AVIA 270Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Knowledge Requirements
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Students will gain knowledge about the requirements and constraints affecting recreational, commercial and research RPAS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV], Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS]) flights for geomatics applications. Theory and conceptual factors affecting flight, remote sensing, and spatial analysis with very-high resolution data will be discussed. Students will gain knowledge about how to navigate regulatory requirements. They will learn how to link their science and research objectives with geomatics skills to mitigate risk and obtain regulatory approval for legal RPAS flights. Assignments provide a range of experiences to students that may include: applied aspects of flight campaign approval, setup, management; flight training; and integrating imagery with geographic information systems.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not completed any of the following:
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7281 | 0 / 40 | Th 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 701 | 8140 | 42 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 7285 | 0 / 10 | Th 10:30–11:50 |
| LAB 102 | 7286 | 0 / 10 | Th 12:00–13:20 |
| LAB 103 | 7288 | 0 / 10 | Th 13:30–14:50 |
| LAB 104 | 8464 | 0 / 10 | Th 15:00–16:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it88% easy100% useful
From 2 ratings and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Fun course. You'll get your basic drone certificate, along with your radio certificate. Some assignments can be a little unclear (flight planning, flight charts), but overall concepts are very interesting and useful, especially if you are into RPAS or are going into aviation.
Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
One post or comment in 1 thread mentions AVIA 270, April 2022 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2022
What are the coolest/most interesting electives to take? 23 points, 30 comments
“What are some interesting electives to take. In high school my most memorable courses were drama and hospitality. What are some cool electives to take here. …”
u/Wrong_Mongoose6829: “Geog/Avia270, which teach you drone policy and how to fly a drone”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them