Remote Pilot Licence Theory and Practicum (Multi-rotor drones up to 25kg)
Overview
The unit delivers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) remote pilot licence (RePL) theory, associated theory examination, practical flight training and flight test required for the issue of a CASA RePL for small multi-rotor drones up to 25kg gross weight operated under visual line of sight (VLOS) in accordance with CASA’s standard operating conditions (SOC). In addition, where required, students will also obtain an aeronautical radio operator’s certificate (AROC) which will enable remote pilots to fly a drone in controlled airspace if they also have the additional CASA approvals to do so. An AROC allows remote pilots to broadcast over VHF radio aviation frequencies.
Requisites
50 credit points
Assumed Knowledge
Minimum of CASA General English Language Proficiency (see https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certification/individual-licensing/meeting-language-standards-flight-crew-and-student-pilots/general-english-language-proficiency)
13-April-2025
03-August-2025
14-September-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply regulations and policies during remotely piloted aircraft systems operations
- Assess and manage operational safety risks during all normal and non-normal situations across all modes and stages of flight
- Operate and manage all remotely piloted aircraft systems pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight
- Operate aeronautical radios
- Manage human factors in remotely piloted aircraft systems operations
- Navigate remotely piloted aircraft systems
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 1.67 | 6 weeks | 10 |
| Live Online Class | 1.50 | 6 weeks | 9 |
| Online Learning activities | 11.83 | 6 weeks | 71 |
| On-campus Practical | 1.33 | 6 weeks | 8 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.00 | 6 weeks | 54 |
| TOTAL | 152 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Radio Operation Test | Individual | 0% | 4 |
| Examination | Individual | 0% | 1,2,4,5,6 |
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 0% | 1,2,4,5,6 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 0% | 1,2,5 |
| Practical Examination | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Hurdle
To successfully pass this unit and be awarded the grade of COMP (successful completion), you must achieve:
• at least 85% in the CASA approved RePL theory examination (pass mark is prescribed by the regulator), and
• at least 80% in the CASA approved AROC theory examination (pass mark is prescribed by the regulator), if applicable, and
• successfully complete RePL practical flight training and the competency assessment/flight test, and
• any other minimum requirements to pass the unit, including other assessment tasks, such as module quizzes and mission scenario portfolio, and tutorial attendance/participation requirements.
100% attendance at classes/tutorials/workshops is a mandatory and regulated hurdle requirement to pass this unit in order to meet CASA's prescribed "contact with a RePL training instructor" requirements as per Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOS) (Division 2.6 RePL training course administration, Section 2.26 Student class time, Paras 1 to 4).
Content
- General introduction and overview of the CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) unit
- Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) aerodynamics
- Human Factors
- Mission preparation
- Navigation
- Basic meteorology
- Drone general knowledge
- Air law
- CASA’s Standard Operating Conditions (SOC)
- Threat & Error Management (TEM)
- Drone Job Safety Assessments (JSA)/risk assessments completion
- Sub-25 kg multi-rotor RPA
- Aeronautical Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC)
- Practical small multi-rotor VLOS RPA operations
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.