FAQ’s
DRONE PILOT TRAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- DO I NEED A LICENCE TO FLY MY DRONE?
- You will need to apply for a drone license before you can operate it.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- IS THE COURSE PART TIME OR FULL TIME AND HOW DOES THE COURSE WORK?
- We have 2-course options available:
- 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.
- Once you have made your payment:
- 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.
- Once you have made your payment:
- Online / Part-Time Drone Licence
- We have 2-course options available:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- CAN I WRITE MY EXAMINATIONS ONLINE?
- No, final examinations must be written at our CAAZ approved test centers.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Yes. You are only required to complete the following subjects:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- The career possibilities for a drone pilot are endless. Here are a few examples:
- I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE, CAN I STILL DO THIS COURSE?
- 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.
- CAN I WRITE MY EXAMINATIONS ONLINE?
- No, final examinations must be written at our CAAZ approved test centers.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Yes. You are only required to complete the following subjects:
- 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.
- 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.
- The career possibilities for a drone pilot are endless. Here are a few examples: