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Aims UAS drone pilot students

Next Steps

This program has a multi-step application process.

How to Apply

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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Windsor Campus

Credits

60

Tuition*

Est. Lab/ Course Fees
$1525
In-District
$4,762
In-State
$7,219
WUE
$10,558
Out-of-State
$27,316

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

Related Links

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sciences

Related Resources

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sciences

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) SciencesRequirements

Aims UAS Sciences Degree Requirements

Begin your journey as a drone pilot with this UAS associate degree that builds your skills, understanding and confidence using concrete steps. Each semester you can earn a certificate to learn basic and advanced UAS maneuvers, understanding of federal regulations, and courseware for design, engineering, fabrication, operations and maintenance. Ground training prepares you for the FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aerial Systems certification exam that allows you to earn a Part 107 Commercial Remote Pilot Certificate.

How to get started

Step 1 – Apply

  • Apply to Aims Community College 
  • Select Pre Aviation AAS as your intended major. 
  • Apply for Financial Aid if applicable. 

Step 2 – Are you a VA or Transfer Student

  • If you are a VA Student submit your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office
  • If you are a transfer student please have your previous institution send an official transcript to Aims. Learn more on the Transfer Information webpage.
  • If you are not a VA Student or a Transfer Student, go to step 3.

Step 3 - Complete the Aviation Application

  • Complete the Aims Aviation Application
  • Applications must be completed no later than: 
    • Fall Term: First Day of Classes
    • Spring Term: First Day of Classes
    • Summer Term: Aims Aviation does not accept new students for Summer Term

Step 4 - Advising Appointment

  • Schedule an advising appointment by contacting the Windsor Pathway Advising Team at (970) 339-6610, option 2.

Required General Education Courses:

  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on mechanics, heat, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, and light. Incorporates laboratory experience. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Arts & Humanities Course
    3
  • Behavioral & Social Sciences Course
    3

*COM 1150 is recommended. 

Total General Education Credits 17

Required Aviation Courses:

  • Prepares student for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land ~ FAA Knowledge Exam. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on the history of the Air Traffic Control System, including its structure, function, and operation. Also includes radar operations and the future of the National Airspace System. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on recognition, interpretation and evaluation of atmospheric weather as it relates to and affects aviation. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Introduces parametric feature-based solid modeling 3D concepts to build confidence in 3D thinking and progresses to three-dimensional parameters. This course provides instruction on how to construct, modify, and manage complex parts in 3D space as well as to produce 2D drawings from the 3D models. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces concepts of cloud architecture, cloud security, and the law as it pertains to cloud deployment. Focuses on the mechanics of security in the cloud service models: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. This course emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. It is centered on basic programming concepts, including control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement program designs. It emphasizes the writing of multiple programs following the software development process, from start to finish, including design, implementation, and testing. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.
    3
  • Surveys the development, application and use of geographic information systems (GIS). Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilots to a management system and culture that is fundamental to the aviation industry. The four pillars of safety management will be presented: safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion. This course will address the process of incorporating these principles into UAS operations. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers the regulations pertaining to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations including airspace, weather, and flight parameter limitations. This course covers UAS components and systems, maintenance, autonomy, ground stations, and telemetry in preparation for the UAS Operator written test. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the planning, regulatory, administrative, and operational processes and knowledge required for facilitating an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Course includes examination of the technologies associated with small, medium, and large Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles (UAVs), Ground Control Stations (GCS), remote split operations, line-of-site operations, payloads, limitations, emergency procedures, and future implications as related to UAS in commercial and government settings. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    UAS 2056 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Presents the fundamental principles of engineering methodologies relevant to the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Multirotor design. This course focuses on; collaboration in the engineering design process, use of emerging fabrication technologies, and engineering complex UAS operational design challenges aligned with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory parameters. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    UAS 2056 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Presents the fundamental principles of engineering methodologies relevant to the operation of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Fixed Wing design. This course focuses on; collaboration in the engineering design process, use of emerging fabrication technologies, and engineering complex UAS operational design challenges aligned with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory parameters for UAS Fixed wings. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    UAS 2010 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Introduces the regulations pertaining to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), operations including airspace, weather, and flight parameter limitations. This course also covers UAS components and systems, maintenance, autonomy, ground stations, and telemetry. The topics covered are included in the UAS Operator written test. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Focuses on the wide variety of commercial applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and operating procedures to ensure a safe outcome for executing such applications including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), aerial imaging and survey techniques, multispectral and Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging systems (LIDAR) agriculture, and other UAS mission types. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    UAS 1055 and UAS 2055 with grades of "C" or better
    3
Total Required Aviation Credits 43
Total UAS Sciences A.A.S. Degree Credits 60