Drone management course at airports
Online course of 300 hours in drone management at airports. 6 modules covering the UAS regulatory framework, the non-cooperative drone threat, drone detection systems, intrusion response and drones serving the airport, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret European and Spanish UAS regulations.
Assess the risk of drone intrusion at an airport.
Compare drone detection technologies.
Design intrusion response procedures.
Apply the SORA methodology to airport UAS operations.
Integrate drones into airport inspection tasks.
Draw up a drone management plan for an airport.
Who it's for
- Airport security managers
- UAS operations coordinators
- Counter-drone systems technicians
- UAS inspection pilots
- Airport risk analysts
- U-space specialists
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join airport operators
What you'll work with
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on UAS operations (rules and procedures for operating unmanned aircraft)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS product requirements and classes)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 on U-space (regulatory framework for U-space)
- Spanish Royal Decree 517/2024 implementing the legal regime for UAS (Spanish national UAS rules)
- EUROCAE ED-286 OSED for Counter-UAS in controlled airspace (operational services and environment for counter-UAS)
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements (aerodrome requirements and procedures)
- Regulation (EU) 376/2014 on occurrence reporting (reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation)
- Robin Radar IRIS
- Dedrone
- ENAIRE Drones
- DroneDeploy
6 modules
1.1Open, specific and certified categories1.2UAS classes C0 to C61.3Operations in the vicinity of aerodromes1.4UAS geographical zones1.5Spanish regulations on unmanned systems1.6U-space airspace1.7Authorisations and coordination with ATS1.8Registration of operators and pilots1.9Direct and network remote identification1.10Case study: authorising a flight next to an aerodrome
2.1Types of intrusion at airports2.2Profiles of negligent and malicious operators2.3The 2018 Gatwick incident2.4Risk of collision with aircraft2.5Local threat assessment2.6Consequences for airport operations2.7Reported sighting data2.8Reporting drone occurrences2.9Cooperation with law enforcement2.10Workshop: intrusion risk assessment
3.1Drone-specific radars3.2Radio-frequency detection3.3Electro-optical and infrared sensors3.4Acoustic detection of rotors3.5Sensor data fusion3.6Remote identification and the Drone ID protocol3.7False alarm management3.8Integration into the operations centre3.9Detection effectiveness testing3.10Lab: sensor coverage analysis
4.1Drone incident management plan4.2Alert and activation levels4.3Criteria for suspending operations4.4Coordination between ATS, airport and police4.5Legal powers for neutralisation4.6Legal framework for countermeasures4.7Information for passengers and airlines4.8Recovery of operations4.9Lessons learned after incidents4.10Practical exercise: intrusion tabletop exercise
5.1Inspection of runways and airfield lighting5.2Verification of radio navigation aids with drones5.3Wildlife control with UAS5.4Inspection of infrastructure and roofs5.5Perimeter surveillance with UAS5.6Integration with airport operations5.7Risk assessment using the SORA methodology5.8Operational risk management5.9International use cases5.10Case study: airfield lighting inspection with UAS
6.1Selecting the study airport6.2Intrusion risk analysis6.3Applicable regulatory requirements6.4Detection system proposal6.5Response procedures6.6Use of the airport's own drones6.7Staff training plan6.8Monitoring indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Robin Radar IRIS, Dedrone, ENAIRE Drones and DroneDeploy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: assessing the risk of drone intrusion at an airport, analysing detection sensor coverage and running an intrusion response tabletop exercise. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on UAS operations; Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 on U-space; Spanish Royal Decree 517/2024 implementing the legal regime for UAS; EUROCAE ED-286 OSED for Counter-UAS in controlled airspace; Regulation (EU) 139/2014 on aerodrome requirements; Regulation (EU) 376/2014 on occurrence reporting.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Robin Radar IRIS, Dedrone, ENAIRE Drones and DroneDeploy, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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