New drone pilot simulator will allow UND to offer advanced unmanned aircraft systems program

GRAND FORKS, North Dakota — The University of North Dakota is elevating the level of training for students learning to fly large drones.

The Grand Forks school will offer an advanced unmanned aircraft systems program because of the addition of a state-of-the-art simulator.

The state provided $2.7 million in grants to help finance what’s called the Predator Mission Aircrew Training System, or PMAT.

Students are being trained on smaller simulators in advance of the new course scheduled to begin in January.

The program will teach students to maneuver long-range drones that can fly between 18,000 and 30,000 feet.

UND aviation professor John Bridewell says the course will help fill demand for drone pilots.

UND was the first school nationwide to offer a bachelor’s degree in unmanned aircraft systems when the program started in 2009.