The Technology and Applications of Drone Systems
Drönares teknologi och samhällstillämpningar

TFRH01, 7.5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED FLY
Date of Decision: 2025-02-24
Effective: 2025-03-17

General Information

Main field: Aeronautical Sciences Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

This internationally oriented elective course aims to develop the knowledge, skills and judgement of students in the technology and applications of drone system technology; so called unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Demonstrate an understanding for the regulatory constraints of using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in various kinds of airspace
• Understand the safety risks linked with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operation in close proximity to uninvolved people or with a heavier unmanned aircraft
• Have a basic knowledge of how to plan a flight within EASA Open Category and define contingency procedures covering: Meteorology, Technology, TEM, GDPR, Camera surveillance, and Dissemination permit for geographical information.
• Demonstrate a general understanding for the potential and limitations of common UAS technologies.
• Show knowledge in different parts of a UAS.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Based on the flight exercises demonstrate the competence to plan and conduct UAS missions considering risks and environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to configure a UAS.
• Demonstrate the ability to post-process data

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on the ethics of various types of UAS missions; including issues of privacy, social effects, and equality aspects
• Demonstrate the ability to make decisions on whether/how to go ahead with drone missions based on given conditions.

Contents

The course consists of lectures, field exercises with a flight planning assignment and a written report about UAS use. The course ends with a written exam.

The content is divided into two modules:

Module 1: Flight practice, Flight Planning assignment and report with presentation

Module 2: Theory reflected by lectures with a written exam.

The knowledge and skills obtained in the course gives the student the qualifications to later obtain a drone licence. This is not a part of the course but can be done at Transportstyrlesen. 

The knowledge and skills obtained in the course gives the student a solid foundation to later obtain an A2 certificate of competency according to EU regulation 2019/947. Examination for A2 certificate is not a part of the course but can be done at Transportstyrelsen.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U, G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment:

Students will be examined based on the completion of the practical exercises, flight planning assignment, a report with presentation and a written examination.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0122. Name: UAS Technology, Design(s) and Regulatory Frameworks.
Credits: 3.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Written examination The module includes: - Using UAS in today's society - UAS Regulations - Transportstyrelsen and EASA guidance - Practical application of regulations; permits based on risk classification - Airspace and air traffic management - Safety culture and incident reporting - Operational procedures - UAS technology - Principles of Flight for rotary wings and fixed wing aircraft - Aviation in general - Motor technologies - Mass and balance - Performance, planning and logging - Automated and autonomous flight
Code: 0222. Name: Planning and Conducting UAS Missions .
Credits: 4.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Passed exercises The module includes: - Exercises in which students plan and execute the use of UAS - Manual and automated flight - Navigation - Human performance and limitations - Meteorology and meteorological limitations - Ground control stations (GCP) for georeference - Human performance and limitations - Communication - Risk analysis for UAS operations

Admission

Admission requirements:

• General entry requirements.

Reading list

Contact

Course coordinator: Johan Eldh, johan.eldh@tfhs.lu.se
Course administrator: Pernilla Karlsson, pernilla.karlsson@tfhs.lu.se
Course homepage: https://www.lusa.lu.se/education/drone-technology-to-meet-societal-challenges/