• No, unfortunately not.
• However, foreign regulators may validate the South African RPL if they do not have current regulations governing the RPL Licence in their 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.

24 months from the date of issue.

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

DON’TS

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

Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft 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 Aircraft or toy aircraft:

• Near manned aircraft
• 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
• Aircraft, or toy aircraft higher than 150 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.

The Theory Course is 6 Days for the Long RPL 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 RPL Skills Test with a Designated Flight Examiner.

RPAS Training Academy offers two variations of the RPL 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 RPL 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 RPL Licence as per Part 101 of the regulation.

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

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

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.

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

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.