FAQ’s

DRONE PILOT TRAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  1. DO I NEED A LICENCE TO FLY MY DRONE?
    • You will need to apply for a drone license before you can operate it. 
  2. I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE, CAN I STILL DO THIS COURSE?
    • Absolutely, yes. Anyone can do the course as long as you meet the minimum requirements
  3. WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A DRONE LICENCE?not be less than 18 years of age.
    • a valid class 4 medical certificate for B-VLOS operations or operations involving remotely piloted aircraft classified as class 3 or higher.
    • for all other classes or types of operations, a self[1]declared medical assessment report as prescribed in the Implementing Standards for Continuing Airworthiness, Operations and Maintenance of Remotely Piloted Aircraft; a restricted Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelephony (Aeronautical); 
    • All examinations require pass mark of above 75%.
    • You require at least a level 4 English Language proficiency.
  4. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE COURSE?Course material Online support
    • Mock examinations
    • Final examination fees (for the first attempt – all rewrites are for your own account)
    • Practical flight training
    • RPL test with a Remote Pilot Examiner
    • English Proficiency
    • Exam if required
  5. DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL SOFTWARE ON MY COMPUTER AND HOW DO I ACCESS THE COURSE MATERIAL?
    • No special software is required. You will receive a link via email where you will enter your unique username and a password to access the course material and mock examinations
  6. IS THE COURSE PART TIME OR FULL TIME AND HOW DOES THE COURSE WORK?
    • We have 2-course options available:
      1. Online / Part-Time Drone Licence
        • Once you have made your payment:
          • you receive access to the online course material consisting of 7 subjects and mock examinations.
          • you will work at your own pace.
          • when ready to write examinations, schedule 1-2 days of ground school with an instructor for revision purposes.
          • once you have passed your examinations you will need approximately 3 days to complete the practical fight lessons and the flight test.
      2. Full Time / Classroom-Based Course:
        • Once you have made your payment:
          • select your course date.
          • you will receive access to the online course material consisting of 7 subjects and mock examinations.
          • you will be required to attend ground school lectures at Emerald Hill ground school.
          • upon arrival at the campus you will receive stationary.
          • ground school lectures will take approximately 5 working days to complete.
          • during the lectures, we will prepare you for your examinations.
          • once you have passed your examinations you will need approximately 3 days to do the practical lessons and the flight test.
  7. CAN I USE MY TABLET OR PHONE FOR THE ONLINE GROUND SCHOOL?
    • Absolutely, yes. You can access the course on any device that has an internet connection.
  8. DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT OR THE FULL AMOUNT UPFRONT?
    • We require a 50% non-refundable deposit upfront. This will give you access to your course material.
  9. HOW LONG DOES ONLINE GROUND SCHOOL TAKE – WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME I CAN TAKE TO COMPLETE THE THEORY?
    • The online course duration depends on your availability. If you work at your studies every day at a steady pace you should complete the theory in 2 weeks. Once you have passed your final theory examinations you must complete your practical flying and flight test within 90 days.
  10. AM I REQUIRED TO DO ANY ASSIGNMENTS?
    • No, there are no assignments but you will receive mock examinations which have to be completed before you can proceed to the next section of the subject you are working on.
  11. CAN I WRITE MY EXAMINATIONS ONLINE?
    • No, final examinations must be written at our CAAZ approved test centers.
  12. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL MY FINAL EXAMINATIONS?
    • If you fail an examination,  you will be able to rewrite twice within 7 days. If you obtain less than 50% for your third attempt, you will need to wait 2 months before you can rewrite. All rewrites after the third attempt are for your account.
  13. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP, IS THERE ONLINE TUTOR/INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT?
    • Should you need help, we are always available via e-mail, WhatsApp, or Skype to answer any questions.
