Training Australia’s next generation of commercial drone pilots

If you only fly your drone for private or recreational purposes, you can do so without a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). If you intend however to fly your drone commercially or for work purposes, there are extra rules you must follow. You will need a RePL or fly in the Excluded Category (sub-2 kilogram or Private Landholder). Regardless of the category, you must always operate your drone safely and adhere to the Standard Operating Conditions (SOCs) mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

If you intend to fly your drone for or at work (commercially), there are extra rules you must follow. You will need a remote pilot licence (RePL) or fly in the excluded category (sub-2 kilogram or private landholder)

Recreational Pilots
You have bought a drone such as a Phantom 4 or a Mavic Pro and you are looking to get in on some of those amazing photos and videos getting around Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. You fly for fun and enjoyment, but not for payment. There is no requirement to hold a RePL, but it is a good idea to undertake some introductory training that covers all the basics to operate your drone safely and legally. UAV Training Australia offers a 1-day Introduction to Drone Flying Course

Commercial Pilots (Uncertified)
It is possible to fly for money in Australia with a drone that weighs under 2kg (e.g.  a DJI Phantom or Mavic). This requires registering with CASA but requires no specific training or application costs. These operations are regarded as the excluded category

Excluded category operations are restricted to CASA’s Standard Operating Conditions (SOCs) and this does reduce what kind of commercial operations can be performed. It is also more difficult to attain public liability insurance without a licence or certificate. You must also notify CASA of your planned operations


Commercial Pilots (Certified)
To operate commercially with heavier drones (>2kg) and to gain permission for operations in conditions such as night flying, operating near controlled airports, or flying in closer proximity to persons, a pilot must hold a Remote Pilots Licence (RePL) and fly under a Remote Operator’s

Certificate (ReOC)

A licenced Remote Pilot may be employed by a business holding a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) or to apply for their own ReOC and operate as an individual or sole-trader

To become a commercial Drone Pilot and operate aircraft outside of the Excluded Category, you will need to successfully complete a Remote Pilots licence. UAV Training Australia offer a 5-day CASA Drone Certification Initial RePL Training course (covering both theory and practical flight components) or 2 day RePL Drone Licence CASA Pilot Conversion Course for those that already hold an acceptable CASA licence (eg. Flight crew licence)

There is no mandated requirement for any previous level of education prior to undertaking training for your RePL. You will however need to complete theoretical competencies on Remote Pilot Aircraft (RPA) law, RPA systems, meteorology, navigation, human factors, operational flight planning, aeronautical radio, aviation English along with other modules required by CASA to meet the RPA licencing requirements

Industries are now beginning to adopt the use of drones in their standard practices and are finding that the information and data that a drone can produce is creating more details accurate and more efficient results so corporations are now looking for people with drone experience. Small and private businesses are also now growing in the area as people start their own businesses or find a new service that they can offer that goes above and beyond the current market.

It really is up to you and how prepared you are to enter such a new and emerging industry.  As an organisation we have taken on several staff who have completed their studies with us and we have a list of on-call casual pilots available when operational jobs come up with our sister company Advanced Aerial Solutions.