Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

August 1, 2025 2025-08-15 22:17

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

Prepare to Soar.

Ready to shape the future of flight? At Rocky Mountain College, you’ll join Montana’s first FAA-approved drone program—a close-knit, high-tech community where your hands-on training, real-world projects, and faculty support help you launch a career as limitless as the Big Sky.

50%

projected job market growth by 2030

Empowering the Next Generation of Drone Professionals

In our state-of-the-art labs and on Montana’s wide-open terrain, you’ll fly commercial-grade drones, conduct fieldwork, and build a portfolio of professional-grade aerial maps, GIS analyses, and project deliverables. Every student completes a capstone project tackling real-world industry or community challenges—whether it’s mapping habitat for conservation, planning search-and-rescue missions, or producing aerial cinematography for local events.

Trusted Operator Certification
We now offer students the ability to earn industry-leading AUVSI Trusted Operator Level 1 and Level 2 certifications—credentialing recognized above and beyond the basic FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

$60k

starting salaries, with six-figure potential for those specializing in AI, mapping, or defense.

Where Our Graduates Land

RMC UAS alumni can be found across the country—and across the world—pioneering new frontiers in uncrewed tech. Some of our grads have:

Delivered essential medical supplies by drone with Zipline
Designed counter-drone security solutions for government and defense
Started thriving businesses in drone mapping, surveying, and creative media
Produced high-impact environmental mapping for organizations like the Montana Audubon Center
Supported disaster relief, agriculture analytics, public safety, logistics, and more.

Information

Majors:
Aeronautical Science (Professional Pilot) (BS)
Aviation Management (BS)
Uncrewed Aerial Systems (BS)

Minors:
Aeronautical Science (Private Pilot)
Aircraft Dispatch
Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Faculty
Dan Hargrove, M.S.
Mark Donahue
Seth Livengood
Matt Prinkki, MBA

Aviation Related Links

Transfer and Nontraditional Credits

Certification Advantage

RMC grads leave with FAA Part 107 certification, advanced technical, project, and business skills, and a robust network of mentors and collaborators. In addition, you’ll be eligible to earn both Level 1 and Level 2 Trusted Operator Certifications through the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)—a credential that demonstrates advanced proficiency with drone hardware, software, safety, regulations, and real-world operations. Employers want adaptable, tech-savvy leaders—and that’s what we’re known for.

From Classroom to Sky

There’s never a typical day in the RMC Drone Program. You might move from an interactive morning class to outdoor flight labs, calibrate drones for a mapping project, analyze real-time aerial data, and collaborate on new entrepreneurial ideas with the Drone Club.

You’ll never fly solo—our students support and mentor each other in the air and on the ground. Graduates regularly say it was hands-on learning, supportive community, and the variety of real-world projects that gave them the confidence and skills to succeed right after graduation.