It can be confusing comparing quotes and packages from RePL training providers. To help you here is a list of some items you need to know about.
Do you require the licence to fly commercially?
If you fly under the Standard Operating Conditions (SOC) you do not require a licence to operate commercially.
RPAS equip will not mislead you on this.
AROC
Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate
Your Remote Pilot Licence is limited without a licence to use an aviation radio.
To make the most of your RePL you will need to use an aviation radio to communicate with air traffic.
You require an AROC if you wish to obtain permission to operate above 400 ft, within 5.5 km of a controlled airport, in many restricted airspaces, and in several other situations.
Unless you already have an aviation radio licence you will need training for an AROC.
For these reasons, RPAS equip includes AROC training free in all RePL packages.
ReOC
Remote Operators Certificate
A ReOC is a document with a set of operating procedures and information relevant to the safe operation of RPAS.
It also contains exemptions and permissions granted to the Operator.
If you do not operate under a ReOC you are limited to the Standard Operating Conditions (SOC) of the Excluded category.
In other words, it’s like you do not have a licence!
So, it is important to either operate under your own ReOC or that of another entity.
The ReOC is an extra expense to you if you want your own. But it defines the privileges your company will have as an Operator.
A ReOC and these exemptions can give you a professional and competitive advantage.
ReOC Express Fast Track?
Some training providers advertise they can speed up the ReOC process and offer an express ReOC option. This is misleading because only a CASA delegate can speed up the processing. And even then, it takes to produce a ReOC and for you to be ready for the CASA Delegate scenario and interview.
RPAS equip gives you a discount on the cost of producing the ReOC and the assistance the Chief Remote Pilot will need for the Delegate scenario and interview.
7 kg or 25 kg?
The cheapest packages are for licences which are limited to 7 kg. And if you are happy with that, good.
However, 25 kg packages offer you the best value. Maybe it’s an additional expense now, but you will find it opens more drone opportunities. On successful completion of the course, you will be licenced to operate any multi-rotor drone up to 25 kg.
Licences above 25 kg are issued based on manufacture training on a specific drone. In most cases these will be agricultural spray drones.
So, our advice is, go for 25 kg, get the full licence, and save in the long run.
When comparing providers make sure you are comparing the same weight category!
RPAS equip will give you a package discount for a 25 kg RePL.
All Online Self Study?
Some drone training organisations tell you they can offer all RePL theory as online self-study. This is misleading because CASA requires 15 hours of real time interactive face to face instruction (MOS 2.26). So, while you may be able to complete all theory modules as self-study, you will then have to add 15 hours of face-face instruction covering the very same topics.
RPAS equip delivers more than 15 hrs in face-face real-time class instruction. This excludes time for AROC theory lessons.
Not only that, if you want to revise any lessons, you can join an existing class at no extra cost.
RTO – Registered Training Organisations
The RePL course syllabus is determined by CASA not by the Government AVI course. See the Manual of Standards 101.
There is no advantage in going with an RTO training company. All CASA approved RePL training providers are audited by CASA, and the licence is a CASA licence.
Be wary of organisations which say courses must be delivered by an RTO or that an RTO is better!
RPAS equip is approved by CASA to deliver the Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC).