Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology's UAS program has been selected to contribute to numerous research projects that set the standard in rules and regulations, applications and technology within the industry. As a student, you have the opportunity to work side-by-side with professors for entities like the Bureau of Land Management, the FAA and more in which your input will influence the future of UAS integration into the National Airspace.

Kansas State University's Aerospace and Technology Campus has a reputation in the UAS industry as a leader and innovator. In one single year, our drone program was awarded a series of firsts with the FAA: the first entity in the nation to receive statewide flying access; a member of the first FAA Center for Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems; and the first entity in the country approved for commercial flying.

K-State Salina has pioneered how a flight facility should function for uncrewed aircraft. Roughly the size of a football field, the UAS Pavilion is contained but not completely closed off to the elements. Constructed of fabricated netting panels on all sides and across the top, the facility does not block GPS signals and allows flight missions to be conducted in various weather conditions.

The Aerospace and Technology Campus offers students a hands-on approach to learning UAS technology. Most universities conduct operator and sensor training via simulation.

At our campus, students begin with UAS simulation and manned flight training. By the third semester students are in the field gaining practical experience flying both Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS and primary UAV trainers. As a team, students and their classmates assume roles as UAS crew members in such positions as:

• Launch and Recovery,
• Sensor operator,
• Pilot in Command,
• Mission Commander, or
• Safety Officer.

By the junior and senior years students have acquired numerous hours of actual UAS flight time and begin operating larger scale/longer duration UAVs such as the Aerosondes or Penguins. The experience and knowledge gained culminates in the senior year when the students integrate a live UAS and conduct test flights.

K-State Aerospace and Technology is unique in that available airspace is not a hindrance to the program. Kansas State University has agreements with the Kansas National Guard and the U.S. Army for airspace to include the Smoky Hill aerial weapons range and restricted airspace at Ft Riley to conduct research and training flights (R-3601 and R-3602). Students also have the ability to train in the National Airspace System via K-State's Certificates of Authorization (COA). Through a longstanding respected relationship with the FAA K-State has been granted over 10 different COAs.

Sensor training can be an element that is overlooked or may not emphasized in civil UAS training. Kansas State University has numerous COA's overlying nearby Crisis City, a mock disaster training area owned by the state. With exercises conducted almost weekly students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sensor training opportunities.

K-State Aerospace and Technology will also be offering students a unique UAS training that is applicable to real-world operations. This program is one of only a few to conduct UAS hand-off missions. Missions launch from the adjoining class D airport where a chase plane follows the UAV to its operations area 5 miles away. Along the way the UAV is handed-off to another Ground Control Station and Pilot in Command at the operations area. When the mission is complete the procedure is reversed and the UAV is landed back at the Salina Class D airport.

Career option for UAS flight and operations graduates include, but are not limited to:

• Uncrewed Aircraft Pilot
• Surveyor
• Uncrewed Aircraft Flight Instructor
• Agricultural Researcher
• Uncrewed Operations Analyst
• Aerial Film & Photographer
• Data Collection & Analysis Specialist

Learn more about the courses in the program.

Our professional advisors are there every step of the way to guide you through your educational journey.

Have some questions about UAS?

The annual assessment report is an intentional and targeted look at student learning each academic year.

Find course costs for the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems degrees below.

Our esteemed faculty is made up of individuals who have real-world industry experience and a wealth of research expertise to help you learn the most essential skills and information.