RPL Course Brochure
Course Fee – Please enquire for current course fee details at training@[Link]
About Us
Drone-X (Pty) Ltd is an Approved Training Organization with the Civil Aviation Authority providing a
professional course for recreational and commercial RPAS Pilots.
Our Training License number is CAA/0420.
Remote Pilot License (RPL) & Fixed Wing RPL - providing pilots with the knowledge and practical skills
necessary to safely and effectively operate unmanned aircraft, in the commercial environment.
This course is operated on a scheduled basis – please enquire with our office for the relevant schedule.
Venues
We provide RPL training at approved venues in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Please Note: Fixed Wing RPL training is ONLY available in Cape Town.
Area Theory Practical Training
Cape Town Wild Clover, Stellenbosch
Johannesburg Online Zoom Lectures Centurion
Durban The Bluff, Durban
Requirements
To enrol in the RPL course, the prospective candidate must:
be 18 years or older
obtain a Class 3 Aviation Medical Examination by a Senior Designated Aviation Medical Examiner,
approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority prior to starting the course.
comply with the minimum requirements for Language Proficiency
Class-3 Aviation Medical
The CAA list of AME’s is quite extensive. We will be happy to provide a detailed list upon request.
Alternatively, you are welcome to obtain the full list off the CAA website directly.
Please note: certain medical conditions may influence the outcome of a medical examination. For example, but not
limited to: Epilepsy, Diabetes, Vision & Colour-Blindness, Cardiac related ailment, Blood Pressure, Depression, etc.
Language Proficiency
For the Restricted Radio licence, the candidate will need a Language Proficiency.
This can be either one of the following certificates:
Matric Certificate (obtaining at least a D-symbol in English 1st Language)
College Diploma/Certificate (at least 2-year SAQA-recognised qualification with English as language of tuition)
University Degree (at least 2-year SAQA-recognised qualification with English as language of tuition)
Should the candidate not have either of these, Drone-X can arrange a Language Proficiency Test with a
registered linguist and examiner at an additional charge, payable by the candidate.
Contact Us: Anya Black - Marketing & Training Co-ordinator
Email: training@[Link]
Call / WhatsApp: 082 563 8003
Phase 1 - Theory (5 consecutive days via online Zoom lectures as per schedule)
The Course Material will be provided to Candidates during the week leading up to the start of the course.
The theory phase of the course is broken up into 14 Modules covering the following subjects:
Air Law Principles of Flight
Aircraft Technical & General Meteorology
Human Performance Radio Telephony
Navigation Flight Planning
Internal exams for these subjects are written during Phase 2.
Please ensure you have a stable WiFi or Fibre connection to attend these online lectures!
Phase 2 – Restricted Radio License, Practical Training & Internal Exams
Upon completion of Phase 1, candidates are provided with a personalised login for radio mock exams, in
preparation for the SACAA Radio Theory Written Exam. Candidates are expected to write their radio theory
exam within 30 days of completing Phase 1.
The Restricted Radio License consists of two parts: Radio Theory Written Exam and Radio Oral Exam.
The Radio Theory Written Exam is the very first step in Phase 2. This examination is booked on an
appointment basis on any week-day, and is written at a Registered SACAA Examination Centre in an
invigilated environment. We suggest that candidates take at least one week of study time after the full
week of lectures, in order to prepare for the CAA online exam. Please enquire with us examination centre is
closest to you.
Once the Radio Theory Written Exam is passed, the candidate will be handed over to the Instructor for
Practical Drone Training.
We cover some theory training within the two-hour session and include at least one hour of actual flight time
during each session.
Multi-Rotor Practical Training consists of 7 two-hour sessions
Fixed Wing Practical Training consists of 5 two-hour sessions
It is during this Phase that the Instructor will set the candidate up to complete examinations on the Modules
covered in Phase 1 for Internal Exams. Once the Instructor is satisfied with progress, the candidate will be
scheduled on an appointment basis to complete the Restricted Radio Oral Exam, with an approved SACAA
Radio Examiner.
Phase 3 – Practical Training and Final Exams
Phase 3 kicks off with a final practical training session, followed by a “Mock Skills Test” known as the Letter of
Recommendation, conducted by the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI). This lesson is to ensure that each
candidate is proficient in the practical flying manoeuvres, as well as ensure that the theoretical knowledge
is acceptable to be able to pass the final skills test.
The CFI will then issue the candidate with a “Letter Of Recommendation”, and will pass this onto the
Approved Designated Flight Examiner (DFE) to conduct the final skills test.
The final Skills Test consists of theoretical ground evaluation of approx. 1–1½ hours, followed by a 15-minute
practical flight test.
Application to Civil Aviation Authority & Issue of RPL License
Drone-X will arrange the submission of the application to the Civil Aviation Authority and will supply each
candidate with a list of required documentation for the application after registering for a course. Once the
RPL License is issued, Drone-X will arrange for collection of the license from the SACAA, and courier the
license to the Candidate.
Duration of Course
The RPL Course can be comfortably completed within 4-6 weeks.
What Now?
To register for our RPL course, kindly complete the Registration Form and email it back to us.
Please enquire for the latest Course Schedule, which is operated on a monthly basis.