Multirotor Drone Fundamentals Course
Online course of 300 hours in multirotor drone fundamentals. 6 modules covering flight physics, components, sensors, flight control and safe operation under Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, with eCalc xcopterCalc, Mission Planner, QGroundControl and Betaflight Configurator, 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
Explain the flight physics of multirotor aircraft.
Select propulsion, energy and control components.
Interpret how sensors and state estimators work.
Tune attitude and position PID control loops.
Configure firmware and ground control stations.
Apply safe operation and maintenance procedures.
Design a complete multirotor from mission requirements.
Who it's for
- Multirotor drone technicians.
- UAS pilots looking to understand the technology behind their aircraft.
- Unmanned systems integrators.
- Drone maintenance technicians.
- Designers of light aerial platforms.
- Drone flight instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter drone services.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for UAS operation)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS and third-country UAS operators)
- Royal Decree 517/2024 (Spanish UAS regulation)
- UNE-EN 4709-001 (UAS product requirements and verification)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EASA Basic Regulation)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
- IEC 62133-2 (safety of lithium portable batteries)
- eCalc xcopterCalc
- Mission Planner
- QGroundControl
- Betaflight Configurator
- Gazebo
6 modules
1.1Propeller lift and thrust1.2Momentum theory and blade element theory1.3Quad, hexa and octocopter configurations1.4Control by rotor speed variation1.5Axes, Euler angles and quaternions1.6Six-degree-of-freedom rigid body dynamics1.7Ground effect and hover1.8Vortex ring state and vertical descent1.9Thrust-to-weight ratio and flight envelope1.10Lab: thrust measurement on a test bench
2.1Frames: materials and geometries2.2Brushless motors and KV constant2.3ESCs and DShot protocols2.4Propeller selection and pitch2.5LiPo and Li-ion batteries: chemistry and discharge2.6Power distribution and PDB2.7Flight controller and IMU sensors2.8Radio receivers and telemetry2.9Wiring, connectors and electromagnetic compatibility2.10Practical exercise: component sizing with eCalc
3.1MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes3.2Magnetometer and heading calibration3.3Barometer and altitude3.4GNSS receivers for multirotors3.5Complementary filter3.6Extended Kalman filter3.7Vibration and IMU isolation3.8Optical flow sensors and rangefinders3.9Sensor failures and redundancy3.10Workshop: analysis of vibration logs
4.1Cascaded control loops4.2Attitude and rate PID controllers4.3Motor mixer4.4Stabilised, altitude and position modes4.5Gain tuning and transient response4.6Yaw control and reaction torque4.7Failsafe management and return to home4.8Introduction to SITL simulators4.9Waypoint mission planning4.10Lab: PID tuning in a SITL simulator
5.1Pre-flight checklist5.2Battery management: charging, storage and transport5.3Weather conditions and wind5.4Open, specific and certified categories5.5Operator registration and pilot training5.6Periodic inspections and component replacement5.7Incident analysis and frequent causes5.8Insurance and civil liability5.9Technical documentation and flight logbook5.10Case study: investigation of a loss of control
6.1Mission definition and requirements6.2Selection of configuration and frame6.3Propulsion and energy sizing6.4Integration of flight electronics6.5Firmware configuration6.6Simulator tests6.7Flight test plan6.8Endurance estimate and mass budget6.9Report 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is eCalc xcopterCalc, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, Betaflight Configurator and Gazebo, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for motor thrust bench tests, tuning flights in a simulator and flight log analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Royal Decree 517/2024, UNE-EN 4709-001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, IEC 62133-2.
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.
- An 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 eCalc xcopterCalc, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, Betaflight Configurator and Gazebo, 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 able to run 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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