summer temperatures rise, salmon rely on pools of cooler groundwater to thrive. We’ve been partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation to scan rivers for these thermal refuges in habitat preservation efforts. See: A Look from Above: How Drones Can Support Salmon Battling Climate Change.
Agricultural Mapping and Surveying
Read about our work assessing impacts of soil movement with Geosurv Solutions in Salmon Arm: Drones Give Growers a Tactical Advantage—Orchardandvine.net.
Explore 3D Models of Campus
Explore these campus models created by Sean Galway from Geomatics Engineering, and read about how drones have changed the field of LiDAR technology over the last decade.
RPAS Education in Canada
BCIT has the chance to be a leader in the emerging field of RPAS education, according to a consulting report by BCIT business students.
Featured Projects
RPAS search and rescue
Advancements in RPAS technology are relieving the time-sensitive, risky, and expensive task of rescuing people in BC’s backcountry.
Climate change research in Antarctica
Climate change is affecting the polar regions at a faster rate than anywhere in the world. But the distances and harsh climates make these regions tough to monitor. A BCIT drone expert set out to learn how drones could help capture data about the changing environment in Antarctica.
Mapping invasive species with multispectral imagery
This collaborative, learner-led project took students into the field to test new technology for exploring a long-standing problem in natural areas management—detecting and managing invasive species. The results from the project have real-world applications for municipalities and government corporations such as TransLink.
Courses & Training
Explore this positively disruptive technology. Our courses introduce the rapidly evolving field of RPAS applications.
Safety
At the Hub, all education, training, and research are fundamentally rooted in a culture of safety. Equally important is promotion of the safe integration of RPAS into Canada’s airspace.
Team
The team includes professionals with varied backgrounds, credentials, and interests. As educators, researchers, and enthusiasts, we all share a passion for the critical role of RPAS at BCIT and in Canada.
Vision for the Future
The Hub is a multidisciplinary and collaborative centre that will promote RPAS research and education locally and globally.
Funding Partner
Industry Partner
Education Partner
Funding Partner
Education Partner
Education Partner
Industry Partner
