Lifting the Lid on Drone training.

There is a lot of confusion around what training is CASA certified and what is marketing spin. Drone training is complex but is tightly regulated under the Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOS).

There is only one CASA certified qualification, the Remote Pilots License and to be granted one the MOS stipulates what must theory be included along with how much contact time and flight time is required to meet the standards. 

Training is broken down by type (Multirotor, Aeroplane, Powered Lift, Helicopter and Blimp) and weight categories (Small up to 25kg, Medium 25-150kg and Large 150kg+).

Ultimately these are the qualifications that will be shown on the Remote Pilots License (RePL) when granted to you by CASA. 

RePL Training is made up of two elements: a theory course and flight training. 

A CASA approved theory course must include all common theory modules shown in MOS 101 Syllabus and be delivered over a minimum of 15 hours of contact time. This can live online or face to face depending on the course mode of delivery. An RePL course cannot be 100%  online and be compliant with the MOS 101. Once the theory has been delivered candidates must then pass a theory exam delivered in person. 

Flight training must cover all units shown in the MOS 101 and all candidates must have a minimum of 5 hours flight time to qualify for their license. This means 5 hours of time on sticks controlling the vehicle and does not include time as a spotter or on a simulator.

This is often confused with 5 hours in the field but to complete 5 hours of flight time you will need approx. 8 hours in the field depending on the aircraft being flown. Pre-logged flight time can be taken into account but a logbook needs to be provided as proof of hours and competency still need to be assessed. Flight training culminates in a flight assessment to complete this part of the course. 

There are lots of optional extras and skills courses available, but none are shown on your license. Skills courses have value in industry, but they are no endorsements or ratings as they are commonly advertised. 

For example, if you complete night operations skills training it does not show on your license and you will still need to complete a full night induction under the ReOC you operate under. 

When choosing RePL training make sure it complies with the MOS 101 requirements, has small class sizes for their theory course (less than 10) and good instructor to student ratios in flight training (1 to 1 is best). This will always give you a better experience than a course with lots of extras.

Dedicated skills courses for things like mapping and thermal detection are great tools to have but should be added to a solid RePL foundation rather than mixed in as a small part into the RePL training itself.