Educating the Next Generation Engineers for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Applications and Challenges

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology has piqued the interest of university students worldwide with applications for search and rescue, surveillance, agribusiness, military, parcel delivery aerial photography and video photography for movie production. Both commercial and military UAS applications involve safe integration of manned and unmanned aircraft systems airspaces. Special skills will be required for UAS design and operation that must be taught by Universities and private training centers. The top UAS educational programs will be reviewed to show common courses to meet the demands for these developing technologies. Universities and private training facilities must develop comprehensive UAS education program to meet the demand for design engineers, project, safety, communication and sensor systems engineers and UAS pilots in the timeframe needed. Engineering design and practical flight skills are disciplines that require stable personalities, sound judgment and background analysis to insure that the public interest is protected. UAS pilot training certification similar to existing FAA private and commercial pilot licenses will provide a basis for safe operations just as currently exhibited in the U. S. airline industry. UAS pilot certification requirements must be set by FAA to provide safe operation without overburdening the industry and training programs. Certainly, the UAS pilot certification program will proceed through several phases during the next ten years.