The Flight Training Center was officially designated as a Specialized Training Organization for Ultra-Light Vehicle Operators (Unmanned Airplane Category) by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) in June. Korea Aerospace University is the first university in the country to receive this authorization for unmanned airplanes (fixed-wing drones).

The Korea Transportation Safety Authority grants Specialized Training Organization authorization in four categories: unmanned multicopters, unmanned airplanes, unmanned vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and unmanned helicopters. The Flight Training Center became the first university in Korea to receive authorization for unmanned multicopter training in 2016 and has now expanded its qualifications to include the unmanned airplane category. The Center also plans to apply for authorization in the unmanned VTOL category later this year. Once approved, it will operate pilot training programs across three categories of ultra-light unmanned aircraft.

Specialized Training Organizations are accredited by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority after their training facilities, instructors, and curricula have been thoroughly evaluated. Individuals who complete the approved training program are exempt from the written examination required for the national pilot certification. In addition, Korea Aerospace University’s training site has been designated as an official practical examination venue, allowing trainees to complete both their training and practical certification test at the same location, making the certification process more convenient.

With this latest designation, the Flight Training Center is now authorized to offer Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 pilot training programs for unmanned airplanes. The curriculum includes classroom instruction covering aviation regulations, aviation meteorology, aerodynamics, and flight operations, as well as simulator-based flight training and hands-on flight practice using actual unmanned airplanes. All training and evaluations are conducted in accordance with the standards established by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority.

Unlike multicopters, unmanned airplanes are capable of long-range operations over wide areas, making them increasingly valuable in applications such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, national defense, and logistics. As these applications continue to expand, demand for qualified professionals in the field is also steadily increasing.

A representative of the Flight Training Center stated, “With this designation as a Specialized Training Organization for unmanned airplanes, we plan to systematically provide national certification training not only for the general public but also for our students and researchers. We will also expand research in industry-academia collaboration and advanced drone demonstration projects, with the goal of becoming Korea’s leading professional drone training institution.”