  14. I ALREADY HAVE A PPL/CPL/ATPL. DO I STILL NEED TO DO THE GROUND SCHOOL AND WHICH SUBJECTS DO I NEED TO DO?
    • Yes. You are only required to complete the following subjects:
      • Air Law  SI 271
      • Principles of Flight
      • Technical and Construction
      • Navigation and Flight Planning
  15. AFTER I HAVE PASSED MY EXAMINATIONS AND PRACTICAL FLIGHT TEST, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY LICENCE.
    • Once the CAAZ receives your application documents it normally takes 7-10 working days. We will assist with this process.
  16. DO I NEED TO HAVE MY OWN DRONE TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE?
    • No, we have our fleet of drones available for you to complete the practical flying and test.
  17. MAY I USE MY OWN DRONE TO DO THE COURSE?
    • No, the CAAZ requires that you make use of a drone that is registered on our Aircraft Training Organisation (ATO).
  18. NOW I THAT I HAVE A DRONE LICENCE, CAN I EARN REMUNERATION?
    • No, once you are qualified you will need to work on a registered Remote Operators Certificate (ROC).
  19. WHAT CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DRONE PILOTS?
    • The career possibilities for a drone pilot are endless. Here are a few examples:
      • Aerial photography and videography for real estate: housing developments, malls, resorts, golf courses.
      • General aerial photography: private or public events, holiday resort advertising.
      • Surveillance for security companies.
      • Anti-poaching support services.
      • Construction: pre-building site inspections, progress monitoring, safety monitoring.
      • Film making: location scouting and scene footage.
      • Public safety: crime scene mapping, search and rescue, traffic management, evaluation of damage after a disaster, emergency deliveries.
      • Insurance inspections.
      • Journalism and investigative reporting.
      • Farming and agricultural mapping, crop and livestock monitoring, crop spraying, perimeter and fencing inspection.
      • Aerial surveying.
      • Powerline and pipeline inspections.
      • Drone instruction.
  20. I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE, CAN I STILL DO THIS COURSE?
  21. AM I REQUIRED TO DO ANY ASSIGNMENTS?
    1. No, there are no assignments but you will receive mock examinations which have to be completed before you can proceed to the next section of the subject you are working on.
  22. CAN I WRITE MY EXAMINATIONS ONLINE?
    1. No, final examinations must be written at our CAAZ approved test centers.
  23. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL MY FINAL EXAMINATIONS?
    1. If you fail an examination,  you will be able to rewrite twice within 7 days. If you obtain less than 50% for your third attempt, you will need to wait 2 months before you can rewrite. All rewrites after the third attempt are for your account.
  24. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP, IS THERE ONLINE TUTOR/INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT?
    1. Should you need help, we are always available via e-mail, WhatsApp, or Skype to answer any questions.
  25. I ALREADY HAVE A PPL/CPL/ATPL. DO I STILL NEED TO DO THE GROUND SCHOOL AND WHICH SUBJECTS DO I NEED TO DO?
    • Yes. You are only required to complete the following subjects:
      • Air Law  SI 271
      • Principles of Flight
      • Technical and Construction
      • Navigation and Flight Planning
  26. AFTER I HAVE PASSED MY EXAMINATIONS AND PRACTICAL FLIGHT TEST, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY LICENCE.
    • Once the CAAZ receives your application documents it normally takes 7-10 working days. We will assist with this process.
  27. WHAT CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DRONE PILOTS?
    • The career possibilities for a drone pilot are endless. Here are a few examples:
      • Aerial photography and videography for real estate: housing developments, malls, resorts, golf courses.
      • General aerial photography: private or public events, holiday resort advertising.
      • Surveillance for security companies.
      • Anti-poaching support services.
      • Construction: pre-building site inspections, progress monitoring, safety monitoring.
      • Film making: location scouting and scene footage.
      • Public safety: crime scene mapping, search and rescue, traffic management, evaluation of damage after a disaster, emergency deliveries.
      • Insurance inspections.
      • Journalism and investigative reporting.
      • Farming and agricultural mapping, crop and livestock monitoring, crop spraying, perimeter and fencing inspection.
      • Aerial surveying.
      • Powerline and pipeline inspections.
      • Drone instruction.