Drone Licence for Pilots — RPC for PPL/CPL/ATPL Holders
Officially: the RPC, earned through credited theory for licence holders.
Already a pilot? Credit what you’ve passed. Your manned-aviation theory counts toward the RPC, so you skip the overlapping subjects and go straight to what’s new: the aircraft, the regulations that differ, and the flying.
Who this course is for
You hold a PPL, CPL or ATPL and want to add remote operations — for your own work, your employer, or a sideline that uses the airmanship you already have.
Because your licence is current, the path is short: credited theory, full flight training, skills test. The aviation medical you already hold with your licence covers the RPC’s Class 3 requirement.
What you’ll learn
Theory
Your manned theory counts. The subjects you passed for your PPL, CPL or ATPL — air law, meteorology, navigation, human performance and principles of flight — are credited. You complete only the drone-specific modules, 15 hours in total:
- UAS Technical & General6 h
- Battery Safety3 h
- Operational Procedures & TEM4 h
- Part 101 Air Law — the delta from manned regulations2 h
No radio licence or English test is needed — you already hold both. What remains is full flight training in your chosen category, closing with the skills test.
How training runs
The credited-theory review runs in class at Waterfall City, online, or through the e-learning portal. Flight training happens at Grasslands Flying Club. You advance when every exercise in the stage meets standard.
The internal examination pass mark is 75% on the remaining subjects, and the course closes with the skills test in your chosen category.
What you leave with
The Remote Pilot Certificate in your chosen category — commercial drone operations added to the licence you already hold.
- SACAA-Accredited Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) — your chosen category
- Course Completion Certificate
Your radio licence, English Language Proficiency rating and aviation medical are already on your file with your manned licence — nothing to redo.
Questions about this course
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Ground Floor, Gateway West
22 Magwa Crescent
Waterfall City, Midrand, 1682
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