The Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations AAS degree offered at Central Oregon Community College trains individuals to work as professional unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators in the national/international arena. Students will learn to operate UAS, including conducting mission/pre-flight planning, mission briefings, and programming. They will learn how to obtain and evaluate weather forecasts, Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), Special Instructions (SPIN), and airspace requirements. Students will be taught to perform limited UAS and ground support equipment testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

The UAS degree prepares students for a rapidly growing industry with many civilian applications, including agriculture, search and rescue, monitoring environment and wildlife, border security, fire mapping, surveying structures after natural disasters, real estate photography, and police surveillance.