RPAS Training Academy

FAQ

Want to know more?

RPAS Training Academy

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Here are some Frequently asked questions to help get you flying in the right direction.

I hold an RPC from another country, can I do familiarisation training to get an SACAA RPC?
  • No, unfortunately not.
  • However, foreign regulators may validate the South African RPC if they do not have current regulations governing the RPC Licence in their country.
Can I fly with my South African RPC in another country?
  • No, you would still need to fulfil all the legal requirements of that country.
  • There are certain proficiencies that you could validate.

Please check with us first as this is a case-by-case basis.

How long will my RPC be valid for?

24 months from the date of issue.

Where am I allowed to fly my drone?

http://approveddronepilots.co.za/2017/09/22/south-africa-no-fly-zones/  – Map of no-fly zones SA.

Below are Do’s and Don’ts associated when flying a Drone:

 

DO’S

Fly/operate Remotely Piloted UA, or toy UA in a safe manner, at all times.
Remotely Piloted UA or toy UA should remain within the visual line of sight at all times.
Fly/operate RPA in daylight and clear weather conditions.
Inspect your UA before each flight.

 

DON’TS

DO NOT, through act or omission, endanger the safety of another UA or person therein or any person or property through negligent flying/operation of Remotely Piloted UA, or toy UA.

Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted UA, or toy UA 50 m or closer from:

Any person or group of persons (like sports field, road races, schools, social events, etc.)
Any property without permission from the property owner.

Unless approved by the SACAA, DO NOT fly/operate Remotely Piloted UA  or toy UA:

  • Near manned UA
  • 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield)
  •  Weighing more than 7 kg
  • In controlled airspace
  • In restricted airspace
  • In prohibited airspace.
  • Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted
  • UA, or toy UA higher than 150 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.

 

How long does the course take?

The Theory Course is 6 Days for the Long RPC Course and runs from Monday to Saturday. The Short Course runs with the long course (in conjunction), with the exception that the person does not have to attend the exempt subjects and examinations. Once the theory has been attended in full, the examinations may be written. The practical section of the course can be attended directly after the theory or when you are available. Once you have completed your practical and an instructor deems you fit to test, you will do an RPC Skills Test with a Designated Flight Examiner.

Which course should I enroll for?

RPAS Training Academy offers two variations of the RPC courses.

 

SHORT COURSE

  • The Short course caters for a person who holds a current SACAA Pilot Licence. (PPL-CPL-ATPL).
  •  You will receive credits from the other SACAA Licence you hold, which will exempt you from some lectures and writing certain subjects.

 

LONG COURSE

  • The Standard RPC Course is for a person who does not hold any other SACAA Pilots Licence.
  • The person would need to attend all theory training needed to obtain the RPC Licence as per Part 101 of the regulation.
How long does the course take?

The RPC course may be completed in under 2 weeks depending on personal schedule.

How many exams are in the RPC course and how much to do I need to pass the exam?
  • In the short course, there are 4 examinations for a single rating and 5 examination for the dual rating.
  • Long Course there are 7 examinations if you attend a single rating. With an additional rating you would need to write an additional subject.
  • A Single Rating mean that you select to either do the Multi-Rotor or the Aeroplane.
  • A Dual Rating means that you select both Multi-Rotor and Aeroplane.
  • The pass mark is 75% for each examination written
Is it difficult to pass the online restricted radio exam?

If you don’t study for the Restricted Radio exam, then the examination will probably be difficult to pass. If you use all the tools given to you in class, then you can pass the exam.

What is a restricted radio licence and why do I need one?
  • A restricted radio licence allows you to broadcast on frequency i.e talk to other people in the same airspace.
  • We have both manned and unmanned pilots operating in the same areas and need to know who to speak to each other with the correct phraseology and how to structure your radio calls.
  • The test is split into two parts:
    • Oral examination where the examiner examines your ability to structure your radio calls.
    • The online examination consisting on multiple choice questions and can be written at any approved online SACAA Test Centre.
Can I Operate Commercially with an RPC?

You cannot operate commercially with your drone with just an RPC, you would need to gain and ROC, ASL and have SACAA Registered UA.

May I bring my own drone to train with?
  • No, unfortunately not. You need to fly a registered UA in order to obtain your licence.
  • All RPAS Training Academy UA are registered with the SACAA.
How may I Insure my drone while it is in flight?

Drone insurance requires the pilot to hold an RPC, the drone to be registered with CAA and the flight to be conducted under an ROC.

D.O. Training

Aviation Medical FAQ

Click on the links below to download the Aviation Medical FAQs & additional Medical-related information.

What type of aviation medical do I need?

You will need to ask your aviation doctor for a Class III Aviation Medical Certificate.

Can I use any Doctor?

No, the Medical Assessors are doctors appointed by the Director of the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority, who are qualified and experienced, in the practice of aviation medicine and competent in evaluating and assessing medical conditions to ensure flight safety.

How long does it take?

Generally, an aviation medical will take up to 45 -60 minutes, depending on the medical assessor.

What if I wear glasses?

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it is important to take your last optician’s report along to the examination. A comprehensive visual examination by an eye specialist is required during the initial examination.

The CAA guides vision standards for pilots who wear glasses and contact lenses.

How often do I need to redo my aviation medical?

24 months, in the case where the holder of a Class 2 or Class 3 medical certificate has passed his or her 40th birthday;

12 months, when the holder of a Class 2 or Class 3 medical certificate has passed his or her 50th birthday.

Why does a pilot need to do a medical?

A pilot needs to be medically fit and healthy to complete their duties. The South Africa Civil Aviation Authority requires that all RPC Pilots hold a Class III Medical as per Part 101.

Aviation medical guidelines can be found in Part 67 of the SACAA Aviation Regulations.

Where can I do my aviation medical?

Click here to get a list of Aviation doctors close to where you live.

How much does it cost?

The pricing varies depending on the Aviation Medical Doctor. Please contact them for pricing as this is external from D.O. Training.

Powered by Drone Ops

D.O. Solutions

  • 9Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced
  • 9M300 RTK
  • 9Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual
  • 9Phantom 4 RTK
  • 9Scout II

D.O. Operations

  • 9Powerline Inspections
  • 9Security
  • 9Blast Monitoring
  • 9Asset Inspection
  • 9 Mapping and Surveying

Copyright © 2022 Drone Ops · All rights reserved · Powered by Accio Digital