Abu Dhabi Men’s College, part of the Higher Colleges of Technology, provides a four-year course and undergraduate diploma or degree in aviation maintenance, including modules that require students to work on the design and build of UAS.
Three HCT graduates, Abdulhamid Ali, Zaid al Bitar and Abdalla al Zarooni, have formed their own UAS company, AvioComposites, after completing their studies. The trio have produced a series of concept models that they hope will be turned into working prototypes in the near future, and were confident they would find gain traction in the market.
The fixed-wing AC3000-LS UAS and AC1000-H hexacopter, two of the more advanced concepts, are designed for use in SAR, surveillance, agriculture, civil defense and information services.
‘We estimate an eight month period for research and design after which we would look at an entry into service. In one or two years we will have [UAVs] in the market and ready for sales,’ said al Bitar.
Ali told Shephard that he views Dubai as a potential ‘smart city’ and increasingly looking to use unmanned systems for commercial purposes. These include infrastructure inspections, crucial for the large desert areas inland of the Emirates’ urban conurbations.
Peter Fraser, technical instructor and quality manager of HCTs aviation faculty, said that they had some 360 students split between campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Many of the students were particularly interested in the challenges and potential of unmanned systems.
The development of UAS as part of the aviation course was well received by students, according to Fraser, adding that they were fully involved with in designing and building UAS with the assistance of industry.
The UAE was ‘committed’ to aviation excellence, he said.
Meanwhile a senior spokesperson for the UK Defense and Security Organization said that unmanned systems offered a range of benefits to regional governments by being able to offer a cost and capability sharing solutions across department, using a single platform.
Source: Shephard Media