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, 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
Coming in January…
…the chance to try out a drone <250 grams from BCIT’s AV services! More information to come.
Flying in Saudi Arabia
Read about Hub Director Eric Saczuk’s latest drone work with InDro Robotics.
Featured Course: RPAS 0100
If you fly a drone, you’re a pilot. And if your drone weighs more than 250 grams, you’ll need a pilot certificate from Transport Canada to fly.
BCIT’s new online, self-paced introduction to RPAS can help you prepare for Transport Canada’s basic and advanced certification exams: see RPAS 0100: Preparation for Transport Canada RPAS Certification.
Featured Projects
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.
Monitoring construction progress
Remotely piloted aircraft systems are being used at BCIT to test an increasingly popular application of RPAS technology—monitoring construction progress and documenting the project’s lifecycle.
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
