PX4 and Ardupilot Autopilot Course
Online course of 300 hours in PX4 and ArduPilot autopilots. 6 modules covering open autopilot architecture, estimation and control, MAVLink, simulation and integration on real platforms under Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and Delegated Regulations (EU) 2019/945 and 2020/1058, with PX4 Autopilot, ArduPilot, QGroundControl and Gazebo, with an assigned technical tutor.
PX4 and Ardupilot Autopilot Course — studying from New Zealand
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Questions from New Zealand
Can I pay in New Zealand dollars?
Yes. Fees on this site are shown in NZD, and instalment plans and employer sponsorship are available.
Do I get support during my studies?
Yes. Each learner is assigned a dedicated technical tutor, and programmes include a final project built around a practical problem.
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
Understand the software architecture of PX4 and ArduPilot.
Configure state estimators and flight controllers.
Use the MAVLink protocol for telemetry and control.
Develop modules and scripts on open autopilots.
Validate configurations in SITL and HITL simulation.
Integrate peripherals and communication buses on real vehicles.
Analyse flight logs to diagnose failures.
Who it's for
- Autopilot firmware developers.
- UAS integration engineers.
- Embedded flight systems specialists.
- Drone test engineers.
- Aerial robotics engineers.
- Drone fleet configuration technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter drone manufacturing.
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)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1058 (amendment introducing C5 and C6 UAS classes)
- ASTM F3002 (design of the command and control system for small UAS)
- ASTM F3201 (dependability of software used in UAS)
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
- PX4 Autopilot
- ArduPilot
- QGroundControl
- Gazebo
- MAVSDK
6 modules
1.1History and communities of PX4 and ArduPilot1.2BSD and GPL licences: implications1.3Pixhawk hardware and the FMU standard1.4NuttX and ChibiOS operating systems1.5PX4 uORB architecture1.6ArduPilot libraries and scheduler1.7Supported vehicle types1.8Functional comparison between the two stacks1.9Build toolchain and development environments1.10Lab: firmware compilation and upload
2.1PX4 EKF2 estimator2.2ArduPilot EKF3 estimator2.3Fusion of GNSS, optical flow and vision2.4Attitude and position controllers in PX42.5ArduCopter and ArduPlane controllers2.6Critical parameters and fine tuning2.7Autotune and notch filter tuning2.8Analysis of ULog and DataFlash logs2.9Diagnosis of estimation failures2.10Practical exercise: log analysis with PlotJuggler and Flight Review
3.1MAVLink protocol: messages and dialects3.2Microservices: mission, parameters and commands3.3MAVLink 2 message signing3.4Telemetry links and SiK radios3.5MAVSDK and pymavlink3.6DroneKit and MAVProxy3.7Integration with ROS 2 and uXRCE-DDS3.8Companion computers3.9QGroundControl and Mission Planner ground stations3.10Workshop: controlling a vehicle with MAVSDK in Python
4.1SITL and HITL simulation4.2Integration with Gazebo4.3Custom vehicle models4.4Automated mission testing4.5Writing modules and drivers in PX44.6Lua scripts in ArduPilot4.7Custom flight modes4.8Debugging with GDB and JTAG4.9Continuous integration and version control4.10Lab: developing a uORB module
5.1Airframe and geometry configuration5.2Sensor and ESC calibration5.3Failsafe and geofence configuration5.4Peripherals: rangefinders, RTK GNSS and gimbals5.5CAN bus and DroneCAN5.6VTOL configuration with transition5.7Ground tests and first flight5.8Firmware version management across a fleet5.9Configuration documentation5.10Case study: commissioning a VTOL with PX4
6.1Selection of stack and hardware6.2Definition of functional requirements6.3Vehicle and parameter configuration6.4Development of additional functionality6.5Validation in simulation6.6HITL tests6.7Log analysis and adjustments6.8Technical configuration report6.9Report 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 standards and applied exercises. The working software is PX4 Autopilot, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Gazebo and MAVSDK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for SITL and HITL autopilot simulation, flight log analysis and peripheral integration on real platforms. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1058, ASTM F3002, ASTM F3201, RTCA DO-178C, Directive 2014/53/EU.
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 PX4 Autopilot, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Gazebo and MAVSDK, 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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