There are no pre-requisites or age limits for an RePL. All you need is your commitment to complete your RePL which involves 8 units of theory training, then there is practical flying of 5 hours minimum, with a theory and practical test, once passed, your licences are issued.
For those who want to commercially operate in uncrewed aviation and be able to fly complex operations such as at night, in controlled airspace and above 400 feet. A ReOC is also required to enable suitable qualified pilots to carry out those operations. We have a ‘Rapid ReOC’ course which manages the entire process for you directly with CASA.
A ReOC is issued is an organisational certification allowing a business (individual or otherwise) to then be able to operate the full extent of drone operations that an RePL holder cannot. A ReOC holder is then able to employ pilots with a RePL to fly all operations the ReOC holder is certified to perform.
No, you don’t. There are many drones you can fly just for fun, whilst still understanding the rules. There are some great resources on the CASA website to help you understand them, plus we have a course dedicated to teaching you that, check out our Sub 2kg course.
Your licence never expires. There may be recency requirements for your employer or even yourself, if you hold a ReOC, but as a rule, the licence itself never expires and there are no annual fees.
Not necessarily. Smaller drones under 2kg, can be used for commercial purposes but you are limited as to where you can fly them and without a licence, could break rules. From a business public liability perspective, it would be much harder to insure as most Remote Pilot Aircraft (RPA) and business insurers will not cover commercial drones for pilots without a RePL. As a professional photographer, you would want to fly wherever you want and know how to do that. The only way to do that is to be licenced. This also gives you creditability as a professional photographer.
The majority of our courses, such as the RePL are designed for students with no experience at all. Our more advanced and technical skill courses are built for students with an existing RePL.
Most likely. We offer scheduled live online theory workshops which run over two full working days. Typically, these classes are a full day and are held on Mondays and Tuesdays on a fortnightly basis. The practical component of your RePL is run over 2-3 full days. If you are in a group or private booking and completing the 5-day face-to-face course, then time off may be needed depending on when that course is run.
At Uncrewed Aviation Australia, when you train with us, you’re always with us. At any time, you can call our team who will always be there to help and mentor you at any stage in your drone career.
Yes, we offer the sub 2kg course, which is effectively a super condensed version of our RePL course and delivered entirely online. The majority of our other courses have an element of flight involved, so there is usually a practical face-to-face component.
Providing it is of the same RPA category type, yes. We’ll even assist you with any questions you have about your own drone and settings whilst you are on the course.
The RePL has a minimum requirement of 5 hours flight (face-to-face) and 15 hours of face-to-face learning. Usually, students would expect around 20 hours of contact time delivered over 1, 2 or 4 weeks depending on class scheduling in your location and your commitment to study.
No, these courses are designed for students with no prior experience at all. Spoken English language proficiency is involved, so this is the only limiting factor for the Radio Operators’ Certificate element (which is not compulsory, but highly recommended).
Our aviation regulator CASA has not set a minimum age limit for the RePL, however we recommend students are at least 13 years of age, as some of the course content require structured thought processes.
Yes, the minimum age limit for the AROC is 17 years old. If you are not yet 17, you can complete the RePL first and once you have turned 17 then come back and complete the AROC.
With your initial RePL licence, you can fly any drone commercially, including multi-rotor below 7kg.
No, at Uncrewed Aviation we supply everything you need - so, train using our aircrafts - it’s safer that way! Then once you’ve passed, you’re more than welcome to buy your first DJI enterprise aircraft through us! (at a special price of course – ask about drones when you speak to us).
In order to fly at night, you would need to complete your Night Rating (CASA 01/17). To complete this, you need to be a RePL holder and you must only exercise your night rating whilst flying under a ReOC. What that means, is you can fly at night either, under your own ReOC or someone else’s ReOC as a listed pilot.
In order to fly beyond visual line of sight, you would need to complete the CASA BVLOS Exam. To prepare you for this, you must first hold a RePL and we recommend completing our CASA OCTA BVLOS Online Course, this course includes a knowledge standards check and syllabus which closely matches the CASA BVLOS exam. Once you are ready, you would then need to attend in person a CASA BVLOS Examination at one of CASA’s training delivery centres across the nation.
Flying FPV is great fun, but you must know the rules. Heading out to your local park and putting on the goggles is illegal. The main reason for this is spatial awareness, with the goggles on, you’re in the ‘cockpit’ and cannot see around you effectively, you certainly can’t see anyone approaching you on the ground, including a CASA inspector.
So, how do you fly FPV? There are many FPV racing clubs that have indoor spaces where flying FPV is fun, safe and completely legal. If you have your own land, you can fly FPV providing there is no public access, and you fly under the ‘standard operating conditions’. Not sure what they are? Check out CASA’s ‘know your drone’ website. - Link
Where else can I fly FPV? The only other conditions under which you’re able to fly FPV, is if you have an approval to do so under a Remote Operators Certificate, such as EVLOS or BVLOS approval, where you would have a separate observer who either wears the FPV goggles, or you, as the pilot do, and your observer does not.
Options are varied and very case-specific. It’s very easy to purchase a drone that is not going to best suit your operations. Here at Uncrewed Aviation Australia, we can advise on the best drone for your specific needs, so contact us for an unbiased opinion on what’s best for your application, situation and budget.
For information on flying a drone for commercial requirements, please see Remote Pilot Licence page on CASA’s website.
Yes of course, if you’re looking to fly drones commercially, either for yourself or someone else, this is the most important part of that journey. Many real estate agents and mining sites, for example insist that you hold a RePL at minimum, as this allows either the pilot or the contracting company to hold Public Liability Insurance more easily.
The best thing to do is to decide what you want to do. Advanced operations in surveys, wildlife monitoring, inspections, agriculture to name a few. Drones are being used extensively everywhere… your imagination is the only limitation. We are finding that successful RPA Pilots are specialising in their field, and capitalising on any previous experience. This will give you an upper hand in establishing yourself in a niche market.
Take a look at our wide range of courses, or get in touch with our friendly and knowledgable team today to discuss your requirements.