A drone licence in South Africa means the Remote Pilot Licence (RPL), issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. You need one to fly a drone for any paid work, from estate agent photos to mine inspections. It sits beside two other things: the drone's registration and the company's RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC). Tell us how many pilots need the licence and flight schools approved for RPL training in your area quote you directly. It is free and there is no obligation.
Who needs an RPL
The line is money. If you fly your own drone for your own enjoyment, with no money changing hands, you do not need an RPL, but SACAA guidance for private flying still applies: keep the drone in sight, fly in daylight, stay below 150 ft (about 46 m), keep about 50 m from people, buildings and public roads, and stay at least 10 km from airports and airfields. As soon as a flight is paid for, or is part of a business, it is commercial. That includes photos for an estate agent, a wedding video, a roof inspection or a farm survey, and it includes drones under 250 g.
RPL, ROC and registration: three different things
- Remote Pilot Licence (RPL): the person. It shows the pilot has passed the theory and practical training for a class of drone, such as multirotor or fixed wing.
- RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC): the business. It shows the company has the manuals, procedures and people to run drone operations safely. An air service licence may also be needed.
- Registration: the drone. Each drone used commercially is registered with the SACAA.
A licensed pilot can fly for a company that holds an ROC. Hiring an operator? Ask to see the RPL and the ROC. See commercial drones.
The steps to an RPL
The usual route is a course at a flight school approved by the SACAA to train for the RPL, covering theory, practical flying and the required tests. You also need an aviation medical certificate from a SACAA designated medical examiner; ask the school which class applies and book it early. Some pilots need a radio or English language proficiency endorsement as well. The school explains the exact steps, tests and paperwork for your licence, and how long the SACAA usually takes. For what the training itself involves, see drone training.
What it costs
The RPL course costs about R12,500 to R45,000, depending on whether flying hours, drone use, tests and paperwork help are included. SACAA fees are extra: at the time of writing, about R922 to register a drone and R8,089 for an operating certificate. Add the medical and any endorsements. When you compare schools, ask each one for a full list of what is included and what you pay separately.
What to include in your request
- How many pilots need an RPL
- Class of drone: multirotor, fixed wing or both
- Whether anyone has a medical already
- Whether you also need help with an ROC
- Preferred start date and area
Drone Licence (RPL) for different clients
- Hobbyists and families: an RPL for a hobby pilot who wants to start selling photos legally
- Farmers and growers: a licence for farm staff flying mapping or spraying drones on the farm
- Estate agents and developers: an RPL so an estate agency can shoot its own listings within the rules
- Builders, engineers and installers: licensed pilots for survey and progress flights on building sites
- Mines, plants and utilities: RPLs for an in-house team that inspects plant, stockpiles and pylons
- Photographers, film crews and agencies: an RPL for a wedding or film photographer adding paid aerial work
- Security companies and estates: licensed pilots for a security company starting drone patrols on estates
- Municipalities, schools and NGOs: RPLs for municipal, conservation and search and rescue drone pilots
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to fly a drone in South Africa?
Do I need an RPL for a drone under 250 g?
Is an RPL enough to start a drone business?
How do I find a school for my drone licence?
Drone Licence (RPL) by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg