Diploma in PX4/ArduPilot and Applied Flight Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in PX4/ArduPilot and applied flight control. 8 modules covering open autopilot architecture, sensors and estimation, multirotor, fixed-wing and VTOL control, simulation, missions and firmware development under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and ASTM F3411-22a, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in PX4/ArduPilot and Applied Flight Control — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 24 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
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 architecture of PX4 and ArduPilot and the MAVLink protocol.
Configure and analyse state estimation with EKF filters.
Tune control loops for multirotors and fixed-wing aircraft.
Configure transitions and control of VTOL aircraft.
Validate firmware through SITL and HIL simulation.
Programme missions, failsafes and offboard control.
Develop and contribute autopilot firmware modules.
Who it's for
- Drone flight control engineers.
- Autopilot firmware developers.
- UAS integration engineers.
- Drone flight test engineers.
- Aerial robotics developers.
- UAS maintenance technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join drone manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems and third-country operators)
- ASTM F3411-22a (Remote ID and tracking)
- MAVLink Common Message Set (drone communication protocol)
- DS-009 Pixhawk FMU Standard (autopilot hardware reference)
- EN 4709-002 (direct remote identification)
- ASTM F3201 (dependability of software used in UAS)
- PX4 Autopilot
- ArduPilot
- QGroundControl
- Mission Planner
- Gazebo
8 modules
1.1History of PX4 and ArduPilot1.2Licences and communities1.3Pixhawk hardware and the FMU standard1.4PX4 architecture: uORB and modules1.5ArduPilot architecture: vehicles and libraries1.6NuttX, ChibiOS and operating systems1.7MAVLink protocol1.8QGroundControl and Mission Planner ground stations1.9Development and build environment1.10Case study: comparing PX4 and ArduPilot for a project
2.1IMU, barometer and magnetometer2.2GNSS and RTK2.3Sensor calibration2.4EKF2 filter in PX42.5EKF3 in ArduPilot2.6Fusion with optical flow and vision2.7Vibration management2.8Sensor failures and redundancy2.9Analysis of filter innovations2.10Lab: analysis of estimation logs with Flight Review
3.1Cascade control: attitude, velocity and position3.2PID controllers and their parameters3.3Mixers and control allocation3.4Gyroscope filters and dynamic notch3.5Autotune in PX4 and ArduPilot3.6Response and stability3.7Thrust control and saturation3.8Battery compensation3.9Tuning in real flight3.10Practical exercise: PID tuning with Autotune
4.1TECS energy control4.2L1 and NPFG path following4.3Lateral and longitudinal control4.4VTOL transitions4.5QuadPlane in ArduPilot4.6Tailsitter and tiltrotor4.7Automatic launch and landing4.8Stall management and minimum airspeed4.9Airspeed calibration4.10Lab: VTOL transition in simulation
5.1Software-in-the-loop with Gazebo5.2Hardware-in-the-loop5.3JMAVSim and AirSim5.4Vehicle dynamic models5.5Automated integration testing5.6Injected failure scenarios5.7ROS 2 and the uXRCE-DDS bridge5.8Validation of firmware changes5.9Preparing the first flight5.10Practical exercise: SITL with Gazebo and an automatic mission
6.1Manual and assisted modes6.2Waypoint missions6.3Geofence and exclusion zones6.4Battery and link failsafes6.5Return to home and precision landing6.6Offboard control from a computer6.7Lua scripts in ArduPilot6.8Payload integration6.9Remote ID on open autopilots6.10Workshop: offboard control with MAVSDK
7.1Creating a PX4 module7.2ArduPilot libraries and drivers7.3Adding a new sensor7.4Parameter management7.5Data logging and ULog7.6Contributing to the open-source project7.7Version control and CI7.8Software quality and unit testing7.9Considerations for certification7.10Case study: driver for a distance sensor
8.1Definition of the vehicle and mission8.2Hardware and autopilot selection8.3Configuration and calibration8.4Controller tuning8.5SITL simulation8.6Planned flight tests8.7Log analysis8.8Technical documentation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme 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, Mission Planner and Gazebo, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: tuning control loops on a real multirotor, SITL simulation of autonomous missions and flight log analysis for diagnostics. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, ASTM F3411-22a, MAVLink Common Message Set, DS-009 Pixhawk FMU Standard, EN 4709-002, ASTM F3201.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not 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 800 hours over 6–8 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, Mission Planner and Gazebo, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, 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.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in Airport Master Plan and Capacity
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in airport master planning and capacity: 8 modules covering the master plan process, demand forecasting, runway, apron and terminal capacity,…
Diploma in Legal Framework of Space and ITAR/EAR
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Space Law and ITAR/EAR. 8 modules covering international and national space law, export controls, ITAR, EAR, compliance programmes and…
Diploma in Critical Software Development and Verification (DO-178C)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in safety-critical software development and verification (DO-178C): 8 modules covering the airborne software life cycle, planning and standards, requirements and…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships